New Jersey

Clifton, New Jersey

Rutt's has been deep-frying its hot dogs since 1928

Hillsborough, New Jersey

Duke Farms

A lavish 2,700-acre estate created by tobacco and hydropower magnate James Buchanan "Buck" Duke.  North Carolina born Duke had come north in the mid-1880s to open a branch factory for his family's cigarette empire, and soon began buying up land in central New Jersey to re-create the farm atmosphere of his childhood.  Beginning in 1893 Duke had a change of heart and hired landscape architect James Greenleaf (an employee of Frederick Law Olmsted, designer of New York's Central Park) to transform his property into a grand public park.  Today guests can marvel at its 9 man-made lakes, 10 waterfalls, 18 fountains, 54 bridges, and several miles of walls constructed from locally quarried stone.

Cape May, New Jersey

Cape May is the oldest seaside resort in the US, but its real claim to fame is its Victorian country-town atmosphere and prime Jersey Shore location.  In the mid-1800s it was a place for the elite to flee the summer heat.  Cape May is a rarity, the whole town has National Historic Landmark status.

Lunch at Congress Hall
Congress Hall was first constructed in 1816 as a wooden boarding house for guests to the new seaside resort of Cape May; and the proprietor, Thomas H. Hughes, called it "The Big House." In 1828, when Hughes was elected to the House of Representatives, he changed the name of the hotel to Congress Hall. While serving as President of the United States, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Ulysses S. Grant and Benjamin Harrison vacationed at Congress Hall, and Harrison made Congress Hall his official Summer White House.

Cape May Lighthouse

Built in 1859 - 157 1/2 feet tall

World War II Bunker

Jersey Shore

The boardwalk towns are the heart of it all.  Down south, near the very tip of the shore, Wildwood boasts a 38 block boardwalk with huge amusement piers, waterparks, carnival and arcade games.  All of this had already shut down for the winter when we were here.

  

Cold Spring Village

Step back in time to an Early American South Jersey farm community.  Stroll the shaded lanes as you visit 26 historic buildings sitting on 30 acres.

All of the buildings at Historic Cold Spring Village, with the exception of the Old Grange Restaurant, have been moved to the Village from locations around Cape May and Cumberland Counties. Most were transported via flatbed truck and restored once they arrived. In some cases, parts of the buildings had to be dismantled for the journey.

 

We could use one of these at home.