If any state has a strong culture, it’s New Jersey. Wawa, boardwalks, the Taylor Ham versus pork roll debate, full-service gas stations—the list is endless. Any passionate Jersey native could speak for hours about any of the aforementioned, but an out-of-state student at Seton Hall may have no clue what you’re talking about.
As out-of-state students, the SHU experience hits differently. It comes with some humorous culture shocks, but these differences made the move to the Garden State worth it.
Food
First of all, we have New Jersey to thank for some great food chains. Take Jersey Mike’s for example. The sub and sandwich shop, born in 1956 near the Jersey shore, is now available all across the country.
Other notable food chains that began in the state include Playa Bowls, Bubbakoo’s Burritos and Kohr Bros.
Beyond its reputation as the Diner Capital of the World, New Jersey's food scene reflects cultures from around the globe. Ferry Street in Newark is lined with Iberian restaurants such as Forno's and Iberia Tavern. Jersey City is home to Little India and a Filipino neighborhood known as Little Manila. Fort Lee has a Koreatown and Paterson has Little Palestine. Nearly every culture is represented somewhere in New Jersey.
Public Transportation
New Jersey offers convenient public transportation through NJ Transit, which provides bus, light rail and train services throughout the state. Having these options available through one transit system avoids the complications of navigating multiple platforms and is a luxury many other states do not have. For example, travelers in Orlando, Florida, who are not using a rideshare app such as Lyft or Uber have to use one app for the train and another for local bus transit.
The Holidays
During the holiday season, New Jersey is a beautiful place to be. From a spooky Night of Terror in South Harrison Township to the South Orange Tree Lighting and Jersey City’s Festival and Fireworks, there are countless opportunities to enjoy the holiday season.
Adventures and Entertainment
New Jersey offers beautiful, natural views you can visit without breaking the bank.
During cherry blossom season, beautiful flowers are on display in various places around the state, including the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival.
New Jersey has 41 state parks, offering plenty of options for day trips or camping. High Point State Park in Sussex County is home to the highest peak in New Jersey, as well as lakes and campsites. South Mountain Reservation in Essex County is home to the Turtle Back Zoo, and offers scenic sights such as Hemlock Falls and Washington Rock. Meanwhile, Ringwood State Park in Passaic County features a botanical garden and two historic mansions, Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor.
Closer to the shore, Allaire State Park in Howell offers 45 campsites near the Manasquan River, along with hiking and biking trails. Further south along the coast, the nearly 50,000-acre Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge stretches across the shore and is known for its eight-mile Wildlife Drive loop.
During the warm months, the Jersey Shore has over 40 beaches along 130 miles of coastline. When winter arrives, snowing, skiing and snowboarding take over at resorts and parks across the state. Mountain Creek Resort offers 50 skiing trails across four mountains and transforms into a water park during the summer.
For those looking for a thrill, New Jersey is also home to the nation’s second-largest theme park, Six Flags Great Adventure. The park features multiple award-winning roller coasters and is set to open the world's tallest and fastest spinning coaster in 2027. It also includes a water park, Hurricane Harbor, with 22 slides and a Wild Safari experience with more than 1,200 animals.
Gas Stations
Since 1949, New Jersey has been one of the only states where drivers are prohibited from pumping their own gas, meaning an attendant fills up the tank for you. This saves drivers the hassle of exiting their vehicles and pumping their own gas.
These are just a few of the quirks and attractions that make New Jersey famously known as “my country, New Jersey,” offering a glimpse of the great treasures available right here in the Garden State.
Rickiya Coulton is the live reporter for The Setonian. She can be reached at rickiya.coulton@student.shu.edu.
Peter Stewart is an assistant editor of The Setonian’s Sports section. He can be reached at peter.stewart@student.shu.edu.
