The state of New Jersey attracts its fair share of visitors – from the US and beyond – and if you are into history, sports, arts, gambling, food, or whatever else, there is plenty to do and lots to enjoy.
Sports fans, in particular, will never be short of possible activities, regardless of whether they like to sit back and watch the action or get their hands dirty and participate.
Here are five things that sports enthusiasts are recommended to do whilst in New Jersey.
Go to an NFL Game at the MetLife Stadium
Both the New York Giants and New York Jets play their home games in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and if you are in the area when either team is playing, you simply have to go and experience the atmosphere in the 82,500-seater stadium.
This modern arena opened in 2010 and at its time of completion, there had never been a more expensive stadium built in the US. As well as football, it has hosted WrestleMania, soccer matches, Monster Jam, and various concerts.
Before NFL games, you can tailgate with other fans, enjoying some food and drink and taking in what is a key part of the match-day experience.
Hit up the Atlantic City Casinos
Atlantic City is renowned for its casinos, and in many of them, the gambling is not restricted to just roulette, blackjack, and other slots and table games.
There are rooms for sports betting, and they are operated by firms such as William Hill or DraftKings – both of whom have betting sites that you can wager on from your computer or phone.
The sportsbooks inside the casinos are generally sizeable and have multiple screens with different sports on, making it the very best place to watch the action while placing wagers at the betting kiosks should you wish to do so.
Book a Tee Time
Pine Valley is considered the number one golf course in New Jersey, but there are plenty of other famous ones, including Baltusrol, which Jack Nicklaus called one of his favorites. Perhaps the fact that he won two U.S. Open Championships there helped its cause.
Somerset Hills and Plainfield Country are also high up on many people’s lists, and the same can be said for Ridgewood Country Club, which has hosted events on the PGA Tour and some senior majors.
Of course, getting to play at one of the aforementioned courses may not be easy, but there are dozens of others that are open to the public.
Go Racing at Monmouth Park
Thoroughbred horse racing meetings take place at Monmouth Park, which is a great day out and a tradition that goes back to the 19th century.
Even when there is no racing action at the venue itself, you can still head down to watch and bet on the races taking place elsewhere in America.
You can enjoy a bite to eat in the William Hill sports bar, and casual fine dining is also available.
Watch the Devils on the Ice
Having formerly been the Kansas City Scouts and the Colorado Rockies, the team moved to New Jersey to become the Devils in 1982, and they now ply their trade in Newark.
The 90s and early 2000s were the glory years for the Devils, amassing three Stanley Cup triumphs in that time, but as the only major league sports team actually named ‘New Jersey’, the fanbase is hugely passionate and hopeful that the good times will come back around.
Their home arena, the Prudential Center, holds up to 19,500 people.
