Hidden Gems of South Jersey
AAA
Looking for nearby places to enjoy with friends and family? South Jersey is filled with many exciting and lesser-known attractions. These hidden gems offer everything from history to nature to culinary delights. There is no better way to experience these spots than by taking a scenic road trip that lets you explore each unique destination at your own pace!
Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center
In Millville, Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center is a creative campus featuring the Museum of American Glass, working artist studios, folklife exhibits, and hands-on art experiences. Visitors can watch live glassblowing, explore cultural traditions, stroll the nature trail, and browse the center’s unique craft shops. AAA members save $1 on one general admission (cannot be combined with any other offer).
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Dalton Farms
In Swedesboro, Dalton Farms bursts into color each April with sweeping fields of tulips that create a vibrant spring landscape where you can pick-your-own tulips. In the fall, the landscape shifts to towering, golden sunflowers and pumpkin patches where you can pick-your-own sunflowers and pumpkins.
Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial
The Battleship New Jersey, docked on the Camden Waterfront, is the most decorated battleship in the U.S. Navy history, now serving as an immersive exhibit with interactive tours. As a floating memorial, it offers a powerful connection from World War II through Korea and Vietnam and the 1980s. AAA members save 10% on the price of a standard Adult Admission when a valid AAA membership card is shown.
Learn More About AAA Member Benefit Battleship NJ Website
Storybook Land
Families visiting Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township find a charming park filled with scenes from classic children’s stories. Young kids especially enjoy the gentle rides and detailed displays that bring familiar fairy tales to life. The park’s cozy atmosphere and nostalgic touches create a warm, magical experiences for all ages.
Adventure Aquarium
Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront is home to sharks, sea turtles, and over 15,000 aquatic animals. It is well known for its suspended, 40-foot Shark Tunnel, where visitors can walk through a tunnel surrounded by the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast. It also features unique experiences like hippo encounters and several different touch tanks that make the visit feel hands-on and memorable. AAA Members save 18% on tickets to Adventure Aquarium.
The Funplex
Located in Mount Laurel, The Funplex is an amusement center with indoor and outdoor attractions for all ages. It features go-karts, bowling, laser tag, and a large arcade. In the warmer months, the Sphlashplex water park adds slides, pools, and a lazy river.
Duffield’s Farm
Duffield’s Farm in Sewell is known for its classic pick-your-own-experiences that shift with the seasons. Visitors can gather strawberries in late spring, peaches in the summer, and apples and pumpkins once fall arrives. The farmer’s market rounds out the visit with shelves of fresh produce, homemade treats (including delicious fresh apple cider donuts), and local staples straight from the farm.
Red Bank Battlefield
Along the Delaware River in Gloucester County, Red bank battlefield Park is a historic site of the 1777 Battle of Red Bank. The park preserves Fort Mercer and the James and Ann Whitall House, which served as a field hospital during the battle. Today, visitors can explore the battlefield and learn about the Revolutionary War through tours and programs.
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum at Rowan University in Mantua lets visitors explore a real 66-million-year-old fossil site and learn about the ancient creatures that once lived in South Jersey. The state-of-the-art complex features immersive exhibits, life-sized dinosaurs, and you can even dig for and take home a real fossil! AAA Members save 10% on museum admission and can enjoy complimentary parking courtesy of AAA South Jersey on every visit to the Edelman Fossil Park & Museum.
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Cape May Zoo
Open year-round, except on Christmas, this is a free-admission zoo located in Cape May Court House, NJ. Spanning 85 acres, it houses over 500 animals representing 200 different species. The zoo features a large African Savanna exhibit, a free-flight aviary, and a reptile collection. Founded in 1978, the zoo is part of a 220-acre park, which includes picnic areas, playgrounds, and walking trails. Visitors can enjoy educational programs and animal encounters.
Lucy the Elephant
Located in Margate and built in 1882, this whimsical six-story elephant shaped building is a fun spot to visit! Over the years, Lucy has served as a tavern, summer home, and tourist landmark, eventually earning recognition as a National Historical Landmark. Today, visitors can go on a guided tour through Lucy the Elephant!
Howling Woods Farms
An educational facility and rescue center located in Jackson that specializes in teaching visitors about wolves and wolfdogs, dispelling myths about their nature, and providing a safe haven for rescued wolfdog hybrids and northern breed canines. Visitors can participate in guided walking tours and interact with wolfdogs while learning about their behavior and conservation efforts. Tours are by appointment only, ensuring a personalized and immersive experience.
Historic Cold Spring Village
Historic Cold Spring Village is an open-air living history museum in Cape May that brings the 1800s to life with restored buildings and interactive demonstrations. Visitors can explore blacksmithing, woodworking, basket weaving, and other traditional crafts all presented by historically clothed interpreters. They even have a restaurant and brewery! The 30- acre site offers a unique glimpse into the past, making it a charming and educational destination perfect for families and history bluffs alike.
Jersey Shore Alpacas
A family-owned farm located in Green Creek, near historic Cape May. The farm specializes in agritourism, welcoming visitors to meet and interact with their friendly alpacas. Visitors can enjoy private mingling tours, where they can get up close with the alpacas and learn about their care. The farm also features a store offering soft alpaca clothing, cuddly toys, and yarn.
Downtown Haddonfield
Downtown Haddonfield is a vibrant shopping and dining district known for its charming colonial architecture and tree-lined streets. It offers a winery, brewery, boutique shops, art galleries, and other fantastic eateries. Also, discover the town’s public art installation and sculptures to add a creative touch to your visit. Haddonfield hosts several seasonal events and festivals making it a lively destination year-round!
Cape May Point State Park
This is a 244-acre coastal sanctuary that offers stunning ocean views and nature trails winding through dunes and wetlands. It is home to the historic and iconic Cape May Lighthouse. Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, hiking, and exploring freshwater ponds, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers. This peaceful park also complements Cape May’s renowned Victorian allure.
Lizard Tail Swamp Preserve
This nature preserve offers a peaceful hiking experience with well-maintained trails winding through lush forests and wetlands. The preserve is home to diverse wildlife, including birds, amphibians, and unique plant species. The trail system spans about 3 miles, featuring two main trails—the Blue Trail and the Yellow Trail. The terrain is mostly flat, making it an easy and accessible hike for visitors. Along the way, you’ll find footbridges, picnic areas, and scenic spots to enjoy the natural beauty.
Historic Smithville
This quaint village transports visitors back in time with its cobblestone walkways, charming shops, and scenic lake. Originally a one-room stagecoach stop, historic Smithville has evolved into a beloved destination featuring over 60 unique shops, restaurants, and attractions. The village also hosts seasonal festivities, making each visit a fresh and memorable experience!
Tall Pines State Preserve
Once a popular golf course, this 110-acre nature preserve located in Gloucester County, was abandoned in 2006, allowing nature to reclaim the land before officially becoming a state park in 2016. The preserve features two marked trails—the Perimeter Trail (Green) and the Red Trail (Red)—offering visitors a chance to explore woodlands, wetlands, and open meadows. It’s a great spot for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying peaceful scenery.
Batsto Village
In Hammonton, Batsto Village is known for its rich industrial past dating back to the 19th century. Once a thriving ironworks and glassmaking center, the village now features over 30 preserved buildings, including a mansion, blacksmith shop, and general store. Visitors can explore its scenic trails, historical structures, and museum exhibits, offering a fascinating glimpse into early American industry and life.
The Wetlands Institute
In Stone Harbor, there is a nature center dedicated to promoting appreciation, understanding, and stewardship of coastal and wetland ecosystems. It offers interactive educational programs for all ages, allowing visitors to explore the salt marsh environment through guided walks, observation towers, and even kayaking. The institute is home to research and conservation efforts, focusing on species like diamondback terrapins, horseshoe crabs, and shorebirds.
Uptown Pitman
In the small town of Pitman, explore unique shops, indulge in delicious ice cream, and enjoy a meal at one of its inviting restaurants. You can also try pottery painting, a fun activity for both adults and kids, before catching an exciting show at the historic Broadway Theatre. Whether you’re visiting for a relaxing afternoon or a seasonal festive celebration, Uptown Pitman offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Sunset Beach and the SS Atlantus
Located in Cape May is a popular coastal destination known for its stunning sunsets, Cape May diamonds (smooth quartz pebbles), and historic landmarks. One of its most famous sights is the wreck of the SS Atlantus, an experimental concrete ship that ran aground during a storm in 1926.
Saddler's Woods
This forest located in Haddon Township, features wetlands, young woodlands, and old-growth forest, making it a rare natural retreat in an urban setting. Visitors can explore diverse tree species, including Eastern Black Oak, White Oak, American Beech, and Tulip Poplar, some of which are over 300 years old. Each year, a group of goats is brought in to help clear invasive plants like English ivy, poison ivy, and Japanese knotweed. The goats are natural weed eaters, allowing the forest to be restored without the use of herbicides. Visitors can watch the goats in action, but there are a few rules—no feeding or petting, as they may be covered in poison ivy oils. The project has been running for several years and has become a community favorite.
Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
Located on the edge of the New Jersey Pinelands this center serves as a wildlife rehabilitation hospital, nature center, and conservation area, dedicated to preserving native wildlife and habitats through education, rehabilitation, and conservation efforts. The refuge includes the Woodford Nature Center, a Wildlife Housing Area with more than 50 native residents, and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital that cares for over 7,000 wild animals each year. Visitors can explore hiking trails, observe bald eagles, owls, raccoons, and other rescued animals, and participate in educational programs.
Amico Island Park
A 55-acre peninsula located in Delran, at the confluence of the Rancocas Creek and Delaware River. The park features diverse habitats, including upland forests, freshwater ponds, wetlands, and meadows, making it a great spot for hiking, biking, fishing, and picnicking. One of the highlights of visiting Amico Island Park is the scenic views of the Philadelphia skyline. From certain vantage points along the trails, visitors can see the cityscape across the Delaware River, offering a picturesque backdrop, especially at sunset.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
The center located in Brigantine, operates a Sea Life Museum, offering educational exhibits and hands-on learning experiences about marine conservation. Visitors can explore the rehabilitation facilities, learn about the stranding response process, and even support the center through donations or volunteering.
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