2026 New Jersey Travel Guide: must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transport & travel experiences (updated in January)

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You don’t need to fly to India to experience the spiritual call of a thousand-year-old culture. It’s a bit of a paradox for me—India as a country both fascinates and intimidates me. The vibrant markets, dazzling temples, the rhythm of Bollywood, and the mystique of ancient myths often captivate me through travel shows and movie scenes. Yet, my rational side reminds me of concerns about safety, hygiene, and security, which push a trip to India further down my travel list. But today, I found a way to "fulfill my dream" without crossing half the globe. Just a little over an hour’s drive from New York, I stepped into a traditional Indian temple and immersed myself in the solemnity and tranquility of a foreign culture. This is where I checked in today: the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in New Jersey. As the car turned into the temple grounds, the pristine white silhouette of the main shrine came into view, leaving me breathless at first sight. It’s not an ostentatious luxury but a serene grandeur rooted in ancient civilization—every pillar and every carving invites you to pause and admire. The intricate details of the white marble and pink sandstone architecture are meticulously crafted, as if stepping into the heart of an ancient Indian city. The sunlight hit at just the right angle, making the temple seem to glow, as if the world had been reduced to pure sanctity. Standing in front of the main shrine for a photo, I truly felt like I was "traveling the world without leaving the country." Photo Spots Recommendations: 1. Symmetrical view of the main entrance (classic Instagram angle): The white stone architecture against the blue sky makes for a stunning shot. Position yourself slightly off-center for a majestic yet personal vibe. 2. Close-up of the side wall carvings (a must for detail lovers): The intricate hand-carved details are astonishing. Capture close-ups or compose shots interacting with the carvings. 3. Silhouette of the temple at sunset (full of mood): If you visit in the afternoon, the twilight and temple outline create a serene atmosphere, perfect for contemplative travel photography. Inside the Temple: More Than Architecture, a Moment of Inner Peace Before entering the main shrine, you must remove your shoes—a gesture that feels like a reminder to "leave the noise of the outside world behind and step into a purer space." The idols are neatly arranged, and the walls and ceilings are adorned with paintings and carvings. Even the lighting is carefully designed to be soft yet solemn. There’s no audio guide, no noisy chatter—just the gentle hum of Sanskrit chants and the silent prayers of devotees. Being there, even for a brief moment, you can feel your heartbeat slow and your thoughts quiet down. The initial reason for visiting the temple was, to be honest, to "fulfill a seemingly unattainable travel dream in an alternative way." But I didn’t expect it to bring me not just the satisfaction of taking photos but also a subtle recalibration of my mind and body. Sometimes, we think we need to travel far and wide, crossing mountains and oceans, to gain new experiences. But the truth is, some cultures and wonders might be quietly waiting to be discovered in a corner of our own city. Today’s visit to the Indian temple had no bustling markets, no border-crossing chaos, and no safety concerns. Just pristine stone walls, devout prayers, and a rare sense of inner peace. If, like me, you’re drawn to Indian culture but hesitant to visit the country, consider starting here. Perhaps one day, when you do make it to India, you’ll realize you’ve been ready all along.

The second largest Hindu temple in the world - Akshardham Mahamandir Temple (Akshardham Mahamandir) has been completed in the Robbinsville community in central New Jersey, USA, with different themed activities every day. I arrived at the temple when it was getting dark, the weather was freezing, and my hands were almost frozen when I took out my phone to take pictures🥶🥶🥶🥶 From the outside, this Hindu temple is truly magnificent, and unlike ordinary buildings, because there are many carved details, it looks somewhat complicated, quite a feeling of not belonging to the world, of course, this is also what the designers and builders pursue. This second largest in the world and the largest in the United States Hindu temple, covers an area of 87975 square feet (about 0.82 hectares), the highest point can reach 191 feet (about 58.2 meters). 🕙Opening hours: 7 am to 7:30 pm The main body of the temple is made of marble, granite and limestone, which come from all over Europe, then transported to India. After complex carving by local craftsmen in India, they are transported to the United States, which is quite complicated. Then, volunteers from all over the world, under the guidance of craftsmen, assemble it. The entire temple took 12 years from design to completion, with 12,500 participants, which is really a major project. The volunteers who participated in the construction project are all believers of BAPS. BAPS is an abbreviation for a sect in Hinduism, established in 1905. On the main building of the temple, there are a total of 10,000 statues and 151 carvings depicting ancient Indian musical instruments. From the detail photos, the statues are indeed exquisite, even the expressions of the gods are lifelike. The largest Hindu temple in the world is in New Delhi, but the construction time is much shorter than this temple, only 5 years, and the manpower consumed is relatively less, with 8,000 volunteers participating. The temple houses a giant statue of the respected Hindu spiritual leader Bhagwan Swaminarayan of the 19th century. "Having the second largest temple in the world on American soil: Akshardham Mahamandir Temple, is not only a victory for a community or immigrants, but also a victory for all of India," The temple still has some buildings not completed, only a part has been opened and has cost: 96 million US dollars. Currently free to visit. No photography is allowed on the second floor of the main temple. Shoes must be removed to enter the second floor of the temple, and there is a special place to store shoes. The entire second floor of the temple is made of white granite carvings, with intricate and beautiful carvings of figures and mythical beasts, which are stunning and breathtaking. The entire building is carved everywhere, you have entered a world of exquisite carving art. It's a pity that there are cameras everywhere and no photography is allowed. 🐘BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Robbinsville 📍Address: 112 N Main St, Windsor, NJ 08561 ⏰Business hours: 9:00-19:30 Free admission

Celebrating the start of Wimbledon with @champagnelansonuk picnic at home 🍾🎾 the picnic includes lovely & easy to put together dishes like⁣ ⁣ 🎾 Ritchie's of Rothesay hot smoked salmon with sourdough crumpets, caviar butter and lamb’s lettuce
🎾 'Henman Hill' sweet onion and smoked cheese tart
🎾 Coronation chicken served in baby gem parcels
🎾 Isle of Wight heirloom tomatoes with smoked beetroot, Rosary goats cheese with aged balsamic, thyme and single origin olive oil 
🎾 Bowl of English greens (sugar snaps, green beans, tenderstem) with pickled golden beetroot and horseradish gremolata
🎾 Buttered Jersey Royal potatoes cooked with garden mint, peas, asparagus and radish salad with soft boiled Burford Brown egg and brioche croutons with a truffle and chive dressing 
🎾 British strawberries with Estate Dairy pouring cream and pink peppercorn shortbread fingers
🎾 Champagne Lanson chocolate truffles⁣ 🍾 Limited edition bottle of Champagne Lanson Le Black Label Brut 
🥂 A pair of limited edition Wimbledon champagne flutes⁣ ⁣ The picnic is still available to order until the end of Wimbledon ☺️ #prsample⁣ ⁣ #champagnelanson #wimbledon #wimbledon2021 #wimbledonathome #champagne #picnic #picnicathome #londonfood #londonfoodie #londoneats #eeeeeats #themepark#zoo#nationalpark#lakes#beaches

Two words: stuffed cookies. If that doesn’t have you reaching for your phone then we don’t know what will. Bang Cookies is a cool cookie store in Jersey City that stuffs it fresh cookies with salted caramel or peanut butter and jelly. Take your shot in front of the tongue in cheek ‘I got banged in Jersey City’ sign. #café

📍El Taco Nazo, New Jersey Me and my bae are always obsessed with Mexican food especially Taco. He hadn’t come home for like a year and he found this place. We went there with some friends and also had some beers. I forgot the Mexican name of type of Tacos i ordered but seriously before we go back I definitely will go back! God, never had such delicious Tacos in my life. The meat was sooo juicy and tender it just melted once i bit the taco. So yummmmy! #deliciousfood #givethanks #givethanks

📍Brothers Pizza, East Brunswick, New Jersey Thick crusted, extremely cheesy amazing Pizza. It smells so good, the texture is amazing. The contrast of the crunchy dough and the excess of melted cheese is so out of this world. One of the best pizza spots in Jersey! #givethanks #deliciousfood #givethanks

Christmas, we shared our love and presents.

Black Friday ~ crazy offer and sale.

First time celebrated Thanksgiving in USA.

New Jersey's first snow ❄️❄️

Snowfall in New Jersey

📅 Itinerary Day1： Day2: Day3: 🏨 Accommodation 🍴 Food Recommendations 📌 Tips Hudson Yards Christmas lights 🎄 Times Square 🏙️ Dinner at Meduza 🫒 230 Rooftop drinks🍹 2nd- Day 2 Brooklyn or Liberty Bagels🥯 Grand central station 🚂 Summit one 🗼 Bryant park 🏞️ 7th St burger 🍔 6th Ave holiday displays 🎁 Chicken rice 🍗🍚 Lotte NY palace Christmas tree🎄 Macy’s Holiday square 🎁 Dinner at Bungalow 🥘

. Around Philadelphia, I found a winter-exclusive fairy tale world 👉🏻 Peddler's Village, a small town with a 63-year history, which I have visited twice this year! In summer, it’s a cozy town like the Land of Oz, with a fun limited sand sculpture exhibition; this winter revisit, the town has transformed into a brightly lit real-life fairy tale Christmas village🎄 🚗🚗 Only a 1-hour drive from Philadelphia, and just 1-2 hours from New Jersey or Delaware, very convenient transportation~ —— 🎅🏻 Winter Exclusive Experience —— 🎄 Million Lights Walk: The entire village is decorated with a million lights. Stroll along the red brick paths, holding a hot drink, watching the twinkling lights, the romance level is off the charts! 🤎 Gingerbread House Exhibition: A tradition since 1984! Over 100 creative gingerbread house works are free to visit, each as exquisite as a piece of art~ 💡The gingerbread house exhibition may have long lines, so it’s recommended to go early~ 🛍️ Treasure Hunt in Specialty Shops: Clothing stores, toy stores, candle shops, bookstores, art galleries, candy stores... almost every shop in the town is dressed up for the holidays, filled with Christmas decorations, festive ornaments, limited gifts, and handicrafts. Unique designs from local independent brands make every gift full of thoughtfulness and seasonal spirit~ 🍽️ Winter Exclusive Food Experience: Besides exquisite meals and casual snacks in restaurants, many seasonal pop-up stalls have appeared in the village! Hold a steaming cup of hot cocoa or local apple cider, paired with holiday-exclusive snacks, instantly wrapped in warmth~ —— 💡TIPS —— 📍Address: Peddler's Village, PA 🅿️ Parking: Free! Navigate to Visitor & Event Center 🎫 Tickets: Light show and gingerbread house exhibition are free ⏰ Suggested Visit Time: Arrive before dusk to enjoy the sunset and see the moment the lights turn on. The blue hour after sunset pairs perfectly with the Christmas lights~

I decided to visit New York, but finding accommodations in the city was too expensive, so I booked an Airbnb in New Jersey and traveled across the city. So, I rode the bus and subway a lot, and I was able to experience what life was like for New Yorkers. Just being on American soil was so exciting.

We found the best seafood boil in New Jersey! Eatlocal is in📍Metuchen at Nauti Cajun Crab! This spot is famous for their sauces and delicious seafood boil. If you’re a crab lover, you’ll love this! #seafood #cajun #nauti #seafoodboil #newjersey #nj #Metuchen #foodie#seafoodlover

#travel 📍Address:new jersey

Paterson cricket ground Near sea in New Jersey #travel

new jersey streets

There is a famous Hindu temple in New Jersey, USA - Akshardham Maha Mandir Temple. It is the largest Hindu temple in the United States and the second largest Hindu temple in the world, covering an area of ​​approximately 0.82 hectares and with its highest point reaching approximately 58.2 meters. The main body of the temple is built with marble, granite and limestone. These stones were imported from all over Europe, shipped to India for carving and then shipped to the United States for assembly. The construction process took 12 years. The building is magnificent, the carvings are exquisite and unique, the square is large, and there are fountains. When you enter the hall, you can first watch a movie that specifically introduces the Indian temple, and then walk closer to the temple, watch while walking, and slowly visit and tour. You can not only appreciate the exquisite carving art 🖼️, but also give people a sense of tranquility. There are two halls with more exquisite sculptures. You must take off your shoes to enter and visit. Taking photos 🤳 and touching are not allowed. After the visit, I was indeed shocked by its artistic charm and felt the quiet and solemn atmosphere. The entire temple is handmade and magnificent. It is really beautiful! At night, the temple is even more magnificent under the lights and is definitely worth a visit! ⛰️Address: Robbinsville community in central New Jersey, accessible by navigation 🧭. 🎫Tickets and opening hours: Free admission. Opening hours are from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm. 📌Friendly reminder: There are fewer tourists visiting during normal times, so it is recommended to travel during off-peak hours.

Enjoying dinner with my sister and her kids and partner

#magicalxmastrip A snowy Christmas in New Jersey is a picturesque and cozy experience. Towns like Princeton and Morristown transform into winter wonderlands with snow-covered streets, twinkling lights, and festive decorations. Families enjoy sledding, ice skating, and visiting local Christmas markets. The snowy backdrop adds charm to holiday traditions, creating a magical and heartwarming celebration. #2024mapped

#magicalxmastrip Christmas in New Jersey is a festive celebration filled with holiday lights, markets, and family-friendly events. Towns like Princeton and Cape May dazzle with decorations and charming Christmas villages. Holiday markets offer unique gifts, while ice skating rinks and light displays, like those at Turtle Back Zoo or Skylands Stadium, create magical experiences. It’s a joyful season for all ages. #2024mapped

#December Travel Support Event The calamari I ate in New Jersey was really delicious. The light, crispy batter made the soft texture of the calamari stand out even more. The inside was chewy and had a fresh seafood flavor, and the taste was even richer when eaten with the sauce. In particular, the refreshing taste was added when I sprinkled a little lemon juice on it, which whetted my appetite. It was a great calamari as a simple snack or as a side dish for drinks, and it was a great choice for enjoying fresh seafood.