Once Home To Snookie, Current Home To Miles Of Beaches
Start writing a post
Student Life

Once Home To Snookie, Current Home To Miles Of Beaches

Beaches, museums, gardens, music, food, oh my!

9
Once Home To Snookie, Current Home To Miles Of Beaches
flickr.com

Back in January of 2012, I did the Disney College Program and like everyone there, we all shared where our homes are. So when it came time to tell everyone where my home was, I reluctantly mumbled New Jersey. I was met with “But you don’t look like the typical Jersey Girl”.

But little did I know what an obsession my great state became down in ol’ sunny Orlando, Florida. After Hurricane Sandy blew through my great state, I had more love for my actual home than I did for my second home. I’m sure you, the reader, understands what you love so much about your state -- what makes it your home. Well, I know what Jersey is like and what makes it home for me — so today, I’m going to take you on a short trip and show you what things there are to do in New Jersey for the summer.

11. Music is made here

We the state that gave birth to Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, My Chemical Romance, Overkill, The Number Twelve Looks Like You, The Misfits, Akon, The Fugees, Bouncing Souls, Streetlight Manifesto, The Gaslight Anthem, Senses Fail, Hidden In Plainview—the list goes on and on and we’re always turning out more musicians and bands than anyone else. Basically we’re musically inclined.

10. The Jersey Shore

No, not the version that you see on television with Snookie and the gang. While the show did bring in a lot of revenue to the shore, what’s portrayed on television is not what the real jersey shore is like. The Jersey Shore that I know, has miles of boardwalks with outside arcades, random vendors with everything that you could possibly never need that’s all over priced, and we can’t forget the food -- specifically salt water taffy. Let that sink in. You can thank me later.

9. WAWA

Located throughout Central and Southern New Jersey, Wawa isn’t just a place to get gas and delicious food. Wawa is a way of life. Enough said.

8. Malls

Malls, malls everywhere! In New Jersey alone, there are over 100+ malls. I live in between three shopping malls within less than a 15 minute card ride. We have some of the best outlets in the state and the best part of this all: no sales tax on clothing; unless you’re wearing something with fur, and in that case, go live under a rock and pay your six percent tax on your fur coat. Hope you’re happy.

7. We have nature galore here

Considering we’re known for our beaches, there’s a reason why New Jersey is called “The Garden State”. We have beautiful botanical gardens, hiking trails, as well as fresh produce. If you’re considering going to a botanical garden here in Jersey, check out Rutgers Botanical Garden and Skylands New Jersey Botanical Gardens.

6. We have plenty of museums around, all rich with history

We have plenty of museums in the state that will cure your hankering for culture. We have everything from a Sterling Hills Mining Museum, Liberty Science Center, Newark Museum, Grounds for Sculpture, New Jersey Navel Museum—we even have a battleship, the Battleship New Jersey—and isn’t she lovely?

5. Rook Coffee

Sure, there’s Dunkin' Donuts and Starbucks, but for some real local coffee, there’s always Rook. Thankfully I work across the highway from one, so I can always stop in and get an iced coffee at any time during the day that I want.

4. We’re weird

No seriously, we’re a very weird state. We have The Jersey Devil (to which it’s been proven by many that it still exists), Marlboro State Psychiatric Facility, Graystone Park Psychiatric Hospital, Shades of Death -- we even have our own magazine called “Weird NJ”. If that doesn’t say that we’re weird and unique, then I don’t know what does.

3. Best food in the world

Ok, that’s my personal opinion. But we’re known for our Taylor Ham, Egg and Cheese on a hard roll (or as others like to call it pork roll egg and cheese), saltwater taffy, fried Oreos, funnel cakes—everything just tastes better in New Jersey.

2. Jersey Girls are tough cookies

We take nothing from no one. As our founding father, Jon Bon Jovi once said, “Jersey girls have this inner glow that makes them more beautiful than any other girls”. We might have mermaid hair in the summer and sun kissed skin and walk in the door with sand all over the place, but don’t ever get on our bad side.

1. We’re a lot stronger than we look

And thanks to Hurricane Sandy, the state banned together and helped one another in rebuilding our gorgeous state. A 100-year hurricane might have tried to break us, but it’ll never break our spirit. We’re stronger than the storm

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58849
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37987
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959510
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

195427
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments