Despite The Rankings, New Jersey Is Packed With Summer Adventures

The beaches, the boardwalks, parks, and hiking trails, New Jersey has it all! There are so many amazing places to visit right here in the Garden State to keep you busy all summer long!

Get our free mobile app

If you're looking for live entertainment, we have the best places to see a concert, or if you want to take the kids miniature golfing, go with friends to play a round of golf, head to a bowling alley, pool, or lake in New Jersey, you can do all that too!

There really is something for everyone in the Garden State!

But how do we compare to other cities?

WalletHub looked at 100 of the largest cities in the United States and analyzed key metrics, including recreational activities, living costs, quality of in-state parks, accessibility of entertainment and recreational facilities, and the weather.

Best And Worst U.S. Cities For Recreation

Turns out, Las Vegas, Nevada, is the best city for recreation, coming in at #1.

So, how did New Jersey rank out of 100 cities?

Coming in at #99 is Newark, and in last place, #100 is Jersey City.

Philadelphia ranked #37 and New York City #38.

Regardless of the ranking, New Jersey is full of fun activities scheduled for this summer! Including street fairs in towns throughout the Garden State.

You can check out the full ranking here, but before you do that, see what fun things you can do in New Jersey this summer! Between festivals and fairs, there's always something fun going on for you to enjoy. Check out the list below and plan your next day out!

Places To Visit In New Jersey This Summer

NJ Street Fairs are back! See the latest 2026 schedule

Please check back often as additional street fairs may be added or revised as the year progresses. All New Jersey street fairs are listed in date order.

Gallery Credit: Mike Brant