(BURLINGTON, NJ) -- Jersey Arts Road Trip spotlights 10 towns throughout New Jersey that make quintessential road trip destinations for visitors by offering a perfect mix of dining, nightlife, shopping and accommodations, as well as theater, visual arts, and cultural experiences. The Jersey Arts Road Trip initiative aims to be a resource to help visitors plan a fun-filled day or overnight trip in New Jersey with one easy-to-navigate guide.
“Locals and visitors don’t have to travel far to have it all. Jersey Arts Road Trip showcases unique New Jersey wining, dining, and downtown destinations and wraps them with incredible arts and cultural attractions to offer the perfect experience,” said President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey, Adam Perle. “The Road Trip Guide turns visitor questions from ‘Where should I go?’ into ‘How soon can I get there?’”
In Morristown, you’ll find venues such as the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), the Morris Museum, and the outdoor summer stage at Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. In addition, dine at one of many eateries like the South + Pine or the Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, and for visitors not familiar with the area, stay overnight at hotels like The Madison Hotel and The Westin Governor Morris.
New Brunswick features the newly renovated State Theatre of New Jersey, NBPAC (home to George Street Playhouse, Crossroads Theatre Company, and American Repertory Ballet), and the Zimmerli Art Museum. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy local dining options, including The Frog & The Peach or Harvest Moon Brewery & Café, and spend the night at The Heldrich, Hyatt Regency, or at any of the hotels in the New Brunswick area.
If it’s the Shore that fills your sails, consider a trip down to Cape May and catch one of the many historic tours and special events produced by Cape May MAC, stroll through the open-air living history museum in Historic Cold Spring Village and take in a show at Cape May Stage or East Lynne Theater Company. Dine at one of the many restaurant options, including The Blue Pig Tavern and the famous Mad Batter. Recuperate from a full day of exploration at one of Cape May’s historic inns or bed & breakfasts.
Jersey Arts Road Trip features popular cultural attractions in 10 New Jersey cities and towns, making it easy to plan the perfect getaway: Cape May, Collingswood, Long Beach Island, Montclair, Morristown, New Brunswick, Newark, Princeton, Red Bank, and Trenton.
“Attending local arts events and attractions not only provides fun, engaging experiences but also supports the state’s economy,” said Jeffrey Vasser, Executive Director of the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism. “Although the tourism industry was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector has come back strong and remains key to New Jersey’s economy. Last year, 96.6 million visitors spent $37.3 billion, supporting 270,566 jobs and $4.6 billion in state and local tax revenue. Cultural tourism is a big part of that equation.”
Allison Tratner, Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, agrees that the arts are big business. “While COVID had a major impact on the arts industry, theaters, museums, galleries, and performing arts centers continue to welcome people back with great excitement — and that’s good news for everyone. Our downtowns and communities are alive with arts activities again, drawing millions of people to shop, dine, and stay in hotels, generating more than $662 million for our state’s economy.”
ArtPride New Jersey presents Jersey Arts Road Trip as part of its ongoing Discover Jersey Arts initiative designed to increase arts audiences in New Jersey. The program is presented in collaboration with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and is supported in part by funds from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.
To learn more about the Jersey Arts Road Trip guide and check out specific locations, visit jerseyartsroadtrip.com.
Discover Jersey Arts is a program of the ArtPride New Jersey Foundation dedicated to increasing the awareness of and participation in the arts statewide. JerseyArts.com showcases New Jersey’s creative community with seasonal event content along with feature stories, video packages, and podcasts that tell the stories behind New Jersey’s robust arts scene. Discover Jersey Arts was co-founded by and is supported by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
The ArtPride New Jersey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting and advocating for the arts as essential to New Jersey’s quality of life, education, and economic vitality through research and a wide variety of programs and services.
