There's no avoiding it; New Jersey has a very bad rep. I ought to know: I was raised there. I heard all the New Jersey jokes, suffered all the sneers, all the smart comments just dripping with contumely. But I'm grown now, enough to appreciate the riches of New Jersey, enough to welcome a book such as the one William and Kay Scheller have turned out that ditches the turnpike for the steadfast glories of the Pine Barrens and the Kittatinny Mountains, and the newly chic charms of Hoboken. From the black basalt cliffs of the Palisades to the marshy treasure of the Hackensack Meadows (in which more than 270 species of birds have been observed), New Jersey is more wilderness than most people realize. But there's history, too. New Jersey, well established and well settled by the time the War for Independence shook up the colonies, was known as the "Cockpit of the Revolution" and was no less essential to the following industrial revolution. Home to the Battle of Trenton, Thomas Edison, and thousands of acres of preserved primeval freshwater wetlands, there is in fact no end to rewarding New Jersey destinations, excursions, and activities, if one plucks one's nose from the air and has an idea of where to look. To this end, the Schellers' guide is an excellent reference. A fount of historical tidbits, cultural oddities, and New Jersey savvy, Off the Beaten Path meanders from the African Art Museum of the S.M.A. Fathers to Lambert Castle, Turtle Back Zoo to the Turkish Kitchen, South Mountain Reservation to the Clam Broth House--and that's just in the urban Northeast. They provide the same eclectic service for Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey plus the long narrow strip known as the Shore. Whether you live in New Jersey and want to counter your friends' sassy comments or are traveling through and want to see more than a stretch of highway, the Schellers' advice is thoroughly trustworthy and a pleasure to read. --Stephanie Gold

New Jersey: Off the Beaten Path (4th ed)

Travel

Kay Scheller

William G. Scheller

United States

UNKNO

For travelers looking to avoid the crowd, this guide will help them discover the unique "must-see" attractions of the Garden State. Go beyond the usual tourist attractions to discover such hidden treasures as Lambert Castle, Well-Sweep Herb Farm, or The Bridgeton Hall of Fame All Sports Museum. Whatever you do when you get to New Jersey, get off the interstate-and take this book with you!

New Jersey Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)

Globe Pequot

Whatever you do when you travel, get off the highway. Who needs more bland rest stops and fast food? Get into the heart of things with Globe Pequot's Off the Beaten Path series. Devoted to travelers with a taste for the unique, this easy-to-use guide will help you discover the hidden places in the New York that most tourists miss - unsung, unspoiled, and out-of-the-way finds that liven up a week's vacation, a day trip, or an afternoon. Native or newcomer, use this guide to find historical and cultural information, detailed maps and driving directions, admission fees and hours of operation, restaurants, places to stay and much more.

New York Off the Beaten Path: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)

Whatever you do when you travel, get off the highway. Who needs more bland rest stops and fast food? Get into the heart of things with Globe Pequot's Off the Beaten Path series. Devoted to travelers with a taste for the unique, this easy-to-use guide helps you discover the hidden places in New Jersey that most tourists miss - unsung, unspoiled, and out-of-the-way finds that liven up a week's vacation, a day trip, or an afternoon. (5 1/2 X 81/2, 192 pages, maps, illustrations)

New Jersey Off the Beaten Path, 6th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)

Here's the New York that most tourists (and other guidebooks) miss. Discover butterflies and buffalos, grape pies and chicken wings, museums, stores, parks, historical sites, and more.

New York Off the Beaten Path, 7th: A Guide to Unique Places (Off the Beaten Path Series)

Discover the region's best Driving Tours with National Geographic as your guide. 
 Features the region's best routes and attractions, including: 
 * Towns and cities, historical and cultural sites, natural areas, plus many surprises * Entertaining, insightful commentary * Useful travel tips * More than 120 original, color photographs * Detailed maps for each drive keyed to descriptions in text * Directions, mileages, and visitor information.

New England : Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut (National Geographic's Driving Guides to America)

Shawn G. Henry

Food, Lodging & Transportation

National Geographic

Barons of Business - Their Lives and Lifestyles (History of Wealthy Americans)

Beaux Arts Editions

Country Walks Near New York