Sure, we’ve all thought of taking the family to some place popular like Disney World, Niagra Falls, or the Grand Canyon for some time away, but what about the more alternative vacation destinations?

After all, in this great nation there’s so much to see, surely there must be different locations to choose from, we don’t have to stand in those long Magic Kingdom lines.

New Jersey beaches / watching the sunset/sunrise over the ocean
Canva (Townsquare Illustration)
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To shine a light on some of the more underrated destinations in the U.S., Honest Eco, a Florida based eco tours company, surveyed thousands of families to determine the most coveted alternative vacation spots.

From this survey, a ranking of the top 150 destinations was compiled, showcasing a variety of unique and unforgettable experiences for families to enjoy.

Of the top 150 in the nation, two New Jersey locations made the list, and we made the top 100!

8️⃣6️⃣ The Pine Barrens

Dennis Malloy photo
Dennis Malloy photo
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This unique ecosystem covers a significant portion of southern New Jersey and offers hiking, canoeing, and wildlife watching.

Families can explore the dense forests and learn about the area's folklore and history, providing a rich and diverse outdoor experience.

Just watch out for the Jersey Devil!

Philidelphia Bulletin, Jan. 1909
Philidelphia Bulletin, Jan. 1909
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Higher up on the list was…

6️⃣9️⃣ Cape May Point State Park

Cape May
Photo by Ryan Stone on Unsplash
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This park features a lighthouse, nature trails, and excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Families can climb the lighthouse, hike the trails, and enjoy the beach, providing a blend of nature and history.

Photo by Andre Frueh on Unsplash
Photo by Andre Frueh on Unsplash
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If you’re an avid traveler, you may want to keep reading, these are the coolest hidden wonders across the United States.

Offbeat adventures: Travel to the coolest hidden wonders in every U.S. state

Fuel your offbeat travel dreams. Stacker found the coolest hidden wonders in all 50 U.S. states (plus D.C.) using data from Atlas Obscura.

[WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter private or abandoned property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing.]

Gallery Credit: Sandi Hemmerlein

LOOK: Must-do activities at every national park

Stacker lists the must-do activities at every national park ranked by the annual number of visitors. 

Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood

LOOK: Oldest Disneyland Rides From 1955 to Today

Stacker, set out to compile a definitive list of every Disneyland attraction you can enjoy today and ranked them by their age. Using real-time data from Touring Plans, Disney archives, and historical news releases and reviews, our list starts with exciting recent park additions and stretches back to the oldest opening-day classics. This list focuses on the original Disneyland Park, so you will not see any rides from its neighboring California Adventure located just across the promenade. Read on to discover the oldest Disneyland rides you can still ride today.

Gallery Credit: Angela Brown

The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5's Kylie Moore. Any opinions expressed are Kylie's own. You can follow Kylie on Instagram.
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