When you think about visiting a park, what kind of imagery comes to mind?
Chances are, you’re envisioning lots of trees, benches, walking trails, and people picnicking and playing sports. While those kinds of parks are a great way to experience nature, you may not realize that New Jersey offers some unique park experiences that you won’t be able to find elsewhere.
Here are our 3 favorite local parks and a list of what items you should bring next time you visit one:
Grounds for Sculpture Park
Located in Hamilton, New Jersey, this park is seriously one of a kind! As you walk through the 42-acre area, you’ll be able to view over 250 sculptures – perfect for artistic folks who also like the outdoors.
Even if you don’t like being outside much, this park is worth checking out because it has a restaurant, shopping options, and a museum on site. You can even make some art while you’re there by joining one of the artist workshops (available for both children and adults).
Island Beach State Park
This park is beautiful year-round, and it offers visitors a breathtaking view of the ocean. Look at its reviews on TripAdvisor, and you’ll see that many people have called it one of the best beaches in New Jersey! Another great thing about this beach? It’s only $10 per car to get in on the weekends, and during the weekdays, it only costs $6 per car.
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
As you can tell by this park’s name, it boasts a lighthouse. And you don’t have to just look at it from afar – you can actually go inside, climb the stairs, and enjoy the view from the top!
If you’re not a big fan of heights, you can simply enjoy walking along the shoreline with your loved ones. Plus, you can bring your furry, four-legged friends along from September 16th to March 31st – just make sure they’re on a leash.
What should you bring on your next trip to a New Jersey park?
If you’re thinking about going to visit one of these parks but not sure what to bring with you, consider this list:
- Sunglasses (protect your eyes from harmful UV rays!)
- Sunscreen
- Snacks (check the park rules first to see whether or not you can bring food in)
- Money for food and drinks
- Plenty of water
- Tennis shoes
- Your camera and phone (you may want to also bring a Ziploc bag to keep these items in if you’re going to be near the water!)
- Bug spray
- Basic first aid supplies
Of course, you may want to consider other supplies depending on what you plan to do on your trip to the park. For example, if you’re going to go for a hike, bring hiking shoes and a map so you don’t get lost. And, of course, make sure you have fun!
Remember – if your poor vision is negatively affecting your quality of life and your ability to enjoy outings with your loved ones, LASIK could be the right solution for you. Contact us today if you’re interested in a consultation.