{"id":225867,"date":"2026-06-09T21:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T21:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/?p=225867"},"modified":"2026-06-09T22:11:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T22:11:22","slug":"our-country-new-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/our-country-new-jersey\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome to Our Country, New Jersey (A Love Letter Ahead of the World Cup)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/welcome-to-new-jersey-300x200.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"welcome-to-new-jersey\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/welcome-to-new-jersey-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/welcome-to-new-jersey-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/welcome-to-new-jersey.png 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/welcome-to-new-jersey-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/06\/welcome-to-new-jersey-263x175.png 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">garden state <\/div><p>Many were surprised when New Jersey was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/fifa-world-cup-2026-metlife-stadium-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chosen as the site<\/a> of the 2026 World Cup, including the tournament championship match (it might be New York\/New Jersey Stadium, but MetLife is definitely in New Jersey, capeesh?). But, let\u2019s just say &#8211; we weren\u2019t\u2026because we know New Jersey is the best, the GOAT, whatever accolade you want to call it.&nbsp; And despite our traffic woes, NJ Transit stress, or reputation of unfriendliness, we <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">really <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are excited to welcome visitors from all over the world to our home state. Let your visit to the Garden State be a chance to learn something new about our country, New Jersey. So here goes, from our team to you: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Thank You, New Jersey<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So many things in our modern life wouldn\u2019t exist without New Jersey. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/thomas-edison-national-historic-park-west-orange\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">light bulb, alkaline battery<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/hoboken-history-baseball-birthplace-sports\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">baseball<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/hoboken-history-sweets-candy-factories\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tootsie rolls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, to name a few.&nbsp; The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/new-jersey-film-history-movies-tv\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">film industry was born here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and New Jersey is currently the leader of all US states in movie production. The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/first-forward-pass-football-history-hoboken\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">first forward pass in football <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was thrown here in the Garden State; the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/hoboken-lackawanna-train-station-history\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lackawanna Terminal in Hoboken<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inspired train station design worldwide; and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/famous-first-moments-essex-county-new-jersey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Port of Newark <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">was the first container port in the nation.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even the vibes are right here. New Jersey has inspired artists like <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/springsteen-center-american-music-opens-summer-monmouth-university-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bruce Springsteen<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/frank-sinatra-walking-tour-hoboken\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Frank Sinatra<\/a>, Bon Jovi, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/kool-and-the-gang-jersey-city-band-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kool + The Gang<\/a>, the Jonas Brothers, Queen Latifah + Whitney Houston; writers like Judy Blume, George R. R. Martin, Junot Diaz, + Harlan Coben; and other important contributors to pop culture like David Chase, the writer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/sopranos-landmarks-north-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">of <\/a><\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sopranos<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Stephen Colbert of <em>The Late Night Show<\/em>, iconic actress Meryl Streep, and multi-hyphenate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/martha-stewart-documentary-nutley-jersey-city-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Martha Stewart.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of these glitterati are memorialized in the best way New Jersey knows how: they have a rest stop on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/rest-stops-service-areas-new-jersey-garden-state-parkway\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Garden State Parkway<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> named after them. If you don\u2019t understand why a GSP rest stop is an honor, it\u2019s ok; you\u2019re not from New Jersey. Here, we love our local landmarks, and they only have to make sense to us. We can\u2019t imagine anything better than responding to the perpetual question <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">what exit?! <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">by naming a New Jersey icon. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b><\/b><\/p>\n<h3>The Garden State<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve all heard the quip that New Jersey is the armpit of America. We <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">respectfully<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> disagree. New Jersey\u2019s nickname of The Garden State is well-deserved. There are over 700,000 acres of farmland here. New Jersey has regions featuring natural diversity, including beaches, pine barrens, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/high-point-state-park-new-jersey-nj\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mountains<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, valleys, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/paterson-great-falls-national-historic-park-new-jersey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">waterfalls<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/hamilton-farm-united-states-equestrian-team-foundation-gladstone-new-jersey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> beautiful rolling hills<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nation\u2019s first public park system was developed in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/famous-first-moments-essex-county-new-jersey\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1895 in Essex County<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, paving the way for communities nationwide.&nbsp; Despite being the most densely populated state in the nation, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dep.nj.gov\/dsr\/environmental-trends\/open-space-preservation\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey has conserved<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> over 1.5 million acres of public open space, representing roughly 34% of its total land area.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maybe the best way to experience the bounty of our state is to visit a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/north-jersey-farmers-markets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">local farmer\u2019s market<\/a>. Have you had a Jersey tomato at the peak of summer? One bite and you\u2019ll know: this is something special. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Travel by Taste&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of taste, there is nothing like the food in New Jersey. Between the heritage of Italian- and Portuguese-American cuisine plus the incredible diversity of international cuisine, you could truly dine your way around the world without having to leave the state (essentially, ever!). From the classic slice to a box of cookies from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/old-school-bakeries-northern-new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">an Italian bakery<\/a> to an omakase experience to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/this-new-jersey-restaurant-has-a-tableside-butter-chicken-experience\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tableside butter chicken<\/a>, there\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/best-restaurants-north-new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">no reason for foodies<\/a> to be bored (yeah, that\u2019s right, NYC).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A visit to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/best-diners-north-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">New Jersey diner<\/a> is practically a requirement for any visitor. It doesn\u2019t matter what time you visit or what you order (though might we <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/new-jersey-foodie-bucket-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">suggest disco fries<\/a>); you\u2019ll be able to soak up the only-in-New-Jersey energy from your seat.<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Down the Shore, <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/best-seafood-restaurants-jersey-shore-new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">fresh seafood is the move<\/a>. It\u2019s often caught fresh daily and prepared any way you\u2019d like &#8211; spots like <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/la-mondina-italian-restaurant-brielle-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">La Mondina<\/a>. And while you\u2019re DTS, don\u2019t forget to get ice cream to eat on the boardwalk &#8211; it\u2019s another requirement for visitors.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A Note on The Jersey&nbsp;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><strong>Shore. <\/strong>And<\/span>&nbsp;while we\u2019re on the subject: we\u2019d argue that<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Jersey Shore <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is yet another solid contribution to pop culture, but <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/quiet-beaches-jersey-shore-new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">our beach towns<\/a> are <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">so <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">much more than sweaty nightclubs and GTL (but we do have <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/bars-nightlife-destinations-jersey-shore-nj\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, if that\u2019s your vibe).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Jersey Shore spans approximately 130 miles, and along this stretch of coast, you\u2019ll find beautiful beaches, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/best-jersey-shore-boardwalks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">classic boardwalks,<\/a> historical sites, and unique experiences. Up North, Asbury Park was named the <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/asbury-park-nj-best-small-beach-town\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best small beach town<\/a> by <em>Travel + Leisure,<\/em> and served as something of a<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/bruce-springsteens-jersey-shore-landmarks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> muse for Springsteen<\/a> through much of his career. At Exit Zero, the very last exit on the aforementioned GSP,&nbsp; is Cape May, home of the country\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/congress-hall-stay-cape-may-new-jersey\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">first seaside resort<\/a> that feels more like a real-life storybook.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>Welcome to NJ&nbsp;<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re glad you&#8217;re here. New Jersey has a reputation for being gruff and unwelcoming to visitors, but we\u2019re really just trying to beat the traffic. We want you to have a wonderful and memorable time while you\u2019re here. Eat, drink, explore, and let the Garden State wow you &#8211; like it does us, every single day.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xoxo&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Local Girl team<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>garden state Many were surprised when New Jersey was chosen as the site of the 2026 World Cup, including the tournament championship&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":330,"featured_media":225876,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[45,1,41],"tags":[43,12,38],"class_list":["post-225867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-jersey","category-news","category-world-cup","tag-new-jersey","tag-tlg","tag-world-cup"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - 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