{"id":226496,"date":"2026-10-08T21:00:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T21:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/?p=226496"},"modified":"2026-10-08T21:16:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T21:16:20","slug":"weird-places-new-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/weird-places-new-jersey\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Weird and Wonderful Places to Visit in New Jersey"},"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\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-300x200.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"9 weird places new jersey\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-263x175.jpg 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">whimsy <\/div><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey is home to plenty of the usual attractions. The Garden State is home to <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/jerseyshore\/jersey-shore-nj-travel-transit-options-no-car\/\">great beaches<\/a>, cute towns, and scenic outdoor escapes, but some of its best destinations are a little harder to explain. From a giant elephant you can actually walk inside to an underground mine with a rainbow fluorescent tunnel, there are plenty of weird, wonderful, and downright unexpected places hiding around the state. These spots are worth adding to your list the next time you\u2019re looking for something a little different. <\/span><b>Keep reading for some of the weirdest places to visit in New Jersey.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226497\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"9 weird places new jersey\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-585x390.jpg 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey-263x175.jpg 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/batstovillage.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Batsto Village<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cc6UtTzuHFp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Cc6UtTzuHFp\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Batsto Village (@batstocitizenscommittee2022)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Deep in the Pine Barrens, Batsto Village feels like a town frozen in time. The former iron-making community dates back to the 18th century and now includes a mansion, general store, church, gristmill, sawmill, blacksmith shop, iron furnace, and other historic buildings. It\u2019s open regularly and makes for an unusual day trip for anyone who likes local history with a side of spooky.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.prisonmuseum.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Burlington County Prison Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | 128 High Street, Mount Holly<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BngXA1zlVKV\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BngXA1zlVKV\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by BurlingtonCountyPrisonMuseum (@burlingtoncountyprisonmuseum)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This National Historic Landmark, designed by architect Robert Mills, was completed in 1811 and remained in operation as a county prison until 1965, making it the oldest continuously used jail in the country at its time of closure. Today, visitors can explore the old jail and learn about its history, including the conditions prisoners experienced inside the building. The museum also leans into its paranormal reputation, with Friday and Saturday night investigation rentals available for groups.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/newark-liberty-international-airport-new-flight-routes-2026\/\">United Airlines Adds 8 New Flight Routes at Newark Liberty International Airport<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/saveellisisland.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ellis Island Hospital<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | Ellis Island, Jersey City<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226540\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/IMG_1014-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"ellis island\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/IMG_1014-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/IMG_1014-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/IMG_1014.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The abandoned hospital complex on the south side of Ellis Island contains 29 unrestored buildings that once treated immigrants arriving in the United States. Previously closed to the public for over 60 years, the area can now be accessed through <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/saveellisisland.org\/tour\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">guided tours<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> operated by Save Ellis Island. The unrestored halls, examination rooms, staircases, and medical spaces offer a very different look at Ellis Island, giving visitors a deeper understanding of the healthcare, hardship, and uncertainty many immigrants experienced upon arrival. <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.groundsforsculpture.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grounds For Sculpture<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226537\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/grounds-for-sculpture-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"grounds for sculpture\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/grounds-for-sculpture-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/grounds-for-sculpture-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/grounds-for-sculpture-1.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grounds For Sculpture is technically a world-class art museum and sculpture park, but there\u2019s something delightfully strange about wandering through a garden and suddenly encountering a giant bronze human casually sitting on a bench. The 42-acre park features more than 300 contemporary sculptures tucked throughout landscaped gardens, so you never know what you\u2019ll find around the next corner. Between the gardens, peacocks, hidden paths, and larger-than-life sculptures, it feels more like entering another world than visiting a traditional museum. Just be sure to reserve a timed ticket before going.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/insectropolis.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insectropolis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | 1761 Route 9, Toms River<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZh0KDuIHXG\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DZh0KDuIHXG\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Insectropolis (@insectropolis)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, New Jersey has a museum dedicated entirely to bugs. Insectropolis, also known as the Bugseum of New Jersey, features live insects and arthropods, specimens from around the world, interactive exhibits, and the opportunity to get up close and personal with creatures like tarantulas, millipedes, and hissing cockroaches. The museum is designed around a bug-themed city, complete with exhibits that let visitors crawl through a simulated termite tunnel, watch bees at work, and come away with a few new interesting bug facts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/lucytheelephant.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lucy the Elephant<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | 9200 Atlantic Avenue, Margate<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DdEae2FuLPP\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DdEae2FuLPP\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Lucy the Elephant (@lucytheelephant)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s impossible to make a list of unique New Jersey attractions that doesn\u2019t include Lucy the Elephant. This six-story, elephant-shaped structure has been standing in Margate since 1881, making it one of the state\u2019s most recognizable examples of novelty architecture. Visitors can actually go inside Lucy, climb through the building, and look out through her eyes. She\u2019s quirky, historic, unmistakably Jersey Shore, and begs the question: why aren\u2019t more buildings shaped like enormous elephants?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>See More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themontclairgirl.com\/shortest-flights-from-newark-airport\/\">These 8 Destinations Are a Short Flight From Newark Airport<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lunaparc.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luna Parc<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> |<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sandyston Township<\/span><\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C6v8LZEA3-V\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\">&nbsp;<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/C6v8LZEA3-V\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by @lunaparcfoundation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tucked away in the woods of Sussex County is a home that looks straight out of a fairy tale. Luna Parc is the longtime home, studio, and art project of artist Ricky Boscarino, who has spent decades transforming the property with colorful mosaics, stained glass, sculptures, and unconventional architectural details. Luna Parc is private property and isn&#8217;t regularly open to the public, but Ricky occasionally hosts open house days throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sterlinghillminingmuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sterling Hill Mining Museum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | 30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226542\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/sterling-hill-mining-museum-nj-300x300.png\" alt=\"sterling hill mining museum\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/sterling-hill-mining-museum-nj-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/sterling-hill-mining-museum-nj-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/sterling-hill-mining-museum-nj-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/sterling-hill-mining-museum-nj-585x585.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/sterling-hill-mining-museum-nj.png 806w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At Sterling Hill Mining Museum, visitors can descend into a former zinc mine and take a guided walking tour. Inside, you\u2019ll find mine galleries dating to the 1830s, along with historic mining equipment, as well as the \u201cRainbow Tunnel,\u201d a fluorescent display of minerals that glow under ultraviolet light. Back aboveground, the museum also offers mineral collecting and sluicing, so you can make the trip part science experiment, part treasure hunt.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/hobokenmuseum.org\/explore-hoboken\/historic-highlights\/sybils-cave\/sybils-cave-today-and-yesterday\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sybil\u2019s Cave<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> | Frank Sinatra Drive, Hoboken<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-226539\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/murder-by-sybils-cave-hoboken-history-300x300.png\" alt=\"sybils cave hoboken\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/murder-by-sybils-cave-hoboken-history-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/murder-by-sybils-cave-hoboken-history-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/murder-by-sybils-cave-hoboken-history-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/murder-by-sybils-cave-hoboken-history-585x585.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/murder-by-sybils-cave-hoboken-history.png 916w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hidden along the waterfront is the oldest manmade structure in Hoboken. Sybil\u2019s Cave was originally created in 1832 by the Stevens family as a decorative grotto around a natural spring and eventually became a popular recreational destination with a nearby restaurant. The cave was rediscovered and cleared by the City of Hoboken in 2007, but it was fenced off. Still, it\u2019s a wonderfully weird little piece of Hoboken history to look out for next time you\u2019re walking along Frank Sinatra Drive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Follow @thenewjerseygirl on&nbsp;<a class=\"broken_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thelocalgirlhq\/?hl=en\"><span class=\"s1\">Instagram<\/span><\/a>&nbsp;+&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@thelocalgirlhq?lang=en\"><span class=\"s1\">TikTok<\/span><\/a> for the latest updates on New Jersey <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.myflodesk.com\/xdt5qdr3st\"><span class=\"s1\">sign up for our weekly newsletter here<\/span><\/a>&nbsp;that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/calendar\/\"><span class=\"s1\">events calendar<\/span><\/a>, which has over 100+ events weekly to peruse.<\/p>\n<div class=\"categories\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/travel\/ \" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Travel<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>whimsy New Jersey is home to plenty of the usual attractions. The Garden State is home to great beaches, cute towns, and&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":453,"featured_media":226497,"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":[45,40,16],"tags":[43,12,8],"class_list":["post-226496","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-jersey","category-the-local-girl","category-travel","tag-new-jersey","tag-tlg","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.6 (Yoast SEO v28.6) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>9 Weird and Wonderful Places to Visit in New Jersey - The New Jersey Girl<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover nine of New Jersey\u2019s weirdest attractions, from abandoned prisons and quirky museums to a six-story-tall elephant.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/weird-places-new-jersey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"9 Weird and Wonderful Places to Visit in New Jersey\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover nine of New Jersey\u2019s weirdest attractions, from abandoned prisons and quirky museums to a six-story-tall elephant.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/weird-places-new-jersey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The New Jersey Girl\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-10-08T21:00:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-10-08T21:16:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/newjersey\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2026\/09\/9-weird-places-new-jersey.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"666\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ashtyn Asay\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ashtyn Asay\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/weird-places-new-jersey\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/weird-places-new-jersey\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ashtyn Asay\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/506f98d2ba86c64ae5c1b634ad7e571b\"},\"headline\":\"9 Weird and Wonderful Places to Visit in New Jersey\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-10-08T21:00:21+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-10-08T21:16:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/weird-places-new-jersey\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1078,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/weird-places-new-jersey\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/13\\\/2026\\\/09\\\/9-weird-places-new-jersey.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"new jersey\",\"The Local Girl\",\"Travel\"],\"articleSection\":[\"New Jersey\",\"The Local Girl\",\"Travel\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/weird-places-new-jersey\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/thelocalgirl.com\\\/newjersey\\\/weird-places-new-jersey\\\/\",\"name\":\"9 Weird and Wonderful Places to Visit in New Jersey - 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