If you’re big into traveling — or just bored senseless within the confines of your house — this whole quarantine situation can make your mind wander to the days where you could see places that aren’t the walls of your living room or bedroom. Maybe you miss flying abroad, or maybe you just miss driving down to the shore to walk on the boardwalk and people watch. Maybe you miss the vibe of your favorite restaurant in town or weekend trips to your go-to state park.
If this quarantine has revived your love for your home state, then we’ve got the fix for you. New Jersey in the House is now bringing New Jersey directly to you. The New Jersey Division of Travel + Tourism has launched a new digital hub for all the adventurers at heart who are still seeking the sights, sounds, and spirit of New Jersey while stuck at home. The launch came in response to the current travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The site features a wide range of virtual experiences, as well as downloadable backgrounds for video meetings, livestream webcams, games, and even the “Ultimate New Jersey” playlist — you’re going to want to check this out. Get to know the Garden State and the bustling personalities of each region through New Jersey in the House.
About the Site
Developed as a feature on www.visitnj.org, New Jersey In the House incorporates multi-platform components that allow all would-be-travelers to engage in virtual experiences throughout the state. Read on to learn about the sites hallmark features.
The wonderfully diverse state of New Jersey is certainly one worth checking out. From beautiful beaches and mountains to boardwalks and Atlantic City resorts, New Jersey quite literally has attractions for every personality type. No wonder that even for its small size, it’s still the 11th most populated state in the U.S.
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New Jersey officials are also rallying in support of this interactive site. “With ‘New Jersey In the House’, we’ve created one digital hub that integrates all of the tremendous work produced statewide by our top attractions, museums, libraries, and restaurants, allowing residents and prospective travelers to stay virtually connected to and engaged with our great state,” said New Jersey Secretary of State Tahesha Way.
“The goal of the campaign is to not only serve as a valuable resource and online tool but also to provide entertainment and inspiration for future travel,” said Jeffrey Vasser, the executive director of the New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism. “We are very much looking forward to the time when we can welcome everyone back to visit.”
The Site’s Key Features
Go on a tour with New Jersey in the House — virtually. The site allows everyone who is either bored at home or simply missing the sites of New Jersey to visit their favorite exhibits or explore new ones. You can see some of New Jersey’s most prestigious museums online, or even get interactive — participate in educational programming online from state public libraries and attractions, including a virtual storytime at NJ’s own Adventure Aquarium.
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Let’s start with the “Ultimate New Jersey” Spotify playlist. The playlist can be downloaded for free on Spotify and it consists of over 70 songs from some of the state’s most talented native artists. The New Jersey playlist includes the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny and The Smithereens, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, and Count Basie. Download the playlist to check out the rest of the influential New Jersey legends who made the list
The site also offers video conference backgrounds for those living room Zoom meetings. Instead of showing off the clutter of snacks behind you in your kitchen, enhance your meetings with a downloadable Garden State background image. Have your next video conference in any one of six iconic New Jersey destinations.
Spice up your quarantine diet with the site’s virtual cooking classes. With access to virtual cooking lessons on Instagram Live from New Jersey’s most celebrated chefs, cooks, and restaurants — like Tony Boloney’s — you can learn something new in the kitchen every week.
Finally, never feel bored again with the site’s daily livestreams. State attractions — such as Diggerland and Cape May Zoo — host regular livestreams to showcase animals and activities. You can even bring the beach to your home with access to more than 40 live streams along the 130 miles of beautiful New Jersey shoreline.
New Jersey in the House boosts online Garden State themed games, as well. The two NJ branded games are New Jersey Travel Bingo and an NJ edition of “This or That.” Keep up with your New Jersey Trivia, stay occupied, and keep your mind stimulated with these online games {which are also available for sharing via Instagram Stories}.
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What was your favorite feature of the New Jersey in the House website? Let us know in the comments!
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