8 Best Guided Tours in New Jersey
No matter what brings you to the Garden State, you'll find ample tours to help you learn about your surroundings. From a descent into a former mine to a guided tour of one of the nation's best universities to a historical horse-drawn carriage excursion, you'll have the chance to learn more about New Jersey through the eyes of a knowledgeable local guide. Here are our 8 favorite guided tours in the state.
New Jersey State House, Trenton, NJ
After marveling at the golden dome and gorgeous architecture of the New Jersey State House, the third-oldest state house in the country, head inside to take a guided tour. Tours are offered on Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the top of every hour. Tours are approximately one-hour long and take visitors through the history, art, architecture, and legislative processes that occur here.
Guided Tour of Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
The Princeton Tour Company is a highly-rated tour company that offers educational and fun tours throughout the city of Princeton. In addition to fun seasonal tours, such as ghost hunts and cemetery visits, the Princeton Tour Company offers a tour of the Princeton University campus and surrounding neighborhoods describing the history and famous people who once lived here. Their most popular tour is the Shameless Name Dropping Tour of Princeton that is offered each Saturday and Sunday.
Battleship New Jersey, Camden, NJ
In addition to self-guided and audio tours, guests can opt to take the guided Turret II Tour of USS New Jersey offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. USS New Jersey is a fully resorted former battleship that was crafted in 1944 and traveled to the Marshall Islands, New Guinea, and Guam. During the tour, visitors will have the chance to learn about the history of the USS New Jersey, her restoration, and those who served aboard the ship. The duration of this tour is 90 minutes.
Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg, NJ
Public tours are offered at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum taking you through the mine, Zobel Hall Museum, and the Warren Museum of Fluorescence. Seeing the mine is a highlight of this tour, and to assuage your fears, the tour is a walking tour without the use of mining cars. The knowledgeable guide will describe the geology of the mine, the working conditions, and the equipment used. The tour lasts for approximately two hours.
Cape May Carriage Co., Cape May, NJ
Operating seasonally, the Cape May Carriage Co. has been giving tours by romantic horse-drawn carriage since 1983. The historic tour option is a great way to learn about the history of Cape May and takes you to see the famous Victorian homes. Tours can range from 15 minutes to 60 minutes and three different carriage options are available depending on the size of the party.
Walt Whitman House, Camden, NJ
Located in historic Camden, this home was the final house in which Walt Whitman lived before his death. Now known as the Walt Whitman House, you can learn more about the poet and the area on a guided tour hosted by the Walt Whiteman Association. Tours are offered on Wednesdays through Sundays, but be sure to call ahead as times that the tours are offered vary.
Tuckerton Seaport, Tuckerton, NJ
Tuckerton Seaport is a living village and museum that traces the life of residents living on the Jersey Shore from the 1700s to the 1900s. Self-guided tours are available for individuals, but if you are visiting as a group of ten or more, you can schedule a guided tour offered by staff. Tours will cover the history of the area, information about folk arts, and discussions of traditional occupations. Groups can also choose to add experiences, such as seining, fiber arts, or model boat building, onto the guided tour.
Mansion Tours at Batsto Village, Burlington County, NJ
Batsto Village is a historic village that allows you to become immersed in times gone by with its numerous restored buildings such as a gristmill, general store, blacksmith, and wheelwright. Dig deeper into the history of the mansions at the historic Batsto Village with the tours that are offered every Wednesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m., but please consider calling in advance to confirm the times. The Batsto Mansion features 32 rooms and was once the home of an ironmaster in Batsto. Tours take guests through 14 of the 32 rooms including a library and bedroom.
