By Jadyn Buccilli
Staff Writer
If you own any social media platforms, you have likely seen countless jokes about how New Jersey is a terrible state. Similar to the “Only in Ohio” memes, New Jersey is constantly ridiculed for various things, such as the state’s ugliness and the rudeness of locals.
While these jokes are funny and harmless, I cannot help but think that the people who ridicule Jersey haven’t experienced it to its fullest, and I want to prove that the “Armpit of the United States” is not so bad.
To begin, the food in New Jersey is delicious. Everyday foods such as bagels and pizza taste especially amazing, and I am reminded of this high quality every time I have these items on trips to other states. Salt water taffy and pork roll sandwiches are items that are most commonly found in the state, and I cannot imagine living without being able to eat either of them again.
While Wawa convenience stores are becoming increasingly popular among other states, it is a good feeling to have grown up with it for all of my life. The franchise originated in Philadelphia, but has been all over South Jersey for as long as I could remember.
Other food franchises, such as Tastycake and Chickie’s & Pete’s have had similar origins, and I am grateful that New Jersey is close enough to Philadelphia that I have indulged in food from all of these companies for years.
The location of the state is just as good as the food that comes with it. Being one of the smallest states, it is relatively easy to travel out of state for day trips.
As a person from South Jersey, I only need to drive around 45 minutes to find myself in Philadelphia, and only around two hours to make it to New York City. And since this is a coastal state, it is a significantly shorter drive to the shore.
The shore towns in Jersey are the main tourist attractions of the state. Towns like Long Beach Island, Wildwood, Seaside Heights and many others are full of fun things to do. I personally live closest to Ocean City, and it is my favorite out of all of the shore towns. From amusement park rides to mini golf, Ocean City’s boardwalk is a great time for people of all ages.
There are other major tourist attractions besides the shore that showcase Jersey’s beauty. The state is full of history, being one of the original 13 colonies. Some beautiful historic towns include Historic Smithville, Princeton and Cape May. These towns, going at least a century back, are filled with stunning architecture and adorable shops that would be perfect for a relaxing day trip.
I understand that not every state is perfect. There are some valid issues that come with our state, such as our expensive cost of living and strange weather conditions. However, there are so many things that come with living in New Jersey that I am forever grateful for, and I hope that more people get to experience the greatness of our state.
