Travel alerts straight to your inbox:

nj Travel Guide - Page 3

World » North America » United States » NJ

Project Runway Map: Prom Dresses Are, Like, Important

January 11, 2008 at 4:00 PM | 0 Comments

It's never too early to start thinking about the prom. In fact, we saw a magazine in a bookstore the other day solely devoted to the latest teen prom trends. Even if prom is about five months away.

So Wednesday's episode of Project Runway about designing prom dresses for Catholic school girls from New Jersey is not really that out of sync. But maybe the Jersey part is. Why couldn't they pick some Upper East Side Gossip Girls to dress?

Whatever the reason, the designers bring in their "clients" to the showroom to talk about what kind of designs they want. Immediately, Christian cannot stand his client, who has her own ideas about what to wear to prom. This is pretty much the big drama of the episode--and who really should have won.

more ›

Airport WiFi: Fuggheddaboudit at Newark Airport

December 27, 2007 at 4:50 PM | 0 Comments

Contribute your airport wireless report by leaving it in comments, uploading your airport photo to Jaunted Flickr Photo Pool, or via email, and we will add it to our U.S. Airport Wireless map.

Usually in our stories on Airport WiFi we like to dish out which airports are letting travelers surf the web for free and without hassle. But this isn't one of those happy stories.

Yesterday, we were waiting in the Continental terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport when we realized we had to go online immediately and file a story. We selected "concourse" from our WiFi network options and were taken straight to a page from Boingo Wireless. We were given two options: One was to sign up for a yearly account and the second option was 24 hours for $7.95.

Since we were on a tight schedule--the plane was boarding, our deadline inching closer--we opted for the $7.95 and spent about 10 minutes total online. Grrr.

Boingo is overcharging people to use the Internet in other places, too:

With over 100,000 hot spots worldwide, Boingo is available everywhere your travels take you, including 400 airports, top hotels like Marriott and Hilton or even around town at places like Barnes & Noble or The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

What's more annoying is that we actually have access to the Continental President's Club where the wireless is free. It's just that it was at the far end of the terminal, and we wouldn't have had time to haul bags over there, file the story and board on time. Double grrr.

Related Stories:
· Our Guide to Free Airport WiFi [Jaunted]
· Airport WiFi coverage [Jaunted]

New Jersey: Hilary Shivers For Her Art

October 8, 2007 at 8:45 AM | 0 Comments


Brrrr! It's a cold day at the beach for Hilary Duff, who's in New Jersey for the next few weeks filming on the now-frigid public beaches of the famed Jersey Shore. Despite warmer-than-average temperatures this fall along the Eastern Seaboard, running into the water can't be pleasant. (See the arm of the wet-suited guard from the right side; what wouldn't Hilary give for a flesh-colored wetsuit!)

Duff's film, "Greta," depicts a summer romance among teenagers working at a restaurant "down the Shore." Check her out in Ocean Grove, Neptune and Asbury Park, along with costars Martin Sheen, Ellen Burstyn and Ellen Barkin.

Related Stories:
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· New Jersey Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: The Superficial]

New Jersey: A Singer Is Born, In Bruce Country

August 14, 2007 at 9:00 AM | 0 Comments


There's something beautiful about the small-town-kid-becomes-rock-star storyline, especially when the small town is exquisitely described in the rear view mirror. (Paging Springsteen!)

But singer Nicole Atkins is encouraging fans not to see her debut album, "Neptune City," as an album about escaping New Jersey. The 28-year-old, who says she still lives with her parents, told the New York Times that the city is "one of those sad suburban towns that's still a great place to grow up."

She may originally represent for Monmouth County, but you can catch Atkins on tour at The Nick in Birmingham, Alabama, the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando and at Snug Harbor in Charlotte. It's okay, Jersey will wait for her.

Related Stories:
· Live Music coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: chromewaves]

Summer Vacations with an Edge: Newbie Surfers In Jersey

July 23, 2007 at 10:00 AM | 0 Comments

When people talk surfing they usually mean Hawaii, California, or maybe even Miami. But these days newbies can ride the waves in the City of Brotherly Love, too. (Or at least just across the bridge.)

Instructors at Signature Days, a unique travel agency serving several major cities, have been teaching virgin riders to surf for more than a decade. A $110 pass buys two students an hour-long tutorial, from June through early October, in this east coast town about 90 minutes outside Philly.

Surfers may not catch the big kahuna off the shores of Waretown, New Jersey, but hey there is a lot less shame bailing on a wave in Philly then somewhere on the Pacific coast.

More Summer Vacations With An Edge.

Related Stories:
· New Jersey Hotels [HotelChatter]
· Surfing Lessons [Jaunted]

[Photo: Sister72]

World's Scariest Roller Coasters: Kingda Ka

June 18, 2007 at 10:59 AM | 2 Comments

These are the things that make New Jersey scary: Camden, controlling suburban mothers in SUVs, and Kingda Ka. Nestled at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, NJ, Kingda Ka is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. And as if it isn't dangerous enough to go from 0 to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds, shooting 90 degrees straight into the air, there's always the chance that, oh yeah, the car will FAIL TO REACH THE TOP OF THE TOWER AND START GOING BACKWARDS. It's little wonder that the thing is closed just about as often as it's open, which is the equivalent of saying "Oh yeah, Kingda Ka is doing something that could kill you right now. Check back in a week and hopefully it won't."

Take a look at the video. We got a little scared just watching it. Kingda Ka is, after all, king.

Go Straight To The World's Scariest Roller Coasters Map.

Related Stories:
· The UK's Scariest Roller Coaster [Jaunted]
· Hotels in New Jersey [HotelChatter]

The Sopranos Is Ending, Whaddya Gonna Do?

June 8, 2007 at 9:51 AM | 0 Comments

Since 1999 the HBO series The Sopranos has defined, for better or for worse, what people think of New Jersey and the Mob. (This week's episode, in which [redacted] got [redacted] by [redacted redacted] and Tony was forced to [redacted], probably fell on the "for worse" side.) Now fans are making pilgrimages to the locations depicted in their favorite exterior shots (the interiors are all shot in Queens), trying to grab one last moment with Tony and the boys before Sunday's series finale.

If you haven't take the Sopranos tour, you still have time; New York City companies are still running Sex and the City and Seinfeld tours, years after those shows ended.

One highlight: The real-life strip club that stands in for the Bada Bing. Or you can just fly through Newark.

Related Stories:
· Hotels in New Jersey [HotelChatter]
· New Jersey Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: Shaney_oyeah]

Movie Set Travel: Gracie

May 31, 2007 at 9:04 PM | 0 Comments

If you're a soccer fan (or mom-yikes!), today's pick is sure to please. Gather the kids, cleats, and minivan and head to Gracie. Elizabeth Shue and bro Andrew co-star and produce this tale based on a real-life family in the 70s whose daughter wants to play soccer on the boys' team. Of course she faces sexism, adversity and "the rules of the game are about to change".

This was shot solely in suburban New Jersey (how often do we say that?!) and also in the Shue's hometown of Maplewood. In this vein, we offer you some small-town things to check-out for a relaxing weekend in the 'wood.

Where To Stay:
Les Saisons Inn
 Stroll on over to Elmwood Ave. and check into Maplewood's B&B. With ample Victorian bedrooms and great prices ($90-185) you'll fit right in with the locals. Rooms feature antique furnishings, but don't expect to watch TV alone - you'll have to share with everyone else in the den. Just like home!

Where To Eat:
Lorena's
 Looking for four star food? Head to Lorena's where you can try Caramelized Sun Chokes with Sweet Pepper Compote, Black Olive Purée, Ricotta Salatta, and Lemon Emulsion. Wha? In New Jersey! Yes - this one's been called "excellent" by the NY Times and one of the year's best by CitySearch. Dishes are artfully arranged and the scene is intimate.

Where To Hike:
South Mountain Reservation
 Get outside and explore the wilderness on this preserved reservation. We hear the fall foliage is very impressive.

Related Stories:
· Movie Set Travel [Jaunted]

[Photo: HeraldTimesOnline.com]

Guess the Airport Revealed :: Bada Bing!

May 24, 2007 at 12:42 PM | 0 Comments

In our first (and we admit, easy) edition of Guess the Airport, we put up this picture and gave you some hints about where this airport is located.

Maybe it was the hint about how the terminal is nicer than the city it's in but you commenters were right on track---its Newark Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey. This picture was taken in the newish Continental terminal last week. And if you couldn't tell you were in Jersey when you landed at this airport, then we're sure the Sopranos memorabilia sold in the gift shops would get your attention.

A picture of Bada Bing t-shirts and the Sopranos cookbook after the jump.

more ›

To Do in Jersey City: Liveblog the Oscars

February 22, 2007 at 4:27 PM | 0 Comments


Everyone knows Jersey City is the 7th borough or whatever, so you might as well show some love and celebrate the Oscars there. The Mojo Lounge holds a party this Sunday, starting at 7 p.m.

Perks include bar grub in abundance, drink specials, Oscars action on a big projection screen, free raffle tickets, a little gambling action, and--best part, of course--free WiFi, so you can liveblog/drunkblog the results to your heart's content. Who knows, you might even get to meet one of those dudes from Rye Coalition!

[Photo: vanz]

Related Stories:
· Oscars Party [Craigslist]
· Mojo Lounge [Official Site]

For Just $24.75, You, Too, Can Get Carjacked

January 16, 2007 at 11:35 AM | 0 Comments


Payless Car Rental really knows how to run those jalopy promotions right. The "discount" car rental company (is that not an oxymoron?) has pulled out all the stops to produce this double whammy.

First, they've done Florida a huge favor with the minivan tie-in. Très sexy. Rent twice, get a free soccer lesson and coupon for a mom coif at participating Supercuts.

Then there's the Newark special, in which they clearly are suggesting that your vehicle take you not to the surrounding area, but straight into Newark proper. You'd think they'd lower the price if they really wanted to get rid of those cars and get you to explore the city. Remember: red for Bloods, blue for Crips!

Aloha-Mex at EWR: Smashmouth Delish

November 30, 2006 at 12:56 PM | 1 Comment


(Alex Salkever is the editor of Hawaii travel blog Hawaiirama and a general travel maven on all things Hawaii. He also spends a lot of time in NYC and writes about it.)

There are two great things about Newark's Liberty International Airport with regard to Hawaii. First, Continental flies a daily non-stop to and from Honolulu from/to EWR. This flight is by far the most comfortable, hassle-free way to travel between Oahu and the Eastern US (if you are going outer island, you may do just as well changing planes on the West Coast for a non-stop to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island). The other great thing about Newark's airport is the presence of Maui Tacos in Concourse C. This is one of 18 franchises of the Maui-based Hawaii-Mex chain founded in 1993 by celeb chef Mark Ellman of Avalon and Mala Wharf fame.

The burritos at Maui Tacos are chunky, large and not greasy at all. The highlight, however, is their stupendous fixings bar with six kinds of fresh salsa, fresh cilantro, onions, lime slices, escabeche, and even pickled jalapenos. The salsas are outrageously good and somewhat unique. Our favorite is the chile arbol spiked with pineapple juice--it's a velvet glove of a condiment that sings sweetly then smashmouths you with a wicked blow to the palate. Your seatmate may not appreciate the meal, but for a long flight, and considering the generally crappy cuisine that airline food remains, a go box from Maui Tacos is a primo way to fuel up at the airport. The Newark outpost is open from 6 am to 9 pm; entrees typically run from $3-$10.

[Photo: roenke47]

« Previous