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NJ Chamber Members Share their ‘Must-See’ Destinations in New Jersey

The Edge for February 2025

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

This Month's ChamberEdge Contributors

We asked New Jersey Chamber of Commerce members to share their “must-see” destinations in the Garden State. Their responses spanned the state, from New Jersey Devils hockey, the Delaware Water Gap, and Paterson Great Falls in North Jersey; to The Stone Pony, Grounds for Sculpture, and Point Pleasant Beach in Central Jersey; to Cowtown Rodeo, Morey’s Piers, and Cape May in South Jersey. And that’s just the beginning. Read the full article below.

 

Wildwood Beaches, NJ Devils Hockey, and Outdoor Concerts at The Stone Pony

Douglas GrahamWildwood brings me back to my childhood. With some of the only free beaches in the state, you can’t beat the games, rides, and food on one of NJ’s best boardwalks.

Watching a Devils game at Newark’s Prudential Center is also great. The excitement of live hockey is amazing, and the arena has a lot of options for refreshments.

The Stone Pony in Asbury Park is one of the coolest music venues anywhere, and it’s quintessential “Jersey.” It hosts great musicians, especially in the summer when the outside stage is rockin’.

– Douglas Graham, Senior Manager, Audit & Assurance, EisnerAmper

 

Alberto GarafaloThe Newark Museum of Art’s World-Class Exhibits

The Newark Museum of Art is a must-see. The local artists, film festivals and public programs are incredible, and its science and natural history collections are captivating. The arts are a powerful way to learn about our history, and we’re lucky to have its world-class exhibits right here in New Jersey. One of the best times to go is during the first full weekend of the month when (Bank of America) cardholders are eligible for free admission through Museums on us.

– Alberto Garofalo, president, Bank of America New Jersey

 

Michael MunozAsbury Park Has Something for Everyone

Whether you are a foodie, a beach enthusiast, or a music fan, Asbury Park has something special to offer everyone. When in the area, I recommend visiting Porta, Talula’s, AP Rooftop or Asbury Lanes for music and bowling.

– Mike Munoz, Senior Vice President and Market President, AmeriHealth

 

In South Jersey, there’s Cowtown Rodeo, NJ Motorsports Park, Edelman Fossil Park, Morey’s Piers and Wineries

Amy MansueHere are my recommendations:

  • Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove is the longest-running weekly rodeo in the country. There’s bull riding, barrel racing, and good old-fashioned cowboy fun.
  • New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville is the best place to be for professional races, hopping into a go-kart, or just soaking in the high-speed energy.
  • Rowan University’s Edelman Fossil Park and Museum in Mantua opens this March, bringing hands-on fossil digs and prehistoric discoveries to South Jersey.
  • South Jersey’s farms and vineyards offer something special in every season. From spring tulips at Dalton Farms in Swedesboro to the summertime Red, White, and Blueberry Festival in Hammonton to autumn apple picking at Hill Creek Farm in Mullica Hill, there’s always a reason to get outside. For wine lovers, William Heritage winery in Mullica Hill and Valenzano Winery in Shamong are really special.
  • Nothing beats a trip to the Jersey Shore! Morey’s Piers in Wildwood is my favorite. It’s even where Inspira holds its annual employee picnic. Whether you go for the nostalgia, the food, the fun or the sun, there’s always something for everyone at the Jersey Shore. It’s part of what makes living here so special.

– Amy Mansue, CEO, Inspira Health

 

Kevin LuingThe Historic Towns of Morristown and Cape May

Two can’t-miss places in New Jersey are Morristown and Cape May. Morristown has the Jockey Hollow National Historical Park where you can absorb Revolutionary War history while also hiking or biking. Morristown also offers first-class entertainment at the Mayo Performing Arts Center and a plethora of fine dining options in a beautiful town setting. Cape May is historical with its Victorian homes, Congress Hall, and the Harriet Tubman Museum. Beaches and fine dining add to the allure.

– Kevin L. Luing, Chairman of the Board, Berkeley College

 

Kim AlvarezThe Jersey Shore, Grounds for Sculpture and Hiking in the Skylands

As a Jersey Girl, my first instinct is to say that a day at The Shore – the lively boardwalk of Asbury Park or the peaceful sands of Cape May – is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But, as the publisher of Jersey’s Best magazine, I know New Jersey is bursting with hidden gems for everyone. Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton is a must-visit with its gardens filled with larger-than-life art. And head to the Skylands for hiking trails, lakes and breathtaking mountain views. New Jersey has it all.

– Kim Alvarez, Publisher, Jersey’s Best; Chief Revenue Officer, NJ Advance Media

 

Michael CandidoPoint Pleasant Beach is a Good Place to Sample the Jersey Shore

Our state has about 130 miles of beach, and Point Pleasant Beach is a good place to get a sample of the best of the Jersey Shore. The beach is terrific, wide with soft sand. There’s Jenkinson’s Boardwalk which has games, an aquarium and rides for the kids. And there are plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants, and party-boat fishing trips. It’s an overall great experience for the whole family.

– A. Michael Candido, President. J. Moore & Co. Mechanical Contractors

 

Paterson Great Falls, Delaware Water Gap and the Beach in Manasquan

Dustin RiccioHere are my recommendations:

  • Paterson Great Falls: Beautiful falls in the center of historic industrial town now designated as a national historical park.
  • Delaware Water Gap: Given the beauty and accessibility of the water gap, it provides people with a better understanding of the outdoor activities associated with New Jersey, and helps dispel misconceptions associated with our densely populated state.
  • The Beach in Manasquan: Manasquan gives people a great flavor of the Jersey Shore.

– Dustin Riccio, President and CEO, St. Joseph's Health

 

Randy StodardGo to Morristown National Historic Park for U.S. History

We are headquartered here, so I’m partial to many Morris County sites – given their rich history. For anyone with an interest in how the U.S. became a nation, you have to visit Morristown National Historic Park. This includes the soldier huts and sprawling fields and forests of Jockey Hollow, where the Continental Army encamped during the harsh winter of 1779 to 1780. You also should visit Washington’s Headquarters Museum and Fort Nonsense – two more sites that comprise the Morristown National Historical Park.

– Randy Stodard, Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President, Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut

 

This article is part of a collaboration with Military Matters, an ROI-NJ publication, which is planning a follow-up article on New Jersey's top destinations for military families new to the Garden State.

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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Newsmakers

Will Morey, president and CEO Morey’s Piers, the family-owned amusement park in Wildwood, has been reappointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Advisory Board for a third term.

Jeffrey Knight

As Jennifer Shimek transitions to a new leadership role at KPMG LLP, the company announced Jeffrey Knight will succeed her as office managing partner in Short Hills. Effective March 1, Knight will be responsible for the strategic direction and growth of KPMG’s practice in Essex County. The office boasts nearly 944 partners and professionals. Knight brings 25 years of experience at KPMG to the role.

Former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Lee A. Solomon has joined Archer & Greiner's Business Litigation Group. Solomon has served in all three branches of government, as a member of the state Assembly, a cabinet member serving as president of the Board of Public Utilities, and in the judiciary.

Vicki Walia

Vicki Walia has been named chief people officer at Newark-based Prudential Financial, effective March 31. Walia will succeed Lucien Alziari, who will retire after serving as in the role for eight years. Currently, Walia leads human resources for the company’s U.S. businesses and PGIM, Prudential’s global asset management business.

The Bank of America Board of Directors appointed Maria Martinez as a director. Martinez formerly served as a senior executive at Cisco Systems. She has also held leadership positions at Salesforce Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Motorola Solutions and AT&T Bell Laboratories.

American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced that Denise Venuti Free, formerly senior director of communications and external affairs for New Jersey American Water, has been appointed vice president of external communications.

June Ann Garafano

Saint Peter’s Healthcare System named June-Ann Garafano its vice president and chief human resources officer. Prior to joining Saint Peter’s, Garafano served as ministry chief human resources officer for Trinity Health of New England’s physician enterprise medical group and St. Mary’s Hospital in Connecticut.

RWJBarnabas Health appointed Roshan Hussain to serve as its new chief data and analytics officer. Hussain previously served as chief data officer at the University of Kentucky HealthCare.

Thomas Edison State University named Matthew Cooper vice president for Integrated Technology and chief technology officer. Cooper previously served as chief technology officer and associate vice president of organizational learning at TESU.

Prager Metis, a global accounting and advisory firm with a heavy presence in New Jersey, announced that Joseph Rosoff was promoted to principal in the Tax Department and Matthew Iandolo was promoted to principal in the Private Wealth Services Department.

Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center earned an 'advanced comprehensive stroke program' certification, the hospital announced. The achievement, recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, is the highest level of certification for hospitals that treat complex stroke cases.

Dr. Steven Stylianos, a nationally renowned pediatric surgeon, will join RWJBarnabas Health as system director for pediatric surgery and surgeon-in-chief at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital in New Brunswick. Stylianos also will be a professor of surgery in the department of surgery and chief of the division of pediatric surgery at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.

Steven Menna has joined advisory and tax firm Withum, as a partner in its Financial Services Group. Menna will lead the firm’s national alternative investments expansion with a concentration on the southeast and southwest regions.

Delta Dental awarded a $100,000 grant to the Brookdale Community College Foundation that will provide scholarships, equipment and job placement support for students in the college’s dental assistant and dental radiology programs. It is one of the largest contributions the dental education program has ever received, Brookdale said.

Inspira Health announced that Julie Ellis is assuming the role of senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Ellis will succeed Anneliese McMenamin, who is retiring. Since joining Inspira Health in 2021 as vice president of human resources, Ellis has significantly enhanced the organization through focused employee recruitment and retention efforts.

Inspira Health appointed Ruth Bash to serve as senior vice president and chief experience officer. Bash will focus on patient and family engagement, workforce experience, quality improvements within clinical processes, and communication and advocacy for a high-quality patient experience.

JPMorgan Chase, in a continuing effort to increase home ownership across the state, announced it is making a $1.1 million investment to eight nonprofit organizations to help Increase and preserve the state’s affordable housing supply and support people on the path to homeownership. The investment is primarily targeted to Newark's Clinton Hill neighborhood.

Rizco, a woman-owned marketing agency in New Jersey, was named an honoree in the '2024 NJBIZ Empowering Women – Companies Leading the Way' awards program. The program celebrates over 40 New Jersey-based organizations promoting women’s empowerment and advancement through strategic and impactful initiatives.

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