5 Ways To Honor The Garden State

Join the rest of the country as we celebrate National New Jersey Day on July 27.

We’re from Bergen County, of course we know about shopping. Bergenites take pride in our malls, restaurants and everything about the 201, and we’ll be showing off our spirit even more on July 27, National New Jersey Day. It’s the holiday created by National Day Calendar to recognize the day our great state joined the union. (Hey, don’t we deserve a week-, maybe a month-long celebration?)

Below are a few ways you can celebrate our Garden State close to home.

Try A Tomato

Nothing beats a ripe Jersey tomato on a hot summer day, so skip the big apple at lunch and take a bite out of our state’s official vegetable. Stop by any one of Bergen’s farm stands and markets, such as Secor Farms in Mahwah or Demarest Farms in Hillsdale, for some fresh produce. And to those who consider our Jersey tomato a fruit, we say “Fuggetaboutit!”

Sample A Slice (Or Two)

Stop thinking New York City’s water is the reason behind the best pizza in the world. Everyone knows it’s the hard work and family recipes that make New Jersey’s pizzerias second to none. You can try a variety of NJ pies right here in Bergen County, from Kinchley’s Taven’s famed thin crust to Grant Street Café’s bar pie to Pizza Town USA’s traditional slices.

Dine At A Diner

Folks will debate where to find the best pizza, but when it comes to diners, Jersey is the hands-down winner. Home to more than 500 diners, NJ has more than any other U.S. state, and all are top notch. Want evidence? Try the disco fries, western omelets and more at any of BERGEN’s recent Readers’ Choice winners: Stateline Diner in Mahwah, or either River Edge Diner or Chit Chat Diner in Hackensack.

Listen Carefully

Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Jon Bon Jovi. Some of the greatest musicians of all-time hail from the Garden State, and the next super star could be looking for their big break at a bar near you. Be sure to check out and support the Bergen musicians when they perform at local venues. For instance, check out calendars and the social media of places like Steel Wheel Tavern in Ridgewood and The Orange Lantern in Paramus.

Raise A Glass

No one’s arguing the merits of the wine counties in California and Washington state, but New Jersey’s are pretty good too. Our vineyards and wineries in the southern part of the state provide great-tasting reds and whites, so you won’t have to travel far for vino. Want to really get up close and personal with your wine? Make Wine With Us in Wallington allows you to create your own wine, from selecting and crushing the grapes, racking and bottling wine and even designing your own label.

Showing off your Jersey pride on Instagram? Remember to tag us in your photos @bergenmagnj.