Having spent a considerable amount of time at this point exploring parts of NJ, I now have a newfound appreciation for the Garden State. Its hidden gems include the following:

• that movie with Zach Braff and Natalie Portman.
• not just plain suburbia; each town has its own unique character.
• random ass corn fields and other types of rural land.
• beaches, boardwalks, and nice, beachy towns.
• high taxes = really well kept roads and highway system.
• bike paths miles long that stretch through multiple towns.
• Asbury Park: a unique and historic town known for being home to lots of gay bars; old Heating Plant, old, defunct carousel; The Stone Pony.
• Ocean Grove: the eery town where Methodists camp and live in tents in their church complex.
• Union City: the most densely populated city in the US; this beautifully urban place with really interesting architecture and an awesome view of the Manhattan skyline.
• The Shore, itself; not all bad. XD
• Easy transit from Manhattan via PATH & NJ Transit.