WalletHub’s 2025 report on the Most Fun States in America left New Jersey with little to brag about. The Garden State landed well below the top half of the country.
The study measured 26 categories, from nightlife and attractions to parks and entertainment costs. New Jersey ranked 36th out of 50 states, while California, Florida and Nevada claimed the top spots. West Virginia finished last.
New Jersey scored high in one area: fitness. The state ranks fifth in gyms per capita. But it lagged in nightlife and recreation, which pulled down its overall score.
The ranking misses the full picture. Summers pack the Shore with beachgoers, boardwalk rides, arcades and street performers. More than 600 diners keep towns busy late into the night. Sports arenas host Devils, Nets and Red Bulls fans, while smaller venues showcase local music, comedy and theater.
The outdoors offer endless options. Trails and waterways stretch across the state: the Delaware Water Gap and Pine Barrens offer hiking, biking and kayaking, while the Delaware River draws fishing, boating and paddling enthusiasts. Highlands in Morris and Sussex counties challenge mountain bikers and rock climbers.
Festivals and cultural events run year-round, from seafood feasts and food truck rallies to county fairs, art walks and multicultural parades. Amusement parks like Six Flags Great Adventure thrill visitors, while historic sites such as Princeton Battlefield, Paterson Great Falls and Cape May’s Victorian district offer history and culture.
The No. 36 ranking paints one story. Packed beaches, crowded parks, late-night diners and festival lines tell another. In New Jersey, fun doesn’t wait for a report to confirm it.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.