10 Fun Facts About South Jersey - From a Photographer
I get a lot of clients who travel out of state. It can be like a mystery of the unknown to navigate South Jersey so I devised some little fun facts:
South Jersey (the better half of Jersey, haha), located on the Atlantic coast of the US, is an incredible vacation destination known for its stunning beaches, diverse culinary options, amusement parks, celebrity residents (hey, shooting star wink wink.. kidding) and historical landmarks. I made it my life’s mission to showcase South Jersey. Check out my blog here.. if you don’t believe me. I have explored every nook and cranny from the bayshore to the Atlantic!
From Cape May to Camden in between.. there’s always an awesome place for shooting locations. It’s why I love South Jersey and love being a family photographer.
2. South Jersey residents love spending their summer days on the beach and refer to their beach excursions as "going down the shore." Visitors should try the local ice cream Maple Shade custard, a treat from Moster Softee or deliciousness from Cabana water ice. Take note that the topping of rainbow-colored candies are called "jimmies" instead of sprinkles.
We love our soft custard and iconic Mister Softee. We also love doing photoshoots with them!
3. South Jersey has many diners that serve delicious food at any time of the day. Some are open 24 hours like the Westmont Family Restaurant. Many other great spots to try are Ponzio’s (a Cherry Hill tradition), Black Horse Diner, Vincentown and the Colonial Diner for locally sourced options.
There’s always a magical flower field to be discovered in South Jersey.
4. The Wildwood Boardwalk offers amusement park rides, concerts, and street food, making it a fun summer destination for people of all ages. Sea Isle has a promenade due to the boardwalk being washed away during a bad storm in the last century. Atlantic City, which is famously mentioned in Bruce Springsteen's song, is another must-visit destination in South Jersey. Angelo’s Fairmount is a must to eat at (and a hot spot of Frankie Valle’s). Let’s not forget Cape May, Ocean City, Stone Harbor with its upscale restaurants and of course the quiet little beach island of LBI.
A family session in Ocean City, New Jersey is always a delight!
5. Visitors should try our famous hoagies (not a sub or submarine) a type of sandwich unique to South Jersey. Italian hoagie it is.. unless, in Atlantic City, you may call it a sub from White House Subs. The only exception.
6. Don't let the stereotypes fool you; South Jersey is like a completely different state than North Jersey. We like different teams, call things by different names.. Acme is pronounced “ ackamee” and water is “wooder”. We have very different ways of life. In addition, South Jersey residents are known for their love of NFL team the Philadelphia Eagles and their ability to navigate the area's eccentric road features with ease.
7. History buffs- During the Revolutionary War, more battles were fought in New Jersey than any other state. There are many historical sites to visit. National Park, Hancock house, Indian King Tavern and the Gabreil Daveis Tavern are to make a few.
A maternity photoshoot at Batsto, NJ. (near the blueberry capital of the world).
8. We love our blueberries. Some of the most delicious little berries you will ever have in your life come from South Jersey. Named the official state fruit in 2004, blueberries were first cultivated in the town of Whitesbog, then later they spanned across many Pine Barrens towns, such as Hammonton, also known as the "Blueberry Capital of the World.” My kids eat these like they are going out of style!
9. We believe in a mythical creature that lurks in our forests. It is called, “The Jersey Devil.” It is a legendary creature said to inhabit the forests of the Pine Barrens in South Jersey. The creature is often described as a flying biped with hooves, but there are many variations and folklore about our beloved “monster.”
10. The Delaware Bay (west coast of South Jersey) is home to the largest population of spawning horseshoe crabs in the world. Every spring, usually starting in May, warming waters stir the crabs from the depths of the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean to the sandy coastlines of New Jersey’s bay shore. Horseshoes PREDATE dinosaurs. You also may be alive today due to this wonderful species. Horseshoe crab blood contains a unique enzyme called limulus amebocyte lysate, or LAL. It causes the blood to coagulate when exposed to bacterial endotoxins, which can be deadly. Biomedical companies use this special enzyme to test medicines, vaccines, implants, and more for endotoxins. It’s how they ensure medical equipment is safe for people.
Photoshoot over the Delaware River which is the origination of the Delaware Bay!
Overall, South Jersey offers something for everyone, whether you are looking for a relaxing beach vacation, a wineries hike in the Pine Barrens or an exciting amusement park adventure. There’s always something to do in my home of South Jersey. Wink wink.. how about a photo session?
Happy Shooting, my friends!
Dee
Shooting Star Photography
South Jersey lover, resident and aficionado.