NJ Camping Info: Delaware Region Attractions

It's where history was made. And where nature rules. It's where the arts come alive and stately mansions reign.

New Jersey's Delaware Region is all of these and more. It's a unique region that can provide you with many things to do and see on your next vacation

There's the 760,000-gallon open-ocean tank at the New Jersey State Aquarium at Camden, just one of the fascinating exhibits depicting sea life from around the state. Or Trenton, the nation's second-largest state capital in continuous use and the site of one of General George Washington's greatest Revolutionary victories. Today, you can visit the spot where Washington crossed the Delaware and tour the Old Barracks, used by soldiers in the French and Indian War. Or, stroll through the New Jersey State Museum and its impressive art galleries.

Perhaps most impressively, the Delaware Region is home to most of New Jersey's Pine Barrens, a million acres of preserved forests and waterways. It is, in fact, the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River.

Inside these forests you can camp, hike, fish or paddle a canoe. You can visit the historic town of Batsto, a preserved 19th-century bog-iron town where craftsmen still ply their trades today. And you can tour a working cranberry bog and celebrate the annual Cranberry Festival each October in Chatsworth. However you choose to enjoy it, you'll marvel in the magnificent natural beauty that is the Pine Barrens.

The Delaware Region combines history, culture and nature to create a wide array of vacation possibilities. And a chance for visitors to enjoy the diversity that is New Jersey.

Check it out:

Appel Farms Arts and Music Center Elmer Shirley Rd.. Elmer 08318. Folk music concerts, theater performances, children's programs on 176 acre farm Annual outdoor folk festival on the first Saturday in June. (856) 358-2472

Batsto Historic Village Wharton Tract, Rt. 542, Washington Township. Restored historic village with exhibits and performances. (609) 561-3262

Burlington County Prison Museum 128 High St.. Mount Holly. 08060. This 1810 structure was build by Robert Mills to be virtually maintenance free. National Historic Landmark. Open for tours Wed. and Sat., April through mid- November. (609) 265-5958

C. A. Nothnagle Log House Gibbstown. The oldest log cabin in the United States. (856) 423-0916

Clementon Lake Amusement Park Blackwood-Clementon Dr., Clementon. Family amusement park and a perfect place for a picnic. (856) 358-2472

Columbus Flea and Farmers Market Rte.206, Columbus. Up to 1,700 outdoor stands, 70 indoor stores. (609)-358-2472

Cowtown Rodeo Flea Market Woodstown, Route 40. Oldest rodeo on the East Coast, competition every Saturday, May - September. Large Flea Market every Tuesday and Saturday year round. (856) 769-3200

Drumthwacket 354 Stockton St.. Princeton 08540. Governor's Mansion. Tours are available on Wed. from noon to 2 pm, groups of 15 or more must make an appointment. Closed Aug. (609) 683-0057

Finns Point Lighthouse Supawra Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, Fort Mott and Lighthouse Rds., Pennsville 08079. Erected in 1876. this lighthouse was first built in Buffalo NY and shipped by rail to Salem. NJ and then by muledrawn wagon to its present location. (856) 935-1487

Fort Dix Military Museum Pennsylvania Ave. Fort Dix, 08640-5300. Military memorabilia, military vehicles and memorials tours on request. (609) 562-2334

Franklinville Railroad Station Franklin Township Restored railroad station containing memorabilia and train display. Please call first. (856) 694-0858

Garden State Discovery Museum 16 Springdale Rd. N Cherry Hill, NJ 08003, (856)-424-1233. Hands on, interactive children's museum specially designed to encourage children ages 18 months to 10 years.

Hopewell Museum 28 E Broad St., Hopewell, 08525. (7 miles northwest of Princeton). Victorian house, period rooms, toys and clothes, and Indian wing, changing exhibits. (609) 466-0103

Howell Historic living Farm Hopewell Township Learn about farming. Free admission. (609) 737-3299

Kuser Farm Mansion 390 Newkirk Ave. Hamilton Township. Restored 22 acre estate, grounds, mansion. (609) 890-3630

New Jersey State House Trenton - Second oldest continuously operated state house in the U.S. Tours arranged. (609) 633-2709

New Jersey State Museum/Planetarium 205 West State Street, Trenton. American art of 19th and 20th centuries, local art, exhibit of dinosaur fossils and Indian artifacts (609) 292-6333

Old Barracks Museum Barrack Street, Trenton. Only French and Indian War Barracks still standing in the U.S. Restored soldier's quarters 19th century period rooms, antique exhibits. (609) 396-1776

Philadelphia, PA Access from NJ via bridges over Delaware River. Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, Sesame Place and more.

Smithville Mansion Complex Burlington County Cultural and Heritage Center, Smithville/Jacksonville Rd., Mt. Holly. Historic 19th Century industrial complex (609) 265-6068

Walt Whitman Home Site 330 Mickle Street, Camden. Original furnishings mementos. Free admission. (856) 364-5383