Jennifer Amato

New Jersey

Managing Editor at New Jersey Family

Journalist with experience in newspaper and magazine writing, broadcast and editing.

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Articles

Spend a Day at One of New Jersey's Top Beaches (2025), According to USA Today Readers

2 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

With 130 miles of Jersey shoreline, every beach town has something different to offer. From beaches and boardwalks to amusement parks and mini golf to fishing and crabbing to visiting a lighthouse, readers from USA Today can help you choose where to spend your summer vacay (or a hooky day from work) with their recs for the 10 best beaches in New Jersey. It’s no surprise that The Wildwoods was voted the top beach for 2025 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards contest.
Best Things to Do in New Jersey This Weekend (June 6-8, 2025)

2 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

Summer weather is on, and we’ve rounded up tons of fun things to do outdoors this weekend. Here’s the lineup of events happening in NJ:WEEKENDHT Pride 2025: Choose JoyHaddon Square, Haddon Twp. Thursday – SaturdayThe parade takes place on June 5, while Community Night is June 6, followed by a possible Drag Queen Story Hour on June 7 (TBD). The “celebration of joy” features artists, musicians, drag performers, local talent and community advocacy.
Two Old School Attractions Return to Mountain Creek Resort This Month

3 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

MOUNTAIN CREEK RESORTLongtime fans of Mountain Creek Resort may have fond memories of Cannonball Falls and the Tarzan Swings. This summer, relive those memories with your own children when the two popular attractions return to a new area called The Gorge.
Parents in New Jersey Could Get Paid PTO To Attend Their Kids' School Events

3 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

ISTOCK.COM / RAWPIXELWork-life balance is challenging for parents, but if a new bill passes through the state government, you will be able to use paid time off to attend your kid’s school events. Senate Bill 172, with its Assembly counterpart A126, would provide family leave for an employee to attend certain events for their child, and also establish tax credits for the employer that’s paying those family leave benefits.
The Best New Jersey Counties to Live In, According to Niche

4 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

From bustling suburbs to scenic shore towns, New Jersey’s 21 counties each offer something unique. To spotlight what makes them stand out, Niche released its 2025 rankings of the Best Counties to Live in New Jersey for 2025. Leading the list is Somerset County, known for its picturesque farmland and rolling hills that blend seamlessly with its residential neighborhoods. Niche awarded it an overall grade of A+, highlighting top marks for public schools and family life.
Why Philadelphia Is the Girls’ Trip You Didn’t Know You Needed

4 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

If the idea of planning a girls’ trip sounds too daunting, start by looking closer to home. On a recent spring weekend, my sister and I headed south for a quick but fun-filled overnight trip to Philly. We were impressed with how much fun we managed to pack into 24 hours but if you can get away for longer, I highly recommend it. Depending on where you are in the Garden State, Philadelphia is about 1-2 hours drive, which means that you’ll spend less time traveling and more time enjoying.
The Best Camping and Glamping in New Jersey

5 days ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

Sleeping under the stars means different things to different people. There are the campers who can expertly pitch a tent in the wilderness with zero bars of cell service. And then there are the glampers who can’t imagine an overnight that isn’t spent in a luxury yurt. No matter which category you fall in, you’re sure to find a spot your family will love on this list of camping and glamping spots throughout the Garden State.
The Best Places to Live in New Jersey (2025-26), According to U.S. News & World Report

1 week ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

Yet another study released this spring touts the best places to live in New Jersey. The study by U.S. News & World Report ranked the Top 14 towns in New Jersey that are the hottest places to live for 2025-26 based on quality of life, education, value and affordability, desirability, crime rates, job market, and migration into or out of a city. Analysts looked at data from Applied Geographic Solutions (AGS) and their own internal resources.
Best Things to Do in New Jersey This Weekend (May 30 to June 1, 2025)

1 week ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

Amid the proms, graduations and BBQs, there are tons of fun things to do in and around NJ this weekend. Here are 55+ ways to get out of the house with the kids. WEEKENDCorpus Christi Parish CarnivalCorpus Christi Parish, ChathamThursday – SaturdayBring the whole family for rides, carnival games and prizes, a children’s play area, food, a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle. Mansion in May Designer Showhouse and GardensWildfair, Chester Twp.
New Jersey Beach Named One of the Most Dog-Friendly in the U.S. by HGTV

1 week ago | njfamily.com | Jennifer Amato

Heading to the Jersey Shore with the kids is a classic summer tradition—and it’s even more fun when your dog can join. GREATER WILDWOODS TOURISM IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYIn Wildwood, you can call it the Dog Days of Summer since the 5-mile island has one of the Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the United States, according to HGTV.