31. The Shore

Photo by Noah Rabinowitz

Perhaps New Jersey’s finest asset, the Shore—approximately 141 miles of oceanfront from Sandy Hook to Cape May Point—includes more than 40 communities, each with a distinct personality. The beaches, amusement parks, eateries, lighthouses and casinos evoke warm memories for generations of Jersey natives while continuing to lure newcomers and tourists. Besides simmering as  a premier summer destination, the Shore has year-round dining and entertainment attractions, especially in cultural hubs like Red Bank, Asbury Park, Atlantic City and Cape May. It’s no surprise that our gorgeous Shore has been the setting for several hit TV shows (some of which shall not be named). Travel the coastline and you’ll encounter fishing villages, wildlife preserves, scenic views and, of course, a Wawa or two. —BM

32. Sinatra

Photo by Gab Archive/Redferns

The Chairman of the Board had a checkered relationship with New Jersey. Born in Hoboken, Francis Albert Sinatra launched his singing career in the clubs and roadhouses of Hudson County, married a Jersey girl (Nancy Barbato) and moved to Hasbrouck Heights. After he hit the big time and decamped to Hollywood, Sinatra’s public visits to his old hometown were few; jeered at a private performance in Hoboken in 1952, he swore never to return—and largely kept that promise. But while Sinatra soured on the Garden State, his mammoth success as an entertainer remains a point of pride for all New Jersey—and his unruffled, suave persona is the template for Jersey cool. —KS

33. The Skylands

Photo by Eric Rank

The mountainous northwest portion of the state is a spectacle of gorges, continuous forests and hidden waterfalls known as the Skylands, a vast zone combining the Highlands and the Ridge and Valley geographic regions. Part of the Appalachian range, the Skylands support the highest concentration of birds of prey in the state. The scenic peaks furnish more than half of our state’s population with clean drinking water and provide priceless outdoor escapes. Among the natural treasures: Jenny Jump State Forest, Allamuchy Mountain State Park, Mahlon Dickerson Reservation, High Point State Park and the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.—JB

34. Social Activism

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Trading Cards NPS

Folks in New Jersey have been known to get riled up now and then—and often for good reason. Take Harriet Tubman, the most familiar face of the Underground Railroad, the network of secret routes, safe houses and bold individuals who linked up to help escaped slaves to freedom. Although not a New Jersey native, Tubman (herself an escaped slave) was largely based in Cape May in the years she helped more than 300 slaves to shed their fetters. Others who famously took up social causes include suffragist, feminist and women’s-rights activist Alice Paul; suffragist, abolitionist and women’s-right activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton; civil-rights activist Paul Robeson; mental-health activist Dorothea Dix; women’s-, labor- and social-rights activist Helen Tufts Bailie; and political activist Charles Jacobs. —BM

35. Space Explorers

Illustration by John S. Dykes

We always knew New Jerseyans were out of this world, but this is ridiculous! New Jersey’s shining star among astronauts is Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (raised in Montclair), the second man to walk on the moon. A cheer, too, for Wally Schirra (Hackensack), one of the original seven chosen for Project Mercury, the country’s initial manned space initiative. Twins Mark and Scott Kelly (Orange) are the only siblings to travel in space; Scott recently set the record for the longest space flight by an American. And let’s not space out on Kathryn Sullivan (Paterson), the first American woman to walk in space. —MM

36. Statue of Liberty

Photo by Matjaz Boncina/IStock

Lady Liberty has been welcoming immigrants and visitors to America since her dedication 130 years ago. This colossal, 300-foot-tall copper statue—a token of friendship from France—stands on Liberty Island, technically part of New York State (boo!), but in practical terms well within New Jersey’s maritime border and just 2,000 feet from Liberty State Park in Jersey City—where you can hop on a ferry for your visit to her majesty. You’ll also want to stop at Ellis Island (shared by New York and New Jersey), where you can tour the inspirational National Museum of Immigration. —JK

37. Submarine Sandwiches

Photo by Karandaev/IStock

In North Jersey, according to Jersey City native and Blimpie founder Tony Conza, long-loaf sandwiches filled with hot ingredients were called heroes. In 1964, Conza and his friends drove to Point Pleasant to check out a place called Mike’s Subs, rumored to have lines out the door for its long sandwiches filled with cold cuts, cheese, tomatoes and shredded lettuce sprinkled with mouthwatering oil and vinegar. The rumors were true. The joint was jumping. The owner (who had bought the place from the original Mike) gave Conza his blessing to open his own sub shop in Hoboken. As a franchise, Blimpie’s was eventually surpassed by Subway. Meanwhile, little old Mike’s Subs eventually morphed into today’s countrywide sub powerhouse, Jersey Mike’s.—EL

38. Taylor Ham/Pork Roll

Photo Courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons

I am an outlier. I grew up in North Jersey, where most people call the product that John Taylor invented in Trenton in 1856 Taylor ham. We called it Taylor pork roll; I still do. Why? Aesthetics, partly. To my ears, “pork roll” sounds more interesting, appetizing and distinctive than “ham,” which you can find anywhere. The other reason, I’m guessing, is geographical. My father’s family was from Baltimore, which required us—on family visits—to pass through South Jersey, where people say “pork roll.” That’s what my father’s Baltimore family called it, too. I guess the salty, porky, irresistible aroma of pan-fried pork roll wafted across the Delaware Memorial Bridge and kept going. —EL

39. Veterans

Illustration by John S. Dykes

Valiant New Jerseyans have fought and died for our country since the Revolution; 94 have earned the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military accolade. Perhaps the best-known hometown hero is John Basilone—the only U.S. Marine enlistee to be awarded the Medal of Honor, a Purple Heart and the Navy Cross for his service during World War II. Jersey honors its vets with parades, war memorials and the support of organizations like Wounded Warriors, American Legion and Community Hope. Last year, Bergen County joined the Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, a program launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in 2014, and found homes for 125 veterans as of August 2016.—JK

40. Writers and Poets

Illustration by John S. Dykes

Amiri Baraka  ✸ Peter benchley ✸ Judy Blume ✸ Mary Higgins Clark   ✸ Harlan Coben *James Fenimore Cooper  ✸ Stephen Crane ✸ Junot Diaz  ✸ Janet Evanovich  ✸ F. Scott Fitzgerald elizabeth gilbert ✸ Allen Ginsberg  ✸ Joyce Kilmer  ✸ Fran Lebowitz   ✸ John McPhee * Toni Morrison  ✸ Joyce Carol Oates  ✸ George R.R. Martin  ✸ THOMAS PAINE ✸ Gregory Pardlo * Philip Roth  ✸ Akhil sharma ✸ Gay Talese  ✸ Walt Whitman  ✸ William Carlos Williams