Though best distinguished by its world-class beaches, bountiful farmland and scenic mountainous stretches, New Jersey's image has historically been discolored by association with its heavily industrialized transit corridor en route to New York City.
The "Snooki effect" similarly skews its cultural identity, but make no mistake, New Jersey's museums, stages and other cultural assets are where the state's true artistic character is found.
From Sinatra to "Jersey Boy" Frankie Valli to Springsteen, New Jersey's musical legacy is pantheonic, including guitar god Les Paul. Less known is that New Jersey is the birthplace of American cinema. The motion picture was invented at Thomas Edison's laboratory in West Orange, and before Hollywood there was Fort Lee, where early studios flourished and The Perils of Pauline, shot around the towering Palisades, gave us the term "cliffhanger."
The lineup of New Jersey-born artists is epic, including writers Walt Whitman and Norman Mailer; comedians Jerry Lewis and both Abbott and Costello; and interestingly, Peter Benchley, author of Jaws, and the film version's star, Roy Scheider.
Infused in New Jersey's lifeblood, culture and the arts are also vital sectors of its tourism industry, with tens of thousands of annual events attracting crowds of cultural visitors.
From hundreds of choices, here are eight top places to "show" groups a great time.
1. LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER, JERSEY CITY
www.lsc.org
One of Parents magazine's picks for 10 best science centers in the U.S., this celebrated venue combines a panoramically scenic location—across from Lower Manhattan in Liberty State Park, by Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty—with atmospheric spaces and engaging interactions for groups.
"Liberty Science Center is a unique venue for meetings ranging from intimate dinners to large-scale conferences," says Mary Meluso, associate director, communications and website management.
From outdoor gatherings on the lawn to receptions in the observation deck, a dramatic glass-enclosed pyramid atop the center's 170-foot tower, great backdrops abound. Inside, Governors Hall and the Science Court are ideal for large-scale dinners, receptions and galas, with more stunning views from the third and fourth floor spaces. With the enthralling Skyscraper! exhibit among hundreds of hands-on displays, the center's built-in entertainment options are geared for creative interaction.
"Whether you're conducting a team-building scavenger hunt or unveiling your latest product on the nation's largest IMAX Dome Screen, we offer turnkey planning services to help you create unforgettable meetings," Meluso says.
2. SOUTH ORANGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (SOPAC), SOUTH ORANGE
www.sopacnow.org
Nestled in the heart of leafy, suburban South Orange just 30 minutes by train from Manhattan, this classy facility, opened in 2006, is a vibrant community and regional arts destination. Staging headline and local acts in music, theater, dance and comedy, SOPAC, incorporating a five-screen movie theater, offers two sophisticated, versatile meeting spaces.
Accommodating up to 150 guests seated and 325 guests standing, the third-floor Loft at SOPAC looks out invitingly on the forested South Mountain Reservation and includes access to an adjacent professional kitchen. With clear stage views from all 415 seats, the intimate SOPAC Theater is ideal for corporate presentations and ceremonies.
"SOPAC is an all-in-one facility where you can host meetings and conferences, present a live performance or a public speaker in the theater, screen movies in the cinemas, and have your desired caterer prepare a casual lunch or an elegant dinner for you and your guests—all under one roof," says Michael Bollinger, SOPAC's executive director.
3. THE WILDWOODS
www.wildwoodsnj.com
Comprising five municipalities on the southern Jersey shore, the Wildwoods have unique cultural appeal in their collection of some 50 "Doo Wop" motels. Featuring space-age architecture, neon signs, swimming pools and plastic palm trees, eye-catching treasures such as the neighboring Caribbean Motel (1950) and Bel Air Motel (1960), and the whimsical Lollipop Motel (1970) form a historic district that AOL named one of "Ten Architectural Wonders of the United States" for 2010.
Evoking Miami Beach, Vegas and Route 66, the district, along with the Doo Wop Experience Museum and the award-winning Back to the '50s Doo Wop Bus Tour, are all group musts. The yesteryear ambience is enhanced by festivals and meetings such as classic car shows and '60s celebrations, many based at the 260,000-square-foot Wildwoods Convention Center.
"With our prime location on the Wildwoods' famous boardwalk overlooking the beach and ocean, we provide a one-of-a-kind setting for meetings at the shore," says John Siciliano, the center's executive director. "Plus, our highly experienced staff is always available to ensure meetinga are set up as needed and run as smoothly as possible."
4. GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE, HAMILTON
www.groundsforsculpture.org
Dating back to 1745, the New Jersey State Fairgrounds once showcased agriculture, livestock, horse racing and daredevil air shows. Today, a 35-acre portion of the original 19th century site is an enchanting showcase for over 250 outdoor sculptures. Like passing into a different realm, the beautifully landscaped grounds beguile at every turn, with bamboo colonnades, the Forest of the Subconscious exhibit and fanciful gazebos among the highlights.
The park's main meeting facility, the Seward Johnson Center for the Arts, offers sophisticated indoor and outdoor space for social, business and private meetings. Named for Mr. Rat, the consummate host from the fabled children's book The Wind in the Willows, Rat's Restaurant is a culinary and architectural triumph. Featuring delicious fare from executive chef Shane Cash (a cousin of music icon Johnny Cash), Rat's, its intimate dining and gathering spaces overlooking a Monet-inspired pond, is a highlight for groups.
"Many of our events take advantage of the park's interplay of nature and art," says Coby Green-Rifkin, director of marketing. "From daytime meetings to dream weddings, we provide a picture-perfect setting—and full support—for your gathering."
5. STATE THEATRE, NEW BRUNSWICK
www.statetheatrenj.org
Last month, this magnificently renovated vaudeville and silent film palace from 1921 celebrated its 90th anniversary with a gala event featuring the Great American Songbook, an arrangement of standards from the 1920s to present day created by legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch. Groups can also look forward to a medley of entertainment and event options at this 1,850-seat venue in downtown New Brunswick.
"The State Theatre is a great choice for meeting planners who are looking for a convenient, centrally located place, with accommodations and dining options close by," says Kelly Blithe, public relations director at the venue. "From Broadway musicals to comedy nights, we offer something for everyone."
Credited as a major factor in New Brunswick's ongoing revitalization, the State Theatre welcomes gatherings from corporate meetings and product launches to fundraisers and fashion shows. Part of a mini-theater row that includes the adjacent Crossroads Theatre Company, the nation's premier African American theater, and celebrated George Street Playhouse, the State Theatre sits directly across from another revitalization anchor, the luxurious 248-room Heldrich Hotel, offering 25,000 square feet of purpose-built space for meetings and conferences.
6. MORRIS MUSEUM, MORRISTOWN
www.morrismuseum.org
Art, science, theater and history are all displayed at this charming choice in historic Morristown, which houses a permanent collection of over 48,700 items ranging from anthropology and paleontology to costumes and toys. On exhibit until September 2011, New Jersey Rocks explores the history of rock 'n' roll in the Garden State.
Originally the Morristown Neighborhood House, the museum expanded several times until moving into its present location, a circa-1913 Georgian mansion known as "Twin Oaks." Planners can choose from several unique spaces that seamlessly blend the old with the new, such as Museum Court, joined to the mansion via a modern two-story promenade with a breathtaking skylight, and the sleek new glass Entrance Pavilion, gateway to the galleries and 312-seat Bickford Theatre. Accommodating 15 people, the upper-level conference room features a hand-painted mural depicting Twin Oaks during the 1920s, while history is also the backdrop for meetings in Hennessy Hall, the mansion's original foyer, and the elegant Dodge Room.
"We believe that ambience is a key element to the success of any event, and the Morris Museum has it in abundance," says Bridget Meyer, event coordinator at the facility. "With our juxtaposition of historic and modern, the atmosphere alone goes a long way toward creating a memorable experience."
7. MCCARTER THEATRE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, PRINCETON
www.mccarter.org
Founded in 1891, Princeton University's legendary Triangle Club remains America's oldest touring collegiate musical-comedy troupe. In 1930, the McCarter was built as the troupe's permanent home; a Princeton University sophomore at the time, future acting legend Jimmy Stewart appeared in the McCarter's inaugural show. After quickly gaining popularity as a pre-Broadway showcase, the McCarter would soon evolve into one of New Jersey's leading performing arts centers, a distinction that has only strengthened over time.
In addition to staging world-class cultural events, the center offers planners a comprehensive package of group programs, including party packages, meet-and-greets or Q&A sessions with performers and producers, and private event opportunities for groups of 50 or more. Social event options include after-hours parties, gay pride nights and the popular Dickens-inspired Fezziwig holiday bash in December, featuring a performance of A Christmas Carol.
8. BOARDWALK HALL, ATLANTIC CITY
www.boardwalkhall.com
Built in 1929 to accommodate the city's growing convention industry, the former Atlantic City Convention Hall occupies a unique place in New Jersey's history. Among the many distinctive events that took place under its cavernous barrel vault ceiling—modeled after European train canopies and once the world's largest clear span space—were the first indoor college football game, training of U.S. troops during World War II and early performances by the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Renamed Boardwalk Hall in 2001 after an extensive modernization project, today the hall is a choice special events arena with variable seating for up to 14,770 people. Managed by the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority, the facility offers a range of group services, including ticketing, promotional items and meeting customization.
For a distinctive treat, Boardwalk Hall is also home to two historic organs, including the largest pipe organ ever built, composed of a staggering 33,000 pipes. Monthly tours are provided by the Atlantic City Convention Hall Organ Society (www.acchos.org).
Based in Brooklyn, N.Y., regular Meetings Focus East contributor Jeff Heilman is always in tune with the Garden State.
