Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

By Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

New Jersey is the nation's most interesting state. Don't laugh. Not best or prettiest or most livable, just most damn interesting. What other state packs more scenic wonder and cultural/ethnic diversity in such a tiny, tidy package? From swamps to Shore, refineries to wildlife refuges, we have it all. But you can't see Jersey in just a week or two. State and county travel/tourism sites are packed with recommended attractions, but they're usually places we already know about.

This is a list of 18 spots you need to visit in 2018. It's a mix of old favorites and under-the-radar spots, weekend getaway destinations and quick afternoon jaunts. Together, the list offers a compact overview of the Garden State, not to mention a great excuse to get out of the house. How many have you visited? We're guessing not many.

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Saed Hindash I The Star-Ledger

Buzz Aldrin Astronomical Center, Voorhees State Park

Watch the skies! Astronaut Buzz Aldrin - the second man on the moon - grew up in Montclair, so it's only fitting they named the center after him. It includes the Paul Robinson Observatory, maintained by the New Jersey Astronomical Association on state-owned land. The center is closed to the public in January and February, but you can stop by the fourth weekend of each month in March, April and May, with expanded hours from June through October. You'll get a guided tour of the facility and a look at the state's largest public telescope.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Gardens at Wyckoff

This may be the state's least-known romantic spot, a 13-acre oasis of peace and quiet beauty minutes from the Parkway. There is a rose garden with 500 plants; when I stopped one day, the caretaker told me roses are the "prima donnas'' of the plant world - "anything that can go wrong, goes wrong, and they complain all the time.'' Make sure to explore the entire grounds — they're that beautiful. And don't go looking for an official Facebook page or website, because there aren't any.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Millville Army Air Field, Millville

Probably the state's least-known former military base or installation, the Millville Army Air Field was heralded as "America's First Defense Airport'' when it opened in August 1941. In 1943, it opened as a gunnery school for fighter pilots; 1,500 pilots would receive advanced training in the Republic P-47 "Thunderbolt.'' Today it includes a museum with exhibits, including one on Navajo code-talkers, and several planes and equipment on the grounds. The photo was taken from Glasstown Brewing, right next door.

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Steve Klaver I The Star-Ledger

Franklin Mineral Museum/Sterling Hill Mining Museum

The world's two most famous zinc mines were in New Jersey, but you knew that. Over the years, mines in Franklin and nearby Ogdensburg produced 33 million tons of ore. The mines' rich histories are highlighted at the Franklin Mineral Museum and the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. There's a fluorescent minerals room at the former and underground mine tours at the latter. You can collect rocks at both.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Ocean Drive

Forget the Parkway — follow the gull. Skip the traffic, headache and hassle between Ocean City and North Wildwood and follow this local road. The most scenic stretches are when the road vaults over marsh and water via a series of toll bridges (bring cash; EZ-Pass is not accepted). Stop between Ocean City and Strathmere at Corson's Inlet State Park, which may be the state's least-known beach.

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Frank Conlon I The Star-Ledger

A.J. Meerwald

Trivia Time! The state's official tall ship is... If you answered the A.J Meerwald, you earn extra N.J. brownie points. The restored 85-foot oyster-dredging schooner was one of hundreds built on the Bayshore in the 1920s. The A.J. Meerwald can be found at the Bayshore Center at Bivalve; the Cumberland County town was once the booming center of the state oyster industry. The schooner is no mere exhibit — cruises are held throughout the spring, summer and fall. Check back on the Bayshore Center's website for the 2018 sailing schedule.

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Mitsu Yasukawa I The Star-Ledger

The Deserted Village at Feltville, Berkeley Heights

The state's only official deserted village is located, ironically enough, just off one of the state's busiest highways. The Deserted Village is a collection of 10 buildings, a reminder of a long-forgotten quasi-Utopian mill town and, later, summer resort started in the 1840s by David Felt. The grounds are open every day; the visitor center, on Saturdays and Sundays. Park in the lot at the corner of Cataract Hollow Road and Glenside Avenue, and stroll down the winding road through a hushed cathedral of trees to the village.

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Pitman

Collingswood is a neat little town, but overhyped by food and travel writers. Head instead to smaller, cozier Pitman, a half hour to the south. Shops include the Caffeinated Cyclist and Endgrain Coffee Bar, and there is the gorgeous Broadway Theatre. The historically dry town is now home to two craft breweries — Kelly Green Brewing and Human Village. Recommended restaurants: Mannino's and Alaura Kitchen and Candy.

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Ocean Gate

Not Ocean Grove or Ocean City, but little-known Ocean Gate, wedged, like neighboring Pine Beach, between the Parkway and ocean. "(We have a) 1-mile-long boardwalk along the Toms River,'' says Councilman Mark Haug. "Longest public beach on the river and bay. Great historical museum. The Anchor Inn, a deli, and a pizza shop, and in the summer an ice cream shop. Come down and see us some time.''

There's your invite!

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John Munson I The Star-Ledger

The Great Falls, Paterson

Yeah, yeah, everyone's heard of the Great Falls, but have you actually been there? Not seen it from a distance, but from the bridge overlooking the state's greatest natural wonder? I bet if I polled 50 reporters/editors in the newsroom right now, not more than ten would say they've been on that bridge. To them and everyone else out there, I say: Go! Now! Visit it in floodwater stage, as seen in the photo above, for maximum magnificent effect. While you're there, have a chili dog at hot dog landmark Libby's Lunch, right across the street.

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Old Mine Road, Delaware Water Gap

The Old Mine Road is one of those secret little highways that reward the visitor with rugged beauty and a magnificent stillness. It snakes for about 40 miles along the Delaware River in Warren and Sussex counties. You'll be going through Worthington State Forest, and the attractions along the way include an awesome waterfall and a trail that leads up to Sunfish Pond and splendid vistas. While one end of Old Mine Road is just off Route 80, finding it is not easy; here's a good guide. And wait until the spring or summer; the road is closed in winter.

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Bradley Beach

Bradley Beach may forever be in the shadow of Asbury Park, but this beach town is an overlooked dining destination. Del Ponte's is an excellent bakery, Vic's one of the state's thin-crust pizza icons, and for breakfast, the Buttered Biscuit can't be beat. Captain Kidd was said to have buried treasure on what is now Brinley Avenue — good luck finding it. D'Arcy's Tavern is the local hangout, and make sure to catch a movie at the Beach Cinema, a great old neighborhood theater, even if it was forced to go digital in 2014.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Amish Market at Mullica Hill, Mullica Hill

Probably my favorite food market in New Jersey, the Amish Market at Mullica Hill beckons you with its heady aroma of fresh bread, donuts, soft pretzels, nuts, cheese, meats and more. Donuts to the right, just inside the front door, breads and pies from Beiler's just ahead of you. My favorite section: the rotisserie chickens at Yoder's, in the back. There are a handful of Amish markets in New Jersey; this is the best.

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Brian Donohue | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Main Street, Paterson

The Ironbound in Newark and Little India in Woodbridge are probably the state's best-known ethnic food neighborhoods. Less heralded is the cornucopia of Middle Eastern shops, markets, bakeries and restaurants along Main Street in South Paterson. Fattal's Syrian Bakery and Nouri Brothers are legendary. For Turkish food, try Toros; for pastries, Nayef Sweets, just off Main. And on the next blinding hot summer day (I know; it'll be a while), try the mint lemonade at Al Basha — it'll rock your world.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Mt. Mitchill, Atlantic Highlands

Not Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Mitchill, named after Samuel Mitchill, who worked as a professor of chemistry, botany, agriculture and natural history and was best known for his circumnavigation of Long Island in the early 1800s. At 266 feet above sea level, it's the highest natural elevation on the Atlantic seaboard. On a clear day, you can see forever, or at least Sandy Hook, the Atlantic Ocean, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and New York City skyline. The 12-acre park is also home to Monmouth County's official 9/11 memorial.

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The cabin's elevated porch has great views! Posted by Wharton State Forest on Monday, July 10, 2017

The Cabin in the Woods, Wharton State Forest

No, not the skin-crawling movie, your own cabin in New Jersey's Pine Barrens. Ever camped in those mysterious, magical woods? Didn't think so. Tents are fun and all, but for rain-proof, clean-sheet comfort, go with one of the cabins on Atsion Lake in Wharton State Forest. Four-person cabins rent for $55 a night and just $385 a week for state residents. The cabins have a bathroom, hot and cold water, even a refrigerator and fireplace. From the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, cabins can be rented for seven or 14 consecutive nights only. Go in early May or mid to late September, which is the best time of year anyway.

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John O'Boyle I The Star-Ledger

Viking Village, Barnegat Light

No, there aren't any Vikings in Viking Village, but it may be the least known of New Jersey's commercial fishing ports. Founded by a group of Scandinavian fishermen in the 1920s, it's now home to about 45 boats; one of the scallop boats was used in the movie "The Perfect Storm.'' There are dock tours in warmer weather, plus a dozen or so shops, and the recommended seafood restaurant Off the Hook, which has outdoor seating. Start your day with breakfast at the Shore's best diner, Mustache Bill's, minutes away.

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The Raptor Trust, Millington

From humble backyard beginnings — founder Len Soucy and his wife, Diane, spent 15 years rehabilitating birds behind their house — the Raptor Trust has grown to be one of the nation's preeminent wild bird rehabilitation centers. The center is located on 14 acres at the edge of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Injured birds are dropped off by homeowners, police and fire departments, rescue squads and others. Len Soucy passed away in 2014, but his work lives on. The Raptor Trust is open to the public seven days a week; you can see up close the hawks, owls, eagles and falcons that are permanent residents.

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Peter Genovese | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

What's on your travel list?

So what did we leave out? What places are you determined to visit in 2018? Let us know in the comments section.

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Peter Genovese may be reached at pgenovese@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @PeteGenovese or via The Munchmobile @NJ_Munchmobile. Find the Munchmobile on Facebook and Instagram.