Exploring the Most Peaceful and Overlooked Part of New Jersey

Raise your hand if you've ever said, "Let's drive to Elsinboro this weekend!"

What about Hancocks Bridge? Or Quinton? Or Stow Creek Landing?

That's exactly what I did this past weekend. I drove around one of the least-visited parts of New Jersey and it was fantastic.

Those cities (the word "cities" here is a bit generous — let's just call them "spots on a map") are all out in lower Salem and Cumberland Counties in deep South Jersey.

Where is "Deep" South Jersey?

I say "deep" because when you think of South Jersey, you might think of the Cherry Hill area, or maybe Washington Township, or the Millville-Vineland area, or even spots down the shore.

"Deep" South Jersey, in this case, is well below those regions. Down here, you're right along the Delaware Bay. And this is where you put the "garden" in "Garden State." This is where New Jersey looks like Kansas. Those who live here are quite happy and proud of that.

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What You'll See Down Here

How can I describe this area? For starters, there are two main things that you'll notice.

The first is agriculture, primarily corn. Jersey corn as far as the eye can see.

The second is nuclear power. The Salem Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations are down here and they pump out over 40% of the electricity produced in the entire state.

A Place of Independence and Simplicity

And down here, there is a strong sense of independence. Certainly, Trenton rules how things go, but you can see and feel the self-reliance when you drive around. Simply put, you are on your own.

I can best describe it this way: they have intersections in parts of Salem County that are practically unregulated. No stop signs, no turn lanes, no traffic lights, no crosswalks. If there are no other cars (and there usually aren't), you just go... if there are other cars, then you yield.

And those power lines are from the nuclear power plants... they're everywhere.

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Quiet Roads, No Crowds

It's refreshing down here. In a state of 9.5 million people, you can truly get away from it all. You can drive around for 5 or 10 minutes and never pass another car. Down here, you have to go out of your way to find a Wawa or a Walmart (or even just a gas station), all while being in the most densely populated state in the country.

And, no, I'm not exaggerating. Where else in the state would you see something like this?

Things to Visit

If you do explore this region, might I suggest two things:

There is a 120-year-old bridge in Hancocks Bridge that you can check out. It's been closed to traffic for decades, and it's in pretty rough shape these days, but it's cool to look at (bring bug spray as some of the flies are the size of pterodactyls).

You can also visit the nearby Hancock House (when it reopens -- apparently, it's temporarily closed for some repairs). This house is unique because in 1778, as many as 10 people were brutally murdered inside and not a single gunshot was fired. Local legend says you can still see blood stains on the upstairs floor, but that area is not open to the public.

Of course, there's nothing wrong with visiting this part of the state without an agenda just to clear your mind and explore.

Before we look around, if you're wondering how to get down here, just keep going south until you run out of land (and civilization). If you hit Delaware, you've gone too far.