There’s lots to do and see in the Garden State – from visiting the New Jersey battleship, to walking in the hallowed halls of Princeton University – there is something for everyone. But before you embark on your next great trip across our beloved state, here are a few top tips to help prepare yourself and ensure that you fully enjoy your holiday.
Check Your Papers
Whether you are a native resident of New Jersey, or perhaps visiting from out-of-state, there are some essential documents you must keep with yourself at all times. If driving a vehicle that you own, make sure you always have your license on you at all times, as well as your insurance papers and registration documents. This helps to ensure that, if you get stopped by law enforcement officers, you can easily prove ownership of your vehicle and carry on with your day. Moreover, if you are involved in an accident or your vehicle breaks down, having insurance and ownership papers at the ready makes the whole process much easier. If planning on renting a vehicle, then having the relevant documents would ensure that the rental process goes through much easier.
If you intend on drinking alcohol, know that New Jersey’s alcohol laws are one of the most complex in the entire United States – the state has a mix of places that are allowed to sell alcohol 24/7 and even a number of ‘dry towns’ wherein no alcohol is allowed. Federal laws still apply, and you must always have identification available with you in order to purchase alcohol – so have those papers ready if you plan on having a bit of fun while visiting New Jersey.
Irrespective of your intentions, having certain documents with you is always helpful and, while not the end of the world if you forget any, it would certainly make life easier for you whilst visiting New Jersey.
Arrange Pet Care
If you have any pets, don’t forget to organize care for your furry friend while you are away. Not only does this provide peace of mind for you, as you know that your pet is well-looked after, allowing you to enjoy your trip, but it is also good for them. Keeping your pet entertained and cared for while you are gone makes the impact of you not being there a bit less serious for your pet, making them feel better!
You can use word-of-mouth pet sitting services, but if you are in a rush and want a quality sitter as soon as possible, then you can use various websites which allow you to find pet sitters in your area no matter where you are, giving you ultimate peace of mind.
Sort Out Travel Money
Most of us (sadly!) don’t have an unlimited travel budget. Therefore, it’s worthwhile spending a bit of time before you leave to sort out your budget – things like money for hotels, restaurants, and sightseeing all come into play as you factor in the bits and bobs that eat away at your budget. Plus, make sure to always have some sort of emergency fund – not too large, but not too small – no matter the length of your stay. Not only does it provide peace of mind, but if something were to happen, then you’d thank your lucky stars that you put some money aside for it!
Protect Your Castle
Nothing will ruin your post-holiday high more than coming home and discovering that your home has been broken into. Before you leave, check multiple times that you have locked all windows and doors – it’s recommended that you actually try the lock too, to see if it holds. You could even ask family or a trusted neighbor to check on your house from time to time and remove any stacked-up mail. For ultimate peace of mind, however, it’s well worth investing in home security systems to deter would-be burglars and keep your home as safe as possible.
Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More… Or Don’t
Some people prefer to plan their holidays to the tiniest detail – the times they need to arrive at certain places, the exact place they need to be at, you name it. However, other people prefer to have a more spontaneous schedule, taking things as they come. Whatever you choose to do, however, remember that the reason that you’re traveling is first and foremost to have fun and explore new places – no matter whether you do it in an organized way or not.