>>2318995In the north:
High point is a nice well rounded park. Lake, decent trails cool obelisk that you can walk up, plus it's the highest mountain in the state. Also close to Wallkill River NWR which occasionally has cool wildlife like mustelids, beavers, sometimes cranes
Norvin Green State forest is nice, there are small caves, waterfalls, and Wyanokie high point has pretty nice views of the reservoir near there, plus the foothills of the Appalachians and the city further away.
Near there is Ramapo Mountain, has a destroyed castle and some islands in the reservoir you can walk to when it's frozen
Palisades Interstate Park has nice views of the Hudson, NYC, and some of the bridges further north in Net York State, plus a moderately difficult scramble (mostly horizontal, but it's long). And a great place to see raptors (the birds).
Delaware water gap has nice waterfalls and hikes up part of the AT, nice mountains and views from them. Also fast paced kayaking/canoeing on the Delaware.
Central:
Beaches, plus Gateway NRA is great for wildlife viewing, saw some seals a month ago.
Some creeks are cool for fossil hunting like big brook and poricy.
Pine Barrens have a bunch of state parks, mostly flat, but great smell and beautiful scenery, though I am biased towards conifers.
South:
Haven't been much, but Cape may is great for wildlife viewing, as is Edwin Forsythe NWR
