11 Areas to Avoid in New Jersey [TOURIST SAFETY GUIDE]

New Jersey is known for its beautiful beaches, bustling cities, and rich history. However, like any state, there are certain areas that are best avoided, especially for tourists and those unfamiliar with the state. As someone who has spent many years visiting and touring in New Jersey, I’ve gotten to know the state quite well. Through my experiences, I’ve learned that while most of New Jersey is perfectly safe, there are a handful of cities and towns that are best avoided if possible. In this article, I’ll share my insight on the areas to avoid in New Jersey for a safer and more enjoyable visit.

When visiting a new place, safety should always be a top priority. While New Jersey has plenty of great destinations, some neighborhoods have issues with crime, drugs, gang violence, and poverty. These areas are best avoided, particularly at night. As a tourist unfamiliar with New Jersey, steering clear of the following cities and towns will allow you to avoid potential danger and have a good trip.

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Areas to Avoid in New Jersey

1. Camden

Camden, located in South Jersey across from Philadelphia, is an area I would strongly recommend avoiding. It has consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the country for many years running. Issues with drugs, gangs, poverty, and urban decay have plagued Camden for decades. The violent crime rates are extremely high, with murders, rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults being common occurrences throughout the city. Even during the day, you risk being the victim of theft or violent crime in many parts of Camden. Walking around alone is not advised. There are few areas in the entire city that feel truly safe. It’s best to avoid Camden altogether when visiting New Jersey and choose a much safer city to visit instead.

2. Trenton

As the state capital of New Jersey, you may assume Trenton is a relatively safe place to visit. However, Trenton actually has very high rates of violent crime, gun violence, and gang activity. There are many unsafe areas scattered throughout the city, including in parts of downtown Trenton even during daylight hours. Issues with drugs, prostitution, and murders plague many Trenton neighborhoods. Tourists are at high risk of muggings, armed robbery, and other violent crimes in Trenton. I strongly advise avoiding any unnecessary travel to Trenton and instead visiting vastly safer cities in New Jersey that don’t pose such risks.

3. Paterson

Paterson is a city near the beautiful Great Falls of the Passaic River. While the waterfalls and surrounding parks are nice to visit, Paterson has significant issues with gang violence, drug activity, and various types of crime. There are many dangerous neighborhoods throughout Paterson plagued by high levels of poverty and violence. Robberies and muggings frequently occur even in broad daylight around downtown and elsewhere in the city. Carjackings, shootings, stabbings, and murders unfortunately occur far too often in Paterson. Due to the crime being so prevalent, Paterson is an area I firmly recommend avoiding when visiting New Jersey if you want to stay safe. The risks are simply too high, especially for those unfamiliar with navigating the city.

4. Atlantic City

Atlantic City is known for its iconic boardwalk, casinos, nightlife, and beaches along the Jersey Shore. However, tourists need to take proper precautions and avoid unsafe areas when visiting, as Atlantic City has some very high crime neighborhoods away from the tourist zones. Violent crime rates including muggings, shootings, and gang violence are prevalent throughout the city, being particularly bad at night. The downtown corridor and neighborhoods near the bus terminal are especially problematic in terms of crime. Tourists have been robbed after disembarking the buses coming from other cities. It’s vital to avoid wandering around alone at night and to stick to the popular well-lit tourist areas near the casinos and boardwalk when visiting Atlantic City.

5. Irvington

Located near Newark, the city of Irvington has suffered from persistently high crime rates and urban decay issues for many years. Violent crimes like armed robbery, carjacking, assault, rape, and aggravated assault occur regularly throughout Irvington. Gang violence, gun violence, and drug activity are also rampant. There are few truly safe areas within Irvington, even during daylight. For your own safety, it’s best not to travel through or stay overnight in Irvington if at all possible. The crime risks are simply too high across the city, making it an area to certainly steer clear of.

6. Asbury Park

While Asbury Park has undergone some revitalization, gentrification, and growth in safer tourist areas in recent years, it still has some very dangerous neighborhoods plagued by crime. In particular, the west side of Asbury Park continues to struggle with issues around gangs, drugs, poverty, and frequent violence. Muggings, thefts, and assaults are not uncommon even during the day in certain parts beyond the popular, well-developed beachfront areas. I advise against walking alone late at night, especially in unclear or undeveloped parts of Asbury Park away from the central downtown/beachfront tourist zones. Stick to the main boardwalk, restaurant, and shopping areas for a much safer experience when visiting Asbury Park.

7. Salem

Salem is a small city located in South Jersey near the Delaware border. It has suffered from high crime rates into the present day, including issues around gang violence, shootings, robbery, and assaults which occur frequently within certain neighborhoods. Open-air drug markets also operate in some parts of Salem. As a tourist, I would strongly advise avoiding unnecessary travel through Salem and instead visiting other far safer small towns elsewhere in New Jersey. If you do visit Salem, stick to the downtown historic district near the river during the daytime hours only, avoiding any urban side streets where crime is more likely.

8. Long Branch

The beach town of Long Branch along the Jersey Shore has a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk, a redevelopment downtown area, and some lovely Victorian homes. However, it still contains some high-crime neighborhoods away from the central tourist zones. Violent crimes including shootings, stabbings, assaults, and gang violence occur too frequently in certain parts of the city. Robberies, burglaries, thefts, and drug activity also remain problematic in Long Branch. Stick closely to the main downtown and beachfront blocks when visiting, avoiding side streets or unfamiliar neighborhoods, especially at night. Take reasonable safety precautions even along the boardwalk after dark. Stay in well-lit areas and walk in groups at night.

9. Penns Grove

Penns Grove is a small city located in South Jersey close to Salem. Despite its small size, it remains one of New Jersey’s most dangerous towns due to having prevalent issues with gang violence, shootings, murders, and drug trafficking. Violent crimes like assault, robbery, rape, and aggravated assault occur at high rates in Penns Grove. In addition to crimes of violence, open drug use and drug sales are also major issues throughout the city. Due to the truly significant safety risks, Penns Grove is an area I strongly advise all tourists to completely avoid. There are far safer small towns to visit elsewhere in New Jersey for a much more enjoyable trip.

10. Wildwood

The popular beach town of Wildwood along the Jersey Shore draws enormous summertime crowds to its boardwalks, waterslides, food stands, and free beaches. However, Wildwood has developed issues in recent years with violence, fights, drugs, vandalism, and rowdy behavior on and around the boardwalk during the busy season. Bar fights, public drunkenness, thefts, sexual assaults, and violent acts are certainly not uncommon during the summer, especially at night. The residential areas near the George Redding Bridge connecting to the barrier island also have heightened crime rates year-round. While generally safe during the quieter off-season, use caution in Wildwood at night even along the boardwalk in the summer. Avoid walking alone and don’t bring valuables if possible.

11. Newark

Newark, New Jersey’s largest and most urban city, unfortunately, continues to suffer from very significant issues with violent crime, gun violence, gang activity, and drug trafficking despite recent revitalization efforts in the downtown core. Car thefts, armed robberies, shootings, sexual assaults, stabbings, and murders occur far too frequently throughout Newark. Even the downtown corridor near Prudential Center and New Jersey Performing Arts Center can be unsafe after dark for visitors. Tourists have been robbed, violently assaulted, and even killed in various parts of Newark over the years. I strongly suggest avoiding any unnecessary travel to Newark, instead choosing to visit New Jersey’s many safer cities full of great attractions for a far better trip.

Conclusion

New Jersey certainly has plenty of great destinations for tourists and residents to enjoy from the Jersey Shore to Princeton and beyond. However, it’s crucial for visitors to research and avoid potentially dangerous high-crime areas, neighborhoods, and cities in order to have a safe trip. Places like Camden, Trenton, Paterson, and Newark in particular have significant crime and violence issues that make them far too risky for most travelers unfamiliar with navigating them. While every location has some crime, using good judgment to steer clear of New Jersey’s most unsafe communities will help optimize your chances of an enjoyable visit free of incidents. Stick to the many renowned, safer tourist spots in New Jersey and you’re sure to have a wonderful getaway.