Newark, NJ Skyline

It’s the end of winter in New Jersey and spring is on its way – a great time for a visit to northern New Jersey with plenty of “game” for visiting sports fans. The Prudential Center in downtown Newark hosts the New Jersey Nets through April 23rd with the last regular season home game against Philadelphia. Remember this is the last season for the Nets in New Jersey before they relocate. The New Jersey Devil’s end their 2011 – 2012 season April 7th at the Prudential Center against the Senators. Meanwhile, the WNBA Liberty wait in the wings for the start of their home season in the Prudential Center on May 19th against the Sun.

Newark’s Riverfront Stadium is home to the New Jersey Bears, plan for the 2012 home opener when the Bears host the Tornados May 17th through the 20th. May 18th is Fireworks Night, a great time for a family outing to the ballpark.

Branch Brook Park in northern Newark hosts spring's 2012 Cherry Blossom Festival, showcasing over 4,000 blooming cherry trees throughout the park. This Essex County tradition features the Cherry Blossom Challenge Bike Race, a 10K run through the cherry groves, a 1-mile fun run for the kids, and a Race for the Disabled. Events culminate with Bloomfest on the following weekend, featuring a day in Branch Brook Park packed with fun and activities. Join family and friends for a crafter’s marketplace, live music, food, and demonstrations.

Morristown’s “cold hard winter” as George Washington described it, is past and Morristown National Historical Park is a wonderful place for a hike, horseback ride or bicycle ride. The park has over 20 miles of trails to explore while enjoying a beautiful spring day. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, be sure to go inside the Ford Mansion-Washington‘s Headquarters Museum for a tour.

Music lovers visiting Morristown are sad to know that the city’s Colonial Symphony has closed. The Bickford Theater offers an alternative with its community theater. The 2012 season closes with the Broadway hit “I Do! I Do!” running from April 12th through May 6th.

Morristown’s Mayo Performing Arts Center offers a full calendar of music, dance and entertaining performances for the northern New Jersey region. The 2012 season runs through June, with the New Jersey Ballet performing Sleeping Beauty on April 15th, Giselle on May 19th and Pinocchio on May 20th. The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra performs on April 29th and June 9th.

Across the New Jersey Turnpike from Rutgers University is East Brunswick. A delightful, quality suburb, East Brunswick makes a delightful location for Interstate 95 travelers to stop and rest. Home to one of the 17 Best Western hotels in northern New Jersey, East Brunswick’s Best Western hotels makes a convenient and comfortable location, whether you are visiting family or friends at Rutgers or on the road.

New Jersey Shore

Atlantic City – arguably southern New Jersey’s most recognized destination is ready for spring. A sure sign of spring is basketball’s March Madness, and Atlantic City joins the excitement hosting the 2012 Atlantic 10 Championships. Boardwalk Hall fills with hoops action from the regions A-10 teams. If hockey is your game, Boardwalk Hall also hosts the Eastern College Athletic Conference 2012 Hockey Championship. Not only sports heat up Atlantic City, the spring weather makes for a pleasant stroll down the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk. Always fun, always filled with excitement, make a spring getaway to New Jersey’s Atlantic City – "America's Favorite Playground".

Hey Cowboy – not a common Atlantic City greeting, unless its time for the Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo. And it’s time - the 2012 Rodeo comes to Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall March 30th through April 1st. Featuring seven official PRCA events, rodeo fans see the excitement of bareback riding and saddle bronc riding, to the skill and timing of barrel racing, right in the center of Atlantic City. This is the second annual Atlantic City Boardwalk Rodeo, pack your boots and grab your hat for some unique Atlantic City fun.

Runners, set your training schedule for the 2012 April Fools' Half Marathon. This is no joke, runners choose from 7K, 11K and 13.1K events on April 1st. The second year for the half marathon, runners start and finish the out and back course on the Atlantic City Boardwalk at Bally’s Dennis Courtyard. 11K and 7K runners enjoy boardwalk views their entire course. Don a jester hat and kick-off your spring training at the April Fools' Half Marathon.

Beer vs Wine – a competition many would love to join. The Adriane Phillips Ballroom at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall is the place to be in May. Join Beer vs Wine 2012 and decide for yourself. Sample 15 craft brews and 15 American wines paired with offerings from Atlantic City’s best restaurants. This in the inaugural Beer vs Wine event in Atlantic City – a good opportunity to enjoy great beer and wine and let your voice be heard.

Richard Stockton College in Galloway Township is 10-miles north of Absecon. A hub for culture and arts in southern New Jersey, the campus is home to Stockton Performing Arts Center. The 2012 Stockton calendar features March performances of Stockton Dance Company’s “A Concert of Dance”, and the Bay-Atlantic Symphony performing Sunday March 25th. April brings spring concerts showcasing Stockton music department groups including the Spring Chorus Concert on April 21st, and the Oratorio Concert on April 22nd. The Stockton College school year ends in May with performances by the Bay-Atlantic Symphony on May 13th and 15th.