Bus tours offer travelers a way to visit destinations without the hassle of driving or flying, while providing the opportunity for socializing and making new friends along the way. A variety of bus tours are available in the state of New Jersey. Some tours travel to destinations in the state that are portrayed in films or on television. Others visit New Jersey casinos, the Jersey shore or other special areas of interest.
New Beginning Tours is a family-owned company based in Clark, New Jersey. The bus tour company began in 1981. Travelers can board the bus in the city of Kenilworth, New Jersey, to head to locations in New Jersey and the rest of the United States.
New Beginning Tours travels to Atlantic City several times a year. Trips depart for a particular casino, such as the Trump Taj Mahal and the Tropicana, and are planned to coincide with a special concert or other live performance. The Atlantic City trips are usually one or two-day excursions.
Day trips to other locations in New Jersey are also scheduled to destinations like the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Hampton, New Jersey. The company also offers trips to New York City, Long Island and destinations in other states including Pennsylvania and Delaware, and even more distant locales like Texas and Oregon.
Advance reservations are required for all New Beginning Tours. Tours do fill, so make arrangements as early as possible to ensure availability.
On Location Tours is a company that coordinates trips to destinations featured in movies and television shows. Among its offerings is a bus tour based on the television show "The Sopranos." The tour begins in New York City on Seventh Avenue near 39th Street, and then travels into New Jersey, where main character Tony Soprano resided in the show. Participants have the opportunity to get off the bus at certain stops for photographs. A company tour guide narrates the tour.
The Soprano Sites tour lasts approximately four hours and departs twice weekly. Advance ticket purchase is required. On Location sells tickets both online and by phone.
Carefree Bus Tours operates from Somerset Place in Clifton, New Jersey. The company opened in 1969 and has a fleet of 49- and 55-passenger tour buses. The bus provides regular service to Atlantic City. Travelers can catch the bus in Perth Amboy, Hopelawn, Fords, South Amboy, Sayreville and Oldbridge, New Jersey.
Casino packages are available that include a food voucher at Trump Plaza and other hotels. The company offers separate service to the Sands Casino in Atlantic City one day a week. Reservations are required for the Atlantic City trips.
New Jersey residents who wish to visit New York City can utilize the Carefree Bus Tours fleet. Trips depart on weekdays from Bloomfield, Belleville, North Arlington and Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and make three stops in New York City. While the company will accept reservations, these are not required for the New York City service. All schedules are as of November 2010.
