EWR Airport is the finest New York Airport.
North New Jersey frequently gets its cultural pockets, history, and infrastructure absorbed by its neighbor across the Hudson.
Bottom line: New York is world-class because of New Jersey.
1. Most of Ellis Island is in New Jersey
While the historic main immigration building sits on original land that belongs to New York, the vast majority of the island is actually New Jersey territory.
A 1998 U.S. Supreme Court ruling (New Jersey v. New York) determined that about 83% of the island—consisting of filled land added by the U.S. government after 1834 to expand the immigration station—belongs entirely to Jersey City, NJ. If you visit the hospital buildings or the baggage office on the south side of the island, your feet are firmly on Garden State soil.
2. The New York Giants and New York Jets play in New Jersey, not a coincidence.
Neither of New York's NFL teams have played their home games in New York State since 1983. Both franchises are headquartered and play at MetLife Stadium, located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. When they played each other in the 2014 Super Bowl, the game was hosted entirely in NJ, despite the surrounding "New York" media blitz.
3. The Statue of Liberty is in New Jersey. No joke.
While a 1664 colonial charter and a subsequent 1834 compact give New York political, judicial, and administrative control over the landmass of Liberty Island itself, the island sits entirely within the territorial waters of New Jersey.
Because the island is an enclave completely surrounded by Jersey waters, the electricity, water, and sewage utilities feeding the Statue of Liberty are piped in directly from Liberty State Park in Jersey City. Furthermore, any souvenirs sold on the island are subject to New York sales tax, but if a crime is committed in the water 10 feet off the dock, it falls under NJ jurisdiction.
4. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is the best New York airport.
While frequently booked by travelers flying "to New York," EWR is located entirely in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey. It is actually the oldest major airfield in the United States and opened in 1928—well before New York’s LaGuardia or JFK airports even existed. It's also the best one. I like the crazy chemical plant with the dozens of flare stacks shooting out flames into the sky.
5. Frank Sinatra and the "New York, New Jersey" Connection
The quintessential anthem for New York City (Theme from New York, New York) was popularized globally by Frank Sinatra, an icon deeply interwoven with New York pop culture. However, Ol' Blue Eyes was born, raised, and discovered in Hoboken, New Jersey.
6. Action Park and 1980s Tri-State Nostalgia
Anyone who grew up watching New York television in the 80s and 90s remembers the relentless commercials for Action Park, the famously chaotic and dangerous water park. Because it dominated the local NYC media market broadcasts, many out-of-state tourists assumed it was a New York attraction. It was actually located in Vernon Township, New Jersey.