For years I had no idea the original Friday the 13th was filmed in New Jersey (Blairstown and Hope, specifically). So we took a a day trip to go visit some of the spots from the movie and it was too much fun.

The daytime diner/general store at the beginning of the movie is now purely an antique shop - Hope Junction Antiques in Hope, New Jersey. They sell Camp Crystal Lake signs and other small items to commemorate the movie.

Inside Hope Junction Antiques in New Jersey

The sign we bought from Hope Junction Antiques in New Jersey

And just down the road is Moravian Cemetery (the character Annie walks infront of it in the beginning of the movie).

From here, it’s about a 15 minute drive to Blairstown Diner (where the new owner of Camp Crystal Lake, Steve Christy (Peter Brouwer), spent most of that fateful night back in June of 1980) where we had lunch. The diner itself is celebrating its 75 year anniversary and it was wonderful. There are specialty items (like the Jason omelette, the slasher burger) and everything tasted great. I had the Summer Campers omelette (avocado, bacon, sausage, spinach) and it was perfect. Possibly the best home fries I’ve ever had. And the house-made sausage? A dream.

When you’re done at the diner, it’s only a three-minute walk north on Carhart Street and there you can find the First National Bank building still standing brick-for-brick and column-for-column as it appeared in the film. This is part of Blairstown's famed historic district and the bank is where the exterior shots of Annie entering the daytime diner were filmed. There are a number of Friday the 13th-related stops to make while visiting the historic district, including Roy's Hall. The non-profit offers special screenings of Friday the 13th each year, so plan ahead to see if there are any screenings.

Our last stop was to see the outside of Camp Crystal Lake (actually called Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco, Hardwick Township, New Jersey). While Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco has hosted thousands of Boy Scout troops since its inception in 1927, it is also where the majority of Friday the 13th was filmed. The only way to see the inside of the camp is to book a tour through Crystal Lake Tours where fans can visit the camp and explore nearly every square inch of Friday the 13th's Camp Blood. We didn’t book a tour, but here’s what others have said about them:

The real life Camp Crystal Lake campgrounds

“Visitors will find the original Crystal Lake sign hanging approximately 20-30 feet away from a replica of the Jeep that both Steve Christy and Mrs. Voorhees drove during the movie. And nearby, a solo canoe floats on the water. There is also a chance to inspect the archery range where Brenda (Laurie Bartram) was shot down by Mrs. Voorhees. Not everything about the filming location has remained the same. The camp’s docks are now slightly differently from the movie's, and the lifeguard tower has been significantly altered in appearance. But the beach where Alice battles Mrs. Voorhees is eerily similar, and it's easy to envision the two of them engaged in their final battle to the death. Fans can expect to walk up to a mile while taking in the campground, but the tours can last two or even three hours depending on the amount of time each group spends inspecting all of Friday the 13th's interior and exterior sets. Tours are offered in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, but there's also a special "flashlight" session at night, which adds that spooky feel horror fans crave. Plus, some of the camp's other special activities include archery and canoeing sessions.”

Crystal Lake Tours plans numerous events where fans can meet the original cast and crew (namely on big anniversaries like today). I do really wish we had managed to go to their gift shop to get a sample of Crystal Lake's waters from the Angry Mother Bottling Co. but next time for sure.