These 10 Fun Family-Friendly Experiences In New Jersey Are Worth The Trip From NYC
It’s no secret that NYC is the ultimate playground for families, but sometimes, you might want to head outside the city for a day trip to one of these fantastic experiences before school starts.
From an enchanting Bubble Planet at the American Dream Mall, which has impressed guests in cities like Milan and Barcelona, to venturing to a theme park dedicated to your favorite fairy tales, or the only amusement park in the world inspired by construction, you’ll want to add these New Jersey adventures to your bucket list—all within 2 hours of Manhattan.
Keep scrolling for the top things to do in New Jersey with kids right now!
1. Get lost in this dreamy Bubble Planet
Bubble Planet has popped into major cities from L.A. to Milan, impressing over 1 million guests with themed rooms filled with every type of bubble imaginable, fun photo ops, and more! Now, you can plan a day at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey to step into this whimsical Bubble Planet. This is one of our favorite things to do in New Jersey with kids right now, so enjoy a trip to this world of bubbles this month!
While you’re at the American Dream Mall, don’t miss the DreamWorks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, a 16-story, year-round indoor skiing facility with real snow, and all the family-friendly dining options to enjoy. Cap off your day in NJ with epic views of the NYC skyline by stepping into one of the 27 gondolas with up to 16 friends on the Dream Wheel!
American Dream Mall, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073
Distance from NYC: Under 45 minutes by car, about an hour by train.
2. Make a trip to the Liberty Science Center for a fun learning experience this month
Squeeze in an educational family day trip to Jersey City’s Liberty Science Center in Liberty State Park before school starts! The entire family will love exploring the over 300,000-square-foot space with 12 museum exhibition halls. Get a closer look at the animals and massive aquarium, and don’t miss our favorite—the hurricane- and tornado-force wind simulators!
222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07305
Distance from NYC: Around 30 minutes by car, about 35 minutes by train.
3. Visit the world’s only construction-inspired theme park
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Do you have any future Bob-the-Builders in your family? If so, you must plan a trip to West Berlin, New Jersey, now for a visit to Diggerland USA. Its big claim to fame is that it’s the only construction-themed park in the U.S., so it’s easy to see why it’s on our list of top things to do in New Jersey with kids! Our favorite part about this experience is riding and operating the big machines just like the pros. Plus, we bet that the entire family will love the waterpark’s pools and waterslides, making it one of our favorite spots for fun, especially if one of your kids loves construction sites!
100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091
Distance from NYC: Around 1 hour and 45 minutes by car.
4. Spend the day at the iconic Turtle Back Zoo
After you’ve hit up all of the zoos around NYC, you must check out this one in New Jersey. West Orange’s Turtle Back Zoo has been a beloved destination for family fun since the 60s, so be sure to add it to your list for the top things to do in New Jersey with kids! The butterfly exhibit is truly enchanting, and a favorite spot for kids and parents. Check out the African Adventure Exhibit for encounters with giraffes and lions. And thrill seekers won’t want to miss the touch tank! It’s an experience for those who love thrills featuring stingrays and small sharks.
500 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ 07052
Distance from NYC: 35 minutes by car and about an hour and 15 minutes by train.
5. See your favorite sea creatures at the Adventure Aquarium
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The Adventure Aquarium in Camden is such a great spot for your family to discover their favorite sea creatures! With thousands of marine animals to explore (up to 15,000!), there’s definitely so much to see! The Shark Bridge gives you an up-close look at the majestic predators, and you won’t want to miss Hippo Haven, where you can watch these incredible animals for hours on end. Finally, we can’t leave without seeing the interactive exhibits for some hands-on fun and making a stop at the 4D theater.
1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ 08103
Distance from NYC: Under an hour and 45 minutes by car, and just over 2 hours by train.
6. Step into a fairytale at Storybook Land
Walk into an absolute fairytale at Storybook Land in Egg Harbor Township. This real-life adventure is the perfect way to step into your favorite stories from childhood, including exploring Snow White’s wooded cottage to checking out Humpty Dumpty’s wall. As parents, you’ll love the nostalgia of this magical theme park too!
6415 Black Horse Pike, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Distance from NYC: 2 hours by car
7. Enjoy the Botanical Garden at Skylands
After discovering NYC’s hidden gardens, you’ll find plenty of room to roam at the 96-acre Botanical Garden at Skylands in Ringwood, New Jersey! This magical oasis is free and just under 2 hours from Manhattan, so be ready to be surrounded by 1,000 acres of woodlands. Walk the beautiful trails and see the manicured gardens, including the Lilac Garden, Magnolia Walk, and Perennial Garden.
There’s even guided walks tailored to families with kids including some we love like the Solar System walk, scavenger hunts, and the family-friendly Woodland Hike. We suggest enjoying a picnic after your relaxing walk at this beautiful destination within Ringwood State Park. A tour of Skylands Manor, a stunning 1920s Tudor Revival mansion is not-to-be-missed! Getting kids out into nature is one of our favorite things to do with kids in New Jersey.
2 Morris Rd., Ringwood, NJ 07456
Distance from NYC: About an hour and 15 minutes car.
8. Peruse over 400 works of art at the Grounds For Sculpture
A day trip to the Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton is another great choice if your family loves nature and art. We could easily spend hours with our family wandering through its 42 beautiful acres, discovering over 400 mesmerizing contemporary sculptures made from all kinds of materials like wood and stone.
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619
Distance from NYC: About an hour by car, about 1.5-2 hours by train factoring in a 15 minute taxi ride.
9. Have a splash at Big Kahuna’s Water Park + Arcade
Family fun isn’t complete without planning a trip to a water park to enjoy those last weeks of summer (are we right?!). If you’re looking for the top things to do in New Jersey with kids, check out the indoor/outdoor Big Kahuna’s Water Park + Arcade. Families will have fun at the many water slides, lazy river, wave pool, and splash zones. Don’t leave without stopping at the massive arcade that will keep the family entertained for hours.
10 W. White Horse Pike, West Berlin, NJ 08091
Distance from NYC: About an hour by car, and 2 hours by train/bus.
Check out all the best water parks near NYC here!
10. Have an epic time at the Funplex
Adrenaline junkies must plan a trip to the Funplex in East Hanover before school starts to get to experience the best indoor and outdoor rides. We could spend hours riding the go-karts, carnival-style attractions, and roller coasters!
But that’s not all at this fun destination that’s perfect for kids. There’s bumper cars, laser tag, an arcade, mini golf, bowling and even a water park, so definitely something for everybody! If you find yourself getting hungry after all of those activities, there’s plenty of casual eateries to try. Parents, if you’re looking to unleash your inner child, you might want to head back for their Funplex After Dark 21+ event series!
The Funplex, 182 Route 10 West, East Hanover, NJ 07936
Distance from NYC: About 45 minutes by car, and 2 hours by train/bus.
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