Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
152 Pleasant Plains Road
Basking Ridge, New Jersey 07920
Phone: (973) 425 1222
7,500-acre refuge; home to an enormous variety of plant and animal life. The eastern half of the refuge has been designated as a Wilderness Area, and it offers more than eight miles of pristine trails. The western half is a Wildlife Management Area which is intensely managed to maintain optimum habitat for our animal friends. Public access is limited to the Wildlife Observation Center. People are encouraged to observe, study, photograph, and just walk with nature. The best times for observing wildlife are early morning and late afternoon.

New Jersey State Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr
Camden, New Jersey 08103
Phone: (856) 365-3300
The New Jersey State Aquarium, located on the Delaware River Waterfront in Camden, offers more than 5,000 aquatic animals of some 800 species in over 80 individual fresh and salt water exhibits. Our 760,000 gallon Ocean Base Atlantic Tank has two dozen sharks, giant stingrays, sea turtles and 1,400 other aquatic animals. We also have a 170,000 gallon seal pool, which is home to eight gray and harbor seals, a touch-a-shark exhibit, and a new permanent, outdoor exhibit called Inguza Island, featuring African Penguins.

Cape May County Park & Zoo
Route 9 and Crest Haven Road
Cape May, New Jersey 08210
Phone: (609) 465 5271
The 128-acre Cape May County Park offers a wide range of recreational activities, including a variety of sports, fishing, hiking, bike riding, outdoor concerts, and more. Facilities include covered pavilions, open-pit barbecues, and everything else a family needs for a great outing. But the best feature by far is the Zoo. The Cape May Zoo is home to over 100 species of wildlife. The relaxed park setting houses tigers and lions and bears, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, and most of the animals usually found in the big zoos. The Reptile House is as popular here as it is in the Bronx Zoo, and the Monkey House is lots of fun. See birds flying around in the Aviary and then visit the Children's Zoo, where domestic animals can be fed and touched.

Cape May Whale Watching & Research Center
1286 Wilson Drive
Cape May, New Jersey 08204
Phone: (609) 898-0055
The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center presents an unparalleled seafaring safari to the oceanic wonders of the Atlantic. Thrill to breathtaking sights of the world's largest mammals surfacing and breaching. Enjoy the antics of man's best friends - the dolphins, as they cavort and frolic right alongside the boat. See pelagic birds soaring overhead. And stay alert for the sudden photo opportunity, by a seldom seen, rare and endangered species.

Popcorn Park Zoo
1 Humane Way, Box 43
Forked River, New Jersey 08731
Phone: (609) 693-1900
One of the only Federally licensed zoo's of it's kind in the United States, Popcorn Park was established in 1977 for the sole purpose of providing a refuge for wildlife that is elderly, sick, abandoned, abused or injured, and which could no longer survive in the wild. As time went on, they expanded to accept exotic and domesticated animals who faced the same circumstances. Over 200 of these animals now live in spacious surroundings in the heart of the scenic Pine Barrens in southern New Jersey. The seven acres devoted to the Zoo have been left in their natural state, and are graced by indigenous Scrub Oak and Scrub Pine. Among the many attractions to the Zoo are a mighty African elephant, beautiful Bengal tigers, Lions, bears, monkeys, farm animals and reptiles! What makes this Zoo so unusual, is that each and every animal has its own special story, its tale of a cruel or endangered life, and a happy ending for all to see.

Bergen County Zoological Park
216 Forest Ave
Paramus, New Jersey 07652
Phone: (201) 262-3771
Located in Van Saun County Park, is home to a wide variety of wild and domestic animals, living in recreated habitats natural to each species. The grounds are well-maintained, and the animals well cared for -- important for you and me. Without zoos like this that participate in the Species Survival Plan, the world would be a much poorer place. This zoo has many different species of birds, some exotic and rare, such as the endangered Andean condor. Reptiles, like the Red-footed Tortoise, the Green Iguana, Boa Constrictor, and American Alligator will be found here, as will mammals such as the Ferret, Opossum, Arctic Fox, American Bison, Mountain Lion, Golden Lion, Tamarin, and many, many others.

Space Farms Zoo & Museum
218 Route 519, Beemerville
Sussex, New Jersey 07461
Phone: (973) 875 5800
With more than 500 animals of more than 100 species, the Zoo contains the largest private collection of North American wild animals. A nice touch is that the owners pride themselves on the excellent care the animals receive. Some of the animals are quite rare, and it is hoped that visitors will discover a renewed interest and appreciation of the creatures which share earth with man. The Museum consists of ten buildings filled with old cars, carriages, sleighs, toys, miniature circus, country store, antique (hand operated) merry-go-round, and much more, including one of the country's most unusual and diversified collections of Americana.

Turtleback Zoo
560 Northfield Avenue
West Orange, New Jersey 07052
Phone: (973) 731 5800
500 animals of 200 different species. Focusing on New Jersey wildlife, the collection includes cougars, bison, eagles, and wolves, all of which were originally found in the state. Other animals include elk, llamas, white-tailed deer, otters, owls, sea lions, and others, as well as domestic animals that kids can feed. Attractions like a pony ride and train ride add to the fun and excitement of visiting the animals.

National Parks

New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
Newport, New Jersey
Phone: (609) 894-7300
Sightseeing and photography are pursuits available throughout the Reserve. Other activities, especially those that are facility dependent, are dispersed and are located in managed areas to protect the habitats of endangered and threatened plants and animals. To avoid conflicts related to overuse of sensitive natural systems, competing uses, and private property, it is recommended that visitors utilize the numerous public and private recreational facilities.

Edison National Historic Site
West Orange, New Jersey
Phone: (973) 736-0550

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
Walpack, New Jersey
Phone: (570-588-2451
This park preserves 40 miles of the middle Delaware River and almost 70,000 acres of land along the river's New Jersey and Pennsylvania shores. At the south end of the park, the river cuts eastward through a scenic water gap in the Appalachian Mountains. Canoeing, camping, fishing, swimming, hiking; viewing wildlife, geologic features and natural scenery.

Museums

Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Barnegat Light, New Jersey 08006
Phone: (609) 494 2016
Visitors climbing the 217 steps to the light keeper's catwalk are rewarded with a magnificent view of Island Beach State Park, Barnegat Bay, and Long Beach Island. Interpretive signs throughout the tower interpret its history and its importance to early navigation. The 31.8-acre park is also popular for nature observation, including a wide variety of birds during spring and fall migrations. Nesting birds are protected, and birds such as piping plovers, least terns, black skimmers, and others can be observed and photographed.

Garden State Discovery Museum
16 N. Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Phone: (856) 424-1233
A hands-on museum for infants to 10 year olds, the Discovery Museum offers fifteen larger-than-life, kid powered, interactive exhibit areas. Every exhibit is an invitation to touch, explore, and create. The Garden State Discovery Museum offers educational entertainment at its hands-on best. Visitors can get inside of a gigantic bubble, scale a rock climbing wall, hop aboard a ship, bandage a wounded teddy-bear, "shop" at the farm stand then whip up a pretend exotic meal at the Discovery Diner, dabble in art, create some music, put on a show and build a two-story house -- all under one roof!

The Wonder Museum
385 Route 130
East Windsor, New Jersey 08520
Phone: (609) 371-6150
The Wonder Museum® is a hands-on educational discovery museum for children and parents. We combine scientific discovery and historical exploration with the wonder and curiosity of childhood.

United States Army Communications Electronics Museum
Kaplan Hall
Building 275
Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 07703
Phone: (732) 532-1682
A variety of exhibits feature photographs and artifacts that tell the story of the developments made here. Radar, transistors, night vision devices, communication and weather satellites, mass production of printed circuits, solar batteries, and other items which are today so common owe a debt to the innovation of Fort Monmouth's technical teams.

The New Jersey Naval Museum
78 River Street
Corner of Court and River Streets
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Phone: (201) 342-3268
The museum contains a number of different and unique items ranging from a SEAL delivery vehicle to personal photos and effects and the The USS LING 297,which is a BALAO class fleet submarine, 312 feet long, weighing approximately 2500 tons. Permanently berthed at Hackensack, New Jersey, she is open to the public for tours.

Imagine That!
4 Vreeland Rd.
Florham Park, New Jersey 07932
Phone: (973) 966-8000
This wonderful museum for 3- to 10-year olds features more than thirty-five interactive exhibits that are there for kids to use as well as see. The brightly colored exhibits highlight eight major topics: Dance, Science, Art, Computers, community, TV, Air, Vehicles.

Trailside Nature & Science Center
452 New Providence Road
Mountainside, New Jersey 07092
Phone: (908) 789 3670
Exhibits of live reptiles, pond life, geology, local plants, a bird observation area, and changing exhibits that cover a variety of subjects from art to zoology. The grounds feature Herb, Wildflower and Butterfly Gardens. The Trailside Museum, New Jersey's first nature center, offers exhibits on the art of taxidermy, game animals, energy cycle, the food chain, birds of prey, fossils, mammals of the Watchung, and many others. Throughout the year special exhibits, programs, and events make Trailside a fantastic family resource for fun and learning.

Discovery Seashell Museum
2717 Asbury Ave.
Ocean City, New Jersey 08226
Phone: (609) 398 2316
See some of the rarest and finest seashell specimens such as the Glory of India cone. An unusual exhibit features freaks of nature, including the only Siamese Twin Helmet shell known to exist. In the Shell Yard more than 10,000 varieties of seashells can be seen, as well as fifteen different types of coral, carved shells, and mysterious air plants that grow in shells without the need of soil.

The New Jersey Children's Museum
599 Industrial Avenue
Paramus, New Jersey
Phone: (201) 262-5151
Your family will have hours of fun playing and learning together! The Museum has over thirty different exhibits, in 15,000 square feet, each designed for specific groups, from the special Baby Nook and Housekeeping for two's and toddlers, to the challenging Science and Technology for first graders.

United States Bicycling Hall of Fame
145 West Main Street
Somerville, New Jersey 08876
Phone: (908) 722-3620
The US Bicycling Hall of Fame is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of cycling by collecting, preserving and exhibiting memorabilia and artifacts relating to competitive and recreational bicycling, and to the people who dedicated themselves to the sport.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Fantasy Island Amusement Park
320 West Seventh
Beach Haven, New Jersey 08008
Phone (609) 492-4000
Long Beach Islands family fun park with all types of rides, games and entertainment for the family.

Clementon Amusement Park & Splash World Waterpark
144 Berlin Road
Clementon, New Jersey 08021
Phone: (856) 783-0263
All types of rides, roller coasters, Ferris wheel, water park rides, slides and pools. Rides and water rides just for the kids and much more for the whole family.

Storybook Land, Inc.
6415 Black Horse Pike (Routes 40 / 322) - Cardiff
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Phone: (609) 641-7847
Rides, picnic areas and much more for the whole family.

Land of Make Believe & Pirates Cove
Hope, New Jersey
Phone: (908) 459-9000
Exciting Rides, Shows, Attractions, Games, Water Park, and Picnic Area on over 30 acres. The Land of Make Believe and Pirate's Cove has been designed exclusively for an action-packed day of family fun for parents and their children. The Land of Make Believe is located in northwest New Jersey, 60 miles west of New York City, and 10 miles east of the Delaware River just off Route 80, exit 12. Nestled in the foothills of the famous Jenny Jump Mountains and State Park, the Land of Make Believe is a landmark in the historic town of Hope. Only one hour from the Lincoln Tunnel or George Washington Bridge, 90 minutes from Philadelphia or Scranton, PA.

Six Flags Great Adventure New Jersey
Route 537
Jackson, New Jersey 08527
Phone: (732) 928-1821
Great rides, games, and many attractions for every age member of the family.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New Jersey
Route 537
Jackson, New Jersey 08527
Phone: (732) 928-1821
Blast down thrilling water slides, relax in the lazy river, ride the waves or just soak up the sun. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor New Jersey has gallons of water adventures for all ages.

Keansburg Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids Water Park
Keansburg, New Jersey 07734
Phone: (732) 495-1400 / 1-800-805-4FUN
Rides, games and attractions for the whole family. Water rides, slides and water park fun for the whole family.

Gillian's Wonderland Pier
6 th Street & Boardwalk
Ocean City, New Jersey 08226
Phone: (609)399-7082
With over 38 family rides to choose from, Gillian's has something for every age group. Light up the night from 138' above the city on our Giant Wheel, turn the night up-side-down on our newest thrill ride Thew Twister. Take the plunge of a lifetime on the Canyon falls log flume. There are also many ride, games and attractions just for the small kids.

Gillian's Island Water Theme Park and Adventure Golf
Plymouth Place & Boardwalk
Ocean City, New Jersey 08226
Phone: (609)399-0483
Water rides, slides, pools, tubing, miniature golf and much more for the whole family.

Jenkinson's Beach Boardwalk & Aquarium
300 Ocean Ave
Pt. Pleasant Beach, New Jersey 08742
Phone: (732) 892- 0600
Beautiful Big Beaches; Family Amusement Park; State-Of-The-Art Aquarium
Free Weekly Events; Concerts on the Beach; Three Miniature Golf Courses
Wonderful Restaurants With Ocean View Dining Four Exciting Arcades; Delicious Candy & Ice Cream Stores; Exciting Games Of Chance; Plus The Hottest Nightclub On The Jersey Shore.

Casino Pier & Jenkinson's Breakwater Beach Waterpark
800 Ocean Terrace
Seaside Heights, New Jersey 08751
Phone: (732) 793-6488
World famous amusement pier features 40 exhilarating rides imported from all over the world. The youngsters will have the time of their lives on the numerous kiddie rides while the young at heart can experience the heart pumping 70 mph action of the Skyscrapper, the centrifugal musical force of the Centrifuge, and Stillwalk Manor. The Breakwater Beach Waterpark features water slides, hundreds of interactive play elements and dancing fountains, the Zero - Gravity Racer, Lazy Crazy River ... with cannons being shot off, bubbles coming from every direction and depth charges shooting you with water and more. Take a stroll along the boardwalk and you will find hundreds of games with fabulous prizes along with food stands, which abound with a variety of items to tempt your appetite. The arcade is loaded with the latest video and redemption machines and roof-top miniature golf is an entertaining course for all ages.

Morey's Piers
3501 Boardwalk
Wildwood, New Jersey 08260
Phone: (609) 522-3900
The beautiful beaches and Wildwood's famous Boardwalk are the backdrop for our THREE incredible piers - offering seven world-class roller coasters, two huge beachfront waterparks and family rides galore. Morey's Piers has been bringing thrills and laughter to families for over 30 years with a commitment to quality service and value.

Mountain Creek Resort
Route 94
Vernon, New Jersey 07462
Phone: (973) 827-2000
Offers 26 unique water rides, slides and pools; and a skateboarding park.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in New Jersey, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Atlantic City Shore, New Jersey
Home to the world famous steel pier with more than 25 rides and attractions; entertainment for kids, casinos for the adults and a whole lot of shops, restaurants and entertainment for the whole family.

Cape May Beach, New Jersey
Great beaches, swimming, biking, fishing, camping and more.

Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Beaches, water sports, swimming, biking, summer concerts and more. The areas around the beach also offer many activities for the family.

Wildwood in Cape May, New Jersey
5 miles of beaches; A 2 mile boardwalk stretches from 16th Street in North Wildwood to Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest. Five amusement piers boast over 500 rides for kids of all ages. Waterparks, carnival games, specialty shops and an array of eateries add to the magic of the Wildwoods' boardwalk; golfing; biking; Located throughout the resort, parks and playgrounds offer a variety of recreational choices. Tennis, basketball, shuffleboard and bocce courts as well as horseshoe pits are available island wide.

Delaware River / Delaware Bay - Boating and fishing along the river. Camping in various spots along the river. The River as you move south opens up into the Delaware Bay and then into the Atlantic.

Lake Hopatcong - Fishing, nature walks, swimming and camping. Hopatcong State Park lies on the southeastern shoreline along the river. This lake is New Jersey's largest lake with forty five miles of shoreline. Located east of Hopatcong.

Greenwood Lake - Fishing, swimming, boating and camping. The north half of the lake stretches into New York State. Located on the state line with New York off Interstate 87 and State Highway 17.

NOTE: Some of the Winter Family Vacation Spots below also have summer activities, such as golfing, mountain biking, hiking and more.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Campgaw Mountain
200 Campgaw Road
Mahwah, New Jersey 07430
Phone: (201) 327-7800
Campgaw Mountain is a beginner/intermediate ski area catering to Northern New Jersey, Southern New York state and the New York City area.

Hidden Valley
44 Breakneck Road
PO Box 433
Vernon, New Jersey 07462
Phone: (973) 764-4200
Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, ski school, night skiing and more. Most trails are intermediate to advanced.

Mountain Creek Resort
Route 94
Vernon, New Jersey 07462
Phone: (973) 827-2000
15 miles of trails, 11 lifts, skiing, snowboarding, tubing and ski schools. During the summer Mountain Creek offers 26 unique water rides, slides and pools; and a skateboarding park.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to New Jersey, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages

(specials are updated weekly)
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