Planning the perfect family vacation doesn’t have to deplete your funds or vacation days.
There are many fun-filled activities around New Jersey that can offer unique ways to get out this summer and create those one-of-a-kind memories on a budget.
Here is our list of daycations around New Jersey. Some you may recognize, others might be “hidden gems” for you to try.
Bergen County
American Dream Mall, East Rutherford
There are so many activities at the American dream mall that you could schedule trips here for days. There is an indoor NHL regulation-size ice skating rink, and Legoland Discovery Center, Tilt Museum and the NJ SEA LIFE Aquarium with over 3,000 sea creatures, and a walk through an ocean tunnel.
Nickelodeon Universe Amusement Park, East Rutherford
This is the western hemisphere’s largest indoor theme park with 35 indoor rides, kiddie rides, and multiple playgrounds. All rides pay homage to Nickelodeon TV shows. It is located within the American Dream Mall.
DreamWorks Water Park, East Rutherford
This water park is the largest indoor water park in North America with the biggest indoor wave pool, 15 water slides, and the world’s longest hydromagnetic rocket coaster. It is located within the American Dream Mall.
Van Saun County Park, Paramus
This park spans over 130 acres with attractions from ball fields to picnic areas, to state-of-the-art playgrounds and splash pads, to a miniature train ride. There is also the Bergen County Zoo that explores animal exhibits, carousel rides, pony rides, and free live animal shows in the zoo amphitheater.
Camden County
Adventure Aquarium, Camden
This aquarium has 15,000 marine animals, an extensive collection of sharks, Nile Blue Hippos, 6 facilities of Little Blue Penguins and a one of a kind shark realm with a shark bridge and a shark tunnel.
Diggerland, West Berlin
Here at the only construction park in U.S., there are over 40+ rides and attractions, a full service arcade, zip line, and rock wall. There are two parks at one location. At one, families can drive and ride specially-engineered, real construction machines. At the other, soak and slide inside the 4-acre water park.
Cape May County
Cape May County Park & Zoo, Cape May Court House
This 200-acre park provides free year-round admission to a collection of more than 550 animals representing 250 species in 85 acres of exhibits like the Reptile House and the Amphibian House and the African Savanna.
The Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor
You can explore the natural conservation area through elevated walkways and salt marsh trails. There are events curated for each season that feature different scientific activities, which educate guests about native creatures and their habits.
The Skimmer, Cape May
The Skimmer is a 40-foot eco-tour pontoon boat that is U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified. The eco-cruise offers potential views of over 400 species of birds and 300 species of fish, and even more marine invertebrates inhabit New Jersey and many of them call the salt marsh their home.
Essex County
FunTime Junction, Fairfield
This indoor children’s entertainment center has everything for your fun-filled day trip. Guests can have fun with 1,800-square-foot laser tag arena, an interactive floor projection with over 20 and a multi-level climbscape complete with slides, tubes, web ladders, bouncers, and a jump pillow.
Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange
The Turtle Back Zoo offers guests 15.5 acres of exhibits, including a 4,000-square-foot reptile center, a 1,600-gallon marine life touch tank, a sea lion pool and wildlife from around the world.
Monmouth County
The River Queen, Brielle
Take a beautiful and scenic day cruise on board The River Queen while you enjoy cuisine along the picturesque shorelines of the Manasquan and Metedeconk rivers and the Barnegat Bay. This two-deck boat is also climate controlled for your comfort.
ClimbZone, Howell
The indoor climbing and entertainment facility has over 68 themed walls and 5 major attractions. Guests can have a fun-filled time with a 2 Level Sky Trail Ropes Course with Zip Line, the Hologate Virtual Reality Arena, arcade games, and soft play area.
Middlesex County
SeaQuest Woodbridge, Woodbridge
This interactive 20,000 square-foot adventure aquarium offers an exciting journey around the world. You can snorkel with sting rays, hang out with sloths and have your feet tickled by “kissy fish.”
Altitude Trampoline, Woodbridge
This park offers 35,000 square feet of indoor jumping space, exciting games like ultimate dodgeball, and trampoline basketball. There is also a giant foam pit, trapeze and a gymnastics tumble track.
Ocean County
Insectropolis, Toms River
Dubbed as the Bugseum of New Jersey, Insectropolis, takes visitors on a trip into the insect world where guests can interact with live tarantula, millipede, and a hissing cockroach. There are 12 exhibits where you can learn and explore in popular exhibits like the mud tube.
Jersey Shore Pirates, Brick
Come aboard the Sea Gypsy II for a swashbuckling pirate adventure on the Metedeconk River where participants will sail on an interactive treasure hunt on the high seas, discover a secret message in a bottle and find the enemy pirate aboard the vessel.
Sussex County
Mountain Creek, Vernon
There are over 30 fun attractions for kids and adults that have thrilling water rides along the backdrop of picturesque mountains. There is also spray ground, a wave pool and a bike park.
Sterling Hill Mining Museum, Ogdensburg
The Sterling Hill Mine was one of the world’s richest zinc ore deposits. It is also the fourth oldest in the United States. Guests can explore a fun scientific adventure, including an underground mine tour, drilling and blasting demonstration and the fluorescent Rainbow Tunnel.
Space Farms Zoo & Museum, Wantage
This 100-acre complex has both a zoo and museum. The zoo has over 500 live wild animals and the Space Farms Museum complex has 9 large museum buildings. The wildlife animal park also has a large picnic area, playground and restaurant.
