NJ Summer Day Trips

Can’t wait for vacation? Kids bored with the same park every day? Take a mini-trip without even leaving the state! Hop in the car and head to one of these great New Jersey day trip destinations. Pick fresh fruit and let the kids pet some barnyard animals; check out a national monument; learn about the marshlands of NJ; head to a giant lake water park; or visit the beach, boardwalk and aquarium all in one day.  Take a look at our list of fun day trips you can go on this summer!

Cattus Island County Park, Toms River, NJ 

A popular destination for many local school field trips, Cattus Island is waiting for your family to explore! Sitting on 530-acres, this park boasts miles of nature trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, crabbing, fishing, picnicking and more. The Butterfly Garden is host to many unusual plants that attract different butterflies. The Cooper Environmental Center will get your kids up close with native reptiles and other creatures. Plus, kids can learn seining and take ecology and estuary tours. (732) 270-6960

Keansburg Amusement Park, Keansburg, NJ 

Take the family for a day of fun with rides, games, and arcades at the amusement park. Plus, check out Runaway Rapids Water Park, which offers more than 18 slides, splash zones, a kiddie lagoon, a toddler play area, a crazy lazy river and more! Check out their Value Deals for BoGo tickets. (732) 495-1400

Lakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia, NJ 

This New Jersey gem is a sanctuary that allows you to learn about various types of wolves and watch them in their natural habitat. There are many trees and lots of shade, so it’s the perfect activity for hot summer days. You can even camp right on the preserve! You can go just to watch the wolves, but for the perfect day trip, we suggest the Wolf Watch and a day at Camp Taylor campground. You can arrive as early as 9am and depart as late as 6pm. Plus, you will have access to Camp Taylor’s facilities all day, including the swimming lake, hiking trails, boat rentals, mini golf and more! Don’t forget to bring your picnic lunch! Wolf Watch admission is $16.05/Adult (12 years and older) and $7.49/Child (2 – 11 years old). The Wolf Watch is 1.5 hours and there is a morning and afternoon watch available. To add on a day at the campground it is $6.65/Adult and $1.36/Child extra. (877) 733-9653

Point Pleasant Beach and Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 

If you are feeling ambitious (and possibly antsy) this is the day trip for you! Pack in a day at the beach, boardwalk and aquarium in PPB, NJ! There are several major beaches that make up the area. Jenkinson’s is probably the most famous of the bunch (and the biggest). Not only is there beaches to explore, the boardwalk area is host to many other activities like Jenkinson’s Aquarium and the Amusement Rides, which offers wristband day every Tuesday from noon – 6pm and wristband evening every Friday from 5pm – 11pm where you can ride all the rides for $18/person. Daily beach badges are $2/kids 5 – 11 years old, $8/Adults 12 years and up and it’s free for kids under 5 years. Seasonal badges will cost you $45 for kids 5 – 11 years, $85 for adults 12 and up and $60 for seniors over 62. There are also half-season badges available, click here for a full listing of prices. They have beach chairs and umbrellas available for daily rental. There are four paid parking lots located on Ocean Avenue between Broadway and Arnold Avenue and a large metered lot on Arnold Avenue, but parking is going to cost you. So, arrive early if you can and try to snag the very limited on-street parking in the neighborhoods off of Ocean Avenue, but be aware you are parking in a legitimate spot – the cops in Point Pleasant beach hand out A LOT of parking tickets during the summer! Other beaches include Martell’s with daily rates at $6 on weekdays and $7.50 on weekends (free for kids 11 and under), Risden’s with daily rates from $2 - $8 daily (kids under 4 are free) and a bit more for access to the showers and bath house, Maryland Avenue with daily rates at $8 for 13 and over (kids under 12 years are free) and Bradshaw’s with daily rates from $6 - $7 (kids under 3 are free). Click here for more information about all these beaches.

Sandy Hook National Seashore, Sandy Hook, NJ 

Sandy Hook is a seven-mile stretch of beach and a national park all in one! Spend the day fishing, swimming, bird-watching or simply lying out in the warm sun. All while in view of the Manhattan skyline. It’s easy to access from NYC – just take a 40-minute ride on the Seastreak ferry (they run Sandy Hook service all summer long). A word of caution, space is limited and when Sandy Hook reaches capacity for the day (which it often does on weekends in the summer), the gates are closed. Get there early and always call ahead. While visiting Sandy Hook, grab some seafood in Atlantic Highlands. There are some fantastic restaurants there! Entry is $10/car. (732) 872-5970

Statue of Liberty National Monument & Ellis Island, Jersey City, NJ 

The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island make for a fantastic day trip. Ferries to gain access to Liberty and Ellis Islands are available in Liberty State Park. Dedicated on October 28, 1886, this national monument is visited by thousands. Be advised that all interior areas of the Statue of Liberty are currently closed for renovations, though you may still visit Liberty Island and take part in the Park Ranger programs. The renovation is expected to be completed somewhere around October 2012. Kids are welcome to explore the Ellis Island museum and experience life as an immigrant 100 years ago. Children ages seven through 12 are even invited to become a Junior Ranger. Book tickets for both here. (201) 604-2800

Terhune Orchards, Princeton, NJ 

Terhune is a family-favorite in my house. We go out there several times a year for activities like apple picking, pumpkin picking, various festivals and of course strawberry picking! This time of year, take advantage of their summer bounty! The farm store is filled with delicious fresh fruits and vegetables. Plus, blackberries and blueberries are in season to pick-your-own. There is also a winery featuring wine made with farm-fresh ingredients and a barnyard full of animals for the kids! (609) 924-2310

Tomahawk Lake Water Park, Sparta, NJ 

This park sits on 200-acres with many other family activities including an 18-hole mini golf course, beer garden and more! Picnicking is a great option with more than 800 tables along “New Jersey’s largest white sand beach featuring an incredible 20-acre lake.” The water park features a 400 foot body slide, racing slide, a 500 foot tube ride, boats and water coasters. They also offer an area for younger kids called “Papoose Land” with water slides, kiddie canoes, lily pads and more. Admission (includes parking, beach and swimming facilities, Papoose Land, use of picnic area, Kiddie Water World and Cherokee Corner) is $10/Adult weekdays and $12/Adult on weekends and holidays, $9/Child (8 years and under) weekdays and $10/Child weekends and holidays. This park is cash only, but there is an ATM available on-site. Hours are 9am – 7pm through August on holidays and weekends and 10am – 5:30pm weekdays. (973) 398-7777

Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange, NJ 

The Turtle Back Zoo opened in 1963 and was designed based on the stories of Hans Christian Anderson. They suggest you get there early, as animals are most active in the morning. During the summer months, take advantage of one of the cooling misting stations, which they provide for the animals and guests to beat the heat! The zoo includes animals like bear, red pandas, leopards, kangaroos, sea lion, reptiles and many more. Check out current exhibits like American Alligator, Wild New Jersey and Tropical Currents Aquarium. Plus, there are zoo rides including a carousel, pony rides, a train and zip lines. There is also a playground. The Zoo Café offers snacks and a full lunch menu. You can get out of the heat and dine inside or eat in a covered picnic area. There is also a place to get snacks and ice cream by the carousel.  The zoo is open 10am – 4:30pm Monday – Saturday and 11am – 5:30pm on Sundays. Admission is $10/Adults, $7/Children and kids under 2 are free. Check out the events calendar to learn about fun activities for the whole family. (973) 731-5801

Waterworks Aquatic Complex, Princeton Junction, NJ 

This public water park is a great place for a day trip and fun for the whole family! The call it a complex for a reason! It features a 9,000 square foot pool, a lap pool, and more! Don’t worry, there’s plenty for the kids to do with the 1,700 square foot wading pool with sprinklers, two-story waterslide and play area. There are changing and shower facilities, plus a full-service concession stand. If you are a non-resident, you can join the pool for a yearly fee. Download the form here. Day passes are also available. (609) 799-0150