*This post has been updated for 2024! Be sure to call ahead or check the websites of each venue for the most accurate information.
The Raptor Trust - Millington, NJ
The Raptor Trust is a bird sanctuary and rehabilitation center located in Millington (right near The Great Swamp). Admission is free (with a suggested $2 donation) and guests are free to walk the paths and see the beautiful birds, including owls, eagles, and other raptors they are caring for. Read all about it here.
Merrill Creek Reservoir - Harmony, NJ
Another one of our favorite places, Merrill Creek is a reservoir located in Harmony Township. Free to visitors, you can walk their trails or visit their wildlife education center. Read all about it on my No Crowd Day Trips post!
Turtle Back Zoo - West Orange, NJ
The Turtle Back Zoo has been a New Jersey classic for decades. If you remember the zoo as a child, know that it's even better now! Read all about their additions, new animals, playgrounds and more on my Turtle Back Zoo blog post.
Brookhollow's Barnyard - Boonton Township, NJ
Not just a petting farm, your little ones can also feed animals, ride pedal tractors, play in sandboxes and more! Visit this sweet farm with us on my Brookhollow blog post.
Space Farms Zoo and Museum - Sussex, NJ
Space Farms is another classic Jersey location, with many animals to see, and plenty of artifacts to explore. You can bring your own lunch or eat on premises at the pizza parlor. Read my Space Farms review here!
Northlandz Train Museum - Flemington, NJ
If you have a little train enthusiast on your hands, you might appreciate a visit to Northlandz Train and Miniatures museum in Flemington. See photos of our trip and read about our many visits here.
Field Station Dinosaurs - Leonia, NJ
Dino lovers shouldn't miss Field Station Dinosaurs in Leonia! It's an outdoor park that takes you on a walkthrough display of animatronic dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. You can read more about our trip to Field Station Dinosaurs here.
Morris Museum - Morristown, NJ
The Morris Museum is one of our favorite museums for hands-on activities. With a low admission fee and rotating exhibits, there's always something neat to see here! We especially loved when the LEGO exhibits came to the museum. Read my review and see great photos of what to expect at the museum here.
Our Best Pennsylvania Day Trips
Another cool thing about New Jersey is our proximity to Pennsylvania, so we can just hop across the border to some of their fun attractions, too! If you feel like driving a little further, here are some PA options for your day trips.
Planet Snoopy - Allentown, PA
Planet Snoopy was one of our favorite places to visit when The Jersey Momma's Boy was younger. Clean, adorable and packed full of fun, check out what you can find there in my Planet Snoopy Review.
Lost River Caverns - Hellertown, PA
Lost River Caverns is great for a rainy day trip, or even a hot day trip, since the temperature remains the same inside the cave no matter what time of year it is. If you're up for cave exploring, check out my review of Lost River Caverns here.
Lehigh Valley Zoo - Schnecksville, PA
If you love zoos and being outdoors, Lehigh Valley Zoo is a great excursion! Super clean and home to many unique animals, there's plenty to see and do at this Pennsylvania day trip Check out my review of their fabulous zoo here.
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The Crayola Experience - Easton, PA
In my personal opinion, everyone in Jersey should visit The Crayola Experience at least once in their lives! It's creative, adorable, unique and fun. I can't say enough good things about it. For tips, info and cool photos, check out my Crayola Experience Review.
America on Wheels Auto Museum - Allentown, PA
America on Wheels is a unique auto museum where you can see antique cars, rotating exhibits, trucks and other vehicles. Interactive displays and cool photo ops are thrown in there, too! Take a visit there in my America on Wheels blog post!
I know there are tons of other fun day trips out there. This is just a compilation of some of our favorites. Do you have a local New Jersey place you'd like me to visit? Do you own an establishment that we can visit and help promote for you? Drop me a line and let me know! I'm always open to suggestions and invites!
The Raptor Trust is a bird sanctuary and rehabilitation center located in Millington (right near The Great Swamp). Admission is free (with a suggested $2 donation) and guests are free to walk the paths and see the beautiful birds, including owls, eagles, and other raptors they are caring for. Read all about it here.
Merrill Creek Reservoir - Harmony, NJ
Another one of our favorite places, Merrill Creek is a reservoir located in Harmony Township. Free to visitors, you can walk their trails or visit their wildlife education center. Read all about it on my No Crowd Day Trips post!
Turtle Back Zoo - West Orange, NJ
The Turtle Back Zoo has been a New Jersey classic for decades. If you remember the zoo as a child, know that it's even better now! Read all about their additions, new animals, playgrounds and more on my Turtle Back Zoo blog post.
Brookhollow's Barnyard - Boonton Township, NJ
Not just a petting farm, your little ones can also feed animals, ride pedal tractors, play in sandboxes and more! Visit this sweet farm with us on my Brookhollow blog post.
Space Farms Zoo and Museum - Sussex, NJ
Space Farms is another classic Jersey location, with many animals to see, and plenty of artifacts to explore. You can bring your own lunch or eat on premises at the pizza parlor. Read my Space Farms review here!
Northlandz Train Museum - Flemington, NJ
If you have a little train enthusiast on your hands, you might appreciate a visit to Northlandz Train and Miniatures museum in Flemington. See photos of our trip and read about our many visits here.
Field Station Dinosaurs - Leonia, NJ
Dino lovers shouldn't miss Field Station Dinosaurs in Leonia! It's an outdoor park that takes you on a walkthrough display of animatronic dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. You can read more about our trip to Field Station Dinosaurs here.
The Morris Museum is one of our favorite museums for hands-on activities. With a low admission fee and rotating exhibits, there's always something neat to see here! We especially loved when the LEGO exhibits came to the museum. Read my review and see great photos of what to expect at the museum here.
Our Best Pennsylvania Day Trips
Another cool thing about New Jersey is our proximity to Pennsylvania, so we can just hop across the border to some of their fun attractions, too! If you feel like driving a little further, here are some PA options for your day trips.
Planet Snoopy - Allentown, PA
Planet Snoopy was one of our favorite places to visit when The Jersey Momma's Boy was younger. Clean, adorable and packed full of fun, check out what you can find there in my Planet Snoopy Review.
Lost River Caverns - Hellertown, PA
Lost River Caverns is great for a rainy day trip, or even a hot day trip, since the temperature remains the same inside the cave no matter what time of year it is. If you're up for cave exploring, check out my review of Lost River Caverns here.
Lehigh Valley Zoo - Schnecksville, PA
If you love zoos and being outdoors, Lehigh Valley Zoo is a great excursion! Super clean and home to many unique animals, there's plenty to see and do at this Pennsylvania day trip Check out my review of their fabulous zoo here.
The Crayola Experience - Easton, PA
In my personal opinion, everyone in Jersey should visit The Crayola Experience at least once in their lives! It's creative, adorable, unique and fun. I can't say enough good things about it. For tips, info and cool photos, check out my Crayola Experience Review.
America on Wheels Auto Museum - Allentown, PA
America on Wheels is a unique auto museum where you can see antique cars, rotating exhibits, trucks and other vehicles. Interactive displays and cool photo ops are thrown in there, too! Take a visit there in my America on Wheels blog post!
I know there are tons of other fun day trips out there. This is just a compilation of some of our favorites. Do you have a local New Jersey place you'd like me to visit? Do you own an establishment that we can visit and help promote for you? Drop me a line and let me know! I'm always open to suggestions and invites!
