Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Autumn in New Jersey is a perfect time for a family day trip. We've got the lowdown on the best foliage tours, apple picking, and pick-your-own farms in the state—so grab a sweater and a mug of hot cider, and head out with the family on one of these fall day trips from New Jersey.
Find all our picks for seasonal fun in our Fall Fun Guide and bookmark our Day Trips Guide for all-seasons destinations.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Buckle up for a soaring ride on a zip line through the treetops in New Jersey, or gear up for an outdoor adventure at one of our exhilarating obstacle courses. Swaying bridges, wobbly balance logs, cargo nets, high wires, and rope ladders are among the features at these sky-high ropes courses, along with tree climbers and platforms built right into tree trunks.
Many treetop courses are best for older kids and teens, but some also offer tyke courses closer to the ground.
We've rounded up some of the coolest zip lines and ropes courses in New Jersey, plus a few in Pennsylvania, and added a couple options just over the border in New York, including one year-round pick.
Check out our New Jersey Amusement Parks and Water Parks Guide for more thrills, which includes our rundown of the state's best amusement parks.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Charming Cape May is one of the Jersey Shore's top family destinations for good reason. With its wide beaches, quaint boardwalk, mini-golf courses, parks, and ice cream shops, Cape May can entertain kids of all ages. The shopping and family-friendly restaurants can't be beaten. Head down to Exit Zero, on the southern tip of the Jersey Shore, and enjoy all this town has to offer, from its fabulous beaches and amazing FREE zoo to the historic lighthouse and blazing sunsets.
Read on for our list of 34 can't-miss things to do during your visit to Cape May, New Jersey. And find more seasonal activities and day-trip ideas in our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
During the warmer months, outdoor restaurants in New Jersey beckon, offering a chance to relax and linger over a summer meal with your kids. Restless kids are free to stretch their legs, explore, and watch the world go by.
The outdoor restaurants in New Jersey listed below have options ranging from waterfront decks and sandy patios to tree-shaded courtyards and grassy gardens.
Read on for our top picks for kid-friendly outdoor dining, and don't miss our round-up of NJ-themed restaurants with interactive dining or our rundown of places where kids eat free. You can find tons of other great things to do in the Garden State this season in our Summer Fun Guide.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Celebrate Mother's Day 2025 in style, with an indulgent brunch in New Jersey prepared by someone other than mom.
Restaurants throughout northern New Jersey, like Biagio's in Paramus and Alstede's in Chester, are cooking up some fabulous meals full of breakfast delights, salads, carving stations, and desserts. Some of these eateries offer discounts for kids, and others are FREE for young kids. These Mother's Day brunches are perfect for families, but they usually require reservations and get booked up quickly.
If you're down on the shore, explore these wonderful Mother's Day 2025 brunch options and find more great eats in our Guide to Family-Friendly Restaurants in New Jersey.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Enjoy world-class cherry blossoms this spring in New Jersey at one of the region's premier festivals. The 2025 Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival, held in Newark's Branch Brook Park from Saturday, April 5 through Sunday, April 13, 2025, allows you and your family to revel in rows and rows of gorgeous cherry blossoms. There's definitely no need to travel to D.C. to see a stunning display of lush blooms!
The event features two festivals-within-the-festival, the Essex County Family Day and Bloomfest. Both Family Day and Bloomfest offer plenty of family fun, including performances, bounce houses, a nearby playground, live music, and Japanese cultural demonstrations. It all takes place under the fragrant canopy of the sprawling park's 5,000 cherry blossom trees—the largest cherry blossom tree collection in the country.
Read on for an overview of Branch Brook Park and the cherry blossom festival, along with tips for visiting with kids, and find more seasonal must-dos in our Guide to Spring Activities in New Jersey.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Hoboken is a small city where strollers, schoolkids, dogs, and young professionals come together, and it's more vibrant than ever.
With family-friendly parks, cafes, markets, and play spaces packed into a walkable city with easy access to Manhattan, it's no wonder so many young families love the Mile Square City.
Read on for 41 of our favorite things to do in Hoboken, and check out our Northern New Jersey Family Guide for more great coverage of the region, including our story on must-do activities in nearby Jersey City.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Spring day trips in New Jersey are a great way for your family to enjoy the rising temps and increasing hours of sunshine, so we've rounded up dozens of wonderful out-and-back options in the Garden State.
Looking for more? Our Spring Fun Guide is loaded with even more family-friendly ideas and our Family Activity Calendar is blooming with events.
