Diners are right up there with all of the things you’d expect to find in NJ, like boardwalks by the beach, saltwater taffy, shopping malls and great views of Manhattan. And it goes without saying that diners are probably some of the best joints to visit with kids – loud, crowded, cheap and charmingly unsophisticated. Plus, diverse menus mean that everyone can order exactly what they’re in the mood for (which basically means less complaining and whining for tired parents!)

So how do you distinguish a great diner from a so-so one? All of the joints below stand out from the pack for a number of reasons. Maybe they’re family-owned and operated (doing everything with just a little extra love), maybe they take the time to make everything from scratch or maybe the food is just that darn good! Read on for our pick of diner favorites for NJ families:

The start of September can feel like a whirlwind of school, classes and adjusting to new schedules, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun. The weather is still warm, so why not take a break and see what Jersey has in store for this weekend? The month is full of great festivals so check out the Asbury Park Oysterfest down the shore, stuff yourself silly with moussaka at St. Demetrios Greek Festival or learn about butterflies at Pyramid Mountain’s Monarch Festival. You can also get muddy with a Pond Study class at Liberty State Park, take your pooch to the canine friendly end-of-season event at Morey’s Pier Water Park or celebrate the High Holidays early with the family as you taste apples and hear the Shofar at Liberty Science Center. And remember, you can check out the full list of weekend activities in our Event Calendar.

It’s hard to believe Labor Day weekend is upon us and soon we’ll be picking out pumpkins and Halloween costumes. This is usually seen as summer’s last hurrah, before the back to school routine bogs us all down. Plan a getaway to celebrate the last unofficial weekend of summer and let your New Jersey kids soak up one last summer memory, while we still have great weather! And for more quick family outings, check out our NJ Day Trip Guide.

September may be just around the corner, but we still have a few summer weekends left to squeeze in warm weather outings! Don’t let the month of August go by without checking out one of the great festivals in NJ, like the Canal Day Music & Craft Festival or the Long Branch Jazz & Blues Festival. Duck indoors for a few hours and take in a production of the kid-friendly musical Willy Wonka Jr. at the Surflight Theatre or soak up all you can of the great outdoors with Bats for Beginners at Tenafly Nature Center or a Guided Hike at the NJ Botanical Gardens. Also, you can check out the full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar and don't miss our Summer of Play Guide with 100s of ideas for a fun, playful, and tech-free summer!

Summer days are dwindling and although we may be preoccupied getting the kiddos ready for a new school year, there’s no reason not to take advantage of these last few August weekends. For big family fun, get your tickets to ride the Dinosaur Train at the Delaware River Railroad Excursions or jam out at the Kid’s Rock Weekend at the New Jersey State Theatre. You can also get those minds back into learning mode with a story time & craft at the NJ State Museum, the For Goodness Snakes outdoor adventure at Tenafly Nature Center or the historic Antique Auto Show at Allaire Village. Also, you can check out the full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar and don't miss our Summer of Play Guide with 100s of ideas for a fun, playful, and tech-free summer!

We loved Adventure Aquarium's KidZone back in the spring, but AA is all about the sharks this summer. Big ones. Scary ones. Prehistoric ones. 17 species call the aquarium home, more than anywhere on the east coast. And there’s a little bit of shark thrill for every age, from the cheerful, cartoony Great White sculpture that welcomes tiny tots to the impressive hammerheads. Here’s the lowdown on “Shark Fest”.  Dive in!

Before we know it, the leaves will be changing colors and school schedules will consume our days. So round up the troops during these warm and carefree weekends in August and have some summer fun! Get outdoors (and maybe get a little dirty!) as you learn about amphibians at Poricy Park’s Frog Fest, roll up your sleeves for some planting and weeding during Garden Time at Liberty State Park or sign up for S’mores Galore campfire and sing-a-long at Tenafly Nature Center. August in Jersey is also brimming with family-friendly festivals like the Peach, Pirate & Princess Festival at Camden Children’s Garden, Butterfly Festival at Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association or Salt Water Day at the Laurence Harbor. Also, you can check out the full list of weekend activities on our Event Calendar and don't miss our Summer of Play Guide with 100s of ideas for a fun, playful, and tech-free summer!

The weeks of warm, lazy days are dwindling and before we know it, September and the start of school will be here. Rather than fret about the impending return of homework and schedules, I decided to come up with a list of both fun AND educational outings my family and I can take part in during these last few weeks of August. We’ll make some memories, get our brains back into learning mode and soak up what’s left of summer. Check out these ten great outings in NJ and for more end of summer fun, don't forget to check out our New Jersey Kids Summer Activities Guide.