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1. Cattus Island County Park – Toms River

This park and nature center sits on 530 acres and boasts miles of nature trails, boardwalks through the wetlands, crabbing, hiking, nature walks, picnicking, and more. In late summer, the Butterfly Garden blooms with many plants that draw butterflies, while the Cooper Environmental Center has exhibits about the park and Barnegat Bay.

2. Lakota Wolf Preserve – Columbia

Bring the kids on an educational summer day trip from New Jersey to learn about wolves and watch them in their natural habitat. Take a 90-minute Wolf Watch tour Wednesdays through Sundays with online reservations. There's lots of shade, so it’s the perfect activity for hot summer days. While you're there, check out Camp Taylor’s facilities, including the swimming lake, hiking trails, boat rentals, mini-golf, and more.

3. Island Beach State Park – Seaside Park

Nature lovers and those searching for a more mellow Jersey Shore experience won't want to miss this Shore gem. Located at the end of Route 35, just past Seaside Park, IBSP is a preserved barrier island that offers bay and ocean beaches. A cute little eatery right on the beach features burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches, tacos, and more. There's often live entertainment, too. Take a walk on the short, kid-friendly trails, and keep your eyes peeled for snowy owls, foxes, osprey, and other wildlife.

4. Cape May

Whether you're looking for fun at the beach, great food, biking, fishing, historic tours, whale and dolphin watching, or want to cruise the boardwalk, this beautiful seaside town is perfect for a summer day trip from New Jersey. It has something for everyone. Park the car and rent a surrey to get around for the day. Other awesome kid activities include the Cape May Zoo, the NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum, and Revolution Rail experience, all located in Cape May. For some adult fun there is the Cape May Brewery located in the Cape May Airport Complex, which makes it fun for kids, too. After dark, take a ghost tour or see a free family movie on the beach.

5. Destination-Worthy Playgrounds

Check out this extensive list of playgrounds worth a summer day trip. From cool play spaces featuring awesome jungle gyms you won't find anywhere else to playgrounds with water features, zip lines, a carousel, and even a zoo, these stellar playscapes allow kids to slide, swing, splash, climb, and imagine the day away.

6. Statue of Liberty – Jersey City

This piece of history makes for a fantastic summer day trip for school-aged kids. While there, you can explore the Statue of Liberty Museum, a 26,000-square-foot exhibition space dedicated to Lady Liberty's history. A visit to Ellis Island is also included in your ticket. 

7. Grounds for Sculpture – Hamilton

Children (and adults) of all ages get a kick out of this 42-acre sculpture garden. Grab lunch at one of the cafes on-site and meander through the lush gardens and trails filled with permanent and rotating pieces of art. The sculpture garden regularly hosts educational events, gallery walks by exhibiting artists, and special artist evenings. Some local libraries offer free tickets as part of their Museum Pass program.

8. Six Flags – Jackson

It just wouldn't be summer in the Garden State without a summer day trip to New Jersey's largest theme park. Six Flags is known for heart-dropping roller coasters like Nitro, Kingda Ka, and the Jersey Devil. There are also plenty of attractions geared toward the smaller set and those who enjoy tamer thrills. You can also see zebras, giraffes, and other cool creatures on the Wild Safari Drive-thru Adventure. Six Flag's Hurricane Harbor water park features wet adventures, like Big Wave Racer, Jurahnimo Falls, and tamer fun, like the lazy river and wave pool.

9. Cohanzick Zoo – Bridgeton

For a FREE activity check out the Cohanzick Zoo where kids can see tigers, ring tailed lemurs and leopards up close. The shady trail that leads around this quiet zoo is perfect on a hot day. Right across the parking lot of the zoo is the Bridgeton's Splash Park ($4/person), a mini golf course ($2/person) and Sunset Lake where you can hike, swim, fish and rent kayaks.

10. Field Station Dinosaur – Leonia

For those who have dinomania, I can't think of a better day trip in New Jersey than back in time to this outdoor, prehistoric theme park where you can literally walk among the dinosaurs! While on your expedition you can see 40 life-sized, realistic, moving dinosuars. 

Hike, swim, fish, or camp—your family can do it all at Cheesequake State Park. Photo by Sara M.

11. Cheesequake State Park – Matawan

Hike, swim, fish, or camp—your family can do it all at this state park. There's a large assortment of things to do, but a great summertime feature is Hooks Creek Lake, where kids can splash and swim when lifeguards are on duty. Playgrounds, concession stands, restrooms, and changing areas are available next to the lake. Check out NJ's other great swimming lakes, too.

12. Tomahawk Lake Water Park – Sparta

This 200 acres of lakefront offers many 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. The water park features a 400-foot body slide, racing slide, a 500-foot tube ride, boats, and water coasters, with a separate area for younger kids. Admission includes parking, beach, and swimming facilities. Purchase separate wristbands for unlimited water slides.

13. Turtle Back Zoo – West Orange

One of the state's top zoos, Turtle Back offers a variety of animal exhibits and children's programming. In the summer, cooling misting stations help visitors beat the heat. Zoo rides include a carousel, ponies, a train ride, and a play area, in addition to the giraffes, sea turtles, and penguins who call the zoo home. While you're there, take advantage of everything the South Mountain Reservation has to offer, including the Treetop Adventure Course, paddle boats, mini-golf, and playground. 

RELATED: Great Day Trips to NJ State Forests

Jenkinson's Boardwalk has lots of rides geared toward little kids. Photo by Laurie Rein

14. Jenkinson's Boardwalk – Point Pleasant

Summertime in NJ hardly seems complete without a summer day trip to the Jersey Shore and this busy beach and amusement area is the perfect spot for families. Pack the day with time on Jenkinson’s Beach, Jenkinson's Boardwalk, and at Jenkinson’s Aquarium—all in the same location. The boardwalk has food, games, and rides. Check out the Adventure Lookout Ropes Course (a junior course for kids is also available), play a round of mini golf, or visit the funhouse. Jenkinson's hosts weekly FREE summer activities, including fireworks and movies on the beach. Other area beaches include Martell’s, Risden’s, Maryland Avenue, and Bradshaw’s.

15. Train Rides and Train Trips 

Get your family all aboard to check out these day trips that will be sure to thrill your family's train enthusiasts. Train rides, train museums and model train displays are some examples of what you can find just a day trip away!

16. Rail Biking

Take the family on an exciting new adventure: rail biking! Rent a special two- or four-person bike and ride the rails as you get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

17. Mountain Coasters

Zip, twist, and turn down a sloping mountain coaster. These two-seat coasters let drivers control their speed along the 7-minute-long track.

18. Sesame Place – Lancaster, Pa.

Sunny days lie ahead at this theme park. The Sesame Street Neighborhood features dry rides, a water park, parades, and dining, all while surrounded by lovable puppets. It's a perfect summer day trip from New Jersey for the preschool set.

Hug some hippos at the Adventure Aquarium. Photo by Lisa Warden

19. Adventure Aquarium - Camden

Some days it is just too hot to be outside, and those days are good ones to go to the Adventure Aquarium where you can stay cool with the penguins among the air conditioning. This impressive aqarium has hippos, a shark tunnel and a giant sting ray touch tank! To truly make it a day trip you can take the tram car down to the Battleship New Jersey (where it is also air conditioned under deck) or take the RiverLink Ferry across the river to Philadelphia. 

20. Terhune Orchards – Princeton

Summertime is the perfect time for pick-your-own strawberries (June), cherries (June), blueberries (July), and peaches (August). Terhune has pick-your-own crops, various festivals, and a farm store filled with delicious fresh fruits and vegetables. There is also a winery featuring wine made with farm-fresh ingredients and a barnyard full of animals for the kids. If you're there on a Tuesday, the kids can participate in the Read and Pick program, held twice a month.

21. Poconos Mountains – Pennsylvania

This outdoorsy area is a great nearby destination for a summer day trip from New Jersey or a short family vacation. There's horseback riding, hiking, camping, shopping, kayaking, and more, or you can ride the waves at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark's awesome wave pool.

22. Storybook Land – Egg Harbor Township

Step into a fairy tale at this great little amusement park for young children, which features (you guessed it) a storybook theme. Try the Beanstalk Bounce or ride a Happy Dragon. Whatever attractions you choose, this amusement park is bound to be a hit with any little one.

23. Asbury Park

This up-and-coming hotspot for NJ families features a beach, shops, boardwalk, splash park, and great places to eat—everything you need to keep your gang happy on a summer outing. Be sure to check out Asbury Lanes—this bowling alley-turned-music venue, which first opened in 1962, was rebuilt in 2018 with state-of-the-art bowling technology and expanded performance space.

24. Diggerland – West Berlin

Take playing in the sand to a whole new level at this construction-themed amusement park in West Berlin. Young guests can climb aboard real work equipment and military trucks to check them out and even give them a try. Hop on a backhoe, big digger, demolition truck, or excavator. Bonus: The Water Main splash park has just debuted. Diggerland also stays open for weekends and school holidays, Labor Day through November.

25. Liberty State Park – Jersey City

Enjoy spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, not to mention the Statue of Liberty, at this amazing Jersey City park. Bike the scenic paths, run wild in the park's two playgrounds, or explore nature at a guided outdoor event, such as a low-tide beach walk or summer shorebird walk. Adjacent to the park is the hands-on favorite Liberty Science Center, with its hands-on STEM learning experiences.

26. Visit an Arboretum

Spend the day wandering around a gorgeous garden for a fantastic day trip with the family. The Morris Arboretum is a fanastastic choice and kids will love the squirrel scramble, garden train, willow tunnel and fairy garden! Other arboretums within day trip distance that the children will love include Winterthur and Longwood Gardens. 

27. Van Saun Park – Paramus

This busy park is a golden ticket to a day-long visit filled with fun. The huge playground features climbing structures for big kids, small slides for toddlers, plus lots of balance beams, swing sets, and rock walls galore. Even more, the entire play area is ADA-accessible, so all kids can play. Not to mention, it’s next door to a spectacular splash pad, old-fashioned carousel, soccer field, and miniature train ride. Need more? How about a zoo, home to lions, reptiles, and farm friends? There really is something for everyone here.

28. Watchung Reservation – Mountainside

Complete with hiking trails of all levels, a sensory trail, the Loop playground, and a nature center, this sprawling Union County reservation offers plenty to fill a day or even a summer. Stroll through history at the 18th-century Deserted Village or take a horseback ride at Watchung Stable. The Trailside Nature & Science Center, a FREE interactive, hands-on museum with live animals and a discovery play area.

RELATED: 35+ Splash Pads and Spraygrounds in New Jersey

Slide into summer at Ocean Oasis at Morey's Piers. Photo by Kip Dawkins

29. Wildwood

Combine your family's cravings for thrill rides, water rides, arcade games, and fun in the sun with a visit to the popular Shore destination, which is actually comprised of three towns: North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest. Morey's Piers and Water Parks is the focal point of fun and includes three main entertainment areas with more than 100 rides. Morey's recently welcomed the Runaway Tram, patterned after the old-time Wildwood Sightseer Tramcar, which made its debut almost 70 years ago.

30. Land of Make Believe – Hope

The charming theme park is the perfect day trip for families with younger kids, with a great selection of classic kiddie rides and attractions. Beyond the Carousel, Jumping Frogs, Ferris Wheel, and Tilt-A-Whirl, the Scream Machine 360 provides hair-raising thrills for bigger kids and adults. Don’t forget the swimsuits so the kids can cool off at the Pirate's Cove water park area, which is included with the price of admission.

This article first published in 2014 and is updated annually.