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Winter Sports Day Trips from New Jersey for Families

1. Mountain Creek – Vernon

Why this trip is great in winter: This ever-popular ski spot is busy on holiday weekends for good reason: It offers the best nearby ski experience for New Jersey families. With 46 runs, snow tubing, and a vertical drop of 1,000 feet, this mountain has something for everyone. 

Key activities for families: Skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, and SNO-GO, which is kind of like a ski bike for beginners or those with physical limitations.

Insider tips: Consider purchasing a season pass or ticket package if you plan to go more than once.

Recommended duration of visit: Full day for older kids. Half day for little ones.

2. Campgaw – Mahwah

Why this trip is great in winter: Perfect for beginners and young skiers, Campgaw Mountain offers group and private lessons for ages 6 and under and a dedicated beginner hill with magic carpets for easy access to the top. The mountain also offers snow tubing, and advance tickets are recommended. 

Key activities for families: Skiing, lessons, snowtubing, snowboarding.

Insider tips: Only a limited number of tickets are sold for each session. Tickets sell out quickly, so purchase them online in advance. Tickets go on sale about 6 days before the day you would like to visit. Season passes are currently available.

Recommended duration of visit: Full day for older kids. Half day for little ones.

3. Newport Skates  – Jersey City

Why this trip is great in winter: This outdoor rink is quaint, picturesque, and a great way to get in a little winter exercise.

Key activities for families: Skating and lessons.

Insider tips: Get tickets online and park at the River Market Garage.

Recommended duration of visit: 1-2 hours.

4. Newark Winter Village – Newark

Why this trip is great in winter: There is lots to see and explore at this open-air festival overlooking downtown Newark.

Key activities for families: Ice skating, go-karting, bumper cars, curbside eats, and a bustling marketplace. 

Insider tips: Located directly across the street from the Prudential Center, check out a local restaurant to spend more time in Newark.

Recommended duration of visit:  Half day.

RELATED: Easy Hikes in NJ for Families with Small Children

Go wolf-watching and learn all about the beautiful creatures at the Lakota Wolf Preserve. Photo courtesy of the preserve

Animal-Inspired Winter Day Trips from New Jersey

5. Lakota Wolf Preserve – Columbia

Why this trip is great in winter: These animals are especially beautiful to see in the snow and in the stark winter forest.

Key activities for families: Join a guided tour of the wolf terrain, learn about wolves' social pack behavior, watch them play in the snow, and maybe even hear them howl. 

Insider tips: Reservations are required. Book tours early. It's not unusual for tours to book out 3 months in advance. 

Recommended duration of visit: Tours are approximately 75 minutes long.

6. Jenkinson's Aquarium – Point Pleasant Beach

Why this trip is great in winter: Take a little winter walk on the boardwalk and then warm up at this great little aquarium.

Key activities for families: Explore coral reefs, see tons of sealife, and laugh at the penguins' slip-and-slide antics. 

Insider tips: Check the website for daily shark, penguin, and seal feeding times and special programs.

Recommended duration of visit: About 2 hours.

7. Turtle Back Zoo – West Orange

Why this trip is great in winter: This Essex County gem is home to hyenas, giraffes, wolves, black bears, and more amazing creatures. Since the zoo gets crowded in the spring and summer, winter is a perfect time for exploring the zoo. Plus, ticket prices are slightly lower during off-peak hours.

Key activities for families: See animals, grab a snack in the cafe, and take a ride on the train or beloved endangered species carousel, which is perfect in any weather. 

Insider tips: Parking is FREE, as are children under 2. The zoo is open daily from 10am-3pm. 

Recommended duration of visit: Half a day,

RELATED: The Best NJ Zoos and Aquariums for Animal Encounters with Kids

Enjoy an under-the-sea day trip with Scuba Santa at the Adventure Aquarium. Photo by the author

8. Adventure Aquarium – Camden

Why this trip is great in winter: Wave hello to beloved hippos Genny and Button, gaze at the stingrays and sharks, or check out the adorable blue penguin colony. And in December, you can see the aquarium decked out in holiday decor and even catch Santa and an elf swimming with the sharks!

Key activities for families: See an animal feeding, walk the shark bridge, see a movie in the 3D theater (included in admission), and touch a stingray. You can also get tickets for an animal encounter.

Insider tips: Bring lunch or grab a bite at the cafe. Get ticket reservations in advance to avoid lines on busy days. Note that wagons and wagon-style strollers of any size are prohibited.

Recommended duration of visit: Full day.

NJ Day Trips to Take in Nature's Glory

9. Duke Farms – Hillsborough

Why this trip is great in winter: This free private park is beautiful any time of the year, but is absolutely lovely when it's snowy. If you have active older kids, note that guests may use snowshoes or cross-country skis when it snows.

Key activities for families: Choose from 18 miles of well-maintained, paved trails that meander through gardens and woodlands, where you can see wildlife and sculptures. This gorgeous park is perfect for a walk or bike ride. Stop in at the Orientation Center to grab a map and see some small exhibits.

Insider tips: Use the bathroom at the Orientation Center before you hit the trail because there are no facilities on the trails. While you're there, grab a snack at the Farm Barn Cafe, which is open 10-2 on Thursdays-Saturdays. Everything is made with locally grown ingredients.

Recommended duration of visit: 2 hours.

10. Reeves-Reed Arboretum – Summit

Why this trip is great in winter: Explore the beautiful Reeves-Reed Arboretum, which often hosts family-friendly events like animal-focused nature walks, stories, and crafts.

Key activities for families: Take a walk on the grounds or sign up to attend a class or workshop.

Insider tips: Bookmark the event calendar for all the upcoming happenings.

Recommended duration of visit: 1-2 hours

11. Great Swamp – Morris County

Why this trip is great in winter: This 8,000-acre park has a beautiful array of wildlife to see in the winter, like deer, fox, and certain birds, and there will be fewer crowds to deal with.

Key activities for families: Explore a slew of hiking trails with boardwalks above the swamp, nature centers, and plenty of chances for wildlife sightings.

Insider tips: Dress warmly and consider wearing boots.

Recommended duration of visit: 1-2 hours

12. Maple Sugaring at Teaneck Nature Center– Various Locations

Why this trip is great in winter: There's just something about a hot stack of pancakes on a cold winter day, so why not take a little time to learn how maple sap transforms into syrup?

Key activities for families: Identify tree species, learn how sap flows, and try using real tapping tools. 

Insider tips: Register for programs to learn about maple sugaring. They take place rain or shine on certain days in January, February, and March. Members will get discounts on programs. Strollers are not allowed.

Recommended duration of visit: 1 hour

Garden State Day Trips Full of Discovery and Exploration

Investigate the train display at Liberty Science Center. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner

13. Liberty Science Center – Jersey City

Why this trip is great in winter: This 300,000-square-foot educational center on the Jersey City waterfront is jam-packed with exciting hands-on STEM learning activities, including Wobbly World, for kids of all ages. For more options, don't miss our guide to Northern New Jersey museums.

Key activities for families: Touch Tunnel, planetarium, Wild About Animals, Infiniti Chamber, and The Great Train Set. Go sock skating through Sunday, January 4, 2026.

Insider tips: LSC can get pretty busy on weekends. Consider a weekday trip. Also, consider whether it makes sense to leave the strollers at home and take the stairs instead. The elevators get crowded, too.

Recommended duration of visit: Half day,

14. Montclair Art Museum – Montclair

Why this trip is great in winter: Perfect for budding artists, this museum, better known as MAM, hosts various family programs throughout the year. Don't miss the large sculptures that sit on the grounds outside the museum.

Key activities for families: In addition to seeing the exhibits, visit the top floor to make art in the Family Learning Center.

Insider tips: There are plenty more family-friendly activities and restaurants in the bustling town of Montclair.

Recommended duration of visit: 2-3 hours

15. Morris Museum – Morris Plains

Why this trip is great in winter: The whole family can enjoy this interesting museum, which offers a mix of art, sculptures, and other collections.

Key activities for families: Music lovers of all ages adore the chance to check out the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of 750 mechanical musical instruments, ranging from a player piano to intricate music boxes. There's also a model train exhibit that fascinates all ages, and curious kids will be thrilled with a visit to the maker space.

Insider tips: Children under 3 are FREE. Get a bite to eat in Morristown or learning about Revolutionary History in this historic town.

Recommended duration of visit: 3 hours 

16. Crayola Experience – Easton, Pennsylvania

Why this trip is great in winter: There are lots of hands-on activities and projects for young artists to make. There's also a play gym where kids can blow off some steam.

Key activities for families: Hands-on art projects featuring crayons, markers, clay, and painting. Use tokens to do things like make a custom crayon or try quick-dry clay.

Insider tips: This spot gets crowded on weekends, so reserve tickets for off-peak times if you can

Recommended duration of visit: 3-4 hours

17.  Edelman Fossil Park and Museum – Sewell

Why this trip is great in winter: Travel back in time and discover what time was like in the Cretaceous period.

Key activities for families: Try interactive exhibits and see giant dinosaur replicas.

Insider tips: Come back in the spring to try the fossil dig.

Recommended duration of visit: 2-3 hours

Fun Indoor Destinations for a Winter Day Trip in New Jersey for Families

18. American Dream – East Rutherford

Why this trip is great in winter: This enormous mall has so many shops, restaurants, and activities that you can easily spend the whole day inside without getting bored.

Key activities for families: American Dream is home to many family-friendly activities, like Nickelodeon Universe. You can also go ice skating on an NHL-size rink, play a round of Angry Birds mini golf, and visit a 3-story candy shop. Want more? There's even an indoor water park, plus a SeaLife Aquarium and Legoland Discovery Center.

Insider tips: Some attractions sell discounted tickets on Groupon or during off-peak times. You can also save money on the Dream Pass, which covers admission to both Nickelodeon Universe and Dreamworks indoor waterpark. 

Recommended duration of visit: Full day

19. Humdingers – Paramus

Why this trip is great in winter: Nothing beats a game of tenpin on a blustery afternoon, especially at this bowling alley that also features other family activities.

Key activities for families: Bowl, enjoy lane-side dining, play at the arcade, do laser tag, and hit balls in the batting cages.

Insider tips: Build in some time to eat. There are lots of options like burgers, sandwiches, appetizers, and ice cream.

Recommended duration of visit: 2-3 hours

20. iPlay America – Freehold

Why this trip is great in winter: Too chilly for the boardwalk? Get a taste at this indoor amusement park, which combines classic rides like bumper cars and a carousel with lots of other activities—all inside one cavernous space.

Key activities for families: Rides, arcade, carnival games, laser tag, bowling, restaurants, and a sweet shop.

Insider tips: Wristbands and bundled tickets are the best deal.

Recommended duration of visit: 2-4 hours

21. Sahara Sams – West Berlin

Why this trip is great in winter: Dig out your swimsuits and spend the day pretending it's summer at Sahara Sams, where it's always 84 degrees.

Key activities for families: Water slides, splash areas, arcade, and dining.

Insider tips: Reserve a cabana to give your family a home base to relax and eat.

Recommended duration of visit: All day

Kids can swing, jump, climb, and flip at Rock 'N' Air indoor jungle gym. Photo by Kaylynn Ebner

22. Rock 'N Air – East Brunswick

Why this trip is great in winter:  Burn off some energy without having to bundle up at this premier indoor trampoline park.

Key activities for families: Jump on the trampolines, try the ninja course, climb the rock climbing walls, do the ropes course, and eat at the cafe.

Insider tips: Check the height restrictions for certain activities before you go. There's also a great toddler zone for little ones under 3.

Recommended duration of visit: 3-4 hours

23. Climbzone – Howell

Why this trip is great in winter: This rock-climbing spot has a super unique feel with beautiful walls that look like scenes and works of art.

Key activities for families: Climb, soft play, ropes course.

Insider tips: There's a nice play maze for little ones ages 3-10.

Recommended duration of visit: 2-3 hours

24. Fundaes Arcade – Chesterfield

Why this trip is great in winter: This newer arcade has lots of unique games and crane games. Redeem tickets for prizes and get ice cream when you're ready for a break.

Key activities for families: Play at the arcade, then order up some ice cream for the road.

Insider tips: It's just the right size for younger kids, but there's less to do for teens. Also, check the promotions to score a deal.

Recommended duration of visit: 1-2 hours

FAQs for Family-Friendly Winter Day Trips near NYC

What are the best winter day trips from NJ for families?

Go skiing or snow tubing for a full-day adventure. Or stay indoors and explore a museum or indoor play center.

How far can you go in 2 hours for a family winter day trip from NJ?

Many of the top picks are within a ~2‑hour drive of the heart of NJ. Depending on where you live, you can also get to parts of Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut in less than two hours

Which winter day trips near NJ are good for outdoor activities?

Outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and winter walks will get your blood pumping and are perfect for mixed age groups.

What are good indoor winter day trip destinations from NJ?

American Dream has activities for all ages, or explore a local museum like the Montclair Art Center or the Morris Museum. Other great places to have fun indoors in NJ include the Liberty Science Center and Adventure Aquarium.

How to dress kids for a winter day trip from NJ?

Try to wear layers, snow-ready clothes, boots, extra socks, hats, and gloves. And don't forget helmets and eye wear for skiers.

Are these winter day trip spots open year-round?

Some places are seasonal, like ski areas and outdoor skating, but most other places are open year-round.

What should families pack for a winter day trip?

Definitely bring snacks, water, hand warmers, first-aid, phone charger (or battery), and snow-ready clothes.

Is it cheaper to stay for a weekend instead of a day trip for these spots?

Most places on our list don't require an overnight stay, but if you're craving a weekend getaway, the Poconos and Catskills are not far.

This post was originally published in 2017 and has since been updated.