No. That is NOT a change in the weather you feel. There is NO chill in the air. The days are still long, the kids are still on break, and you can’t drag them back-to-school shopping every day this month. So check out our guide to 10 Last Chance Summer Adventures in NJ. Go now! Before your kids con you into buying a bag of snack sized Skittles from the Halloween candy display at the grocery store.
Slip and slide. No summer is complete without at least one trip to a water park. So if you haven’t done it yet this year, you’d better grab your towel and make a plan.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Jackson, Tomahawk Lake Water Park in Sparta, Crystal Springs Water Park in East Brunswick and Mountain Creek Water Park in Vernon all close for the season on Labor Day, Monday, September 3rd.
But you’re in luck. Land of Make Believe will be open the weekend of September 8th– 9th so you can pretend for a little while longer that the cold weather isn’t on its way.
Grab some Insta-worthy photos. Sure you've been running hard this summer but have you captured the perfect shots of your family? August is in bloom and that means money shots with the brood.
Hit up the Sussex Sunflower Maze which opens on August 18th and runs through mid-September, not only is it a gorgeous backdrop, but the kids will have fun meandering through the maze for a few hours post-photoshoot. Love Lavender? The lavender fields of Pleasant Valley Lavender in Monmouth County are as beautiful as they are intoxicating- shoot during the golden hour for magical vibes.
Take A Swing. Mark your calendars for the Northern Trust PGA tour stop coming to Ridgewood Country Club the weekend of August 21st– 26th. Purchase a family plan ticket to cheer on some of golf’s greats (including Tiger Woods) plus, check out the upgraded food options at this year’s tournament.
Or, take a day and head to Flushing Meadows for a day of US Open tennis. Visit on Saturday, August 25th for Arthur Ashe Kids Day and your kids will have the opportunity to get out on the side courts, get up close and personal with some of the biggest stars in tennis, and soak in the ambiance as they wander the grounds. Admission is free for the festival but if you feel like parting with some cash (yeah, right!) buy tickets for the Stadium Show, this year featuring Echosmith, In Real Life, and the kids from Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School. Pro Tip: If you go to the Open during the tournament, consider getting tickets for a daytime session during the early rounds. Not only will you see amazing tennis in the two big stadiums, but you’ll see unbelievable matches on all the side courts.
See a Show. Pick a day when it’s too hot to be outside and get the to the theater. There are tons of great shows out right now, but put Spongebob and Hello, Dolly! at the top of your list.
Spongebob closes on September 16th and Hello, Dolly closes on August 25th, followed shortly thereafter by School of Rock, which closes in January.
Or, go see the brand new Pretty Woman, in previews now and officially opening on August 16th.
Don’t want to pay full price for tix for the crew? Try your luck with Broadway Roulette and get tickets to top shows for a fraction of the price.
Gimme Some Sugar. We probably don’t need to say anything other than Candytopia. But we will. Opening on August 15th, Candytopia is a giant art installation with plenty of sampling and tasting opportunities for the sweetest of sweet teeth. Tickets are on sale now, so snap yours up before things get sticky.
Scream for Ice Cream. Maybe you’re one of those people who can eat ice cream when It’s snowing outside, but if it’s strictly a warm weather treat, we give you permission to sample any and all of our suggestions below, maybe more than once!
Are you a fan of Magnum ice cream bars? Yes? Then you’ll be thrilled to hear that you can create a personalized bar at the Make-Your-Own Magnum limited time NYC store on Spring Street. Over 200,000 possibilities await but only until the end of August. Then you’ll just have to settle for what you can find in the grocery store freezer section.
Or, from the brains behind the Museum of Ice Cream comes Pint Shop, an interactive grocery shopping destination with immersive installations, a reservation-only tasting experience, and exclusive programming.
If you can’t (don't wanna) wait until after noon for your ice cream fix, stop by Pasta Flyer for a Sicilian Breakfast Sandwich, a mini brioche stuffed with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry gelato and topped with strawberry compote. Who could have a bad day after eating that first thing?
Still haven’t had enough? Check out the best ice cream spots in Bergen County.
Pick Some Fruit. Berry season isn’t quite over, peach season is in full swing and apples will be coming along in the next few weeks. You gotta take advantage of this time of year to pick your own and then make something delicious with your haul.
Dig some Dinos. Do you have someone in your house who is dino-obsessed? Or maybe they’re just dino-curious? Either way, spend a day with these fascinating creatures and you will definitely learn something new.
This year, after asking visitors to vote for their favorite, Field Station Dinosaurs unveiled the Spinosaurus, a new dinosaur to join the menagerie. Make a day of it and visit the life-sized, life-like dinos, join in the activities and enjoy the shows. Field Station Dinosaurs is open Tuesday – Sunday through Labor Day then weekends through November 11th.
Or, if you’d rather have some dinosaur with your science, your little paleontologist can join in at the Liberty Science Center’s popular outdoor fossil site, Dino Dig. Grab a shovel and hunt for the pieces of a T. Rex, a triceratops or a velociraptor. Dino Dig is open daily through September 16thso get over there before those dinosaurs once again become a thing of the past.
Take in an outdoor flick. The time will come soon enough when you will crave a night in, curled up on your sofa with blanket and the remote. But right now, pack a picnic and head out for a movie under the stars. You can still enjoy an outdoor movie night in Fort Lee, Franklin Lakes, Hackensack and Ridgewood. In the city, take in a show at Hudson River Park, Bryant Park or the new Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport. And if you’d like a little more cover for your viewing, don’t forget the Warwick Drive-In theater, a cash-only joint showing first run movies on three screens. So many ways to pick your flick and enjoy!
Raise a Glass. Psst. Don’t let the coffee supply storefront fool you. Walk on in and you’ll find yourself in The 18th Room, one of the crop of speakeasies popping up all over the city. What’s different about this one? Custom cocktails blended based on each client’s flavor and spirit preferences. Your host will create a profile for you that is electronically sent to the bar team so they can work on your drink right away. Which is a good thing. Because it’s summer and it’s hot and you are parched!
