Here’s what always happens. The first week of summer, with all those long, lazy, empty days stretching ahead of you, you make plans for all the fun stuff you and the kids are going to do before they head back to school. Then, life intervenes and heat lethargy takes hold and suddenly it’s August and you still haven’t checked anything off the bucket list. So, we’ve made it easy for you. Here’s your Plan for The Best Things to Do in NJ this Summer. Start at the top and let us know how many you get through before you have to start shopping for backpacks and lunch boxes again.
Catch the Waves: Did you know that NJ his home to 130 miles of coastline? Go find it. From boardwalks to amusement parks to acquariums and beaches to suit every type of sunbather or frolicker, there's a beach or two for you and your fam. Make sure to check out our handy guide for all of the things to do and places to check out when you head east. And for that quintessential Jersey Shore experience, think about checking out the World's Largest Beach Party at Margate's Beachstock on June 29th, with concerts, kids activities, food and fun all day long (plus good weather- we promise!)
Get Campy: Whether you're a wilderness lover or would prefer an evening of urban glamping, there's a place for you to lay your head this summer. Check out our roundup of places to go camping near North Jersey.
Head Out of this World: For just a few weeks, your family can participate in a unique, interactive, fun and educational experience about space. The Creators Planetarium, located at the Crossing Art Gallery in Chelsea, is designed for the whole family and reatures hands-on creative activities, STEAM education, and best of all, the chance to experience an interactive black hole (with all the attendant photo ops such a thing would require). Open now through July 7th, 10:30am – 8:30pm. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for teens and $10 for kids under 13. Crossing Art Gallery, 559 W. 23rdStreet, NYC, 212.359.4333
Scream for Ice Cream: Rainbow waffle cones, matcha ice cream in waffle shells, Dole whips, gooey ice cream sundaes, the best soft serve around and lemonade with a side of cotton candy. We would maybe suggest you not try all of these at once. But we would also suggest that you try all of these.
Do Some Digging: It’s fine that for the past two weeks your kid has been wearing their construction hard hat everywhere except to bed (and then only taking it off because of bribes. Or threats). Take them to a place where they’ll really fit in. Diggerland in West Berlin, NJ is the only construction adventure park in the world. Your kids will be able to drive and ride bona fide construction vehicles all day long. And you’ll get to enjoy a day free from the curious stares of passersby. Visit the website for hours of operation. Online ticket prices are $29.95 for anyone under 42” tall and $34.95 for everyone over 42”. Season passes are available. 100 Pinedge Drive, West Berlin,NJ. 856.208.5070.
Enter the Game of Thrones: Yes, we know you still feel like a piece is missing in your life. Especially around 9:00 pm on Sundays. But for one weekend only (July 20 and 21), you can dress as your favorite character and join all the other Arya Starks and Jon Snows at a GoT themed buffet brunch and/or dinner. There (hopefully) won’t be any unexpected plot twists. But there will be medieval music, a jester and ale for the 21+ crowd. Tickets are going fast so get yours now! Visit website for pricing and menus. Radegast Hall & Biergarten, 113 N. 3rdStreet, Brooklyn.
Give My Regards to Broadway: First, pull up a chair at Gayle’s Broadway Rose, order a decadent milkshake and enjoy the show tunes that are being served up by the wait staff at this cross between Black Tap and Ellen’s Stardust. Then try, just try to pick one of these blockbuster shows to see this summer.
Take Your Pick: Sure, we can all grab a package of berries at the grocery store. But it’s so much more fun to take the gang out to pick some of their favorite fruit with their own two hands. You’ll have the satisfaction of a job well done (and the pleasure of successfully keeping the team occupied for another weekend day!).
Raise a Glass of Butterbeer: Knock on the right brick in the East Village and a Harry Potter themed coffee shop pop up will appear before your eyes. Steamy Hallows, the “witchy goth coffee shop” has floating candles, a bubbling cauldron and glitter butter beer. They also have a creative menu of other coffee drinks (which can be made without coffee because you don’t really want to be peeling your kids off the ceiling for the rest of the day) and pastries. They will even lend you a wand when you arrive, though we’ve seen how well borrowed wands work so you might want to just bring your own. Open Thursday & Friday, 10:00 am – 7:00 pm and weekends from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. 514 ¾ East 6thStreet, NYC.
Take a Dive: Or maybe a cannon ball. Or a can opener. But once the weather finally gets warm, you are definitely going to want to find a pool in which to spend some quality time. There are plenty of them in Bergen County. Pick one and hop right in. The water’s fine.
Get Down and Dirty: You’ve been wanting to try a mud run but it’s just another one of those things that gets pushed off the schedule when you’ve got weekend sports games, carpools and birthday parties. But it’s summer. You (theoretically) have less of all that. So, register for Muckfest, a 5K mud run with 18 obstacles, to be held in Somerset on July 20th. Kids and adults of all ages are welcome and Muckfest works in conjunction with the MS Foundation so you’ll be doing good while you have fun. Visit the website for details and registrations.
Go on a Roll: If you are of a certain age, and we will admit to being that certain age, you remember when going to the roller rink in your sparkly, reflective t-shirt was the very height of sophistication and coolness. Well, relive the glory years at Dreamland Roller Disco in Prospect Park in Brooklyn. This event is 21+ so you don’t have to worry about the backbreaking work of holding up your unsteady little one as you glide slowly around the rink. You can backward skate, couples skate or shoot the duck to your heart’s content. Upcoming themes include: Spice Girls, Queen and Saturday Night Fever. Events are Fridays from 7:30 – 10:30. Visit the website to purchase tickets.
Bounce: The World’s Biggest Bounce House returns to the area later this month. Spend hours bouncing, playing basketball, enjoying the slides, competing on the obstacle course, and making it through the mazes, all as a DJ spins the latest hits to accompany your adventure. Or, if you prefer water with your inflatables, visit one of the inflatable water parks that are popping up all over the state.
Take a Swing: On the perfect summer evening, what could be more fun than a round of mini golf with the family? Gather up your foursome (or threesome or fivesome or whatever) and head to one of these mini golf courses in and around Bergen County. Paramus mini golf is Jersey themed. Whack your ball over a replica of the GWB or take the EZ pass lane straight up the middle of the toll booth hole. In Closter, the mini golf is a hidden gem right across the street from the bustling Closter Plaza (they also have a course in Tappan, if you happen to be in that neighborhood at tee time). Go on a mini golf safari at the mini golf course at Turtleback Zoo. Or, if the weather isn’t great, head to Monster Mini Golf for golf with a side of arcade games.
Eat Cake (but you have to make it first): You know it, you crave it, you love it and now you can make it yourself. Momofuku Milk Bar teaches cake and pie making classes. Round up your dessert eating friends (we know you’ve still got one or two) and dig into make cakes with flavors like birthday cake, strawberry lemon or, wait for it, chocolate, caramel, pretzel. Then, come back and make one for us!
Shop and see: If you haven’t been to the new Hudson Yards, make time to go. The Shed is rocking with a full schedule of shows and concerts, The Vessel is The new NYC Instagram moment, the High Line spur is open and the shopping is great.
Get on the Ropes: Your little ones are jumping out of their skin. It’s time to challenge their bodies and their minds with a ropes course. Visit the Treetop Adventure Course at either the Bronx Zoo (now with nighttime adventures) or the Turtleback Zoo for outdoor excitement. Or, head to Urban Air in Hackensack for some indoor Warrior Obstacle Course fun.
