We rounded up the best things to do in Bergen County and beyond on our weekend PLAYlist!
Events Not To Miss:
What: BBQ Thursday
Why: Tons of finger-licking good food and music for a perfect summer night on the farm.
When: Thursdays through August 30, 5:30 pm, kids 4 and under/$5.95, kids 5-12/$10.95, adults/$19.95
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
Why: Hang out with the Disney darlings and enjoy open play.
When: Friday August 10, 3:30-5:30 pm, one child/$28, two children/$49.50
Where: The Big Playhouse, 312 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood
Why: Take a hike and learn all about the moon and the sky.
When: Friday August 10, 8-9 pm
Where: Flat Rock Brook Nature Association, 443 Van Nostrand Avenue, Englewood
What: Historic Hermitage Show
Why: Shop for your home from a huge variety of arts and crafts vendors.
When: Saturday August 11, 10 am-5 pm, $4
Where: Hermitage Museum, 335 Franklin Turnpike, Ho-ho-kus
What: Fluttering Butterflies
Why: Visit the butterfly garden and learn about the beautiful bug.
When: Saturday August 11, 11 am-12 pm, members/$3, non-members/$6
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
What: NJ Wine Festival
Why: Because do you need a reason to enjoy great food, wine and entertainment?
When: Saturday August 11-Sunday August 12, 12-6 pm, under 21/$6, 21 and over/$12
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
What: Lake Tappan Paddle Day
Why: Spend the day paddling on the lake with the family.
When: Saturday August 11, 8 am-3:30 pm
Where: Lake Tappan, Washington Avenue North, Old Tappan
Why: Glittery tats and makeup, manis, a sing-a-long and royal treats.
When: Saturday August 11, 11 am-1 pm
Where: Glitter and Glam, Paramus Park, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus
What: Smores Galore
Why: Celebrate National S’mores Day with tasty eats.
When: Sunday August 12, 12:30 pm and 2 pm, member family/$15, non-member family/$30
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
What: World Elephant Day
Why: Have a ton of eleFUN celebrating with stories, crafts and more.
When: Sunday August 12, 11 am-2 pm
Where: Bergen County Zoo, 216 Forest Avenue, Paramus
Why: Thousands of dolls and bears at your fingertips.
When: Sunday August 12, 10 am-4 pm, kids/$1, adults/$7
Where: Hilton Hotel, 650 Terrace Avenue, Hasbrouck Heights
Why: A delish 3-course meal for $30? Check please!
When: Sunday August 12-Thursday August 16, Sunday August 19-Thursday August 23
Where: Participating restaurants in Downtown Ridgewood East and West Sides
What: PYO Peaches
Why: Peach picking season is ON, plus enjoy a hay wagon ride and petting zoo.
When: Open through Friday August 31, 10 am-3 pm, $5
Where: Demarest Farms, 244 Wierimus Road, Hillsdale
What: Field Station: Dinosaurs
Why: Go back in time and have a roaring good day with the dinos. Check out the summer “Super Stars of Science” series on Saturdays.
When: Open Tuesdays through Sunday through September 2, 10 am-6 pm, $15.50 day pass
Where: Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia
Why: This week, kids explore Polynesia through nature and tikis.
When: Wednesday August 15, 10-11 am, $10
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, One Garden State Plaza, Paramus
What: 2018 Butterfly House
Why: Try to catch one on your finger or watch a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.
When: Open Wednesdays-Sundays through September 2, 11 am-3 pm, 1 adult and 2 children non-members/$5
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
Why: Try to catch one on your finger or watch a butterfly emerge from a cocoon.
When: Open Wednesdays-Sundays through September 2, 11 am-3 pm, 1 adult and 2 children non-members/$5
Where: Tenafly Nature Center, 313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly
If you’re heading out of Bergen:
What: Middlesex County Fair
Why: Enjoy rides, live entertainment and games.
When: Thursday August 9-Friday August 10, 5-11 pm, Saturday August 11, 11 am-11 pm, Sunday August 12, 11 am-10 pm, kids/$1, adults/$7
Where: Middlesex County Fair Association, 655 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Why: Carnival rides, horse shows, animals and more fun on the farm.
When: Open through Sunday August 12, 10 am-10 pm, ticket price varies.
Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta
Why: Hundreds of train tables to view and shop from, plus kids’ activities.
When: Saturday August 11-Sunday August 12, 10 am-4 pm, adults Saturday/$10, Sunday/$9
Where: New Jersey Expo Center, 97 Sunfield Avenue, Edison
Why: Get fit with the fam in one of the workout zones, and enjoy cooking demos and more fun.
When: Saturday August 11, 10 am-4 pm, $5
Where: Warinanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive, Roselle
What: Montclair Jazz Festival
Why: Groove to the music and let the kids enjoy the Family Jazz Discovery Zone.
When: Saturday August 11, 12-9 pm
Where: Nishuane Park, 48 High Street, Montclair
What: Gelato Festival America
Why: Skip the meal and head straight for dessert at this all-you-can-eat gelato day.
When: Saturday August 11, 12-8 pm-Sunday August 12, 12-7 pm, kids/$20-$25, adults/$25-$30
Where: Liberty State Park, Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City
What: 28th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Why: This huge cultural festival bring races, dance, crafts and stories to NYC.
When: Saturday August 11-Sunday August 12, 9 am-5 pm
Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 11101 Corona Avenue, Queens
Why: This huge cultural festival bring races, dance, crafts and stories to NYC.
When: Saturday August 11-Sunday August 12, 9 am-5 pm
Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park, 11101 Corona Avenue, Queens
What: Pirate Quest
Why: Hunt for treasure and keep a lookout for pirates in this digital game.
When: Saturdays through August 25, 10 am-2 pm, kids/ $6, adults/$12
Where: Philipsburg Manor, 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY
What: Peach Harvest Festival
Why: Have a peachy keen day enjoying peach treats and farm fun.
When: Weekends through August 19, 11 am-5 pm
Where: Alstede Farms, 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester
What: Stone Barns Center Weekend Admission
Why: Farm activities from meeting pigs and bees to collecting eggs.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-5 pm, $22
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills
Why: Farm activities from meeting pigs and bees to collecting eggs.
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-5 pm, $22
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills
Why: Put on your dancing shoes for this summer concert series.
When: Monday August 13, 11 am-12 pm
Where: Palisades Center, 1000 Palisades Center Drive, West Nyack
What: Candytopia
Why: Visit this sweeeeeet wonderland of tasty delights, brought to life through art installations.
When: Opens Wednesday August 15-Thursday November 15, 10 am-8:30 pm, kids/$26, adults/$34
Where: Candytopia @ Penn Plaza, 145 W 32nd Street, NYC
What: Passport to the World
Why: Travel around the world without leaving the Bronx in this cultural adventure.
When: Open through Sunday August 19, 10 am-5:30 pm (5 pm weekdays), kids/$26.95, adult/$36.95
Where: Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
What: Grossology
Why: Explore the grossest parts of the human body, in the coolest of ways.
When: Open through Sunday September 23, premium pass required.
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
What: Dino Dig
Why: Sift through the sand to uncover dinosaur bones, eggs and fossil.
When: Open through summer
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
What: Arthur’s World
Why: Join Arthur and his friends and family in this interactive learning exhibit.
When: Open through September 16, free with admission
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City
Why: Swifties: Step inside the life of the hugely popular singer, who hand-picked personal photos, videos and lyrics for display.
When: Open daily through October 19, 11 am-6 pm
Where: GRAMMY Museum Experience, Prudential Center, 165 Mulberry Street, Newark
Upcoming:
Why: Kids train to be the next Ninja Warrior, based on the hit TV show.
When: Saturday August 18, grades K-2/9 am and 10 am, grades 3-5/9:30 am and 10:30 am, $5
Where: Pulse Kids, Pulse Fit Gym, 701 Broadway, Westwood
Why: The top 7 perform favorite hits with season 8 winner, Kris Allen.
When: Saturday August 18, 7:30 pm, $49-$129
Where: Bergen PAC, 30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood
Why: Trucks to satisfy every craving, plus face painting and kids activities.
When: Sunday August 19, 11 am-8 pm, $5
Where: Westfield Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus
