Middlesex County is best known as home to Rutgers University, but there’s more to it than just NJ’s state university. With farms, the largest indoor karting track in the world, and even a village dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, Middlesex County has plenty to keep the whole family busy all year long. Check out the Pollinator Garden and seasonal blooms at the self-sustainable Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, learn about unique inventions at The Thomas Edison Center in Menlo Park, and pick berries, apples, and pumpkins at Von Thun Farms in Monmouth Junction. Keep reading for our top kid-friendly things to do all over Middlesex County. (featured photo credit: Von Thun Farms)
Things To Do In Middlesex County
Crystal Springs Family Waterpark
Cool off at this municipal park that feels like a bona fide amusement park, with a spray park, kiddie pool, activity pool, family pool, lazy river, and water slides. Spend the day here—there is a concession stand that has burgers and dogs, and novelty ice cream treats. Chairs are sparse around the pool areas, but there are picnic tables, and you can always bring your own beach chairs to lounge.
380 Dunhams Corner Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
East Jersey Old Town Village
Take a trip back in time exploring New Jersey’s rich history when you step into Old Town Village. Visit the historic buildings, which were once spread throughout the Raritan Valley, then transported to the Village, where they were reassembled and restored to reflect how they would have looked centuries ago. Check out a tavern, a one-room schoolhouse, a church, a blacksmith shop, and see a stone carver, printer, Revolutionary War soldiers, and other historical interpreters in action during year-round events.
1050 River Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Menlo Park Mall
This two-level mall in Edison is home to retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch, Michael Kors, and Nordstrom. Kids will love Color Me Mine, a paint-your-own pottery studio, seeing the latest flick while eating dinner at the AMC Dine-In Theatre, or hanging out at the Slime Factory, where they can create slick stuff in a “lab.”
55 Parsonage Road, Edison, NJ 08837
Plays-In-The-Park Edison
This unique outdoor amphitheater hosts three full-scale musicals each summer. Shows are weather dependent, and tickets are $8 with open seating sold on the day of the show only. There is also an indoor children’s musical at the same location each October where tickets are sold ahead of time, starting in mid-September.
1 Pine Drive, Edison, NJ 08837
Raritan Bay Waterfront Park
Get outside at this nautically themed park, which has views of the New York skyline and a landmark pavilion overlook. The 114 acres include a playground, playing fields, wetlands, and a nature study area where kids can explore and learn about native plants and trees.
201 John T O’Leary Boulevard, South Amboy, NJ 08879
Rutgers Gardens
Visit this serene space when blooms pop during the spring and summer. During your visit, you can stroll through distinct gardens, including a Rain Garden, Bamboo Grove, Pollinator Garden, and the largest collection of American Hollies in the US, or take a hike on a trail in Heylar Woods. And kids will be delighted to spot a few Rutgers University students tending to the student farm.
130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Supercharged Entertainment
Get your engines ready at the largest indoor karting track in the world in Edison. The multi-level track has 25 elevation changes, bringing speed-rush thrills, and you can choose from one of two tracks with zero-emission karts. After racing, enjoy axe throwing, virtual reality, a gaming arcade, and more.
987 US-1, Edison, NJ 08817
The State Theater of New Jersey
Located in Central New Jersey, this New Brunswick nonprofit theater has 1,811 seats and used to showcase silent films. Now there are a variety of performances that you can see at the theatre all year long.
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park
See original artifacts, listen to 120+ year-old Edison phonographs, and enter the 1938 Edison Memorial Tower at the Thomas Edison Center in Middlesex County. Walk through the 36-acre state park, which also features a nature trail and informative kiosks.
37 Christie Street, Edison, NJ 08820
Von Thun Farms
This South Brunswick farm has all the picking you can want throughout the season (think strawberries, apples, peas and pumpkins) and a robust event calendar with events that appeal to kids and adults. Make sure to check out the Strawberry Festival, Sunflower Festival, Fall Festival Weekends with the Moonlight Corn Maze & Campfires that take you on a nighttime journey through the maze. There’s also Barnyard Buddies, a program designed for children aged two and up with an interest in farm life.
South Brunswick Location- 519 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
Woodbridge Aquarium & Wildlife Center
Where else can you interact with animals from oceans, forests, and deserts in one place than at this aquarium in Woodbridge, NJ? Make your way through the aquarium and see birds, reptiles, and marine life from around the planet. Book animal encounters, such as the shark feeding encounter and pufferfish encounter, and stay tuned for special events throughout the year.
101 Woodbridge Center Drive, Woodbridge, NJ 07095
Zimmerli Art Museum
This FREE museum located at Rutgers University spotlights American art, European paintings, and Russian art. Kids will love wandering through the colorful contemporary galleries, and there’s always something new thanks to rotating exhibitions. Plus, they offer family art activities and special programs that make it fun to connect with what you’re seeing together.
71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
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