Sussex County, New Jersey, may be best known for having the biggest and best of the great outdoors— you can ski or board at the only ski resort in NJ, cruise around the largest lake in NJ, or climb atop NJ’s highest elevation to see farmland, forest, and mountains into three states. Whether it’s relaxing at Crystal Springs Resort, ziplining or skiing at Mountain Creek, or putting on your cowboy boots for Wild West City, you’ll find the fun in any season. Keep reading for all the best things to do in Sussex County with kids. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

13+ Kid-Friendly Things To Do In Sussex County

Crystal Springs Sussex County nj mom — *Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County is a family-friendly paradise in Sussex County. Photo Credit: NJ MOM*

Crystal Springs Resort
Kids and their parents will have a ball taking part in the daily roster of resort activities, like goat yoga, axe throwing, spa services, hiking, golf, stargazing, skiing at nearby Mountain Creek, and swimming in three pools, including the tropical Biosphere (thanks to the German Foiltec roofing that lets in 100% light transmission, you can soak up rays even in the dead of winter). And with lots of food options (including a world-class wine cellar), mom and dad can indulge in a gourmet meal, even with littles in tow.
1 Wild Turkey Way, Hamburg, NJ 07419

High Point State Park
While there are many trails and spots to discover here, what makes High Point so unique is the panoramic view of three states (NY, NJ, and PA) you see after climbing to the top of the High Point Monument (the highest elevation in NJ). If you don’t want to climb, you can spend time fishing, camping, and taking in the sights all along the trails. The park’s mailing address doesn’t always work on GPS, so check the website for details.
1480 Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461

Kittatinny Valley State Park
Take a walk through Waterloo Village, a Lenape Indian Village dating back to the early 19th century. After visiting the Village, visit the Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden or go geocaching.
199 Goodale Road, Newton, NJ 07860

Lake Hopatcong
While it’s known for boating, NJ’s largest lake, Lake Hopatcong, has plenty of other options, like fishing, swimming, paddleboarding, playgrounds, and restaurants with decks overlooking pretty water views. Swimming is permitted at Hopatcong State Park during the summer while lifeguards are on duty. If you plan to spend the day, facilities include a bathhouse complex with restrooms, showers, changing areas, and a concession stand for food and sundries.
1 Lakeside Boulevard, Hopatcong, NJ 07843

Mountain Creek
This all-season mountain resort has lots of activities and experiences to keep you busy, snow, rain, or shine. Whether you’re into boarding, biking, skiing, ziplining, or splashing around in the waterpark, this resort spans 167 skiable acres (the biggest in NJ) and transforms with the seasons. Nationally recognized as one of the “Best Places to Learn” for skiing and as one of the “Best Bike Parks” in North America, it’s a place where everyone, of every age, can find their adventure groove.
200 Route 94, Vernon, New Jersey 07462

Newton Theatre
Founded in 1924, this historic Sussex County theatre is a restored 605-seat performing arts center. This is the place to see comedians, musical acts, holiday shows, and family programming. It also has the biggest movie screen in Sussex County.
234 Spring Street, Newton, NJ 07860

Skylands Museum of Art
This museum houses over 500+ imaginative sculptures, paintings, and illustrations based on characters from fairy tales, poetry, literature, and mythology. They also have special exhibits, events, and workshops.
15 Route 15, Lafayette, NJ 07848

Skylands Stadium Halloween Sussex County nj mom — *Skylands Stadium in Sussex County comes alive in the fall with the Jack O’Lantern Experience. Photo Credit: NJ MOM*

Skylands Stadium
See the Sussex County Miners hit a home run, join one of their baseball camps, or have your birthday party at the stadium. Come in the fall for the Skylands Stadium Jack O’Lantern Experience, a 45-minute walk-through display of intricately designed, mind-blowing Jack O’Lanterns with live music and fall fun. Or get in the holiday spirit with the Skylands Stadium Light Show & Christmas Village for a drive-thru experience and a village to visit holiday vendors.
94 Championship Place, Augusta, NJ 07822

Space Farms Zoo & Museum
With over 500 live animals, including monkeys, leopards, jaguars, coyotes, and buffalo, your family can spend the entire day enjoying wildlife while exploring the grounds and snapping priceless photo ops. Don’t miss the Space Farms Museum with over 50 antique cars and motorcycles, vintage dolls, artifacts, and much more.
218 County Road 519, Wantage, NJ 07461

Stirling Hill Mine Sussex County nj mom — *Stirling Hill Mining Museum has fluorescent minerals unlike anything else on the planet and is located in Sussex County. Photo Credit: NJ MOM*

Sterling Hill Mining Museum
Travel underground to see a former zinc mine at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg for a peek into New Jersey’s mineral mining history. The former mine, which closed almost 40 years ago, has a unique fluorescent Rainbow Tunnel, Museum of Fluorescence, and a collection of fluorescent minerals you won’t find anywhere else in the world. You can also tour the Zobel Hall Museum and the Warren Museum of Fluorescence, and see why Ogdensburg is the “Fluorescent Mineral Capital of the World.”
30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439

Sussex County Sunflower Maze
With over a million seeds planted each year, this sunflower maze is a popular spot. The sunflowers usually bloom in mid to late August, when you can take photos among the cheery blooms. Check back on the Sussex County Sunflower Maze Facebook page for reservation updates.
101 Route 645, Sandyston, NJ 07826

Tomahawk Lake and Water Park
When your kids want action, head to Tomahawk Lake. Thanks to plenty of rentable boating options, like bumper boats, paddle boats, rowboats, and more, the whole family can have an action-packed day on the water. Season passes are available, and be sure to visit the waterpark, featuring twisty, thrilling body and coaster slides that plunge into the lake.
155 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta, NJ 07871

Waterloo Village Historic Site
Located on the border of Sussex and Morris Counties, Waterloo Village is a restored 19th-century canal town with historic buildings, pretty walking paths, and lots of little details that show what life was like when the Morris Canal was bustling. The site is filled with native wildflowers and plants. The Rutan Cabin and farm site illustrates early pioneer family farms in Northern New Jersey, and Winakung is a native woodland forest with exhibits and hands-on activities about wilderness skills, woodland resources, forest food, and Lenape village life.
526 Waterloo Road, Stanhope, NJ 07874

Wild West City
Take a step back to the Wild West without leaving Stanhope, New Jersey. Experience Dodge City, Kansas, in the 1800s with demonstrations, dramatizations, and historical characters at Wild West City. While there, pop into the authentic Main Street buildings, see the Native American art and artifacts, and look out for the Wild West City Stagecoach. Take a ride on the train or a pony, learn to pan for gold, or learn how they created newspapers decades ago. But don’t make a wrong move, or you’ll end up in the circa 1890 jail cell.
50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874

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