Need to get away? Planning day trips in NJ can be just the vacation you’re looking for if you’re itching to go somewhere but don’t have the time or wallet for a longer trip. Thanks to our prime location in the Garden State, you can have sand between your toes, hike along scenic wooded trails, jump in a lake, or walk in the footsteps of history, all while feeling like you’ve been far, far away. Read below for the perfect spots that satisfy any family vacation craving and bonus options if you want to spend the night. Want a longer time away without a plane trip? Check out our guide to family resorts in NJ. (Featured Photo Credit: Highlands Natural Pool)
4 Day Trips In NJ That Feel Like A Vacation
Spend sun up to sundown strolling along the boardwalk and beach at Avon-by-the-Sea for beach-inspired day trips in NJ. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Head to a quiet beach
Skip the rowdy crowds and buzzing boardwalk and head to a quieter spot by the shore for a beachy day trip in NJ. Avon-by-the-Sea offers plenty of waterfront play with amenities, like a playground, pavilion with restrooms, free parking, and a no-frills boardwalk to make a day trip feel like a solid vacation. Start your morning with a peaceful walk on the boardwalk and take in the gorgeous views. Buy a badge, stake out your spot on the beach, and finally relax on the pristine shore renowned for its cleanliness and family atmosphere. Spend the day and then break for a late lunch at the Avon Promenade on the boards steps away from the sand. Feast on freshly rolled sushi, delicious salads, and fish just off the boats as you look out at the fantastic views, or opt for something more casual at their take-out window next door.
Overnight Option: If you want to clock in extra beach time, spend a night at the Cashelmara Inn across the street from the ocean. The Victorian-era spot is a restored historic home featuring large rooms with marble baths and includes access to their renovated theatre room, where you can book a private viewing complete with popcorn, candy, and soda. After you check in, sit back for sunset on their wrap-around porch, and you’ll instantly be in a vacay state of mind, even if you’ve only escaped 24 hours.
Jump in a lake
New Jersey’s bigger lakes can get overrun with boats, so for a pure swimming spot, try Highlands Natural Pool in Ringwood, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This spring-fed swimming hole is a hidden gem where kids can take the “go jump in a lake” command seriously. Bring a cooler for lunch, and plan for a fun day—there is swimming with lifeguards and roped-off areas like a pool, a sandy volleyball area, a sandbox for littles, and hiking trails that offer scenic views of New York City on site.
Overnight Option: Just 25 minutes from Ringwood past the NY state border, The Waterstone Inn is on the shoreline of Greenwood Lake. Paddle out on a canoe or kayak from the waterfront or venture out on a motorboat rental at the nearby marina.
Soak up patriotic history at the soldiers’ huts in Jockey Hollow Park, one of the historical day trips in NJ. Photo Credit: @KateyStanley
Relive the past
If your family is obsessed with history or wants to appreciate our country’s roots, visiting Morristown is a must. Spend the day retracing Washington’s steps from his headquarters to Jockey Hollow, where revolutionary soldiers fought and lived during the brutal winter of 1780. While The Ford Mansion, known as Washington’s Headquarters, is currently closed for renovations, you can still drive by to soak up the history on your way to Historic Speedwell, where Samuel Morse invented the telegraph. The newly renovated 19th-century buildings include interactive displays about communication, making it an ideal place to learn about Morristown’s role in the Industrial Revolution. Next, make a burger pit stop at The Committed Pig, which boasts views of the historic Green. Afterward, head to nearby Jockey Hollow Park, where kids can learn more about the war fought on the grounds and get up close to the authentic soldier huts.
Overnight Option: Right down the road from Washington’s Headquarters is the Westin Governor Morris, a modern respite from the revolutionary past with a heated outdoor pool for the kids and a chic wine bar for mom and dad.
Relax in the great outdoors
Pack a picnic and drive to Cheesequake State Park, known for its unique landscape and one of the most beautiful day trips in NJ. It has saltwater and fresh marshes with hardwood trees, positioning it among two different ecosystems of the sea and forest. The interpretive nature center is an excellent place to start, where you can view the nature, wildlife, and history exhibits, learn about the three habitats located within the park and read up on Native Americans and early colonizers of the area. You can also pick up a trail map and decide which of the five trails you can all enjoy—they range from easy to moderate with inclines, and some allow bikes.
Overnight Option: Roast s’mores and sleep under the stars at the on-site campgrounds (a reservation is required). With bathroom facilities and fishing spots nearby that include a kid-popular crabbing bridge, spending the night here can be just the place for your family to unplug.
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