One of the best things about living in the Garden State is showing your kids a real piece of our country’s history at one (or all) of the historical sites in New Jersey. Of course, we’re lucky to have sites dating back to the Revolutionary War when Washington fought important battles that led to our freedom, but there are lots of other historical spots your family won’t want to miss. See where Thomas Edison invented electricity and motion pictures, the terminal where immigrants first landed on US soil, and some of the oldest iconic landmarks in the country. Ready to step back in time? Scroll down for the historical places in NJ you and your budding history buffs should have on your bucket list. (featured photo credit: @kateystanley)
These Are The 16 Best Historical Sites In NJ
Absecon Lighthouse
Head to the shore to check out one of the oldest lighthouses in the US, built over 160 years ago in 1857, and the tallest one in NJ. If you and your fam decide to trek up the 228 steps, you can see the original Fresnel lens (a classic lighthouse lens), first lit in 1857. You can also have fantastic views of the Atlantic City skyline—make sure to have your phone ready for some great candid shots. There are specific winter and summer hours, so check the website to make sure the lighthouse is open.
31 S. Rhode Island Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) Train Terminal
Most of us can probably trace our US beginnings to the CRRNJ train terminal, where immigrants landed after a stop on Ellis Island. During the time of operation, about two-thirds of immigrants made their way to the terminal and then continued their journey further into the US or settled in NJ or NY. You can make a stop here, too, read about this historical place in NJ with the interpretive displays, and then continue to Liberty State Park, where you can explore the grounds and more on the shores of the Hudson.
1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Haddonfield’s Dinosaur Discovery Park
In 1858, a group of diggers excavated an almost complete dinosaur skeleton on a Haddonfield farm. Up until then, researchers had found only small, seemingly unconnected pieces in Europe and North America, proving dinosaurs were indeed on this continent. While you won’t see the skeleton, you can stand where the dinosaur was discovered and once roamed in this mini-park at the end of a suburban street. You’ll know you’re there when you see a few low-key historical plaques and a bench.
End of Maple Avenue, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
Historic Smithville
This charming town gives you a glimpse into what a village looked like back in the 19th century, with cobblestone streets, footbridges, and pretty lake views. Historic Smithville originated as a seven-acre stagecoach stop with a single building, The Smithville Inn, and has evolved into a bustling historic village, with the restored buildings filled with shops and restaurants. Kids will love riding the train and carousel, visiting the Toy Market, and then stopping by Scoop’s Place for some refreshing ice cream—and don’t forget to swing by Sweet Things to grab some candy before you go.
615 E. Moss Mill Road, Smithville, NJ 08205
Historic Speedwell
The Industrial Revolution began here in 1838, when Samuel Morse and Alfred Vail demonstrated their electromagnetic telegraph to the public, ushering in a new way to communicate messages across great distances through electric currents known as the Morse Code. Your family will enjoy exploring the lovely park that features a small waterfall, a lake, and a walking trail. The 18th-century buildings and interactive museum are open to the public from April through October, except for select special events, programs, and workshops.
333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960
Lambert Tower
This 70-foot-tall tower, built in 1896 by Catholina Lambert, an English immigrant and silk mill entrepreneur, has panoramic views from the top with a nod to British royalty. While Lambert Castle was built just a few years earlier, in 1892-1893, both the castle and tower were built in the style of the castles in Great Britain, where Catholina was raised. Climb to the top for the most amazing views of the Garret Mountain Reservation at this historical place in NJ. The Tower is open to the public from May to October, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Lambert Castle Valley Road, Paterson, NJ 07505
Lucy the Elephant
It may be kitschy, but that’s part of the fun—one of the oldest roadside attractions in the US and a National Historic Landmark, Lucy the Elephant, stands at six stories high and was built 140 years ago in 1881 to attract real estate buyers to the area. Lucy has recently undergone a complete restoration, both inside and out, so it’s worth a visit again if you’ve been. You can take a guided inside tour before stopping by the gift shop to bring home a souvenir.
9200 Atlantic Avenue, Margate, NJ 08402
Sterling Hill Mining Museum
This museum was once one of the world’s leading sources of zinc ore and is considered one of New Jersey’s most unusual attractions. The open-pit-turned-underground-mine, which had 35 miles of tunnels, stopped operations in 1986 and now has tours of the mine. There’s also a museum with the world’s most extensive collection of colorful fluorescent minerals, which will fascinate both big kids and littles. Kids will want to pan for minerals in the Sluice mining station afterward. From June 30, 2025, to Labor Day, there will be daily tours and weekend-only tours the rest of the year.
30 Plant Street, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
The Historic Village at Allaire
This unique historical spot in New Jersey was once a bustling industrial town where approximately 400 people lived and worked together. These days, the original buildings operate as if they were still in the 19th century. You and your crew can swing by the carpenter and blacksmith shops to watch the volunteers at work and then stop by the general store to buy items that they made on-site, like necklaces (blacksmiths), dolls (textile artists), whistles (tinsmiths), and purses (leather smiths). And don’t forget to pop into the bakery for some fresh treats. The town is part of Allaire State Park, which offers many other attractions, including a forest filled with stick-made dinosaurs and a train.
4263 Atlantic Avenue, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
The father of electricity, Thomas Edison, created many of his groundbreaking inventions in West Orange, including the motion picture camera, higher-quality phonograph, sound recordings, silent movies, movies with sound, and an electric storage battery. Stop by the visitor center to see a short film about Edison’s life and work, and take a peek into the laboratory to see where Edison worked.
211 Main Street, West Orange, NJ 07052
Weehawken Dueling Grounds
If you know, you know—this historical site in NJ is where the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr happened, a crucial part of history and a pivotal scene in the Broadway hit Hamilton. The duel took place on a ledge on the cliffs, below where a bust of Hamilton sits to commemorate the spot. (The actual dueling ground no longer exists because of a railroad line built in 1870.) After you and your family explore the history, relax in the adjacent Hamilton Park and enjoy a picturesque view of the Manhattan skyline—make sure to get some photos of your kiddos for the gram.
Hamilton Avenue, Weehawken, NJ 07086
Revolutionary War Sites
Jockey Hollow
Your whole family will be eager to explore the grounds of Jockey Hollow, the area where the Continental Army camped out during the winter of 1779 to 1780 (the coldest winter on record) and chopped down over 600 acres of trees to build shelter and make fires. Kids will love running up the hill to step inside the recreated log cabins where the soldiers and officers lived that winter. Afterward, they can learn the story of Tempe Wick and how she kept a horse in her bedroom at the restored Wick House, located in the lower part of the park.
586 Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
The battle that took place here was a critical turning point in the Revolution. The American army had experienced many losses in 1777, but in June 1778—after one of the longest battles of the war—they managed to keep the British back and hold the field. Take a history hike to see where Washington’s Army fought the battle and observe the wildlife and meadows along the way. The interior of the Visitor Center and park restrooms are open on a limited basis.
16 State Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726
Princeton Battlefield State Park
After ten days of fighting—and three battles—George Washington led American troops to surprise and defeat a British army in one of the most intense battles of the Revolutionary War. The park is one of the historical sites in NJ with numerous monuments, including the Princeton Battlefield, the Clarke House Museum, the Mercer Oak, the Ionic Colonnade, and The Medallion—a stone patio marking the approximate gravesite of 21 British and 15 American soldiers killed in the battle. The interior of the Clarke House is open on a limited basis.
500 Mercer Road, Princeton, NJ 08540
The Ford Mansion, aka Washington’s Headquarters
One of the centerpieces of Revolutionary War historical places in NJ, this Georgian-style mansion was initially owned by Jacob Ford Jr., a prominent Morristown businessman, and served as George Washington’s military headquarters from December 1779 to June 1780. You can visit the mansion and several galleries with military memorabilia from the war, 18th-century artifacts, and notable artworks. Kids will enjoy touring the estate, which is fully furnished in eighteenth-century style with original pieces to replicate what it looked like while Washington stayed there. Entrance to the Mansion is only allowed as part of a guided tour.
30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
Washington Crossing State Park
George Washington famously crossed the Delaware River to this side from Pennsylvania on Christmas night, 1776. For almost 10 hours, boats traveled back and forth to bring people, horses, and supplies into NJ. They then marched into Trenton and secured a significant victory, capturing 900 enemy soldiers, on December 26. Have your kids pose to recreate the iconic painting of his crossing on display at the Met—and snap a photo of them for the gram. The Visitor Center is currently undergoing renovation and is closed until further notice.
355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ 08560
