If there’s one place that spotlights all things Jersey pride, it’s the newly-opened New Jersey Hall of Fame at the American Dream. This 10,000-square-foot Entertainment and Learning Center in East Rutherford is now the permanent home for New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees, and it’s full of state-of-the-art, interactive exhibits that recognize notable New Jerseyans and their accomplishments, from Thomas Edison to Buzz Aldrin to Springsteen and Sinatra. There’s something for everyone from young to old to check out, including a simulated space journey, meeting an NJ hero up close (thanks to real-size holograms), and virtual reality hometown tours with Hall of Fame inductees. Read on for more about this inspiring museum and how it celebrates New Jersey and its people. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM )
The New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream
New Jersey’s Governor, Phil Murphy, spoke at the ribbon cutting at the New Jersey Hall of Fame at American Dream. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Celebrate hometown heroes
The centerpiece of the Entertainment and Learning Center is the Everyday Heroes on the Wall Of Fame, which gives an in-depth look at the 200 inductees with inspiring accomplishments. The interactive board of illuminated honorary plaques celebrates each inductee and the key moments of their journeys. Nearby, on a gesture-activated state map, get to know the inductees and their journey through immersive video and audio, delving into the stories and remarkable achievements of New Jersey legends in the fields of science, the arts, sports, politics, history, and entertainment. You’ll find a diverse group within the board, featuring inspiring stories of Alexander Hamilton, Harriet Tubman, Martha Stewart, Whitney Houston, Albert Einstein, and Yogi Berra, to name a few.
Fly Me To The Moon is a fun exhibit in the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Fly Me to the Moon
Kids and adults will be in awe of Fly Me To The Moon, a one-of-a-kind, simulated ride that transports you into space, all while highlighting the achievements of notable New Jerseyans and their contributions to STEM. Start in a rumbling Model-T car at the West Orange laboratory and home of Thomas Edison, and then whoosh into an air gust on an epic ride into space, where you’ll have a chance to hear from NJ astronauts Buzz Aldrin and twin brothers Mark and Scott Kelly and feel what it’s like to be on the moon. Check out the real Model-T, a gift Henry Ford gave Thomas Edison, in the glassed-in display nearby.
Celebrities like Jon Bon Jovi are honored at the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Get to know the honorees
Want to learn more about the honorees before they were famous? Hop into the authentic 1970 Chevelle (a replica of Bon Jon Jovi’s convertible) and cruise into the hometowns and local hangouts of the Hall of Famers. On this journey, you’ll start the engine by wearing a VR headset and get to know honorees like Gloria Gaynor and George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones author), who will give you a guided tour of their hometowns (Newark and Bayonne, respectively), swinging past their old school, the street they grew up on, their go-to restaurant, and the spot where they first showcased their talents. Throughout the tour, you’ll learn how their New Jersey roots inspired them and allowed them to thrive.
The “Pepper’s ghost” hologram technique makes you feel like the inductee is with you at the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
Meet your heroes
Perhaps one of the highlights of the museum is the chance to sing in a duet with some of the greatest talent from the Garden State. Grab the mike on the karaoke stage, where you can pick a song and then sing alongside holograms of legends like Gloria Gaynor, Wyclef Jean, and Frankie Valli. Using the “Pepper’s ghost” technique, the holograms are so realistic that you’ll feel like you’re performing on stage with an icon in a pinch-me moment. If you want to continue your time in the spotlight, move into Late Night Jersey TV, an interactive exhibit that lets you be in on the action. Sit face to face with one of the New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees on hologram, and then choose one of the questions from a list to get a personalized look at their success story. Finally, take a seat in the Jersey Proud Theater to see musical performances, acceptance speeches, and notable moments that showcase the inductees’ struggles and triumphs in their journey to notability.
Getting on the Karaoke Stage is a must at the New Jersey Hall of Fame in American Dream. Photo Credit: NJ MOM
What to know before you go
The New Jersey Hall of Fame is located in American Dream on the third floor next to the Oreo store. The closest parking lot is A, and then take the elevator to the third floor, walking past the Mozzarella Bar to get there. The bathrooms are located in the entertainment center, and the whole attraction is on one floor, so it is handicap and stroller-friendly. Before visitors exit the exhibit, there is a gift shop to walk through that includes items like a collection of biographies and books written by some of the inductees. Plus, you can pose with your favorite inductee in a green screen selfie interactive and take home a souvenir photo. Tickets for New Jersey residents are discounted, with adults (16+) at $20 and children (ages 4-15) at $16. Non-residents are $25 for adults and $21 for kids. For $41, you can purchase the NJ Fan Club Annual Pass, which allows you general admission all year long and includes special events and activities; you will also receive a 10% discount at the Boardwalk Shop gift store when you show your pass at the checkout. Free admission is granted to active-duty military, National Guard, and Reserve Personnel and up to five (5) family members through Labor Day (September 2, 2024).
Stay updated on the New Jersey Hall of Fame Entertainment and Learning Center at American Dream by following their website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.
American Dream – New Jersey Hall of Fame
1 American Dream Way
East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Become an NJMOM Insider! For all the best things to do with your family around New Jersey, be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter delivered right to your inbox each week, and don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured on our social media.
