It’s the start of the most wonderful time of the year, and if you plan on spending Thanksgiving in NJ (or have family coming in), we’ve got plenty of things to do over the long holiday weekend besides the obvious Black Friday shopping. Check out the sparkling light displays, sneak in a visit with Santa, catch a holiday performance, or bring the whole family to an indoor water park to splash around. Ready to make the most of Thanksgiving weekend? Scroll down to see what you can do to keep the fam busy (besides eating leftovers). (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)
Get Set For Fun During Thanksgiving In NJ
Get into the holiday spirit with a light display
Holiday events are here, and if you’re spending Thanksgiving in NJ, you can get a head start on all there is to do during this special time of year. Admire the lights and festive displays of one of the nearby holiday light shows, putting the whole family in a merry mood. And lights are on display when you board one of the Christmas train rides, where you can dress up in those holiday PJs for a festive-filled and merry ride on the Polar Express or with Santa and friends.
Go over the river and through the woods (Delaware or Hudson)
One of the best things about living in NJ is our access to two world-class cities—New York and Philadelphia—where you can cross the border for a day trip or overnight. Use these days off to explore NYC classics like the Empire State Building and Central Park Zoo, or discover unique attractions like Little Island or the Museum of Ice Cream in NYC. Or check out the historical sights and museums in the City of Brotherly Love, like Independence Hall and The Franklin Institute, or unusual Philly spots like Once Upon a Nation Storytelling. And if you don’t want to head to a busy city, New Jersey is full of vibrant downtowns to explore, from historical Morristown to nostalgic Cape May.
Have some fun indoors
As temps start to cool off, why not try indoor mini-golf, challenge your family to a bowling competition, test your speed at an indoor go-kart track, or bounce it out at a trampoline park in NJ? Most of these places offer more than just one activity—many feature arcades, laser tag, games, and gourmet cuisine to make it a full-day event. Or, if you want to introduce your kids to the video games you played as a kid (hello, Donkey Kong), head to a retro arcade in the Garden State.
Get active outdoors
Get your thrills out at area attractions
Didn’t get to an amusement park this summer? You can catch one now, decorated in all the holiday finery. Head to Six Flags Great Adventure for Holiday in the Park, stop by Storybook Land to see Santa light up the attractions, or stay inside at Nickelodeon Universe in the American Dream Mall. Or plan a trip to a famous NJ attraction, like Paterson Great Falls, before it gets too cold. There are also places in NJ where you don’t have to buy a ticket or pay an entry fee —from the Cape May County Park & Zoo to tours of the governor’s mansion at Drumthwacket—and these free attractions are worth checking out during the days off.
Tree lightings, shows, and, of course—Santa
As soon as you finish that turkey, it’s time to kick off the holiday season. Start by going to one of the Christmas tree, menorah, and holiday lightings happening all over the state. Afterward, head to a Winter Market like those you’ll find abroad or cut down your tree from a Christmas tree farm. Or catch one of the holiday performances, such as The Nutcracker or a show with Santa, to get into the spirit. Speaking of the guy in the red suit, he’s making the rounds in all the usual spots (and a few new ones) this year, and there’s no better time to get those lists out and a head start on shopping, with a Santa visit this weekend before the big crowds.
Go on a playground field trip
Playground time isn’t seasonal, so if the weather looks nice, take a field trip to playgrounds by the shore, lake, or beach with awesome themes like castles, jungles, and ships. Heading to the shore? We’ve rounded up the best beach playgrounds to swing and slide over the sand, and if you can’t get to the beach, the Regatta Playground in the South Mountain Recreation Complex overlooking a pond is worth a visit, too.
Get lost in space
Sit back, relax, and get lost in space while looking up at the stars and watching a special film presentation in the domes of New Jersey’s educational and entertaining planetariums. Kids (and parents!) of all ages will be mesmerized by the enchantment of the dome’s crystal clear projection – all while learning something new.
Check out a limited museum exhibit
Now is a great excuse to visit the museum in New Jersey you’ve been wanting to check out. Witness art coming to life indoors and outdoors in the fall weather at the unique Grounds For Sculpture. Or explore Liberty Science Center, Monmouth Museum, New Jersey State Museum, or the Battleship New Jersey.
Go on a weekend road trip
A long weekend road trip can be just what you need to recharge your family’s batteries after a busy fall. Luckily, there are plenty of family-friendly resorts in and around NJ for all ages and budgets that you can drive to in under 2 hours. Whether you want to experience the shore at the Ocean Place Resort & Spa in Long Branch or stay overnight nestled in the mountains at the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, NY, a little getaway is always a good idea.
Get wet indoors
Think waterparks are only a summertime thing? Nope—you can plunge down a waterslide, drift in the lazy river, or get knocked down in the wave pool. Dive into one of the indoor waterparks in NJ and across the state lines, including American Dream DreamWorks Waterpark in East Rutherford, Big Kahuna’s in West Berlin, and Great Wolf Lodge in PA and MD. Kids will have a ball getting soaked indoors, and you’ll all feel like you went on a resort vacay miles away.
See the sea come to life
The temps may be dropping, but there is plenty of sea life to see inside. From observing brilliant and bright fish at Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach to seeing the sharks up close at the NJ SEA LIFE Aquarium in East Rutherford or hanging with the hippos at the Camden Adventure Aquarium, there are a bunch of aquariums in NJ that are perfect for your little sea explorer.
Hang with animal friends
As fall winds down, getting in those last zoo visits before the first frost can be a great way to spend the days off. Kids can go wild seeing exotic species, learn about NJ wildlife, and get friendly at one of the farm petting zoos in the state. Check out what flamingos, lions, bears, and the like are doing at Turtle Back Zoo or Cape May County Zoo. And if fuzzy, soft creatures are more your speed, your littles will love getting to know the gentle alpacas at one of the alpaca farms in NJ.
Climb to new heights indoors
Climbing as a family at an indoor rock climbing space is a great way to bond while getting a workout. Children and parents can work together to overcome difficult obstacles or conquer unique challenges, such as blindfolded or three-legged climbing. And many also have zip lines or places to do bouldering, making you feel like you’ve escaped to a mountain range activity park.
Explore a state park
Reach the highest point in NJ at High Point State Park in Sussex, or take it easy on 10 miles of sandy beaches at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park. You can find a state park in NJ without going far—catch the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park spanning several New Jersey counties, or take in the fantastic views at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.
Stay entertained on those chilly days
If it’s a cold day and you want to keep the fam indoors, make it a day of indoor entertainment. Step back in time at Medieval Times or power up with games at Dave and Buster’s. Littles can run loose at a play space, and older kids will get that energy out by zapping the competition at one of the laser tag arenas all over the Garden State.
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