If you are spending spring break in New Jersey, we have good news—there are plenty of things to do without traveling far, making your staycation feel like a real getaway. From checking out the newest Titanic exhibit at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City to basking in the balmy temps at Island Waterpark in Atlantic City to hitting those history-making spots in Revolutionary-era Morristown or booking a mid-week shore getaway in Cape May, we’ve got you covered. And for things to do all spring to fill your bucket list, click on our list of spring activities too. (featured photo credit: Diggerland USA)

Here Are 20+ Things To Do During Spring Break In New Jersey

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Make unforgettable memories this spring break at Ocean Casino Resort. Enjoy must have vacation activities such as fine dining and entertainment, along with special experiences like the Exhale Spa + Bathhouse and the Eclipse Indoor/Outdoor Pool. Your perfect spring getaway is waiting for you.
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Make it a zoo day

If you’ve been meaning to get to the zoo but still haven’t, spring break is an ideal time to put it on the calendar. Visit the Africa pavilion with lions and giraffes at the Turtle Back Zoo, see bears, flamingos, and monkeys for free at the Cape May County Zoo, or visit with rescued and rehabilitated animals at Popcorn Park Refuge Zoo. And if you’ve already done those, there are other zoos in NJ and nearby to check out. Got kids who love farm animals? Be sure to put a petting zoo on your list of things to do during spring break, too.

Ride into fun

It’s almost amusement park season, with Diggerland USA, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Storybook Land offering opening days and special hours during spring break. It’s a great chance to get in on the action before the summer, when you can take advantage of the new rides and fewer crowds. Or, if the weather looks iffy, Nickelodeon Universe in American Dream has the biggest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere, with everything from roller coasters to kiddie rides. Check out our guide for more ideas on where to go and the scoop on season passes.

Hop into a good time

Easter is coming later this year, so if your spring break is late, take advantage of those bunny experiences during the week. Hop aboard a bunny train ride where kids can scoop up eggs and candy, go on an egg scavenger hunt, book a brunch with the bunny hopping by, or dress up your kids in their Easter best and visit Peter Rabbit in his garden lair for photo ops. There’s plenty of bunny fun in the Garden State to keep you busy.

Dive into an underwater adventure

Make a splash and dive into an aquarium where the whole family can learn about sea life and conservation. Head to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden to see rare blue penguins and playful hippos. Or stop by the boardwalk to catch a sloth show at Jenkinson’s Aquarium. Curious about more? Our NJMOM guide to aquariums has everything you need to know about ocean life this spring.

Get active at a playground

If the weather outside cooperates, spending time at a playground is a must, so why not make it one with water views? Pack a picnic and head down to the water to swing and slide over the sand at one of the beach playgrounds by the shore. And if you can’t get to the shore, the Regatta Playground in the South Mountain Recreation Complex overlooking a pond will give you waterfront vibes while your kids climb on a giant ship.

See history come to life

New Jersey has some of the oldest historical sites in the country. With a rich history of how our nation was shaped, you can see everything from Washington’s Headquarters during the Revolutionary War in Morristown to Thomas Edison’s laboratory, where he invented the light bulb, in West Orange. If you want to keep the learning going over spring break, put these historical sites on your list.

Have an intergalactic experience

Rainy days call for a chance to get lost in space while looking up at the stars in the domes of New Jersey’s educational and entertaining planetariums. Kids (and parents) of all ages will be amazed at the enchantment of the dome’s crystal clear projection—all while learning something new.

Get cozy with the alpacas

Alpacas are the most gentle creatures around, and visiting one at one of the alpaca farms in New Jersey  during spring break is a fun way to get to know these animals a little better. Your littles will love cozying up to the plushy little guys and learning how their fur is used to make lots of products yearly (all 100% safe and animal-friendly).

Head to the big city

Whether you drive north or south, we are lucky enough to be close to two major cities with a bunch of activities for the whole family. If you want to spend time in the City of Brotherly Love, don’t miss our extensive list of what to do in Philly with kids. Or, if you’ve been there and done that, check out other unique experiences in Philadelphia, like the Magic Gardens. Looking for the newest things to do in the Big Apple? Don’t miss experiences like Edge NYC or the Museum of Ice Cream. Or check out all of the fantastic attractions NYC offers, including the classics like the Empire State Building, Central Park, and the American Museum of Natural History. You can’t go wrong at either, no matter which direction you choose.

Splash around indoors

When you want to feel like you’re in the islands, head to one of the indoor waterparks for a tropical escape (and with temps always in the 80s, it’s a swim day no matter what it’s like outside). Make a splash down the slides at Dreamworks Water Park at American Dream, take the lazy river in Island Waterpark, get drenched under the splash fountains at Aquatopia in nearby PA, or splash around at The Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, Big Kahuna’s, or Great Wolf Lodge. Whether you stay in NJ or travel close by to New York or Pennsylvania, there are plenty of waterparks to give you those vacation vibes all spring.

Climb like a rockstar

Climbing high in an indoor rock climbing space is an excellent opportunity to learn life skills and work together as a team. The whole family can climb at different levels and on various terrains. Many locations also have zip lines or places to do bouldering, so even if you aren’t away, you will feel like you are ziplining through the hills of Peru.

Keep the learning going

If you want little minds to stay busy, plan a visit to an NJ museum for spring break 2025. Rediscover Liberty Science Center, where special exhibits like Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition will pique your kids’ interest as they can even touch an indoor “iceberg.” Give your kids a chance to create at the Newark Museum of Art, or trick their brains with optical illusions at The TiLT Museum. Kids will appreciate the interactive exhibits, and you can also sneak in some hands-on learning. Check out how to get into museums for free with credit card perks and even your library card. The brand-new Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, where you can learn about dinosaurs and even dig in their fossil-filled quarry, is another must-see spot that will open on March 29, 2025.

Book a close getaway

Finding an escape that appeals to everyone in the fam is not always easy. But how does an indoor pool where the sun shines through at Crystal Springs Resort sound? Or head to Cape May, where the crowds are less, and the resorts, like Congress Hall, host Spring Break activities for kids that take advantage of the natural surroundings. Whether you are bringing the littles to local kid-friendly resorts or looking for an adult-friendly retreat, check out our list of luxury resorts and hotels in the area.

Find indoor fun everywhere

Listen to nature at a waterfall

New Jersey is known for many things, but did you know it is also known for its waterfalls? Some are easily seen from a roadside lookout, while others require a hike (check out what’s doable for your family before you go). When the temps break 60, pack a picnic and try an outdoor excursion at Paterson Great Falls, one of the most iconic in the state and rivals Niagara Falls.

Explore NJ downtowns with your kids

Spring break can be a time to try something new, and New Jersey is full of charming towns and historical sites to explore. Head to Princeton to stroll the grounds of the University, get Hudson River views in Hoboken without the crowds of the Big Apple, or see where “Haddy,” the Hadrosaurus dinosaur, roamed in Haddonfield. Want more exciting and unique towns to visit? Find one in our guide to downtowns for families.

Plan a park day

During spring break, heading to a state park is a must—pack a picnic and go out and explore what NJ has to offer. From the promenade at Liberty State Park to spending time in the sand at a historic lighthouse at Cape May Point, there’s an NJ state park that will wow your family. Or stick to a local one, where you can find unique vistas and wide-open places to enjoy a hike, fishing, or a picnic.

See blooms in the gardens

Taking time to smell the flowers in a public garden space is a good way to relax and let your kids discover the beauty of natural spaces. After all, with the nickname Garden State, there is a bounty of gardens to explore when buds bloom. Head to Montclair’s Van Vleck House or towards the shore to Deep Cut Gardens and one of the garden and nature centers near you.

Climb to the top of a lighthouse

There’s no better place to see shore views on a clear day than at the top of an NJ lighthouse. With Sandy Hook to the north, Absecon Lighthouse (NJ’s tallest and is open every day during spring break) to the south, and Finn’s Point out west, there are many options to see a lighthouse or lightship in the state. Not sure where to start? Our guide to NJ lighthouses will show you the way.

See cherry blossoms without going to Washington, DC.

Cherry blossoms are peaking during spring break this year, so skip the trip to DC and stay local. In fact, Branch Brook Park in Newark has more cherry blossom trees than our nation’s capital. Peak blooms are expected during the first week of April, and their Cherry Blossom Festival starts on April 5, with activities happening through April 13. Can’t make it there? Find plenty of spots in NJ to see these beauties at their best. But go quick—the peak lasts about a week and usually happens at the beginning of April.

Find ways to jump around inside

If your kids are climbing the walls, go to where they can do it happily at one of the playspaces just for them. Wherever your littles let their sillies out, you can guarantee a naptime (even on the car ride home). And for older kids trying to couch surf at home, going to a trampoline park will keep them active and busy. 

Bike and hike the Garden State

Biking and hiking are two spring break activities you can do whenever the mood strikes. Ride through towns and trails or discover a new bike path with our NJMOM guide to NJ’s most scenic bike paths. Need some wheels? Find a smooth ride at the best bike shops around. Or, for family-friendly hikes that appeal to all ages, explore our list of NJ hiking trails you’ll want to know about.

Discover a new (to you) attraction

From Lucy The Elephant to Battleship New Jersey, spring break is a great time to cross off one of these NJ attractions on your bucket list. And it doesn’t have to cost anything, with plenty of free NJ attractions like Big Brook Park Preserve to search for fossils or a strange attraction like the Martian Landing site in West Windsor, you can find so many new things to do to keep your spring break calendar full now, and even when the kids are back in school.

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