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New Jersey Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended New Jersey Family-friendly activities

American Dream: Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park Ticket

1. American Dream: Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park Ticket

Enjoy a day at the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere at the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, located inside American Dream, New Jersey's newest indoor entertainment and shopping center, just 4 miles outside of New York City. Every day is a great day to visit, with unlimited access to all the rides, live Nickelodeon character appearances, all in a comfortable climate-controlled environment. Enjoy family-friendly rides for the young and the young at heart. Create unforgettable memories for the entire family on: • Bikini Bottom Crosstown Express: spinning and reeling through the streets of Bikini Bottom • Nickelodeon Slime Streak: a twisting, turning coaster through the Nickelodeon Universe • Spongebob's Jellyfish Jam: a thrilling family swing ride • Legends of the Hidden Temple Challenge: The world's tallest adventure ropes course • Rugrats Reptar Go-Round: a double-decker, all-ages merry-go-round For the more adventurous, test your limits on the thrill rides. The tallest, the steepest, and the longest rides in the world loop and swoop you across the park with views of Manhattan at every turn: • The Shellraiser: featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this coaster holds the record for the world's steepest drop • Nickelodeon Skyline Scream: the world's tallest indoor spinning drop tower • The Shredder: the world's tallest and longest free-spinning coaster • Sandy's Blasting Bronco: an out-of-control coaster that blasts you forward, backward, and upside-down • Kraang Prime Pandemonium: swing back and forth in her giant slimy tentacles • Timmy's Half Pipe Havoc: a giant skateboard ride providing the ultimate in air time • Aang's Air Gliders: soar and spin like an Airbender • Jimmy Neutrons Atom Smasher: you control the level of thrill from a gentle cruise to a topsy-turvy tumble There are also rides just for tots, made especially for kids, promising magical journeys with their favorite characters for an experience they will never forget including Fairly Odd Airways, Pup Pup & Away, Blue's Skidoo, Blaze's Monster Track Rally, Dora's Sky Railway, Paw Patrol Adventure Bay, Ren & Stimpy's Space Madness, and Shimmer & Shine Jumping Genies.

American Dream: Dreamworks Indoor Water Park Entrance Ticket

2. American Dream: Dreamworks Indoor Water Park Entrance Ticket

Enjoy a day at the largest indoor water park in North America featuring many of your favorite Dreamworks characters. The water park is located inside American Dream, New Jersey's newest 3-million square foot indoor entertainment and shopping center, just 4 miles outside New York City. Every day is a great day to visit, with unlimited access to record-breaking slides, unique experiences, the world’s biggest indoor wave pool, and sun-loungers, all in a comfortable climate-controlled environment under a massive skylight. There are Kiddie Rides for the little ones: • Kungfu Panda Temple of Awesomeness: a multi-level play structure with dump cups, geysers, and the largest indoor tipping bucket in the world • The Penguins Frozen Fun Zone: 6 miniature versions of the bigger slides, perfect for toddlers • Far Far A Bay: a heated wave pool with a continuous stream of family-friendly swells • Bubbly Lazy River: lounge away in the world’s longest indoor lazy river Moderate rides for family fun: • Toothless’ Trickling Torpedo: the world’s longest hydromagnetic rocket coaster • Dragon Racers: a race through dark tunnels and sudden drops • Dragon & Dronkey's Flight: a tube ride in a giant spiral bowl • Tube It: a tempo-changing tube slide • Zany & Zanier Zigzag: tandem tangled body slides with multiple drops • Soakin’ Surfari: a 40-foot surf simulator • Lemur Leap: spiral into a giant bowl in this 2-person tube ride And for thrill-seekers, there are total pro rides: • Thrillagascar & Jungle Jammer: the world’s tallest trapdoor capsule slides • Shrek’s Sinkhole Slammer: a high-speed raft ride into a massive funnel • Skudin Surf: private surf sessions in the wave pool available for purchase • Penguin Plummet & Majunga Jump: two high-speed body slides into deep waters • Mad Flush: a high-speed body spiral slide that drops you into deep water • Surfari Slider: the world’s tallest indoor speed slide • Swamp n’ Splash: a multi-person funnel with sudden twists and turns • Speeding Frenzy: an exciting tube ride in an enclosed flume • The Carnivortex: a G-force trapdoor capsule slide with a horizontal loop

Atlantic City: Dolphin Watching Ocean Cruise Adventure

3. Atlantic City: Dolphin Watching Ocean Cruise Adventure

Join this Atlantic City dolphin watching ocean cruise with informative commentary by an onboard marine naturalist guide. Keep your eyes peeled for frolicking dolphins as you head from new Jersey's shore into the open ocean. Get out on the water and enjoy an exciting adventure at sea as you look for dolphins and spot other native wildlife along the Atlantic City Coastline. Cruise through areas that serve as a sanctuary for many species of marine life. This cruise has been featured by mainstream media outlets such as The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Atlantic City Press, and New Jersey Outdoors as their most celebrated adventure, experienced by oceanographers and mammal lovers from coast to coast. You'll never know how many dolphins there are, or how many you'll see — that's part of the adventure. All you can do is fill your tank with energy and bring your camera.

From New York City: 4-Day Tour w/Niagara Falls & US Capitol

4. From New York City: 4-Day Tour w/Niagara Falls & US Capitol

Visit the American and Canadian sides of Niagara Falls. Stop at an outlet mall for shopping, continue to the historic city of Brotherly love in Philadelphia and see the famous Liberty Bell and Independence Hall Square. You will also visit Washington DC, the US Capitol and visit the US Mint. Continue to Lancaster to learn about the Amish community. Day 1: New York - Finger Lakes - Niagara Falls Your morning departure from the Big Apple takes you north where you will pass the beautiful Delaware Gap to Watkins Glen State Park in the heart of the Finger Lakes region. Walk through Watkins Glen Canyon to visit the beautiful waterfalls and then continue to Niagara Falls passing Seneca Lake, arriving in the late afternoon (Winter itinerary goes to Montour Falls instead of Watkins Glen State Park). Tour the American and Canadian sides of the Falls including the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Goat Island, and Sister Island. At night tour Niagara Falls where you will marvel at the colorful lighting of the waters. Overnight: Niagara Falls - Wyndham Super 8 Day 2: Niagara Falls - New Jersey As you depart the hotel, hear the thundering water of Niagara Falls. See the falls up close from Horseshoe Falls and experience the power of the current aboard the Maid of the Mist (May-October). From November through April you will tour the Power Vista Hydro-electric Station, and the Cave of the Winds. At noon depart south to New York State. On the way to New York, enjoy a shopping excursion at one of the large outlet malls along the way, where you can hunt for bargains at their brand name stores. Overnight New Jersey - La Quinta Inns & Suites  Day 3: New Jersey - Philadelphia - Washington DC Depart New Jersey to Pennsylvania and to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Arriving in the Historic area of Philadelphia you will visit the famous Liberty Bell, and Constitution square and Constitution Hall, one of the symbols of freedom in America. Stroll Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest inhabited street in America) then continue on a panoramic tour of Philadelphia that includes the financial district, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Historic Philadelphia and more. Departing Philadelphia, see the famous “Rocky Steps” and then continue north to Lancaster county home of the Amish people. Ride on an authentic Amish Buggy, visit an Amish market place of handmade arts and crafts and learn what it's like to live without the benefit of modern technology, electricity, running water or telephone service. Overnight at: Wyndham Garden, Washington DC. Day 4: Washington DC - New York  Start the day with a visit to Thomas Jefferson Memorial, by the Tidal Basin, surrounded with famous Japanese cherry blossom trees. Visit the Arlington National Cemetery, the changing of the guards and the Kennedy family gravesite.  Next stop is Capitol Hill. See the US Capitol and the White House to understand the core of the US government. Continue to the Air and Space Museum before visiting the Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Korea and Vietnam Memorials.  In the late afternoon, depart north for an evening arrival in New York.

Atlantic City: Absecon Lighthouse Admission Ticket

5. Atlantic City: Absecon Lighthouse Admission Ticket

Climb the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey for stunning views of Atlantic city with this admission ticket to the Absecon Lighthouse. Explore a replica of the lightkeeper's dwelling and enjoy the educational exhibits at the onsite museum.  Bring the whole family for a fun-filled day at the Absecon Lighthouse. Walk up the steps to an elevation of 171 feet to admire the craftsmanship of the light which is an original Fresnel Lens that was first lit to safely guide ships in 1857. Capture pictures of the Atlantic City skyline from the country’s third-tallest lighthouse. The lighthouse's recent multi-million dollar restoration also includes a detailed replica of the Lightkeeper's dwelling and a family-friendly educational museum with gift shop for souvenirs. 

American Dream: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Entry Ticket

6. American Dream: LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Entry Ticket

Experience the ultimate indoor LEGO® playground with your kids, all part of New Jersey’s American Dream complex. Embark on a 3-hour play experience for your child. Go on a LEGO®-themed train ride, or experience a 4D cinema to see their favorite LEGO® characters come to life on the big screen. Visit MINILAND™, a LEGO® recreation of New York and New Jersey’s most popular landmarks. Encourage your kids to get creative, and design their own LEGO® car, or even their own model worlds. Kids can also get tips and tricks from the Master Model Builder in the Creative Workshop, or refine their NINJA skills in the NINJAGO Training Camp.

American Dream: Blacklight Mini Golf Admission Ticket

7. American Dream: Blacklight Mini Golf Admission Ticket

Get lost in the depths of space as you enjoy 18 holes of intergalactic fun with your family and friends at the “Out of This World” Blacklight Mini Golf course. Located inside American Dream, New Jersey's newest indoor entertainment and shopping center, just 4 miles outside of New York City, this activity offers you endless fun and Instagramable experiences. This intergalactic-themed mini golf course features 3-D astronaut sculptures, planet murals, and a splash of color at every hole as you work your way toward victory. Navigate this completely glow-in-the-dark experience with glow-in-the-dark balls, putters, and scorecards. It is one of the most Instagrammable attractions near New York City and it makes for fun family competition. This activity will illuminate your family’s day out. Upgrade your experience and save with a combo ticket that also includes the adjacent Mirror Maze. Then take time to experience more thrills at American Dream, the ultimate collection of premier indoor attractions, shopping, and dining comprising more than 3 million square feet in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Easton: Crayola Experience Entry Ticket

8. Easton: Crayola Experience Entry Ticket

Entertain the whole family with colorful and creative play with this ticket to the Crayola Experience in Easton. Experience a variety of interactive, crayon-based art activities, including a live manufacturing show and making your own art pieces with crayons. Get a welcome bag of swag and two tokens to use. Go on a wonderful, whimsical adventure with unique experiences for all ages. Check out the 'Activity Studio,' where you can make a colorful craft or 'The Adventure Lab,' where you can solve colorful puzzles and riddles using a magic tablet. Feel like a star by creating a coloring page of yourself in the 'Photo Booth' attraction. Transform your old crayons into something new with the 'Melt and Mold' station. Try activities like making personalized crayons and painting with melted crayons.

New York City: Pedicab Tour Through Central Park

9. New York City: Pedicab Tour Through Central Park

This ride takes around one hour on a 3.5 mile trail. During this tour, there are three short breaks. The first stop is at Bethesda Fountain so you can see the magnificent architecture of the Bethesda Terrace Tunnel and the lake. Then, you will stop at Cherry Hill/Friends Fountain followed by a stop at Strawberry Field/John Lennon Memorial. Some other points you will pass by are: Wollman Rink, Dakota Building, Sheep Meadow, Tavern On The Green, Columbus Circle, Carousel, Balto Statue, Boat Pond, the Bow Bridge. With a knowledgeable driver to regale with you tales of the park's past, cruise by the Dairy, where New York's children once came to get fresh milk, watch the up-and-down of horses on the Carousel, and pass by the statue of William Shakespeare. At the Bethesda Fountain and the Angel of the Waters sculpture, pause to snap memorable photos and then head towards Cherry Hill. Surrounded by cherry and gingko trees, Cherry Hill’s carriage turn finds you where wealthy 19th-century New Yorkers once showed off their fine buggies. Head to the top of the hill and see the Imagine mosaic at Strawberry Fields, and listen as your guide explains its significance when paired with the John Lennon memorial. Clop by the English lawn-bowling court, admire the bronze statue of General William Tecumseh Sherman, and the bust of Italian philosopher Giuseppe Mazzini, and enjoy the view of the legendary restaurant Tavern on the Green.

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What people are saying about New Jersey

We took our daughter since she turned 5 years old on Saturday and we really loved everything. That Nickelodeon Universe park is unique, super fun for the whole family, my daughter spent an unforgettable weekend at American Dream Mall, it met our expectations and much more.

Very clean. Just enough fish to entertain toddlers. Had a great time took about 35-40 min to get through the entire aquarium.

Excellent excursion quite illustrative and experienced guides. Good hours and the places that are known are beautiful.

We liked it so much that we are thinking of going again my children enjoyed it

A spectacular park all the roller coasters are incredible