Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
If you're dreaming of warmer weather and spending time outdoors, put these new and upgraded Jersey City parks and playgrounds on your radar: Families will have several new and improved playgrounds with splash pads and toddler-friendly features to enjoy in 2020, along with a new skate park, thanks to upgrades recently announced by city officials.
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Hoboken families have a new, FREE play space to enjoy with toddlers, kids, and teens, courtesy of the city's public library. The "Toybrary" features Legos, puzzles, cars, and instruments for little ones to explore, while caregivers can pull up a chair and talk with neighbors. After school most weekdays, the inviting space is reserved for teens to hang out and do homework or play video games together.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
The Jersey Shore is famous for its sandy beaches and bustling boardwalks, but look a little closer and you'll discover many charming, walkable downtowns to explore. When your kids have had their fill of boardwalk rides and waterparks, stroll through one of our favorite beach towns and discover the Jersey Shore's hidden gems.
For even more family fun, check out our Shore Guide.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
Summer fun at the Jersey shore doesn't always involve boardwalk rides and jam-packed beaches. For a quieter shore experience, head to the quaint seaside town of Spring Lake, where tree-lined streets and graceful Victorian inns welcome families.
You won't find mini-golf or arcades in Spring Lake, or any large hotels, either. But you will find leafy lanes, a picturesque lake, restored boardwalk, charming downtown, and a gorgeous beach.
Read on for our best bets for a family trip to Spring Lake, and for more of our favorite summer destinations, check out the Jersey Shore Family Guide.
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With its beautiful sandy beaches, activity-filled boardwalk, and delicious kid-friendly restaurants, Cape May is a long-time beach vacation favorite for families. Located at the southern tip of the Jersey Shore, the iconic lighthouse and bayside sunsets provide picture-perfect memories off Exit Zero, while gingerbread-style Victorian houses and horse-drawn carriage rides add to the town's historic charm.
With all the makings of a perfect beach getaway at your fingertips, all you need for a Cape May vacation is a hotel reservation, and The Grand Hotel — an oceanfront hotel with awesome amenities — is a great choice for families. Read on to find our recommendations for the best things to do, best places to eat, and the best spots to stay in Cape May, NJ, and your next family beach vacation could be just a click away.
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Millburn may be known for top-notch schools and swanky shopping at its Short Hills mall, but look a little closer and you'll find a vibrant town packed with family fun.
The heart of downtown, where Main Street and Millburn Avenue meet, is dotted with shops and restaurants and is home to the town's annual street festival. Kid-friendly activities in Millburn range from swimming and theater classes to storytimes and live performances. Creative play spaces, charming cafes, gardens, and parks round out the fun.
Located less than 20 miles from New York City in Northern NJ, Millburn is a great bet for an easy day trip any time of year. Spend some time exploring all the arts, recreation, food, and fresh-air fun that Millburn has to offer.
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With its famously steep hills, iconic sights, and many kid-friendly attractions, San Francisco is chock full of family fun. Unique thrills like a ride on the clanging cable cars, a ferry trip across the bay to visit a fabled island prison, amazing experiential food spots are some of the only-in-San Francisco experiences that kids and adults will love. Hands-on museums, a bayside aquarium, and enormous parks round out the family fun.
Read on to discover our best bets for family fun on a trip to San Francisco. And for more Bay Area fun, check out our list of things to do in Silicon Valley with kids.
Submitted by Dore Duhaime on
From small town celebrations to waterfront extravaganzas, we've got the scoop on NJ's best options for family-friendly fireworks shows on July 4th. You can cheer on the red, white, and blue in Atlantic City, which hosts one of the country's biggest celebrations; spread out a beach blanket and enjoy a display down the shore; take in the fireworks extravaganza at the New Jersey State Fair; or choose from more than a dozen other great shows happening throughout the state.
In addition to fireworks, these July 4th celebrations include lots of other fun activities, such as parades, a Revolutionary War encampment, live music, and even a canoe race. Read on for more than a dozen picks.
For even more holiday-weekend fun, be sure to check out our Summer Fun Guide.
