American Dream
American Dream is the ultimate mix of shopping and fun experiences under one roof. Newly opened are the New Jersey Hall of Fame Education and Learning Center, Gameroom Powered by Hasbro, Bubble Planet and a new food hall by H Mart. Kids already love the LEGOLAND Discovery Center, an indoor LEGO haven with an interactive ride and mini-NJ landmarks, SEA LIFE Aquarium, an underwater NYC with walk-thru tunnels, sharks and stingrays and TiLT museum, an interactive 3D art museum from Tracy Lee Stum. Other attractions include Big SNOW, a year-round indoor ski/snowboard park, DreamWorks Water Park, North America’s largest indoor water park and Nickelodeon Universe, a family-friendly indoor theme park along with two mini-golf courses, a mirror maze and an ice skating rink. You can take a ride on the Dream Wheel, go shopping at your favorite stores (or window shop at high-end luxury brands) and stop for food at Mr. Beast or Marcus Live.
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KALAHARI
Head to a Waterpark Resort Living in New Jersey means you’re never far from a waterpark, a perfect day trip on a hot summer day. Among our faves is Kalahari Waterpark Resort in the Poconos, which has everything from dizzying slides like the Anaconda water coaster and the Wild Wildebeest raft ride to a long, lazy river and Flowrider. Out of the water, you can spend time in the spa, check out the virtual reality attraction XD Dark Ride or play blacklight mini golf.
Camelback Resort is another popular family destination in the Poconos, home to the outdoor Camelbeach Waterpark in the summer, along with a host of zip lines, Segway tours, an awesome mountain coaster and a TreeTop Adventures course. In the summer you can try the Sunbowl Tubing experience where the winter snow tubing park is transformed for summer fun. You’ll be able to hop in a tube, ride to the top of the mountain and slide down the lanes on water.
NJ is also home to some epic water parks including Dreamworks Water Park at American Dream in East Rutherford, Big Kahuna’s Water Park in West Berlin and Island Waterpark at Showboat in Atlantic City. For more on waterpark day trips, click here.
Crystal Springs Resort
This stunning resort in Hamburg and Vernon is a great choice for your family getaway or your own restorative self-care vacation. Choose from one of two hotels, the Grand Cascades Lodge or Minerals Hotel, with indoor and outdoor pools, including the Biosphere Pool Complex, which will make you feel like you’ve landed on a tropical island and the Vista 180° Pool Complex, which boasts stellar mountain views. Dine at one of the beautiful on-site restaurants, or tour the wine cellar. Make time for treatments at one of two day spas, Elements and Reflections, where you can pamper yourself with a variety of massages, scrubs and facials. Go outdoors to try hiking, horseback riding, goat yoga or golfing. If the kids want more action, take them to nearby Mountain Creek for a host of adventures, including zip lines, mountain bike courses and more.
LEGOLAND New York Resort
LEGOLAND New York Resort has seven different lands to explore. With loads of rides, NINJAGO fun and a cool castle, this theme park won’t disappoint. The signature MINILAND, which features replicas of New York destinations, is a must. Kids can get their license at the LEGO City’s Jr. Driving School and don’t forget to take a factory tour. LEGOLAND is located in Goshen, NY and is a doable day trip or stay over at the LEGOLAND Hotel which has themed rooms.
New York City
Head to the city that never sleeps for tons of family fun. One of our favorite places to soak up history is the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum complex. The Concorde is on display, as is a new Apollo exhibit about our travels to the moon. The Harry Potter flagship store is home to the world’s largest HP and Fantastic Beasts collection and authentic props, 10,000 wands, unique photos ops and a Butterbeer Bar. You can walk along the High Line, sightsee at Rockefeller Center or Central Park, head up to the top of the Empire State Building, ride the Carousel in Battery Park or visit the area around One World Trade Center. There’s also an epic new balloon pop-up that’ll blow you away with more than 600,000 balloons designed into intricate and gigantic structures, from replicas of marine life to iconic monuments. The Balloon Story exhibit is open daily from 10 am to 6:30 pm through August 24 at The Park Avenue Armory at 643 Park Ave.
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