You don’t need to trek into NYC for fun when there’s tons of things to do just over the bridge in Bergen County! From gorgeous parks and epic attractions at American Dream to cheering on your favorite knight at Medieval Times, NJ’s most populous county has it all. Here are 50 fun things to do in Bergen County:
1. Hit the zoo. Bergen County Zoo in Paramus’s Van Saun Park is a dream spot for animal lovers. You’ll see Bald Eagles, American alligators and more. Take a ride on the zoo’s train and carousel, then have lunch in the picnic area.
2. Smell the flowers. Walk under tall magnolia trees and appreciate the 96 acres of gardens at the New Jersey Botanical Garden in Ringwood. Spend some time strolling through the Perennial Garden, Lilac Garden and more.
3. Watch a football game. MetLife Stadium is home to the Giants, Jets, tons of A-list concerts and more.
4. Get medieval. Medieval Times in Lyndhurst is the go-to destination for anyone wanting to feel like a king. Watch the gallant knights and squires heroically duel in this one-of-a-kind show. Then, feast on a four-course meal fit for royalty.
5. Seas the day. More than 3,000 undersea creatures at American Dream’s SEA LIFE aquarium include sharks, and stingrays in an underwater ocean tunnel.
6. Stop off for a hot dog. Since 1959, Hank’s Franks in Lodi has been a staple of the area and the epitome of a classic American hot dog stand. The establishment’s old-school aesthetic is pretty cool, too.
7. Work on your short game. What’s a better way to kill a couple hours than with a quick 18 holes–on the mini golf course? Paramus Mini Golf is perfect for a classic mini golf experience, and they offer deals on select days such as Moms/Dads Play Free and Library Days. If you’re looking for more of a glowing experience, Blacklight Mini Golf at American Dream and Monster Mini Golf in Paramus have indoor glow-in-the-dark courses.
8. Get a glimpse at life 300 years ago. Old Stone House in Ramsey, also known as the Westervelt–Ackerson House, is a historic house that’s believed to have been constructed in the early to mid-18th century. Take in the Dutch Colonial interior where you can see the house’s furniture, toys, farm equipment and more up close. The house is open for visits on a very limited basis, so plan in advance.
9. Get building. LEGOLAND Discovery Center at American Dream is a fun indoor LEGO playground for kids ages 3-10. Check out the miniland recreation of NJ and NYC that uses over 1.5 million LEGO bricks, meet LEGO characters and more.
10. Bowl a strike. Lodi Lanes, Metro Bowl in Fair Lawn and Bowlero in Wallington are just a few of Bergen County’s great spots for bowling that may be right up your alley.
11, Blast off. The Buehler Challenger & Science Center in Paramus can make kids and adults feel like astronauts with lots of space missions, flight simulations and team-building exercises. You’ll also conduct experiments, monitor life support, and implement navigation orders in this unique and educational science center.
12. Axe away. Feel confident in your throwing arm? Bury The Hatchet in Paramus and Stumpy’s Hatchet House in Upper Saddle River offer fun competition for anyone over 14.
13. Hit the trail. Bike paths such as the Saddle River County Park Bike Path are perfect for families and avid bikers. Or, take a ride along Henry Hudson Drive at Palisades Interstate Park for a scenic view.
14. Pizza – enough said. Bergen County is home to some of the best pizza in the country, with some pizzerias that have been around for nearly a century. Barcelona’s Restaurant in Garfield has been known for its thin crust pies since 1933. Pizza Town USA in Elmwood Park will grab you with its old-school sign and storefront. Bruno’s Pizza in Clifton has been feeding locals for decades and is newly renovated. And Uncle Louie’s Pizza in Franklin Lakes has recipes passed down for generations.
15. Learn about the Revolutionary War. Another one of Bergen County’s great historic homes and museums is The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus. Learn about George Washington’s four-day stay at the house in 1778, Aaron Burr’s marriage ceremony on the property and more.
16. Enter the Batcave. The Wildlife Conservation Center in Garfield, also known as New Jersey’s “Bat-cave,” is dedicated to the education and conservation of bats and other wildlife. Check out their various programs on bats and rainforest conservation efforts.
17. See a show. BergenPAC in Englewood hosts all kinds of performances in music, comedy, acting and more. See some of your favorite entertainers like Boyz II Men, Dane Cook, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and other must-see acts.
18. Get in touch with nature. Tenafly Nature Center offers lots of events for kids and adults. Take guided seasonal walks, appreciate the ecosystem and check out the Butterfly House. The J.A. McFaul Environmental Center in Wyckoff has a wildlife sanctuary, educational science exhibits and plenty of gardens and trails.
19. See how humans first took flight. Look at aircraft, helicopters, airplane models and other displays at the Aviation Hall of Fame in Teterboro. And don’t miss the museum’s open cockpit days.
20. Get lost in American Dream’s museums. Tracy Lee Stum’s TiLT Museum at American Dream gives you a chance to become part of the art. View depth-defying optical illusions that make for a fun experience and great photo opportunities. The soon-to-open Paradox Museum aims to blow your mind with things that just don’t seem to make sense. You’ll think outside the box, exercise your brain and defy reality at this unique attraction packed with fun photo opps.
21. Put your upper body strength to the test. Rock climbing is great for anyone looking to get a great workout while having fun. The Gravity Vault in Upper Saddle River has options for climbers of all ages and experience levels. High Exposure Rock Climbing in Northvale is also home to an entire Ninja Warrior & Parkour obstacle course.
22. Show man’s best friend some love. Bergen County is home to dog parks in North Bergen, River Edge, Leonia, Bergenfield, Ridgewood and many other towns.
23. Browse antiques. Whether you’re looking to decorate your home with some 20th-century Americana or simply want to check out some cool artwork and old technology, a trip to the antique store is a great activity for a rainy day. Maywood Antiques has fine art, jewelry and old-school cameras. Bergen Vintage in Fair Lawn has sports cards, comic books and toys.
24. Visit a petting zoo. The Barnyard Petting Zoo at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff has goats, sheep, alpaca, donkeys, ponies, bunnies, pigs, and more friendly animals. Pony rides are also offered for young children.
25. Have lunch with a million-dollar view. The Ross Dock Picnic Area at the Palisades Interstate Park in Fort Lee gives you a breathtaking view of the George Washington Bridge and NYC. The picnic area has a playground and concession stand.
26. Watch an outdoor movie. In the summer, outdoor movie screenings are offered all around the county such as in Ridgewood and Fort Lee.
27. Go off the rails. For lovers of trains and history, the Waldwick Railroad Museum of Local History is one of the go-to spots in Bergen County. Housing original pieces of architecture and artifacts from the turn of the 20th century such as an original freight scale from 1889, the museum provides education on the railroad’s impact on Waldick and the local area.
28. Get the scoop. Few things are better than a cold scoop on a hot summer day. Get some soft serve or maybe an Oreo cookie ice cream sandwich at BrainFreeze in New Milford, or stop off for a sundae at Mark’s Homemade Ice Cream Delights in North Bergen. Van Dyk’s Ice Cream in Ridgewood is a “time machine into summer’s past,” according to The Record.
29. Take an eco-cruise. Hackensack Riverkeeper offers educational pontoon boat tours of the Hackensack River where you can get an up-close look at the marshes of the Meadowlands.
30. Giddy Up. Horseback riding is fun for all ages. Bergen Equestrian Center at Overpeck Park in Leonia is complete with indoor and outdoor riding rings, air-conditioned tack rooms and more. Saddle Ridge Riding Center offers programs that are both comfortable and challenging as well as lessons with professional riders.
31. Experience a one-of-a-kind puzzle game. Put your teamwork and quick-thinking skills to the test with the thrilling challenge known as the escape room. At Escape Room NJ in Englewood, you and your team only have one hour at Euphoria Jewelers to overcome the security system, crack the safes, and escape before the police arrive.
32. Go shopping. Some of the biggest and best malls in the country are right here in Bergen County. Stroll through about 220 stores at Garden State Plaza in Paramus, or explore 450+ shops at American Dream.
33. Pick your own fruit. Demarest Farms in Hillsdale offers pick-your-own apples, peaches, and pumpkins and lots of other activities.
34. Enjoy cinema, games and more. The 100-year-old Williams Center in Rutherford is home to comedy open mic nights, film screenings, and board game nights. It also holds special events and festivals.
35. Take a hike. There’s no shortage of great hiking spots in Bergen County. The Ramapo Valley County Reservation in Mahwah is the largest park area in the county and is full of scenic views that’ll make your hike memorable. And the Palisades Interstate Park boasts over 30 miles of rugged trails along the Hudson River.
36. Explore a world of dinosaurs. Field Station: Dinosaurs at Overpeck Park is a family attraction that has over 30 life-sized, moving dinosaurs. The shows, games and activities are both educational and fun.
37. Take those old records off the shelf. If you miss your old turntable, head to a record store. The Record King in Saddle Brook has a wide selection and will buy your old record collection. BB’s Records in Bergenfield has colorful crates full of records, too.
38. Hang out with your favorite Nickelodeon characters. American Dream’s Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park has a Legends of the Hidden Temple rope course, an arcade with a chance to win prizes and lots of rides inspired by Nick characters.
39. Hit the slopes. What’s better during the winter than skiing and snow-tubing? Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah offers group tubing, lessons and programs. Big Snow at American Dream also offers lessons and specials for beginner skiers and snowboarders.
40. Feel some 8-bit nostalgia. Retro game stores are perfect for when you find yourself missing a simpler time. Side Scrollers in East Rutherford will do the trick if you’re looking for old games or a memory card for your retro console. Enjoy the store’s lounge where you can play video games, trading card games and tabletop events.
41. Appreciate architecture and landscaping. The James Rose Center in Ridgewood aims to provide education on creating a sustainable suburban landscape. Learn about 20th-century landscape architect James Rose, take a guided tour of the house and garden, and check out the center’s meditation, yoga and more.
42. Hit up some food trucks. Nothing tastes better than a food truck taco or hot dog on a summer day. Be on the lookout for food truck festivals, like the one regularly held at Paramus Park Mall.
43. Go book hunting. Get lost in the maze of towering bookshelves of Brier Rose Books in Teaneck. Go to a book signing event at Bookends in Ridgewood, or head to The Curious Reader in Glen Rock for children’s books.
44. Work on your long game. Pull out your driver and step right up to one of Bergen County’s driving ranges in Closter, Darlington, Paramus, and more.
45. Go fish. Visit one of Bergen County’s fishing locations such as the Ramapo Valley County Reservation or Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve. Use this NJ Department of Environmental Protection list to find the best spots near you, and make sure to have a valid NJ state fishing license.
46. Be entertained at Humdingers. Whether it’s bowling, batting cages or the arcade, Humdingers in Paramus offers a great selection of entertainment for the whole family.
47. Bounce around at a trampoline park. At Urban Air in South Hackensack, take a leap of faith on the monkey bars, soar above others in a trapeze or go head-to-head in a wipeout competition.
48. Check out the largest water park in North America. DreamWorks Water Park at American Dream has an 81-degree exotic environment, slides themed after your favorite DreamWorks characters and more.
49. Make your own wine. Make Wine With Us in Wallington offers hands-on winemaking classes. Crush and press grapes before racking and bottling your wine during this experience. You’ll return about four times over the course of several months to perfect your wine during each step of the process.
50. Pig out on pancakes. Bergen County is home to some of the biggest and best diners in the state. Have a specialty omelet or some Belgian waffles at the State Line Diner on Route 17 in Mahwah. The baker-made daily desserts at the Suburban Diner in Paramus will hit you right in your sweet tooth. Brownstone Pancake Factory in Edgewater is an absolute must when you’re craving a classic buttermilk short stack, Nutella hazelnut pancakes or breakfast pancake tacos.
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