All of NJ has been holding its breath for the opening of that massive construction site on Route 3 in East Rutherford. Construction at American Dream is coming together, and its website boasts tons of attractions and entertainment for the whole family.
The soon-to-be it destination for New Jerseyans will be so much more than a mega mall.
“We don’t call ourselves a mall. We’re going to be 55 percent entertainment when we open, and if you look at a traditional mall, I challenge you [that] they’re under 5 percent entertainment,” Debbie Patire, the senior vice president of marketing for American Dream, told New Jersey Family. “We’re really a destination for not only the local consumer, but tourists and international tourists, and what we’ve done with this project is really one of a kind, meaning new to market.”
As for what’s inside, “there are a bunch of attractions, and I call them entertainment,” says Patire. “I don’t even really call them attractions anymore because it really is about entertainment in the building that’ll open…in March of 2019.”
Here’s what the kids can dream about until next year:
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Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park: This attraction will not only have all their fave characters, but it’ll also be the biggest indoor park in the Western Hemisphere at a whopping 300K+ square feet.
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DreamWorks Waterpark: Think Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar…all in 225,000 square feet of splish-splash fun.
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SEALIFE Aquarium: Though it’s the world’s biggest aquarium brand, it’s the first in the NJ/NYC area. Mini marine biologists will be in awe of the critters they see in the walk-through underwater tunnel.
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LEGOLAND Discovery Center: Connected to the aquarium, this complex means you won’t need to drive to Westchester or Philly with your little builder to get their brick fix anymore.
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Big Snow America: Powered by SNOW Operating, this is the first indoor ski and snowboard park in the Western Hemisphere, complete with an 16-story ski slope down which the kiddies can ski, snowboard and tube.
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NHL-Sized Ice Rink: More about the figure eights than getting big air? Play hockey, figure skate and more at this indoor facility.
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KidZania: “It’s like a city built just for kids and they go in and roleplay. If they want to be a firefighter, a chemist a vet, whatever it is they roleplay,” says Patire. “We’re the only location here.”
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Adventure Golf: As if there wasn’t enough to do, your kids can play putt-putt all year round on this 18-hole course.
There’s plenty for grown-ups to get psyched about, too:
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Cinemex 4-D Theater: This moviegoers heaven will be just one of four in the country, and the only locale in the New York area. What makes it 4-D? You’ll experience scents, weather, motion and more while you watch your flick.
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For the Win Gastropub and Bowling Alley: Calling all leaguers and foodies!
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Observation Wheel: While these 26 climate-controlled gondolas might be fun for the little ones to ride on, a 25-minute panoramic view of the Manhattan skyline sounds like the perfect sans-kids date night activity to us.
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Performing Arts Theater: Patire calls this 65,000-square-foot venue, “the Cirque du Soleil space.” Though the American Dream site assures it’ll host live concerts and shows.
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More than 400 retail stores: There’s even a special wing (The Collections @ American Dream) of luxury retailers like Hermes.
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Lots and lots of food: Wrap your appetite around 25 full-service restaurants, 30 fast casual eateries and the world’s first kosher food hall. Expand your palate with 20 chef-driven eateries in the upscale gourmet food hall.
Best part? “These are indoor facilities open 365 days a year,” says Patire. Yup, you’ll be able to ski in the summer, hit the water park in the winter and shop ’til you drop all year long.
Stay tuned for details on the individual attractions.