As one of the 13 original colonies, the Garden State is chock full of fascinating parks, museums and historical sites sure to keep your kids entertained and interested.
Alice Paul Center for Gender Justice in Mt. Laurel
Located at Paulsdale, the estate and house were built around 1840 and was the childhood home of Alice Paul, a key figure in the women’s suffrage movement. Youth programs include a leadership parade, “meet-and-greets” with Alice, and a high school program on how to amend the U.S. Constitution.
Let your little sailor explore this 1940s-era ship through a series of interactive and hands-on exhibits. You will see the officers’ quarters, administrative meeting rooms, the mess hall, and even the barbershop and jail. If a tour isn’t enough time, you can spend a night aboard and experience sleeping in the bunks.
The governor’s mansion is open on select days for public tours. It was built on the site of the 1777 Battle of Princeton, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Officially part of both New Jersey and New York, Ellis Island lets kids follow in the footsteps of immigrants who came to America 100 years ago. It’s a great way to teach some personal family history. The museum opened an exhibit designed for kids in 2012 and also has a Junior Ranger program.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
This spot is a preserved, working farm that uses tools, techniques and materials from the mid-1800s. Here, kids can experience demonstrations of butter churning, sheep shearing and potato and corn planting.
As one of NJ’s oldest and most scenic parks, there’s plenty to do. Visit the iconic war veterans monument at the top, or spend the day picnicking, fishing, swimming or hiking at the state’s highest point – 1,800 feet above sea level.
Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge
New Bridge was a battleground, fort, encampment and military headquarters during Revolutionary War times. The Steuben House is the former home of Major-General Baron von Steuben. You can tour three historic homes, a barn and bridge; watch open hearth cooking inside the authentic Jersey Dutch out-kitchen; and visit during reenactment weekends.
Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Twp.
This living history farm works just as it did between 1890 and 1910. Howell has plenty of activities for kids looking to get their hands dirty, including gathering honey, picking corn and sawing wood. There are free, themed Saturday programs year-round that include a craft project for kids.
One of the most iconic landmarks in New Jersey is a six-story elephant built back in 1881. Actually a male, Lucy has been a restaurant, hotel and tavern, but today welcomes visitors to climb inside for great ocean views.
The Merchant and Drovers Tavern Museum in Rahway
The buildings of the Merchants and Drovers Tavern and the Terrill Tavern are preserved here, now turned into museums that preserve the history of the local community. There are lantern-lit cemetery and ghost tours, but also more family-friendly events planned around reenactments.
Morristown National Historical Park
This sprawling park features three different sites that were important during the American Revolution, including the Ford Mansion, which housed General George Washington and his army during the coldest winter New Jersey has ever seen. With their Junior Ranger program, your child can go on a museum scavenger hunt, complete crossword puzzles and participate in other fun games to eventually earn a shiny badge to show off to their friends.
NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May
This naval air station museum is located inside a real World War II hangar, letting you see almost 100 years of aviation and military history through hands-on exhibits, lots of artifacts and real aircraft.
Old Barracks Museum in Trenton
Although it’s currently closed for renovations, this site was built in 1758 to house troops during the French and Indian War, but it’s still bustling with activity hundreds of years later. In the meantime, you can view online exhibits about the anti-suffrage movement and The Old Barracks at the World’s Fair.
The Old Schoolhouse in Mt. Holly
Operated by The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America, Peachfield and The Old Schoolhouse were built in 1759 and is the oldest surviving one-room schoolhouse in NJ that’s on its original foundation. You can take a tour, or come by during community events or by appointment.
Who needs Niagara Falls when we’ve got our own falls right in our backyard? Paterson was America’s first planned industrial city and the Great Falls were important in powering it. Today, it’s a great place to explore nature in the heart of a city.
Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton
Located in a colonial town, this property actually dates back to the times of the Lenni-Lenape people, so there is a mix of native and new American history. The museum site includes the mill, a quarry, a schoolhouse, a log cabin and an operational blacksmith shop. Throughout the year a variety of events and programs, including craft fairs, art shows, music festivals, and historical reenactments, are scheduled.
Rutgers Geology Museum in New Brunswick
The history here is prehistoric, exploring the dinosaurs that once roamed New Jersey, plus locally sourced rocks and minerals, fossils, and info on volcanoes and ancient Egypt.
Not only is the Sandy Hook Lighthouse the oldest operating lighthouse in New Jersey, but it’s also the oldest in the U.S. Its notable octagonal tower dates back to service in 1764. The U.S. Coast Guard maintains the light, and the National Park Service offers tours seasonally.
Thomas Edison Center at Menlo Park in Edison
Thomas Edison invented many products we use today, like the lightbulb and batteries. Inside this museum you can listen to phonographs that are more than 120 years old, or take a tour of the Edison Memorial Tower that dates back to 1938. There’s also a 36-acre state park that has a nature trail and informational kiosks.
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