New Jersey has plenty of museums worth visiting, from classic institutions to more off-the-beaten path ones. Now, two newer spots just earned national love from USA Today readers, landing on a list of the country’s favorite new museums.
In March 2025, a long-awaited new museum with prehistoric New Jersey-based ties opened its doors to the public. Less than a year later, visitors have been so impressed that they voted it the No. 2 Best New Museum in the country, according to USA Today readers.
The Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University (EFM) has been named to the 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards list for 2026. The highlight of our sneak peek last year included digging for real fossils outside in the 4-acre quarry; not many people realize New Jersey was the home to many ancient dinosaurs and marine reptiles. Renowned paleontologist and founding Executive Director Kenneth Lacovara, Ph.D., and his team have been excavating the site for more than 20 years, and have uncovered over 100,000 fossils representing 100 species about 40 feet beneath the fossil park.
Other parts of the 44,000-square-foot facility that sits on 123 acres include a theater, skeletons and real-life replicas of prehistoric creatures, storyboards for kids, the Discovery Forest playroom, Critter Cove, a conservation space, and an epic virtual reality gameroom.
Outside is Pterosaur Pterrace, with a playground centered around a flying reptile with a 45-foot wingspan that you can climb up and down.
“I am immensely proud of our dedicated staff, whose passion and hard work bring this place to life every single day,” Dr. Lacovara said about receiving the USA Today award, particularly since the museum took 7 years and $75 million to complete. “We set out to create a museum that sparks curiosity, joy, and a sense of connection to our planet’s story. To see people across the country embrace that mission is profoundly meaningful to all of us. We are deeply grateful for this recognition and for everyone who helped make it possible.”
EFM also holds special events throughout the year, such as family movie nights, a BioBlitz to identify local species, Climate Week activities, trivia nights, and Art at the Park. This past holiday season, EFM extended its offerings with Winter Wonderland Before Time, plus a Noon Year’s Eve asteroid drop for the kids.
Edelman Fossil Park & Museum is located at 66 Million Mosasaur Way in Mantua Twp., Gloucester County. Tickets start at $24. The museum is open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The quarry is open seasonally.
The Charles J. Muth Museum inside Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson, one of America’s last surviving Negro League ballparks, landed at No. 7 on the USA Today list. It was opened in April 2024 by Montclair State University as a historic site and cultural center.
There are lots of artifacts to see, like jerseys and scorecards; multimedia presentations on former players like Paterson’s own Larry Doby (the first Black player in the American League), Josh Gibson, Monte Irvin, Satchel Paige, “Cool Papa” Bell; a documentary shown inside the mini theater; and one of the original midget cars that used to race around the Hinchliffe track.
Plus, you can watch a real-time baseball game when the New Jersey Jackals take the field; in addition to the new Jersey Shore Wave women’s football team.
The museum is named after Charles Muth, Montclair State University Class of 1977, who made a sizeable donation to the grounds where he spent his childhood.
The Charles J. Muth Museum is located at 186 Maple St., Paterson. The museum is open before games, and on other days by appointment. Admission is free; however, groups of 10 and larger do pay a small fee.
The Best New Museums in the U.S. for 2026, According to USA Today 10 Best:
1. National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington, Texas
2. Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University, Mantua, New Jersey
3. National Public Housing Museum, Chicago, Illinois
4. Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, Ohio
5. Museum of Art + Light, Manhattan, Kansas
6. Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, Washington, D.C.
7. The Charles J. Muth Museum of Hinchliffe Stadium, Paterson, New Jersey
8. Door County Granary, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
9. The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art at Florida Southern College, Lakeland, Florida
10. Museum of BBQ, Kansas City, Missouri
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