The Best Things to Do in NJ This Weekend, April 16-18

Spring has officially sprung here in the garden state, and what better way to celebrate than by seeing some beautiful flowers before they disappear.

holland ridge tulip farm
ANGEL MADISON

U-Pick Tulip Festival
Holland Ridge Farms, Cream Ridge
All weekend, times vary
The stunning Monmouth County farm is now open for the season, and while tickets for some days are sold out already, weekdays have some availability. Take a spring vacation day on Friday and sneak down to tiptoe through the tulips and see the flowers in full bloom.

U-Pick Tulips
Dalton Farms, Swedesboro
This South Jersey farm has recently opened their u-pick tulip fields for visitors and they still have some times available for this weekend. Advance tickets are required.

Spring in Living Color 
Garden State Plaza, Paramus
All weekend, times vary
If you are worried about rain, head to an indoor bloom fest with this vivid pop-up by The Floral Escape that just opened in the Garden State Plaza mall. This rainbow-colored display features pop-ups for you and the family to pose in front of.

ANGEL MADISON

Cherry Blossom Festival 
Virtual
April 18, 10 am – 5 pm
The regular Cherry Blossom Festival is canceled for this year, but you can still enjoy some virtual family-friendly activities and a performance from the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players. If you want to get outdoors and see the Branch Brook Park cherry blossoms in Newark, they were in full bloom earlier this week, so there is still some time to see them before they are gone.

Still want more flower fun? We’ve got a list of the best gardens in New Jersey that you should visit this season.

Spring Beach Sweeps
Multiple locations
April 17, 9 am – 12:30 pm
Get a jump on Earth Day with Clean Ocean Action’s initiative to make the Jersey Shore sparkle.  You can pick from 60 different locations in NJ and you’ll need to register in advance for your spot. It’s a great way to help the planet and score some volunteer hours.

Daffodil Day
Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit
April 18, times start at 1 pm
Daffodil Day is a decades-old tradition in Summit, when visitors to the Arboretum have an opportunity to enjoy one of the largest daffodil collections in New Jersey – over 50,000 bulbs in bloom in the Arboretum’s glacially carved Daffodil Bowl. Be sure to sign up for a time slot as no walk-ins are allowed.

Earth Day Kids Yoga Hike
Summit Field, 2-60 Bear Lane, South Orange
April, 18 10 am-12 pm, $40
This event is perfect for kids ages 6-10. They’ll enjoy a moderate hike, relaxing yoga and some fun Earth Day activities! A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the South Mountain Conservancy that helps preserve, protect and enhance its natural beauty.

Earth Day is on April 22, we’ve found some great events for the mid-week celebration.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE

Coaster Power Hours
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson
April 16, 4-9 pm
These special dates will offer exclusive ride time on up to 12 roller coasters. The Coaster Power Hours will include music, specialty food, free parking and thrilling surprises for guests throughout the night. One coaster, park favorite Skull Mountain, will offer a special, limited-time experience for this event.

Plowing, Harrowing and Wash Day
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell
April 17, 10 am – 4 pm.
Kids can learn how farmers used to prep the ground for planting corn and even compete and win ribbons and prizes for turning good furrows.

Family Fun Day: Arbor(etum) Day
Liberty Hall Museum, Union
April 17, 11:30 am – 1 pm

Get tickets ($4-10) for this fun event at Liberty Hall which will include activities, games & crafts on the grounds as they open their new arboretum and celebrate their love of trees.

The Bard at Bell Works 
Axelrod Performing Arts Center, Holmdel
April 11- April 25, times vary
This outdoor festival will spend the next three weeks bringing the works of Shakespeare in both traditional play and ballet form on the theater’s rooftop deck. Saturday you can catch “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in ballet form or a musical revue by Axelrod Performing Arts Academy students.

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