New Jersey Attractions to Explore with Kids

The Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey, situated in Atlantic City at Rhode Island and Pacific Avenues. Visitors can take the 228-step journey to the top of the lighthouse and take a step back in time as they explore one of the country’s oldest lighthouses. Once at the top, they’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of the city skyline, as well as a look at the Absecon Lighthouse’s original Fresnel Lens, which was first lit back in the year 1857. There is also a gift shop, a Lightkeeper’s dwelling replica, and a small museum.

31 S Rhode Island Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, Phone: 609-449-1360

More than one hundred different varieties of marine animals and fish call the Atlantic City Aquarium home. One of the highlights of the aquarium is its tropical shark touch tank, which offers guests a rare chance to get up close and personal with a number of shark species. Visitors can also touch other local marine creatures, such as sea urchins and horseshoe crabs, at the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Zone. The Atlantic City Aquarium is also home to diamondback terrapins, seahorses, moon jellies, moray eels, and a Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Shows include exotic animals shows and live dive feeding shows.

800 North New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, Phone: 609-348-2880

Atlantic City Cruises offers a variety of daily sightseeing excursions along the waters surrounding Atlantic City, New Jersey. Cruises available include the Morning Skyline, Dolphin Watching, Afternoon Delight, and Happy Hour. The Dolphin Watching Adventure lets passengers visit with resident bottle-nosed dolphins, while the Happy Hour cruise during the evening offers a chance for guests to simply relax and enjoy the gentle bay breeze. The Afternoon Delight is particularly great for families, offered daily at 4:00pm from mid-June through the beginning of September. Atlantic City Cruises provides daily cruises from May to October and departs from the Historic Gardner’s Basin.

800 N. New Hampshire Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, Phone: 609-347-7600

The Battleship New Jersey is both a memorial and museum that not only provides several exhibits featuring artifacts from the history of the ship for visitors to explore, but also puts guests into the exhibits as they make their way through the battleship’s tour route. Kids in particular will love to lay on the sailor bunks, sit in the Admiral’s chair and pretend to command the fleet, climb into the gun turret, and much more. The tours of the Battleship New Jersey are designed to be interactive, making the experience not only educational, but also fun for the entire family.

62 Battleship Pl, Camden, NJ 08103, Phone: 856-966-1652

The Black River and Western Railroad has served the Ringoes, New Jersey community for more than fifty years and is sometimes referred to as “the little-railroad-that-could.” The railroad now offers events and trains for nearly any occasion, from rail-fan specials to date night- to holiday-themed events. The volunteer staff of the Black River and Western Railroad is committed to the preservation of railroad history and helps provide visitors of all ages with a chance to experience old-fashioned steam railroading. The museum at Ringoes Station houses artifacts and displays that share the story of the railroad’s history and its volunteer railroaders.

108 John Ringo Road, Ringoes, NJ 08551, Phone: 908-782-6622

The Cape May County Park and Zoo in Cape May Court House, New Jersey is a free attraction that’s great for the entire family. Open nearly every single day throughout the year, as long as weather permits, the zoo is home to more than 550 animals that represent over 250 species. Popular animal exhibits include the Ring tail Lemur exhibits, where visitors can watch the lemur family play, and the Bald Eagle Habitat. The Cape May County Park and Zoo is only closed on Christmas. Summer hours are 10:00am until 4:45pm and winter hours are 10:00am until 3:45pm.

707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210, Phone: 609-465-5271

The Cape May Whale Watcher is a 110-foot vessel that has been whale watching and dolphin watching in the areas of Cape May, Atlantic City, Stone Harbor, Wildwood, and other parts of the New Jersey Shore since the year 19993. The Cape May Whale Watcher boasts that they have the fastest and largest boats for marine mammal watching anywhere in the state of New Jersey, as well as the only boats to have a “never expiring ‘Marine Mammal Sighting’ guarantee.” The Cetacean Spectacular is a popular choice of the variety of experiences, lasting three hours on the Atlantic and the Bay.

1218 Wilson Dr, Cape May, NJ 08204, Phone: 609-884-5445

The town of Franklin is home to a zinc mining district, known throughout the world for its abundance of rare and fluorescent minerals. Showcasing this abundance, the Franklin Mineral Museum exhibits fossils, artifacts, both worldwide and local minerals, and fluorescent minerals. There is also a two-level safe replica of a mine and a large mineral rock field. The kid-friendly Franklin Mineral Museum offers a “Kid’s Adventure Package,” which includes all of the fun and interesting things children can do at the museum. Families can also enjoy a picnic lunch in the covered pavilion or outdoor picnic area.

32 Evans St, Franklin, NJ 07416, Phone: 973-827-3481

The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,768-acres wildlife refuge in Basking Ridge, New Jersey. The grounds feature over eight miles of nature trails, wildlife observation and visitor centers, and an auto overlook road. There are also several opportunities for self-guided tours, hiking, and birdwatching at the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. With the exception of holidays, the visitor center is open from 10:00am until 4:00pm daily and offers a short Nature Detective Trail. The Wildlife Observation Center includes a 1.5-mile boardwalk that lets guests view a variety of different animal species and habitats.

32 Pleasant Plains Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920, Phone: 973-425-1222