If you are in the process of planning a day trip with your family this summer, consider visiting New Jersey! There is affordable fun for the whole family to enjoy, from beaches along the coast, to a plethora of sporting events and outdoor parks throughout the state. Check out our list below of top New Jersey attractions and start planning your trip today! For even more affordable day trip ideas, check out our list of Top Affordable Day Trips in VA here, and in PA here.
The Jersey Shore – There is something for everyone up and down the coast of the Jersey Shore; from Cape May in the south to Asbury Park in the north, and Long Beach Island in-between. A great guide to New Jersey Boardwalks and what attractions they offer can be found here.
In addition to the beaches and boardwalks at the Jersey Shore, consider visiting the Cape May County Park and Zoo in Cape May, NJ. This beautiful park is home to over 250 species of animals, from big cats, giraffes, bears, and more; and even better, it’s FREE!
Amusement Parks – New Jersey is home to great amusement parks the whole family can enjoy. Six Flags Great Adventure, in Jackson, NJ, has some of the world’s best thrill rides including Kingda Ka, which is the tallest roller coaster in the word, El Toro, which has one of the steepest slopes of any wooden roller coaster in the world, and the new Zumanjaro, aka the “Drop of Doom!” Besides the great rides, Six Flags Great Adventure offers live entertainment, games, and more. If you are looking for a break from the summer heat, take a walk next door to Hurricane Harbor Water Park, which features water thrill rides, a wave pool, and a lazy river!
If you’re visiting South Jersey, stop at the popular Clementon Amusement Park in Clementon, NJ. Here you’ll find a combination of thrill rides and water park attractions. Other water parks include Sahara Sam’s Oasis in West Berlin, NJ – an indoor/outdoor water park and complex featuring tube slides, an indoor lazy river, and more! Purchase tickets online here for as low as $24.95 a person.
The Adventure Aquarium – Located in Camden, NJ, the Adventure Aquarium is an amazing place to visit. There are over a dozen interactive exhibits where you can see African penguins, Giant Pacific octopus, Great Hammerhead sharks, Loggerhead sea turtles, and a large variety of fish species. You can also visit the all-new Hippo Haven experience! Adventure Aquarium is the only aquarium in the world with hippos on exhibit, and in Hippo Haven, families will find themselves literally ‘nose-to-nose’ underwater with massive Nile hippos named Button and Genny. Plan a visit today, and create a truly memorable experience for the whole family.
“Play Ball” – Catch a Baseball Game – While big league teams dominate the news (and can be expensive for families), New Jersey has a handful of minor league teams that are just as much fun for the kids and much more affordable; lower level seats are as cheap as $13! Even better, teams are located all across the state, making it easy to attend a game. Teams include the Camden River Sharks in Camden, NJ, (Campbell field is incredible as it sits at the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge), the Trenton Thunder in Trenton, NJ, the Lakewood Blueclaws in Lakewood, NJ, the Jersey Jackals in Upper Montclair, NJ, the Somerset Patriots who play at TD Bank Park, and the Newark Bears out of Newark, NJ.
Explore the Outdoors – Located in the south-central part of the state is Wharton State Forest. Wharton State Forest is a great place to take the family canoeing and camping. To the west, families can enjoy a day of tubing on the Delaware River. One of the best places to rent a tube and go on an unguided adventure is in Frenchtown, NJ with Delaware River Tubing, featuring the famous Delaware River hot dog man. Half way through your trip, you’ll find the hot dog man serving up lunch in his pontoon boat! In north Jersey families can explore the Delaware Water Gap located in the Appalachian Trail area, catch great views, and enjoy a day of hiking.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation to an exotic island (check out 5 Cheap International Vacation Spots here) or just looking to go on a fun family day trip, Mariner Finance is here for your financing needs! Contact your local Mariner Finance branch to speak with a knowledgeable member of our staff and get the money you need today!
