Get ready for these new Fall 2022 exhibits, performances, attractions, and rarely seen spectacular galleries coordinated by amazing organizations. Learn about history, experience life and watch new productions made for families and school groups. These numerous opportunities makes New Jersey is wonderful state to learn and explore. These ideas organized by categories are among several others featured in our NJ KIDS’ Field Trips Guide 2022.

MUSEUM EXHIBITS AND PLANETARIUMS

Animal Kingdom at The Newark Museum of Art - NEW

Visit The Newark Museum of Art’s newest exhibit Animal Kingdom through May 2024. Earth is home to an astounding variety of life. Animal Kingdom celebrates diversity as an interactive experience featuring art, animal specimen, and hands-on fun for all ages. LINK

Rarely Seen Exhibit at Kean Galleries - NEW

Rarely Seen: Photographs of the Extraordinary, an exhibition organized by National Geographic Society on display from Sept 1 - Nov 23. Engage audiences with some of the world’s most astounding phenomena relating to topics about climate change, animal welfare and the human perspective. Held at Liberty Hall Academic Center Gallery & Exhibition Hall. LINK

Ocean County College Planetarium 

The Robert J. Novins Planetarium presents Laser shows, Sky shows and Full Dome movies for all ages in a 103-seat dome theater. Learn about our earth, solar system, and beyond. Look for special themed events. Toms River, NJ  LINK

Buehler Challenger & Science Center 

Take simulated space missions that feel extremely real. Imagine traveling to Mars as an astronaut, or being on a ship and in mission control. Public missions and school programs are available. Paramus, NJ. LINK

NJ State Museum 

Deep dive into your favorite subjects with their Master Classes in art history, archaeology, paleontology and more. Experience space in 8K definition in their upgraded planetarium. See their planetarium calendar of shows. Trenton, NJ. LINK 

EXPLORE HISTORY

National Constitution Center 

Step inside and be inspired. Steps from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center is an ESSENTIAL part of the Historic Philadelphia experience. Be immersed in the extraordinary story of “We the People,” Signers’ Hall, Freedom Rising, Voting Booth and more. Philadelphia. LINK

Tenement Museum 

Take an interactive tour of historic tenement buildings on the Lower East Side of NYC; offering apartment tours and neighborhood walking tours. This is where hundreds of immigrants lived. Virtual tours may be available. NYC. LINK

AMUSEMENT AND PLAY

FIELD STATION: Dinosaurs After Dark!

A spooky, funny and thrilling adventure for the whole family with over 30 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs in a natural environment. You will walk through dinosaur lined trails and experience a Jurassic Park in New Jersey. Come face-to-face with dinosaurs.  Oct 8, 2022 is Scout Day, Oct 1 - 29, 2022 on Friday and Saturday evenings. Lantern lit tours and a T-Rex Hunt with the Dino Wrangler. Campfire sing-a-long, roasted marshmallows & hot chocolate! Leonia, NJ  LINK

Storybook Land Fairy Tales 

Make your own story and go on a classic fairytale adventure with rides and attractions galore. Get lost in childhood stories. October is fall fun with hayrides, hay maze, and pumpkin decorating. Oct 22, 23, 29, 30 is Trick or Treat Weekend! Collect treats throughout the park, don’t forget costumes! Trick or Treat bag included for kids ages 2 and up. Nov 19 - Dec 30: Storybook Land will be covered with 1 million lights, plus visit Santa. Egg Harbor Township, NJ  LINK

Imagine That!! Children's Discovery 

A children’s discovery environment with activities that are specialized for pre-school age and young school children.This 16,000 sq ft interactive museum was recently renovated and features sensory friendly exhibits, play grocery store, arts & crafts area, and much more. Plus check out their special weekend events. Fun and exciting for children, parents, and teachers. Admission fee includes all day admission, unlimited time to explore the activities. Florham Park, NJ  LINK

Learn stilt walking or aerial skills at Circus Place 

Discover and explore circus arts at Circus Place, a premiere circus school for all ages. Learn aerial silks, trapeze, tight wire, juggling, walking globe, stilt walking and more. Bring your kids or group for classes and workshops. Learn new and unique skills. Hillsborough, NJ. LINK

 

PERFORMANCES

NJ PAC Family Programs 

Upcoming fall family programs include: Oct 9: Blue’s clues & you! Live on stage; Oct 29: Jaws in Concert; Dec 9: Recycled Percussion; Dec 17: Hip Hop Nutcracker; Dec 26: Cirque Dreams; Dec 30-31: Paw Patrol Live! Newark, NJ. LINK

New Jersey Symphony At the Movies 

JAWS in Concert: On Oct 28 - 30 see and experience the original summer blockbuster film with live orchestra experience and Academy Award®-winning score by composer John Williams. Also, don’t miss their holiday extravaganza on Dec 3: A Joyful Noise!  LINK

State Theatre New Jersey 

Save big on these not to be missed family shows in a fully renovated theater: Nov 13: Mutts Gone Nuts, Jan 15: Dragons and Mythical Beasts, Feb 5: Llama Llama Live!. New Brunswick, NJ. LINK

Gazillion Bubble Show 

The unPOPable Gazillion Bubble Show, now in its incrediBUBBLE 15th year in New York City, is the most unbubblievable show in the world! Audiences are delighted with an unbubblievable experience, awashed with a bubble tide, and some even find themselves INSIDE a bubble. Mind-blowing bubble magic, spectacular laser lighting effects, and momentary soapy masterpieces will make you smile, laugh, and feel like a kid again. NYC. LINK

 

SPEND A DAY WITH HORSES

Seaton Hackney Equestrian Center 

Learn to horseback along Loantaka Park. Seaton Hackney offers the complete equine experience. A full service riding facility servicing beginner to advanced riders. They will introduce you to all aspects of horses, including horseback riding lessons, Troop program, Petite Equestrian, Trail Riding, and Therapeutic Riding. Ask about their scout badge programs, birthday parties, Equisharing, and Flex Camps. Rusty Riders is back.  Morristown, NJ. LINK

SPEND A DAY WITH WILDLIFE

Bronx Zoo

With over 265 acres, connect with the animals you love. Watch the bison graze or hear from the experts during a keeper chat, explore various outdoor and indoor exhibits, and view animal feedings. Don’t miss star attractions Children’s Zoo, Jungleworld, Congo Gorilla Forest, Wild Asia Monorail, Butterfly Garden, Jungle World, Tiger Mountain, Bug Carousel, Nature Trek, Penquin and Sea Lion feedings, Treetop Adventure and Wild Encounters. Also, walkthrough the Dinosaur Safari attraction, included with admission and runs through Oct 30, 2022. Get up close with 52 life-sized dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Open year round. Bronx, NY

Central Park Zoo

From snow monkeys to sea lions, puffins to penguins, discover the range of wildlife that call Manhattan home. Visit Tisch children’s zoo open year-round, 4-D Theater, and Rain Forest. NYC

NY Aquarium

From sea lion shows to penguin feeds, sand tiger sharks and other marine animals. Brooklyn, NY

Popcorn Park Zoo

serves as a refuge for wildlife in Southern Jersey. Every animal is a rescue animal with a unique background. See cougars, bobcats, deer, black bears as well as a many farm animals. Forked Way, NJ

Cohanzick Zoo

is a small FREE zoo and home to over 100 animals. See tigers, black bears, owls, turtles, Macaw, hawks, foxes and more! 45 Mayor Aitken Drive, Bridgeton, NJ

Lakota Wolf Preserve

is a one of a kind animal sanctuary, home to wolves, foxes and bobcats. Columbia, NJ

 

GET LOST IN JERSEY’S STATE PARKS

There are so many wonderful State Parks each with unique qualities of their own. You’ll find numerous trails, lakes, streams, mountain views to enjoy. You’ll need to research and create your own outting and adventure. Enjoy a picnic, engage in a scavenger hunt, hike, walk, bird watch and have a recreational outting. Here are a few destinations (refer to our full article: Guide to the Great Outdoors).

  • Abraham Hewitt State Park, Passaic County
  • High Point State Park, Sussex County
  • Allamuchy Mountain State Pk, Sussex County
  • Liberty State Park, Hudson County
  • Weehawken Waterfront Park, Hudson County
  • Lewis Morris Park, Morris County
  • Central Park of Morris, Morris County
  • South Mountain Reservation, Essex County
  • Palisades Interstate Park, Bergen County
  • Saddle River County Park, Bergen County
  • Ringwood State Park, Passaic County
  • High Mountain Park Preserve, Passaic County
  • Cheesaquake State Park, Middlesex County
  • Duke Island Park, Somerset County
  • Washington Crossing State Pk, Mercer County
  • Allaire State Park, Monmouth County
  • Belleplain State Forest, Cape May/Cumberland
  • Cattus Island County Park, Ocean County
  • Clayton Park, Monmouth County
  • Island Beach State Park, Ocean County
  • Wharton State Forest, Atlantic/Burlington/Camden Counties
  • Rancocas State Park, Burlington County