Places to see in New Jersey vacation sights in New Jersey Explore things to do in New Jersey

Sometimes you just want to get out and explore. We try to strike a good balance of places that you will really enjoy. Finding ideas for family friendly outings, or interesting places to go in New Jersey with your friends, both are at your fingertips here with America Top 10. We aim to give you plenty of ideas without you having to do all the research. That way you can easily decide if you want to explore New Jersey sites or check out the sites in another state.

You have also heard how it is becoming a lot more popular to have staycations (where you stay home instead of going to far off places) and discover new and interesting places in the near vicinity. We try to make that easier for you. Check out the sites in New Jersey that have become local favorites easily with our site.

We hope that we have provided you plenty of choices in New Jersey whether this is a new area for you or your own back yard. Something a little different from the typical amusement park. If you really loved somewhere but don’t see them on our list let us know, we are always looking to improve our lists and we can only do that with your help.

The Hermitage

Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ

The Hermitage is a historic house museum and National Historic Landmark that encompasses over 250 years of American history. The museum is maintained by the Friends of the Hermitage Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was founded in 1971. Visitors to the Hermitage Museum can tour the historic house, view different exhibitions of the collections, and take part in a range of educational and public programming.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

West Orange, NJ

Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory are a step back in time, when machines were run by belts and pulleys and music was played on phonographs. Where to the passerby, the buildings betray little evidence of the industries they once started. Discover where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever.

Liberty Science Center

Jersey City , NJ

Liberty Science Center, is a 300,000-square-foot learning center located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. The Science Center houses 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater, live simulcast surgeries, hurricane- and tornado-force wind simulators, K-12 classrooms and labs, and teacher-development programs. More than 650,000 students, teachers, and parents visit Liberty Science Center each year, and tens of thousands more participate in the Center’s off-site and online programs.

Presby Memorial Iris Gardens

Montclair, NJ

The Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens was established in 1927 to honor Frank H. Presby of Montclair, a leading horticulturist and a founder of the American Iris Society. The gardens offer a spectacular display of thousands of iris varieties to visitors from all over the world and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Sites.

Adventure Aquarium

Camden, NJ

America’s most decorated Battleship is now the area’s most exciting museum, open for tours, events and overnight encampments. Exploring “BB62” is experiencing history in a completely new way. Not only do you see exhibits of artifacts from the ship’s past, but also you are put into the exhibit as you go through the tour route. Sit in the chair from which Admiral Halsey commanded the fleet. Stretch out on the bunks where the sailors slept. Climb into the 16” gun turret and learn how the projectiles were loaded.

Grounds for Sculpture

Hamilton, NJ

Grounds for Sculpture is a 42-acre public sculpture park located in Hamilton, NJ. It was founded in 1992 on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds by J. Seward Johnson to promote an understanding of and appreciation for contemporary sculpture for all people. Visitors to the park can enjoy the outdoor permanent collection, indoor seasonal exhibitions, and learn about contemporary sculpture through a variety of educational programs including workshops for adults and children, artist residencies and lectures, tours for adults, schoolchildren, toddlers, as well as touch tours for the blind.

Montclair Art Museum

Montclair, NJ

After 100 years of service, MAM is recognized as the leading American art museum and community art school in Northern New Jersey. As an organization, they value: artistic inspiration, diversity of voices, individual and group creativity, and the importance of all arts to a civil, inclusive, and forward-thinking society. They want to inspire and engage people of all ages in their experience with art, including the rich inter-cultural and global connections throughout American history, and the continuing relevance of art to contemporary life.

South Mountain Reservation

West Orange, NJ

The South Mountain Reservation, covering 2,112 acres, is a nature reserve that is part of the Essex County Park System. It is located in central in portions of Maplewood, Millburn and West Orange, and borders South Orange, between the first and second ridges of the Watchung Mountains.

Kidz Village

Kenilworth, NJ

Kidz Village is an exciting indoor playground and ultimate kids’ fun center where kids ages 10 and under can climb, play, explore, interact and celebrate their birthdays in a clean, bright and colorful world filled with slides and bridges, kids’ fun and games, and creative theme rooms where their imaginations can take flight. They are a safe, clean, and friendly environment where children can visit many different age-appropriate ‘worlds’ in the different levels of their kids’ activity center. They offer a fun variety of themed play rooms like our movie theater, beauty salon, tool shop, 50’s-style play diner and more, all encouraging learning, spatial skills, and valuable social interaction with other kids and families.

Paterson Museum

Paterson, NJ

From its inception, The Paterson Museum has stressed the educational aspects of its interpretive exhibits. A major strength of the Museum lies in its varied collections, including local archaeology, history, and mineralogy. Paterson has been the birthplace or springboard of many innovators and inventors such as John Holland -“Father of the modern submarine,” Sam Colt – who perfected the repeating cylinder revolver, and John Ryle – “Father of the silk industry.”