Fun Ideas For Your Next Jersey City Staycation

Sun is out now, and  Finally, we can have some long-craved fun outside of the warmth of our homes. Fortunately, we don’t have to look further than our backyard to do so. Jersey City offers infinite opportunities to enjoy a day off with the family. Beautiful parks, family-friendly events, parent-child classes, and historical, cultural, and science venues. In a sense, JC has everything to keep you and your kids occupied for, well – ever. But, with so many choices, sometimes it isn’t easy to pick the right one. So, here are some fun ideas for your next Jersey City staycation.

Plan your Jersey City staycation if you’re not a local

Jersey City has an abundance of fantastic staycation options. So much so that it would take nothing short of moving here to experience them all. Jersey City offers many options, whether you’re looking for a job, education, or fun activities. However, if you only plan on visiting, you should take some time to plan your Jersey City staycation. You’ll make the most of your time and enjoy every minute of your stay. With that out, let’s get on to the good stuff.

Spend the day at Liberty State Park

Yes, we do mean the entire day. Liberty State Park is too good a destination to pass for your next Jersey City staycation. It’s one of the most popular destinations for Jerseyans to hang out in during warm days. But don’t let that concern you. The park is so large that you can have a cozy family picnic without feeling cramped. So, grab that checkered blanket and fill an enormous wicker basket to the brim. The view of the mesmerizing Hudson River, the towering Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan skyline will surely make you never want to leave. So, isn’t this a great Jersey City staycation idea?

Visit a Local Playground

So excited that the weather is finally changing! Perfect time to take the little ones to a local playground. We have a complete guide here.

Branch Brook Park

Branch Brook is located in Newark, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Jersey City.  The 360-acre is home to an annual Cherry Blossom Festival, perfect for Spring photos!

Six Flags Safari

Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure is now open from the comfort of your car!  HOT TIP: Plan your weekday visit for the best availability of reservations.  Of course, you must make an online reservation before your visit.  Six Flags Safari boasts 1,200 animals from all parts of the world.  The drive takes you very close to the animals while being entertained and informed by guides the whole way through.  Camp Aventura is the main stop on this excursion.  It offers opportunities for activities like ziplining and seeing exotic animals up close.  This trip will be a great bonding experience for the whole family.

Visit Liberty Science Center

Liberty Science Center is a place that blends fun with science. Interactive exhibits are both entertaining and informative. They also cover a wide variety of exciting topics, for instance:

• At the Our Hudson Home exhibit, you can learn more about the Hudson River and the animals that inhabit it. In addition, aquariums contain various animals, such as fish and turtles, which are a joy to observe.
• The Making Mammoths exhibit took a page from Jurassic Park’s playbook. However, only geneticists involved in the project aren’t trying to bring back dinosaurs. Instead, they combine mammoth genes with an Asian elephant to get around these long-extinct colossi.

And, as a perfect ending to a science-filled day, definitely take the time to visit Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium. What was once an IMAX theater is now the biggest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Stunning shows will take you through our solar system, galaxy, and beyond. Whether you’re a stargazing enthusiast, it will surely leave you in awe.

Ferry on, history lovers!

Of course, no Jersey City staycation would be complete without visiting the iconic Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Various tours include the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, Statue of Liberty Museum, and grounds. However, remember that if you wish to visit the crown and the pedestal (which you definitely should!), you must reserve the tickets well in advance. The best tours sell out quickly regarding the US’s most iconic monument.

Find the perfect memento of your Jersey City staycation.

Grove Street PATH Plaza hosts the Artist and Maker Market during the spring and summer. This outdoor bazaar becomes a boiling pot of creativity as warm weather approaches. Painters and sculptors create masterpieces on the spot. Various artisans craft intricate jewelry, bits, and baubles that make a perfect gift or addition to your collection. Although you should buy something to support them, watching them work is entertaining. And it will surely spark up the artistic flame within you. They also have a farmer’s market to get local goods and veggies. 

 

Feel the rush

If you’re looking for an adrenaline-packed experience, Pole Position Raceway and RPM Raceway may be what you need. Both venues offer various go-kart racing options suitable for both adults and children. So, don the helmets, rev the engines, and wait for the checkered flag to drop! However, if you prefer something safer, head to RPM Raceway and look at their RPM SIM. This is a full-motion simulator – the same one that professional race drivers use to practice. It will give you a realistic feeling of being on the racetrack: the danger, speed, and adrenaline rush.

Have fun by learning

Jersey City is teeming with fun activities for families with kids. They are a fantastic choice when you want your kids (and yourself) to learn something new and have tons of fun. Here are some unique venues you can visit:

• Pip’s Island is an award-winning theater for kids who do things differently. Here, your little ones can participate in the show and feel the wonders of being onstage.
• Tiny Greenhouse is a nature-friendly art studio where kids can use various recycled materials to make art. They will awaken the artist within and learn to preserve the environment.

Go for a sweet Jersey City staycation.

Ice cream! Everybody loves it, especially if it’s the tasty, creamy goodness you can find in the best JC ice-cream places. Torico and Milk Sugar Love are the Jersey City ice cream scene’s staples, with their unique flavors hand-made from fresh ingredients. But you don’t have to stop there. Angel’s Recipe has some of the best crepes in town, while Downtown Yoghurt will refresh you during warm summer days. Isn’t this a lovely Jersey City Staycation idea?

Check Out A Garden Near Jersey City

Are you looking for an activity where you can connect with nature this summer? Luckily, near Jersey City, gorgeous and luscious gardens are open to the public. We have created a complete guide on it here. 

Head to Governors Island

Families always look for new, fun, exciting places to visit during summertime. Governors Island, New York, is a 172-acre island in the heart of New York Harbor. It is a world unto itself, unique and full of promise. So if you want to escape the daily city life without going too far, check out Governors Island, New York. With many exciting activities for the family, beautiful views, good food, and so much more, you can have a perfect weekend here. More information is here. 

Check out Little Island 

Little Island in New York City is a new, accessible public Park pier within the larger Hudson River Park. They opened to the public on May 21, 2021. It is a 2.4-acre public park in Hudson River Park on the West side of Manhattan. Components of the pier, nestled among more than 350 species of flowers, trees, and shrubs, include a 687-seat theater, an intimate stage and lawn space, and dazzling views of other portions of Hudson River Park, New York City, and the Hudson River.

With things listed here, we have only scratched the surface. But whoever visits JC once is sure to come back for more! So, you might do something different for your next Jersey City staycation. Maybe take a gourmet tour to guide you through some of the best places to enjoy family lunch or dinner. Or opt for an active staycation at Perishing Fields, playing basketball and tennis with your family. Maybe even catch a show at Jersey City Theatre or swing by for storytime at Word Bookstore. The possibilities are endless. Still, one thing remains certain – you will have a blast no matter which activity you choose!

Featured Photo: @casadefallon via Instagram 

Author Bio:

Angie Sims used to work in the traveling industry for six years and now works in the relocation industry. For the last three years, she has been specializing in helping people with their domestic and international relocation. She is also a full-time mom and a part-time blog writer. From her own experiences, she writes about traveling and moving with children on her blog.