Central New Jersey Free Family Attractions
Guide to Central New Jersey free family attractions. Features free and inexpensive historic parks, Museums, and nature centers
You don't have to break the bank to enjoy a day out with the family.
New Jersey is loaded with family attractions that are free or come with very little cost.
While the family attractions listed below are mostly free, some request a small donation, or charge a small fee for additional shows, exhibits, or parking.
Central New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Historic Parks & Sites
Historic Allaire Village
Allaire State Park
4263 Atlantic Avenue
Farmingdale NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: General Admission for ages 4 and up - $5. Extra cost for special programs & Events
Allaire State Park is best known for Allaire Village, a well-preserved early 19th-century ironmaking town with a general store, blacksmith shop, carpenter's shop, owner's house, foreman's house, church, and museum. A nonprofit corporation, sponsors more than 40 programs and events annually, including living history events, antique shows, arts and craft shows, and flea markets.
Monmouth Battlefield State Park
20 State Route 33
Manalapan, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
One of the largest battles of the American Revolution took place in the fields and forests that now make up Monmouth Battlefield State Park. The park preserves a splendid rural 18th-century landscape of hilly farmland and hedgerows that encompasses miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, picnic areas, a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse and a visitors center. Today, the Battlefield is peaceful where wildlife abounds in the woods and marshes, the fields produce crops of corn, wheat and soybeans, and a pick-your-own orchard. Take a "history hike" and see where the battle was fought, take a shady stroll along a woodland path or traverse meadows watching for red fox, songbirds or red-tailed hawks.
Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park
Has multiple access points for exploring the park
Trails and Access points
Most of the old canal system remains intact today and is a reminder of the days when the delivery of freight depended upon a team of mules or steam tugboats. The Delaware and Raritan Canal was built in the 1830s to transport goods to industrial areas. As you walk on the towpath you will see 19th century mills and lock/bridge tender houses, along with hand-built spillways and stone-arched culverts. The D&R Canal State Park offers a variety of habitats within its 70-mile long corridor. With its wooden bridges and 19th century bridge tender houses, remnants of locks, cobblestone spillways and hand-built stone-arched culverts, the canal is a tremendous attraction for history lovers.
Drumthwacket
354 Stockton St.
Princeton, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The official residence of NJ Governors, this beautiful Greek Revival mansion offers tours on Wednesdays.
Thomas Edison's Historic Menlo Park
37 Christie Street
Menlo Park, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Adult $7.00 - Senior - $5.00 (65+) - Child - $5.00 (5-17)- Children - Free (under 5)- Active Military - $5.00
More than any other inventor in history, Thomas Edison is responsible for the technologies that make modern life modern. By the time of his death in 1931, he held 1,093 patents covering the creation or refinements of devices in telegraphy and telephony, electric power generation and lighting, sound recording, motion pictures, storage batteries, and mining and cement technology. However, his most important invention was one that couldn't be patented: the process of modern invention itself. By applying the principles of mass production to the 19th-century model of the solitary inventor, Edison created a process in which skilled scientists, machinists, designers, and others collaborated at a single facility to research, develop, and manufacture new technologies.
Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Proving Ground National Historic Landmark
128 South Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ
Plan your Visit
Cost: Free
Sandy Hook is equally as rich in maritime and military history. Built in 1764, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark, is the oldest operating lighthouse in the United States. The U.S. Army's connection to Sandy Hook is also historically significant. For more than three-quarters of a century, from the Spanish-American War through the Cold War, Fort Hancock's defenses acted as significant deterrents to potential attacks on the New York Metropolitan Area. Fort Hancock and its dedicated soldiers saved millions of lives without ever firing a shot in combat.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane
Hopewell Twp., NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Features circa 1890 - 1910, horse-powered farm when horses and buggies traveled the roads of Pleasant Valley, and fields were bordered by snake fences and Osage orange hedgerows. It was a pivotal time in U.S. history, and saw the beginnings of exciting new technology that would challenge the power of the workhorse and the skills of craftsmen across the nation.
Updike Farmstead
354 Quaker Road
Princeton, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free. Additional charge for events
The Farmstead consists of a late 18th/early 19th century farmhouse, a large barn built in 1892, wagon shed, corn crib, three-bay garage, and garden sheds. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and lies within the Princeton Battlefield/Stony Brook Settlement Historic District. Benjamin Clarke, an early Stony Brook settler, first owned the land as part of a 1200-acre parcel he purchased in 1696. The Farmstead is along the route followed by Continental troops on their way to engage British soldiers at the neighboring Thomas Clarke farm at Princeton Battlefield.
Historic Walnford
62 Walnford Road,
Upper Freehold, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
At the heart of the Crosswicks Creek Park, the site showcases over 200 years of social, technological and environmental history through the Waln family. The historic district includes 36 acres of field, woodland and wetlands. Visit the large, elegant home built in 1774, the 19th century gristmill, and the farm buildings set in a beautiful landscape.
Central New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Museums
The Barnagat Bay
Maritime Museum
78 East Water Street
North East Corner of Hooper Ave.
Toms River, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Suggested Donation: $5 per adult
Their mission is to preserve and recreate when necessary, the unique history of those bygone days when schooners, catboats and special purpose small craft sailed New Jersey's coastal waters. The Barnegat Bay area and the interacostal waters of New Jersey have produced a number of significant boat types indigenous to the shallow estuaries and bays that provide haven for the feisty blue crab, the flat faces flounder, the elusive bay scallop, and the sweet cherrystone clam.
New Jersey craft such as the Class "A" catboat, Barnegat Bay sneakbox, gunning skiff, and the Egg Harbor Melon Seed are part of the evolution of watercraft which include the Jersey sea skiff, numerous garveys, hay scows, and Sneakboxes that are such an important part of this area's history
Hopewell Museum
28 East Broad St.
Hopewell, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
It features a collection of nearly 13,000 items and artifacts displaying what is most typical and interesting of village life in America from its colonial beginnings to the present. Most of its treasures have been drawn from homes in the surrounding area. Many of the outstanding items on display were used by the ancestors of today's residents. The history and traditions of a quiet industrious community and its people are presented in review.
Monmouth County Historical Association
70 Court Street
Freehold NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: $15 - Free to members
Features a collection of objects and artifacts that document over three centuries of Monmouth County history and culture, ranging in date from the early 17th century to present day. While a majority of the Association's 35,000+ piece collection is housed and preserved at an off-site storage facility, objects are routinely used for special exhibitions, education and outreach programs, publication, interpreted spaces in our historic house museums, and research services.
National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey
100 Camp Drive
Near Entrance to the National Guard Training Center
Sea Girt, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The museum collects, preserves and displays artifacts, documents, and memorabilia that have specific historical significance to the Army National Guard, the Air National Guard, and the Naval Militia of New Jersey. The centerpiece of the Museum is the Intelligent Whale, a primitive post Civil War submarine powered by human muscle. Ideally four sailors would crank the propeller while the other crewmen labored to keep the submarine on course and off the bottom.
New Jersey Museum of Boating
1800 Bay Avenue (Corner Meadow Avenue)
Point Pleasant, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
It's mission is to celebrate our state's rich maritime history. They are committed to educating, preserving, interpreting, and presenting the boats built in New Jersey and the related marine equipment and materials traditionally used in the process.
They also offer children's programs, including basic boating safety, sailing classes for kids, and family boat building workshops. They are destoination on the New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail achieving recognition by the National Park Service for the historic value of its collection and location.
New Jersey State Police Museum & Learning Center
1040 River Road
West Trenton, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The Museum provides an opportunity to learn about the nation's most diversified state law enforcement agency. Visitors learn the history of the State of New Jersey through the historic development of the State Police. Beginning with the State Grange era, through periods of population growth and economic changes, and how the New Jersey State Police have kept in step, meeting the changing needs of the citizens of the state.
New Jersey State Museum
205 W. State St.
Trenton, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Features
world-class collections in science, history and art. With more than two million objects, artifacts and specimens, the Museum broadly covers the fields of natural history, archaeology, ethnography, cultural history and fine art. In addition they offer a Planetarium program, interactions with scientists working on real fossils, with special programs and activities for young museum-goers.
Princeton University Art Museum
McCormick Hall
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The collections numbering more than 100,000 objects, range chronologically from ancient to contemporary art and concentrate geographically on the Mediterranean regions, Western Europe, Asia, the United States, Latin America, and Africa. The Museum presents opportunities to delve deeply into the study of art and culture, offers a revitalizing experience of extraordinary works of art, and acts as a library of the visual and a gateway to the University's intellectual resources.
Rutgers Geology Museum
Geology Hall
2nd Floor
85 Somerset Street
New Brunswick, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Dedicated to educating the public through its exhibits, collections, public lectures, tours and other programs. They strive to provide a wide range of unique learning experiences that will enhance our visitors' understanding of the natural world.
Somerville Fire Department Museum
15 N. Doughty Avenue
Somerville, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Built in 1888 the firehouse has been restored and converted into a Museum and is now open to the public. The Museum is full of historical content ranging from photographs to uniforms to functioning apparatus. There is even a functioning alarm system that is demonstrated during planned tours and events. The first floor features an 1850 hand pumper and a horse drawn steam fire truck.
Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The museum collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits world-class works of art to provide the university community and diverse regional, national, international audiences with direct experience of the visual arts. Scholarly activities make art accessible through exhibitions, publications, and educational programs.
Central New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Lighthouses
Navesink Twin Lights
2 Lighthouse Road
Highlands, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost:
Free - for self-tours
L located 200 feet above sea level ioverlooking the Shrewsbury River, Sandy Hook, Raritan Bay, New York skyline and the Atlantic Ocean. The lighthouse is maintained as a museum for public viewing. The north light tower can be climbed to see the panoramic view of the New York Skyline and the southern end of New York Harbor. Twin Lights is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Learn More
The Sandy Hook Lighthouse
Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area
128 South Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Located on the the tip of Sandy Hook, NJ, at the entrance of New York Harbor, its the oldest working lighthouse in the country. The light is maintained by the United States Coast Guard and is lit 24 hours a day. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is a National Historic Landmark. The light is currently an automated 3rd order Fresnel lens, fixed white light, visible for nineteen miles on a clear night.
Learn More
The Sea Girt lighthouse
9 Ocean Ave, (Corner Beacon Ave.)
Sea Girt, NJ
Website
Cost: Free - Self-tour
This was the last live-in lighthouse built in the United States. The lighthouse tower is attached to the building where the lighthouse keeper and his family lived. Guided tours and exhibits of rare photos and artifacts are on display, including a Fresnel lens, similar to the original fourth order lens used in the tower.
Learn More
Central New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Beaches
Keansburg Beach
275 Beachway Avenue
Keansburg, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Part of the Keansburg Amusement Park complex.
Overlooks the skyline of lower Manhattan. Beach does not have lifeguards.
Island Beach State Park
2401 Central Ave
Seaside Park, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Beach Access Free. Parking fee From Memorial day thru Labor Day.
Island Beach is one of New Jersey's last significant remnants of a barrier island ecosystem that once existed along much of the coast and is also one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier beaches on the north Atlantic coast.
Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook, Gateway National Recreation Area
128 South Hartshorne Drive
Highlands, NJ 07732
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Beach access free.
$20 charge per day for beach parking from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
The North Beach Observation Deck has tables and a view of the New York Harbor. Guardian Park has picnic tables, shelters and grills. Grilling is only permitted in Guardian Park.
Central New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Nature Centers
Cooper Environmental Center
Cattus Island County Park
1170 Cattus Island Blvd
Toms River, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Take a leisurely walk along the main trail to the beach, or walk a trail and enjoy many lovely vistas of Barnegat Bay. Cattus Island is home to the Cooper Environmental Center where visitors of all ages will enjoy hands-on educational displays such as a live view osprey cam, habitat tree and tunnel, bird viewing area, children's activity corner and a spectacular collection of live reptiles and fish. The park also contains a beautiful Butterfly Garden where you can view native plants and pollinators.
Duke Farms
1112 Dukes Parkway West
Hillsborough, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost:
Free, but a parking pass is required for Saturday visits from March to October
On over 1000 acres of land devoted to an ongoing exploration of native species, preservation and sustainability efforts, and of the area's natural beauty. Visitors cam a walk or bike ride through the landscape, a ttend a workshop, event or festival.
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Forest Resource Education Center
495 Don Connor Blvd
Jackson, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
They have an interpretive and maintain eight miles of self-guided trails with numerous learning stations with informational kiosks on environmental topics. The visitor, with the trail booklet as a guide, can stop at stations along the trail to look at features and identify plants. trees ABC Arboretum, Sensory Awareness , swamp life and
forest discovery.
Huber Woods Environmental Center
25 Brown's Dock Road
Locust (Middletown Twp.) NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Visitors can get to experience and develop relationships with the natural world through exhibits and displays. Explore its hands-on exhibit areas. The Reptile House invites visitors to see native reptiles and amphibians and learn about their role in our environment. While there, play Native American instruments while viewing and listening to recordings of American Indian musicians and dancers.
Jakes Branch County Park
1100 Double Trouble Rd
Beachwood, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
"The Gateway to the Pines", this park offers both active and passive recreation opportunities. The Jakes Branch Nature Center highlights the beauty, history and natural surroundings of the Pine Barrens through informational exhibits, live animals and environmental programs. Breathtaking views of the surrounding Pine Barrens forest can be taken in from the observation deck perched 5-stories atop the nature center.
Manasquan
Reservoir Environmental Center
331 Georgia Tavern Road
Howell, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Provides experiences of learning and discovery related to wetlands ecology and wildlife and habitat protection. Through interactive exhibits, multi-media presentations, educational activities for schools and community groups, and wildlife observation areas, visitors gain an understanding of the importance of water in our world.
Plainsboro Reserve
80 Scotts Corner Road
Cranbury, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The Reserve
has
over 1,000 acres of undisturbed open space with over 5 miles of nature trails and 50-acre McCormack Lake.
Walk the floodplain of Devil's Brook in search of the more than 150 species of birds that call the preserve home during the year.
It features the 6,500 sq-ft Rush Holt Environmental Education Center offers a diverse array of educational programs for organized groups and the general public, including natural history programs and workshops, slide and lecture programs, interpretive hikes, and educator workshops, serving as an outdoor classroom for schools and other groups.
Rutgers Gardens
130 Log Cabin Road
New Brunswick NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Rutgers Gardens is one of the few botanical gardens that does not charge an admission fee and is open year round. You are welcome to visit as often as you like to enjoy our "living museum" with its large array of gardens and plant collections.
The Watershed Institute
31 Titus Mill Road
Pennington, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The Watershed offers more than 300 education programs and events each year aimed at building environmental literacy, and awareness of environmental issues, . Environmental education has been one of the Watershed's core programs, since the 1980s. We believe that when people learn about nature, they are more likely to appreciate and care for it. Their Watershed Nature Camp inspires an appreciation of the wonders of nature for children from Kindergarten through 9th grade.
