New Jersey Free Family Attractions
Guide to New Jersey free family attractions. Features free and inexpensive historic parks, museums, nature centers, and more
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.
Northern New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Historic Parks & Sites
Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal
Liberty State Park
Morris Pesin Drive
Jersey City NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
From 1892 through 1954, the CRRNJ Terminal stood with the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island to unfold one of this nation's most dramatic stories: the immigration of northern, southern and eastern Europeans, among others, into the United States. After being greeted by the Statue of Liberty and processed at Ellis Island, these immigrants purchased tickets and boarded trains at the Terminal to their new homes. The CRRNJ Terminal is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. after Labor Day until Memorial Day.
Great Falls National Historic Park : A Spectacular Natural Attraction With Historical Significance
65 McBride Ave.
Paterson, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
The falls now 77 feet high, emerged approximately 13,000 years ago the end of the ice age. As the glaciers ice melted, the Passaic river swelled and rerouted it's way around the north end of the Watchung Mountains, carving out the spectacular falls from the basalt base.
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Washington's Headquarters - Morristown National Historical Park
30 Washington Place
Morristown, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
George Washington and his staff used the Morristown mansion of widow Theodosia Ford as their headquarters during the winter of 1779-80. The Washington's Headquarters Museum is the best place to start your visit to Morristown National Historical Park. Not only is this the first stop on an automobile tour of the park, but stopping here first makes sense geographically, for the museum is located at the north end of the park. From here your can make your way south to Jockey Hollow and not have to flip-flop back and forth in order to see all sections of the park.
Northern New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Museums
African Art Museum
23 Bliss Avenue
Tenafly, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free, donations accepted
Established in 1980, the Tenafly museum is one of only a rare few in the United States dedicated solely to the arts of Africa. Its permanent collections, exhibited on a rotating basis, offer a unique advantage in the study and research of sub-Saharan sculpture and painting, costumes, textiles and decorative arts, religion and folklore.
Dr. Wm. Robinson Plantation & Museum
593 Madison Hill Road
Clark, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Built circa 1690 on the 700 acre farm of Dr. William Robinson, one of the first known physicians in the area, who emigrated here from Scotland with his family. The plantation is a rare example of late 17th century frame construction, notable for its chamfered and carved summer beam, rubble stone foundation and massive fireplace foundation in the cellar, steeply pitched roof, crenellated chimney, diamond-paneled casement windows and broad overhanging corner pendants.
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The Museum of the Historical Society of Bloomfield
90 Broad Street
Bloomfield, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost : Annual Fee:
Individual $10.00 Couple $15.00 Student (under 18) $5.00
The collection consists of furniture, clothing and accessories, tools, household articles, paintings, toys, posters, memorabilia, dioramas, maps, newspapers, postcards, letters, deeds, documents and books.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum
45 Macculloch Avenue
Morristown, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Donations accepted, Gardens are Free
An 1810 Federal-style mansion with ten period rooms, four exhibit galleries and the oldest gardens in Morris County. During tours of the gorgeous historic home visitors will view a variety of decorative art pieces as well as the Museum's collection of original artwork by caricaturist Thomas Nast. The museum is renowned for the world's largest collection of works by Nast. Visitors can also visit the changing exhibits in the three galleries at the Museum or can enjoy the galleries before or after their room tours.
Meadowlands Museum
91 Crane Avenue
Rutherford, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Suggested Donation: Adults $5, Children $3
They are the main steward of history and culture of the Meadowlands region and one of its leading storytellers. Its mission and collection, which resides in the Yereance-Berry House in southern Bergen County in Rutherford, NJ, are distinctive and unique. The house is a historic treasure and landmark, and was built in 1804 by the Berry family, who were among the county's earliest settlers.
The Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road
Morristown, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: $12,
Museum Members Free, Seniors, students under 25 with ID, ages 3-17 $ 8, Children 2 and under and active military personnel + 5 family members Free
Offers special events for all ages and all interests -- from young children to seniors, from hands-on art and science workshops to discussions of significant historical events, and theatrical and other performances.
The museum contains a collection of more than 40,000 objects ranging from rocks and minerals to model trains, as well as one of the country's largest collections of mechanical musical instruments and automata.
Ridgewood Schoolhouse Museum
650 E. Glen Avenue
Ridgewood, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost:
Suggested donation $5 per person – $15 per family
The one-room schoolhouse in which the museum is housed was built in 1872, and was an operational school until 1905. It now serves as a museum of local historic artifacts. The schoolhouse is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Northern New Jersey Free and inexpensive Family Attractions:
Nature Centers
Closter Nature Center
154 Ruckman Road
Closter, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Suggested donation,
Member $5, non-members $10
With 136 acres of ponds, brooks, meadows and forests to explore, the center provides informative monthly lectures and nature walks for the general public, as well as school or scout groups.
Demarest Nature Center
90 Park St,
Demarest, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Membership -Trail Walker $25/ year, Trail hiker $50/ year, Trail Ranger $100/year
In addition to preserving and protecting important open space here in the midst of a large metropolitan area, the center seeks to educate young and old alike as to the beauty of nature and the importance of protecting our environment. They offer a variety of Bird walks, activities around the pond, and more.
The Environmental Education Center
Lord Stirling Park
190 Lord Stirling Rd,
Basking Ridge, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost:
Programs/events typically $6 per student/senior $7 per adult
Offers approximately 9 miles of hiking trails, Naturalist led programs, school field trips, fun festivals, nature themed exhibits, facility and classroom rentals, a resource library, science and conservation research, and more.
Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
443 Van Nostrand Avenue
Englewood NJ,
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
A 150-acre nature preserve and environmental education center with 3.6 miles of self-guided forested hiking trails that lead to a cascading stream, wetlands, pond and meadows.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Helen C Fenske Visitor Center
32 Pleasant Plains Rd.
Harding, NJ
Cost: Free
Visit their site to learn more
The refuge consists of 7,768 acres of varied habitats, and the refuge has become an important resting and feeding area for more than 244 species of birds. Fox, deer, muskrat, turtles, fish, frogs and a wide variety of wildflowers and plants can be found on the refuge. At the Helen C Fenske Visitor Center you can learn about the history and find where the wildlife hotspot of the day is.
Hawk Rise Sanctuary
1811 Lower Rd
Linden, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
A 95-acre ecological preserve and wetland complex bordering the Rahway River, at the lower reaches of the Rahway River Parkway. Has flat trails about 1.5 miles long,
James A. McFaul Environmental Center
150 Crescent Avenue
Wyckoff, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
This is an
the 81-acre Wildlife sanctuary offers nature programs and workshops. The site includes a waterfowl pond, bird shelters, a boardwalk, nature trail, memorial gazebo, and natural science exhibits.
Kay Environmental Center
200 Pottersville Rd
Chester, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free
Home to the New Jersey Office of Nature Conservancy. The 1,600 acre complex of preserved county parkland along the Black River is connected by the Patriots' Path Blue Spur. There are a variety of hiking trails that run through beautiful meadows and hardwood forests.
Lorrimer Sanctuary
790 Ewing Ave
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
The visitors' center has an exhibit and lecture room, winter bird feeding station, interpretive displays, hands-on exhibits, and a gift shop, the proceeds of which benefit the Sanctuary. There is a self-guiding trail system that winds through the 14 acres of land. Much of the acreage is second-growth woods (mostly oak, maple, ash, and beech); and small stands of planted evergreens. The trails are open during Sanctuary hours.
Cost: Free. For events. Individual tickets are $5, and family tickets (for up to 4) are $18 for members and $20 for non member.
The Raptor Trust
1390 White Bridge Rd
Millington, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free (
A suggested donation of at least $2 per person)
They are
home to approximately 50 resident birds, with an on-site medical, rehabilitation center, and education center.The center is located near the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and not only provides avian rehabilitation but also offers educational programs about wildlife. The center is open 365 days a year to receive injured birds. Visitors are welcome to view hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls housed in aviaries on the property.
Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary
11 Hardscrabble Rd
Bernardsville, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost;
Free, For events typically $15 members, $19 nonmembers.
They consist pf an environmental learning center, tree-top level observation deck, bookstore, and exhibits. The bird-feeding station next to the building is a popular attraction for birds and bird-watchers alike, and can be viewed in comfort from the inside of the building. Well-maintained and marked trails traverse the Sanctuary, ranging in length from 0.3 miles to 1.3 miles and passing through upland deciduous forest, fields, woodland, and the floodplain along the headwaters of the Passaic River. The Sanctuary is home to more than 60 species of nesting birds, and over 200 species of birds.
Tenafly Nature Center
313 Hudson Ave
Tenafly, NJ
Visit their site to learn more
Cost: Free,
For Events typically Single Member – $5, Non member $8
They are a
steward nearly 400 acres of forest land and wetland in order to protect, improve, restore, and sustain it as wildlife habitat. They offer educational programs, and maintain over seven miles of hiking trails for pleasure and exercise.
