Free Family Attractions in South Jersey
Fort Mott State Park
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.
These attractions all have hours of operation, and/or special exhibits or programs that require an advance registration. Sometimes conditions require cancellations or changes of dates and times which are not reflected in the original schedule. Before planning a trip to visit one of the listed attractions with a special exhibit, it is suggested that you call ahead to confirm scheduling or for additional information.
South Jersey Cheap & Free Family Attractions: Historic Parks & Sites
Batsto VillageWharton State Forest, 31 Batsto Road, Hammonton NJ 08037 (609) 561-0024
For more information, please visit their Website
This Pine Barrens village is composed of 33 historic buildings and structures including the Batsto Mansion, gristmill, sawmill, general store, workers' homes and post office. Batsto Village was a former bog iron and glassmaking industrial center from 1766 to 1867 and currently reflects the agricultural and commercial enterprises that existed here during the late 19th century.
The C. A. Nothnagle Log House
406 Swedesboro Rd, Gibbstown, NJ 856-423-0916
For more information, please visit their Website
Built between 1638 and 1643, this is one of the oldest surviving log houses in the United States.
The Colonial House Greater Cape May Historical Society
653 1/2 Washington Street, (next to City Hall) Cape May, NJ 609-884-9100
For more information, please visit their Website
This was originally a tavern and the family home of Revolutionary War patriot Memucan Hughes. The house is an unsung survivor from Cape Island's very beginning and thought to be one of the oldest surviving houses on Cape Island.
Double Trouble Village
Double Trouble State Park, Pinewald Keswick Road and Double Trouble Road, Bayville, NJ 08721, (609) 726-1191
For more information, please visit their Website
The Double Trouble Historic District is a window into past and current industries in the Pine Barrens. A succession of sawmills has been on site since the mid-1700s. As swamps were cleared of cedar trees, a new industry emerged with the planting of cranberry vines. The village has fourteen historic structures dating from the late 19th century through the early 20th century, including the restored sawmill and cranberry packing house with static exhibits and un-restored buildings including the company store, one room schoolhouse, and workers cottages.
Fort Mott
Fort Mott State Park, 454 Fort Mott Road, Pennsville, NJ 08070 (856) 935-3218
For more information, please visit their Website
Fort Mott was part of a coastal defense system designed for the Delaware River in the late 1800's. The fortifications seen today at Fort Mott were erected in 1896 in anticipation of the Spanish-American War.
Whitesbog Village
799 Lakehurst Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08015 (609) 726-1191
For more information, please visit their Website
Whitesbog was an active 19th- and 20th-century cranberry and blueberry producing community, founded in the 1870's by Joseph J. White. The commercial high-bush blueberry was developed here by Elizabeth White.
South Jersey Cheap & Free Family Attractions: Museums
African American Heritage Museum of Southern New JerseyTwo locations: Dr. Martin Luther King Center 661 Jackson Road, Newtonville, NJ 08346 (609) 704-5495, and Noyes Arts Garage. 2200 Fairmount Avenue Atlantic City, NJ 08401 (609) 350-6662
For more information, please visit their Website
Exhibits a collection of paintings, ceramics and advertising and branding memorabilia that portrays African Americans in both a flattering and unflattering way.
American Hungarian Museum
300 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 732.846.5777
For more information, please visit their Website
They Collect, Conserve and Celebrate the contributions, traditions, stories, history, heritage and culture that American Hungarians have contributed to the American way of life since 1776.
Avalon History Center
215 39th St, Avalon, NJ 08202 (609) 967-0090
For more information, please visit their Website
A local history museum that displays a collection of objects from Avalon's past. Visitors can learn more about their favorite beach town by viewing fun and fascinating displays, including a 1925 Avalon Life Boat that they can climb into. The History Center's collection includes thousands of photographs, objects, and ephemera that tell the story of Avalon's residents, places, and events.
Brigantine Historical Museum
3607 Atlantic Brigantine Boulevard, Brigantine, NJ 08203-1001 (609) 266-3437
For more information, please visit their Website
Exhibits include a large collection of photographs from the 19th and early 20th centuries as well as many artifacts from days gone by. Stop in and stroll through Brigantine's unique past. Open from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend in October.
Bridgeton Hall of Fame All Sports Museum
Burt Avenue Recreation Center, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 (856) 451-7300
For more information, please visit their Website
This South Jersey museum is dedicated to individuals and teams of all sports in this region of New Jersey. Photos, equipment, scrapbooks, and other memorabilia of many well known men and women of national fame and regional and local renown in sports are on display in this modern and spacious facility. The large Trophy Room displays medals, cups, and trophies of John Borican, the Olympic all-around black athlete. Other local sports stars include Harvey Johnson, All Pro Football star; Major League baseball stars "Goose Goslin" and "Rube" Oldring and boxing great, heavyweight Jack Gross.
Cumberland County Prehistorical Museum
1461 Bridgeton Road Greenwich, New Jersey 08323 856-455-8580
For more information, please visit their Website
Discover the world of the Indians who inhabited the lower Delaware Valley. At the end of the last Ice Age, the Paleo (Clovis) Indians were the first primitive people to penetrate this region. Many subsequent Indian cultures followed in their wake, leaving physical evidence of their passing in the earth's archives. This salvaged evidence is exhibited in the form of stone and bone artifacts, pottery and native crafts. When combined, they illustrate the evolution of the Indian societies who occupied southern New Jersey.
Heritage Glass Museum
25 E. High St, Glassboro, NJ 08028 (856) 881-7468
For more information, please visit their Website
The museum was founded in 1979 and its mission is to educate and preserve the heritage of glass manufacturing and glass blowing in South Jersey.
The Maywood Station Museum
269 Maywood Avenue, Maywood, NJ 07607 [email protected]
For more information, please visit their Website
The museum has everything for the rail historian - from a restored historic train station with numerous photographs, artifacts and displays to historic equipment and operating model trains, there is plenty to explore and relive. The museum's collection of railroad related and local historical artifacts is exceptional.
Millville Army Air Field Museum
1 Leddon Street, Millville Airport, Millville, NJ 08332 (856) 327-2347
For more information, please visit their Website
This museum preserves the history of the Millville Army Air Field, dedicated by the U.S. War Department in 1941 as "America's First Defense Airport." During WWII 10,000 men and women served here with 1,500 pilots receiving advanced gunnery training in P-47 Thunderbolt and P-40 Warhawk fighter planes. Located in the original base headquarters building, the MAAFM displays large collections of WWII aviation artifacts of national interest. It recognizes and commemorates all aspects of aviation history as well as documents and honors the lives of American veterans.
New Jersey Maritime Museum
528 Dock Road, Beach Haven, NJ 08008 (609) 492-0202
For more information, please visit their Website
This a museum and research facility for educational purposes. It includes providing a facility for the public display of marine artifacts. The display of artifacts is intended to encourage maritime research, historical instruction by guest lecturers and promote the education of the public about New Jersey's maritime history.
Ocean City Historical Museum
1735 Simpson Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08226 (609) 399-1801
For more information, please visit their Website
The mission of the museum is to delight, inspire and educate the public about the story of Ocean City, New Jersey and to collect, preserve and promote items relevant to its heritage, traditions and memories.
Smith-Cadbury Mansion
12 High Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057 (856) 235-0353
For more information, please visit their Website
One of the oldest houses in Moorestown, built in 1738, the home is fortunate to contain much of the original paneling, floorboards, fireplaces and even window glass.
Stone Harbor Museum
9410 Second Ave, Stone Harbor, NJ 08247 (609) 368-7500
For more information, please visit their Website
Their mission is to acquire, preserve, display, celebrate, and promote archives and artifacts relevant to the development of their unique cultural heritage and to delight, inspire, and educate the present and future generations about the story of Stone Harbor, NJ.
South Jersey Cheap & Free Family Attractions: Lighthouses
Barnegat Lighthouse208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 (at the northern most end of Long Beacjh Island) (609) 494-2016
For more information, please visit their Website
This is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States. The lighthouse is the featured attraction of a beautiful State Park that is popular with fishermen.
Cape May Lighthouse
215 Light House Ave, Cape May Point, NJ 08212 (609) 884-5404
For more information, please visit their Website
One of the oldest operating lighthouses in the United States and is located on the southernmost tip of New Jersey. Climb up the winding 199 stairs to the top of the 157 foot-tall structure and from the watch gallery take in a fantastic view the Atlantic ocean, the town of Cape May, Delaware Bay, and Cape May Point State Park.
East Point Lighthouse
10 Lighthouse Rd., Heislerville, NJ (856) 785-0349
For more information, please visit their Website
This is the second oldest lighthouse in NJ. Built in 1849, the lighthouse is located on the east bank of the mouth of the Maurice River.
Finn's Point Rear Range Lighthouse
310 Old Fort Mott Rd, Pennsville, NJ 609-463-0994
For more information, please visit their Website
Visitors will be able to climb to the top of the lighthouse and view the surrounding wildlife refuge and Delaware River.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
111 N Central Ave, Wildwood, NJ 08260 609-522-4520
For more information, please visit their Website
This is a unique historic and picturesque lighthouse, with extensive gardens, and the only one of this style on the east coast.
The Tinicum Island Range Lighthouse
Intersection of Mantua and Second St's, Paulsboro, NJ (856) 423-1505
For more information, please visit their Website
Ooverlooking the Delaware River in Paulsboro, NJ, was built in 1880 and still functions as an operational lighthouse. The Tinicum Rear Range Light Society maintains the lighthouse and offers access to the public.
South Jersey Cheap & Free Family Attractions: Zoos
Cape May County Park and Zoo707 North Route 9, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 (609) 465-5271
For more information, please visit their Website
The zoo has an animal population of around 550 animals representing 250 species.
Cohanzick Zoo
45 Mayor Aitken Drive Bridgeton, NJ 08302 ( 856) 453-1658
For more information, please visit their Website
A small zoo, situated on approximately 15 acres within the city of Bridgeton's 1100 acre park They provide a home for some larger than life animals including Holly, their Asiatic black bear!
South Jersey Cheap & Free Family Attractions: Beaches
Atlantic City Atlantic County, along the famous Atlantic City Boardwalk (609) 347-5312
For more information, please visit their Website
A five-mile beach. Restroom facilities at intervals along the Boardwalk. Public can change their suits in rest rooms or at public change houses located at South Carolina and Albany Avenues. Outdoor public showers located at 11 lifeguard houses. Lifeguards on duty 10 am to 6 pm. Meter parking with a three-hour limit.
Strathmere
Cape May County, (609) -263-1151 Located on narrow piece of beach and bay front land between Ocean City and Sea isle City.
Strathemere is part of Upper Township and a visit there is like going back in time a bit. There is no boardwalk or public restroom facilities. (There are port-a-potties on the Ocean Drive side of the dunes.)
Wildwoods (includes North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest)
Cape May County
For more information, please visit their Website
All Wildwood beaches are Free. They offer a variety of summertime activities-- everything from surfing to boogie-boarding to body surfing to tossing a Frisbee to reading in the shade. There's even a dog beach for your furry friends.
South Jersey Cheap & Free Family Attractions: Nature Centers
Cape May Bird Observatory - Northwood Center 701 E Lake Dr, Cape May Point, NJ 08212 (609) 400-3868
For more information, please visit their Website
An array of habitat types and a wealth of protected natural areas make Cape May and the entire Delaware Bayshore a birding destination for all seasons. Wind and geography conspire to direct millions of migrating hawks, seabirds, shorebirds, songbirds, butterflies, and dragonflies here every autumn.
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
3625 Brigantine Boulevard, Brigantine, NJ 08203 (609) 266-0538
For more information, please visit their Website
The Center is dedicated to responding to marine mammals and sea turtles in distress along all of New Jersey's waterways and to the rehabilitation of these animals for release back into the wild. They are committed to the well-being of marine mammals and to inspire responsible stewardship of our oceans through educational programs and collaboration.
Meadow Wood Environmental Sanctuary
Northeast corner of Route 49 and Route 671 at Union Road, Maurice River Township, Cumberland County
For more information, please visit their Website
Offers canoeing, fishing, bird-watching, nature trailing, and just enjoy the wildlife and beautiful scenery.
Nature Center of Cape May
1600 Delaware Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 (609) 427-3045
For more information, please visit their Website
The center includes the Trucksess Welcome Center, a three-story observation tower, indoor observation lounge, three classrooms, exhibit aquaria, and a small gift shop, and multiple themed display gardens. The nature center offers a full schedule of natural history programs for the general public throughout the year
Palmyra Cove Nature Park
1335 Route 73 South, Palmyra, NJ (856) 829-1900
For more information, please visit their Website
A 250 acre urban oasis along a highly developed area on the Delaware River. Habitats include wetlands, woodlands, meadows, wild creek and river shoreline, and freshwater Tidal Cove.
Rancocas Nature Center
794 Rancocas Rd. Westampton, NJ 08060 (609) 261-2495
For more information, please visit their Website
On 210 acres of the Rancocas State Park with 3 miles of hiking trails through meadows, forest, and wetlands. The Center provides the area with a year-round variety of environmental education programs for all ages,
Scotland Run Park Nature Center
980 East Academy Street Clayton, NJ. 08322 (856)881-0845
For more information, please visit their Website
The nature center offers a variety of environmental education programs for all ages. Walking trails are located behind the nature center and also on the lake-side of the park.
The Warren E. Fox Nature Center
Estell Manor & Nature Center, 109 Boulevard Route 50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 (609) 625-1897
For more information, please visit their Website
The Nature Center provides information in the form of displays, brochures, and our dedicated staff. They include a display of trees and their leaves, stuffed animals, and artifacts from Native Americans, the Glassworks and the Bethlehem Loading Company.
The Watershed Institute
31 Titus Mill Road Pennington, NJ 08534 (609) 737-3735
For more information, please visit their Website
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.
Wells Mills County Park & Nature Center
905 Wells Mills Rd. (Rt. 532), Waretown, NJ 08758 (609) 971-3085
For more information, please visit their Website
Located 900 acres of pine and oak forest within the Pine Barrens. There are miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty, including a "VIP" (Visually Impaired Persons) Trail. The three-story Nature Center offers a display floor, a library, and the third floor "Elizabeth Meirs Morgan Observation Deck".
