The great indoors
Bounce away all day at trampoline parks and bounce houses where kids burn energy and you can relax with a cup of joe. Let your imagination run wild at delightful play cafes that let the kiddos be anything they want to be.
Thrill at a traditional winter activity like ice-skating or sledding. Or escape the cold with a ride on a giant observation wheel.
Asbury Park
With gorgeous beaches, a vivacious music scene, breezy boutiques and eclectic art everywhere you look, Asbury Park is one of New Jersey’s coolest shore towns. But its resurgence has brought with it challenges. The median home value has risen 42 percent in the last five years, and new construction like iStar’s Asbury Ocean Club luxury condominium-and-hotel complex is putting a strain on locals. Some worry it’s draining the quirky energy that makes the city unique.
A Visit to Silverball Pinball Museum
The Asbury Park boardwalk is home to this unique museum with over 100 pinball machines and other retro arcade games. A one-time entrance fee grants visitors unlimited play on all the games. It’s a great rainy day activity or way to beat the heat.
Asbury Park’s lone movie theater, The Showroom, shows both summer blockbusters and some lesser-known indie films and cult classics on Wednesday nights. Their dinner-and-a-movie series is popular with locals and tourists alike.
You can’t miss the vibrant music scene in this 1.6-square-mile city, which boasts at least 10 official venues—plus nearly every bar and restaurant around. USA Today ranked it as one of the top ten places to hear live music. The renowned Stone Pony, known for launching the careers of Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, is a must-see, but you’ll also find plenty of free music at places like Asbury Park Yacht Club or Langosta Lounge.
A Stay at The Asbury Hotel
The social scene in this vintage-meets-modern-meets-rock ’n’ roll resort is a hotspot for creativity and diversity. Mingle at a poolside party, listen to vinyl at the lobby bar and notice the art deco touches throughout. Then, hit the town and stroll the historic boardwalk to check out the ever-changing street art. And don’t forget to stop by Strollos for a refreshing Italian ice or smooth, rich custard. You can even get a mix of both for the ultimate treat.
Jersey City
Jersey City is a fascinating place that straddles two worlds. It’s home to small ethnic neighborhoods, modern high rise condo towers, a nationally recognized science learning center and breathtaking harbor views overlooking Manhattan. It’s also a place that offers many options for indoor activities.
One option is the Liberty Science Museum, which caters to children of all ages. Located within Liberty State Park, the museum features hundreds of exhibitions in 12 galleries and amazing films at its Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium. The museum is also home to the original Hoberman sphere, a geodesic dome that contracts and expands like a children’s toy you might have had in your own childhood.
The museum hosts temporary exhibitions so that you can explore new topics each time you visit. Another fun option is to take in a show at the historic Loew’s Jersey Theater, which was built in 1929 and is one of the few surviving Rococco / Baroque-style theaters in the country. If you’re looking for a more modern art experience, check out Mana Contemporary, which occupies a converted brick manufacturing building from the 1920s and has workspaces for residential artists along with galleries and performance spaces.
A trip to Jersey City is not complete without experiencing the culinary diversity of the area. Its numerous restaurants feature foods from all over the globe, including Korean, Indian and Filipino. And for a treat, be sure to stop at the Water’s Soul sculpture, an 80-foot monolithic structure designed by Spanish sculptor Jaume Plensa that stands alongside the Hudson River waterfront.
If you’re tired of eating out and want to stay in for the night, there are plenty of great hotel choices in Jersey City. Options include the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, which is conveniently situated by J. Owen Grundy Park, and the trendy Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District, which is close to a variety of shopping and dining venues.
When the weather’s beautiful, you can enjoy a stroll around the city and admire its diverse architecture and unique culture. Then, you can refuel at one of the many restaurants in the area and head out to take in a show at the theater or visit the Liberty Science Center.
Palisades Climb Adventure/Sky Tykes Adventure Course
Maintaining kid’s interest and excitement during the chilly fall and winter months can be challenging for parents. However, the great indoors nj is packed with activities to keep kids active and engaged. For example, a day at American Dream, the world’s tallest indoor ropes course in Palisades Center Mall, will provide thrills and excitement for all ages. Children can also let their imaginations run wild at the Sky Tykes Ropes Course designed for kids under 48 inches or climb to new heights at Palisades Climb Adventure for kids who are 42” and over.
At 85 feet high inside the Palisades Center Mall, this year-round weatherproof challenge is not for the faint of heart. The course has 75 different challenge elements including a tremor bridge, tension traverse, a vertical rope ladder, quarter cargo net and two line rope bridge. It can accommodate 75 climbers at a time and has guides to help those who get stuck or need assistance.
Families can also put their climbing skills to the test at Rockland County’s High Exposure, an outdoor and indoor rock wall facility. From silly walls that encourage kids to sit on the toilet “throne” at the top to more difficult climbs, this activity is fun for the whole family. The facility also offers a Ninja Warrior obstacle course and private NERF arena for additional thrills.
For those with a need for speed, Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events in the Palisades Center Mall is the place to go. Kids as well as adults can enjoy this fast-moving racetrack where they can compete to see who can finish first.
For those who are too young to try the Palisades Climb Adventure, this specialized ropes course located on Level 4 in the Palisades Center Mall is an excellent option for them. Kids can climb on 10 unique ropes obstacles that are designed for children under 48 inches. Parents can walk alongside their child or simply step back and watch them take on the challenges as they are securely harnessed in. During Tykes Tuesdays throughout the summer, kids 12 and under can use this space for free with the purchase of a Sky Tykes ticket. Closed shoes are required for participation.
