Going on trips to have fun is something everyone enjoys. After all, taking a few days off for yourself and your family is one of the best ways to destress. However, not everyone always has the money to go traveling without a thought. Or even if we do, sometimes we don’t feel like spending it. Fortunately, there are a lot of places you can visit in New Jersey which don’t charge anything. So, in order to help you out, we have put together a list of the six best things to do in NJ for free, and we hope you find it helpful.
1. Beaches
Going to the beach is the epitome of a classic day trip. However, you might be surprised that a lot of beaches around NJ don’t charge admission fees. So, whether you’re going alone or with your family, a day to the beach is the perfect idea for a free day trip in New Jersey. To name a few of the big ones, Atlantic city beach, Barnegat beach, and Ideal beach all have free admission, and there are quite a few more. If you decide to visit more than one, make sure you plan how you’ll travel, especially if you’re not from NJ. For instance, you should think about whether you want to drive your car or ship it, or perhaps “rent-a-car” is the best solution for you after all. But, one thing’s for sure: it will be worth it.
2. Museums and historic attractions
Like the beaches, most museums and historic attractions in New Jersey don’t charge admission fees. So, if you’re looking to visit home places rich with history, you won’t have to worry about paying extra to see them. The Empty Sky Memorial, NJ Maritime Museum, and Passaic County Arts Center are all free to enter. So, plan your trip to these places carefully, and if you’re worried about having a place to store your things while spending a few days in any of the cities these attractions are in, don’t worry: you can rent a storage unit. And NJ offers great solutions when it comes to storage, whether short or long term. However, keep in mind that there are many more historic attractions all over NJ that don’t charge admission, so be sure to do your research as well before deciding which one you want to visit.
3. Playgrounds
If you’re a parent, don’t worry: there are a lot of playgrounds in NJ where you can take your kids. They all have plenty to offer to make sure both you and your kids are entertained during your stay. To be precise, Colonial Park, Newport Green, Kidstreet Playground, Overpeck County Park, and Regatta playground are all entirely free of admission and have several unique things to offer for visitors. Still, if you plan to make a trip to any of these places, you might want to consider these cheap travel tips to make your trip even more inexpensive. After all, you want to have some extra funds if the kids want to get something while traveling. Or maybe something catches your eye, and you want to treat yourself. Either way, knowing how to reduce expenses while traveling is always helpful.
4. Parks
Among the best things to do in NJ for free is visiting the various parks around the state. Whether going on a picnic or enjoying some scenic views, the parks around New jersey really do have it all. However, to make it all better, most (if not all) of them have no admission fees. The parks around New Jersey are the perfect getaway for a solo trip and going with your family. To list a few of them, we have:
- Big Brook Park,
- Estell Manor Park, a
- and Allamuchy Mountain State Park.
If you’re planning on spending some time there to visit all these parks, make sure to find the best and most affordable parking spot. Once you do, that’s one less thing to worry about, and you can spend a beautiful, care-free day with your nearest and dearest.
5. Zoos and nature centers
Visiting a zoo or nature center is an excellent educational opportunity for your kids or a fantastic idea for a solo trip. And across New Jersey, there are lots of zoos and nature centers that aim to educate people or raise awareness, and for that reason, they don’t charge any admission fees. Thus, taking a trip to one of these places is an excellent choice if you want to have fun and learn something. To point out a few: Cape May County Park & Zoo, Closter Nature Center, Essex County Environmental Center, and Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center.
6. Trails and Hiking
Outdoors lovers, you’re in luck: quite a few trails in New Jersey don’t charge admission fees. And these trails aren’t just for hikers: there are also biking trails, walking and running trails, spots where you can go kayaking, and even designated picnic spots on some of them. So, if you’re looking for a relaxing time outdoors, consider giving these trails a visit. The more popular ones are:
- Columbia Trail,
- Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park,
- Eagle Rock Reservation,
- Garret Mountain Reservation,
- and Loantaka Reservation Trail.
All of them are excellent choices, and there are many more out there which are completely free to visit.
6 Best Things to Do in NJ for Free – wrap up
Going on a day trip and enjoying yourself is awesome. But, it’s even better when you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank. Fortunately, New Jersey offers plenty of fun and relaxing places to go to, completely free of charge. All you need to worry about is getting there and setting aside a few days for the trip. We hope you found this list of the six best things to do in NJ for free informative.