There’s no need to travel far for spring break when you live in New Jersey. So many local attractions all over the state, make staying home an alluring option. There are so many awesome places to explore, and family things to do without going far or spending much. Teachers should enjoy their time off of work this spring, so we have compiled this list of a few fantastic staycation ideas and fun spring break day trips to get you on your way.
Bergen Performing Arts Center
The Bergen Performing Arts Center is a great venue to see a variety of live entertainment. They offer classical music, stand-up comedy, kids programs, magic shows, rock concerts, and the list goes on. Tickets vary in price depending on the show you are attending. Daughtry tickets for the March 27th show are going for $43-$103 depending on the seating. Whereas Eddie B’s (the teachers’ comedian) tickets for the March 30th show run from $39 – $69.
The current shows listed for March 22 – April 8 include:
- Mummenschanz: “You and Me”
- A Tribute to David Bowie & Tom Petty
- Daughtry
- America – Kundert Volvo Concert Series
- Eddie B
- The Fab Four
- Moscow Festival Ballet presents Swan Lake
- The Mavericks
- David Sedaris
- Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site
The Arts Center is located at 30 N. Van Brunt St. Englewood, NJ 07631. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit https://www.bergenpac.org/events.
Grammy Museum Experience
The Grammy Museum Experience (GME) is a brand-new attraction in Newark, and the perfect day trip for music lovers. The museum features iconic artists from New Jersey, as well as education on American music with fun and engaging hands-on interactive exhibits. Featured exhibits include Ray Charles, Wyclef Jean, Max Weinberg, New Jersey legends, interactive music experiences, as well as a celebration of Grammy winners past and present.
Tickets cost $10 for adults, $7 for kids (ages 3-17), and $8 for seniors. Located at the Prudential Center at 165 Mulberry St. Newark, NJ 07102. You can visit them online at https://www.grammymuseumexp.org to check out the exhibits, and purchase tickets.
Montclair Art Museum
The Montclair Art Museum is an awesome local attraction for art enthusiasts. The museum was one of the first in the country to collect primarily American art, and one of the only museums dedicated to the study and collection of Native American art.
*Sports lovers would also love visiting the Yogi Berra Museum (also located in Montclair). Please visit https://yogiberramuseum.org/ for more information.
During spring break the exhibits and attractions include:
- Kay Walkinstick: An American Artist
- Philemona Williamson: In the Studio
- Inspired by Matisse: Selected Works from the Collection
- Undaunted Spirit: Art of Native North America
- Basket Mania: Collecting Native American Basketry in the Late Victorian Era
- Native American Art Collection Installation of Pueblo Indian Pottery
The cost of tickets to visit the museum are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and kids under 12 are free. For more information please visit https://www.montclairartmuseum.org. They are located at 3 S. Mountain Ave. Montclair, NJ 07042.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
A truly unique experience! Visiting Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is like stepping back in time to over 100 years ago. This 213-acre farm allows you to experience daily farm activities, see the animals, watch the farmer plow and plant using ancient machinery, and to assist in daily farm chores. The farm chores visitors assist with include egg collection, grinding corn for feed, and cleaning the harness. Visit the 1920’s farmhouse and see the antique automobiles also on site.
There are multiple living history farms in New Jersey.
- Fosterfields Living Historical Farm is located at 73 Kahdena Rd Morris Township, NJ 07960.
- Howell Living History Farm is located at 70 Woodens Ln. Hopewell Township, NJ 08530.
Grounds for Sculpture
Art comes to life with these brilliant sculptures by some of the greatest artists (both established and emerging). Grounds for Sculpture showcases these pieces in varying exhibits both indoors and outdoors. The media and styles used include bronze, steel, stone, wood, concrete and mixed media. They have a constantly changing and growing sculpture collection and immaculate gardens.
Grounds for Sculpture is located at 80 Sculptures Way Hamilton, NJ 08619. Tickets are $16 for adults ($10 if you order online), $13 for seniors ($10 if you order online), $10 for students (ages 6-17), and children 5 and under are free. Please visit http://www.groundsforsculpture.org for more information and to purchase discounted tickets.
Eastern State Penitentiary
A haunting looking abandoned castle sits in the heart of Philadelphia. Eastern State Penitentiary was the world’s first penitentiary and most expensive prison of its time. Once housing notorious criminals like Al Capone, and Slick Willie, it now sits as an historical museum. This fortress was designed to be a more “humane” prison than what was common at the time, but it turned out to be the cause of many inmates going insane!
Exhibits include Al Capone’s cell, Prisons Today, The Big Graph, Jewish Life at Eastern State, and Murals of the Catholic Chaplain’s Office. Tickets cost $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students (ages 13-17), and $10 for kids (ages 7-12). Eastern State Penitentiary is located at 2027 Fairmount Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19130. Please visit https://www.easternstate.org/ to purchase tickets.
Legacy Riding Stables
Legacy Riding Stables is a truly fun experience for the whole family. They offer trail rides, pony rides, and horseback riding lessons. The guided trail rides allow you to travel on over 500 acres of gorgeous trails. Trail rides are great for kids 10(+) and adults. A half hour trail ride is $36, one hour is $38, and 1.5 hour is $59. This would be a fun and unique date for couples. Riding lessons start at $38.
Legacy Riding Stables are located at 3299 Bordentown Ave. Parlin, NJ 08859. Please visit them online at http://www.legacyridingstables.com/.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are all the rage and popping up all over the state. These are a fun, challenging way to test your smarts and ability to escape by solving puzzles, finding trap doors, and secret passageways. If you escape before the time is up your team wins! Tickets seem to average roughly $20-$30 per person for about an hour of fun. To learn how it works please visit https://amazingescaperoom.com/how-it-works/.
There are rooms located all over the state, but we will highlight a few here that are offering discounts to teachers.
- Amazing Escape Rooms – All NJ locations (Green Brook, Cherry Hill, Freehold, Montclair, and Princeton) offer teachers a 10% discount.
- Puzzle Out Escape Rooms – Both NJ locations (Hoboken and Jersey City) offer teachers a 10% discount.
- East Coast Escape Room – Located at 1747 Hooper Ave. Toms River, NJ 08753, they are offering teachers a 20% discount.
- Escape Cape May – Located at 2204 Bayshore Rd. Villas, NJ 08251, they are offering teachers a 15% discount.
-Jenna Garvin
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