For families, there are a ton of things to do July 1-7 that are sure to delight everyone from the littlest member to tweens and teens.
Check out these 13 top attractions that are super family-friendly and tailored to entertain the kiddos.
All attractions and events are located in Atlantic City, Ocean City and up and down the coastline.
Adventure Aquarium is home to a vast collection of aquatic animals and offer opportunities to explore life underwater through up-close animal encounters, interactive touch exhibits, and the chance to see and learn about some of the ocean’s rarest and most fascinating species. adventureaquarium.com.
Cape May County Park & Zoo
The Cape May County Park & Zoo is located in Middle Township, and provides free year-round admission to a collection of more than 550 animals representing 250 species in 85 acres of exhibits. capemaycountynj.gov/1679/Park-Zoo.
iPlay America
Imagine the boardwalk on the Jersey Shore brought inland and blended with a city street complete with a candy store and eateries with indoor rides, attractions all in nearly four acres of pure fun. You'll find all of that at iPlay America. iplayamerica.com.
Lakota Wolf Preserve
Lakota Wolf Preserve, located in the mountains of the Delaware Water Gap in Warren Country is a nonprofit dedicated to the care of, and education about, wolves, bobcats, foxes, and lynx. Since its inception in 1998, owners James Stein and Becky Mace have grown the preserve to a well-known attraction for visitors of all ages to see these endangered animals up close, while also learning about the importance of preservation of wildlife. lakotawolf.com.
Land of Make Believe
For 70 years, Land of Make Believe has provided affordable family fun for all ages with is amusement park and waterpark. New this year is the Spinning Coaster, sure to make you laugh. lomb.com.
Liberty Science Center
LSC is a 300,000-square-foot learning center located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. The Science Center houses 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater, live simulcast surgeries, hurricane- and tornado-force wind simulators, K-12 classrooms and labs, teacher-development programs, and the Western Hemisphere's biggest planetarium—the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and LSC Giant Dome Theater. lsc.org.
Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Stroll the Seaside Heights Boardwalk for family-friendly games, rides, restaurants and entertainment. The Casino Pier also has an amusement park. Also, don’t forget to check out Klee’s Bar & Grill for delicious bites. visitnj.org/city/seaside-heights.
Totally Tubular Aqua Park
The Totally Tubular AQUA PARK is one of Ocean City’s most fun activities for kids and adults ages 6 and up. Featuring over 8,500 sq/ft of play area and 20-plus unique features, there are endless paths to explore the park. Sessions are 45 minutes and start on the hour. Note that the park is tide dependent so time slots vary by day. Life jackets are provided and the park is monitored by supervisors at all times. aquaparkocnj.com.
The Festival of the Sea is held in the St. Francis Parish & Center parking lot, situated at 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ. There will be food, rides and games. The festival takes place July 2-6 from 6 to 10 p.m. stfrancisparishlbi.org.
Jersey City Festival
Jersey City’s 4th of July Festival and Fireworks will be held at the Exchange place on the fourth. It will feature live entertainment, food trucks, music and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. freedomandfireworks.com.
Oceanfest
Oceanfest is the biggest seasonal event on the Jersey Shore — in fact, it’s the biggest Independence Day celebration anywhere in New Jersey, and it happens every July 4th from 1 to 10 p.m. in Long Branch. Each year since 1990, crowds numbering in the hundreds of thousands have descended upon the city’s oceanfront promenade for an all-day, family-friendly festival that brings together music, food, a craft sale, street fair, and of course, fireworks. oceanfestnj.com.
Patriotic Pooch Parade
The pooch parade kicks off Wildwood’s festivities, starting at the intersection of 9th and Atlantic Avenues at 9 a.m. on the fourth. After the parade, events will continue in the city, with a concert featuring Flip Like Wilson and fireworks. wildwoodsnj.com.
State Fair Meadowlands
The largest fair in New Jersey, State Fair Meadowlands, will have fireworks, over 100 rides and attractions, free entertainment, food and more on July 3 and 4. njfair.com.
