17 minute read
Take a Trip
From zoos to planeteriums and farms to museums, your kids won’t want to miss visiting these fun and educational spots!
BY NIA SYLVA AND SUNNY SEQUEIRA
ADVENTURE AQUARIUM
adventureaquarium.com 1 Riverside Dr., Camden 844-474-3474
The kids will marvel at the aquarium’s collection of more than 15,000 aquatic animals—which includes the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast. Take a walk through the shark tunnel, and get up close and personal with hippos.
ALLEY POND ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
alleypond.org 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens, NY 718-229-4000
Rain or shine, students will have the opportunity to explore nature with a walk outside, time with live animals and a lesson on topics ranging from endangered species to animal adaptations. Class visits are by reservation only, so make sure to sign up in advance.
BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY
battleshipnewjersey.org 62 Battleship Pl., Camden 856-966-1652
Visit the massive ship docked in the Delaware River on the Camden Waterfront and step into a fascinating chapter in the history of war. On select nights, have a sleepover in the bunks where crew members of the USS New Jersey slept. You’ll get dinner, breakfast and a guided tour.
BRONX ZOO
bronxzoo.com 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY 718-220-5100
Listen to the roar of tigers, feed animals in the farmyard, watch red pandas from the monorail and see dozens of butterflies in the greenhouse. Indoor exhibits like JungleWorld and the World of Reptiles are great in case of unexpected rain.
AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
amnh.org 200 Central Park W., NYC 212-769-5100
From dinosaurs to outer space, there’s so much to explore here. Pick a floor or hall and use the museum’s online field trip guides to customize your trip.
AMERICA’S GROW-A-ROW
americasgrowarow.org 150 Pittstown Rd., Pittstown 908-662-6304
Visitors will learn about food scarcity and plants. Lessons are onsite, virtual or at the location of your school or community organization, where the kids will also get a lesson on nutrition and the importance of volunteering.
BROOKLYN BOTANIC GARDEN
bbg.org 990 Washington Ave., Brooklyn, NY 718-623-7220
Make sensory observations, discover plant adaptations and learn about tree diversity while exploring gardens filled with multicolored flowers of every family and size. Reservations are required for self-directed class visits and virtual programming is also available.
CIRCLE LINE SIGHTSEEING CRUISES
circleline.com Pier 83, Midtown, NYC 212-563-3200
With tour guides and outdoor decks to provide views of more than 130 NYC landmarks, Circle Line’s cruises are a great way to see the city.
Circumnavigate the island of Manhattan on the Best of NYC Cruise, head to the Statue of Liberty on the Liberty Midtown Cruise or see the best Manhattan has to offer on the Landmarks Cruise.
COOPER GRISTMILL
morrisparks.net 66 Rte. 24, Chester Twp. 908-879-5463
Nathan Cooper built this gristmill in 1826, and it’s one of the only remaining restored water powered mills in NJ. The site spans 14 acres rich with history; visitors can step back in time with a 45-minute tour led by a costumed master miller.
DA VINCI SCIENCE CENTER
davincisciencecenter.org 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown, PA 484-664-1002
Create practical tools in Leo’s Creativity Studio, build a fuel-efficient truck using a game simulator, experience wind speeds of 78 miles per hour and crawl through a 72-foot tunnel in the dark at this science center.
DUKE FARMS
dukefarms.org 1112 Dukes Parkway W., Hillsborough 908-722-3700
Walk across 1,000 acres of land and discover native species. Free lesson plans are offered to educators who can hold self-guided tours for students. Topics include invasive plant species and habitats.
FIELD STATION DINOSAURS
jerseydinos.com 3 Overpeck Pk Dwy., Leonia 855-999-9010
This outdoor prehistoric theme park takes kids ages 3-11 on a scientific expedition that features 30 life-sized, moving dinosaurs built with cuttingedge robotics.
FOSTERFIELDS LIVING HISTORICAL FARM
morrisparks.net 73 Kahdena Rd., Morris Twp. 973-326-7645
Kids can experience life in the fields as it was in the 1920s when Cara Foster—whose father, Charles, purchased the land in 1881—ran the farm. They’ll have a blast collecting eggs, riding wagons around the farm and looking at antique automobiles.
FRANKLIN MINERAL MUSEUM
franklinmineralmuseum.com 32 Evans St., Franklin 973-827-3481
Children will learn about the history of mineralogy by participating in rock collecting and viewing minerals and artifacts from the district. The museum is currently open WednesdaySunday and school field trips must be booked in advance.
GREAT SWAMP WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
greatswamp.org 568 Tempe Wick Rd., Morristown 973-538-3500
High schoolers can learn the ins and outs of water quality monitoring or explore terrestrial ecology/wetlands hydrology, while younger students can search for macroinvertebrates in a local body of water. Schedule a customized field trip or use one of the facility’s lesson plans to bring the Great Swamp into your classroom.
GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE
groundsforsculpture.org 80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton 609-586-0616
More than a garden, this beautiful spot combines both nature and art. Filled with contemporary works, the grounds boast more than 270 sculptures across 42 acres.
HEALTHBARN USA
healthbarnusa.com 1057 Hillcrest Rd., Ridgewood 201-444-2955
Kids will learn the benefits of fresh produce and a healthy lifestyle through a visit to the garden, a smoothie taste test and a planting session with recyclable pots and games.
HISTORIC LONGSTREET FARM
monmouthcountyparks.com 44 Longstreet Rd., Holmdel 732-946-3758
See how farmers worked back in the 1890s. Tour the farmhouse, milk a cow, play games from the Victorian Period, shear sheep, use a woodstove for cooking and more.
HIDDEN BROOK RANCH ALPACA
hiddenbrookranchalpaca.com 196 State Park Rd., Blairstown
Come for fun and educational farm tours and meet the small herd. The owners love to share their knowledge of the alpacas and llamas and their unique personalities.
THE HISTORIC VILLAGE AT ALLAIRE
allairevillage.org 4263 Atlantic Ave., Farmingdale 732-919-3500
This former factory town is now a living history experience where kids can get a glimpse of life during the 19th century. Historic interpreters dressed in period garb give tours and demos about life pre-electricity.
INFOAGE SCIENCE & HISTORY MUSEUMS
infoage.org 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall Twp. 732-280-3000 Explore more than two dozen museums and exhibits, as well as community groups and organizations. Learn about space exploration, electronic warfare, radio technology, military communications, WWII artifacts, computers, the Lenni-Lenape Tribe and more.
HOWELL LIVING HISTORY FARM
howellfarm.org 70 Woodens Ln., Hopewell Twp. 609-737-3299
Open since the 1730s, this farm is a prime location for learning about growing produce. School trips are meant to provide hands-on experiences that engage kids in the seasonal activities of a working farm. They’ll be taught about the food and work animals provide while completing daily chores. Depending on the season, they’ll also be able to watch demonstrations in maple sugaring and sheep shearing. Virtual programs are also available.
INTREPID SEA, AIR & SPACE MUSEUM
intrepidmuseum.org Pier 86, W. 46th St. and 12th Ave., NYC 877-957-7447
Visitors to the legendary aircraft carrier will be enthralled by the Space Shuttle Pavilion, where they’ll get a close-up look at a retired NASA space shuttle, a former military submarine kids can walk through, the interactive Exploreum and more. Free virtual education and Intrepid Adventure programs are also available.
LAKOTA WOLF PRESERVE
lakotawolf.com 89 Mt. Pleasant Rd., Columbia 908-496-9244
Take a Wolf Watch tour to get to know these majestic animals. You’ll see the wolves at play, along with bobcats and foxes. Young photography enthusiasts can also snap pictures of the wildlife and scenery.
LIBERTY HALL MUSEUM
libertyhall.kean.edu 1003 Morris Ave., Union 908-527-0400
This 50-room mansion boasts historical art, clothing and furniture. Guests can learn about its remarkable past through a guided tour or visit the arboretum and garden which house some of New Jersey’s oldest trees.
LIBERTY SCIENCE CENTER
lsc.org 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City 201-200-1000
The kids will get hands-on experience with electricity, bounce around an Infinity Climber and much more as they explore the museum and dive into laboratory workshops and virtual stage presentations. Don’t miss limited-time exhibits or a show in the biggest planetarium in the western hemisphere!
MACCULLOCH HALL
This museum offers custom field trips by grade. First graders can tour the historic garden, kitchen and drawing room while grades 2-3 get the scoop on plant cycles and composting. You can also bring the experience to you with a classroom visit.
MEDIEVAL TIMES
Visitors will be guests of the Queen at this royal banquet. The castle is home to knights, falcons and horses who’ll put on an amazing show, complete with hand-to-hand combat and jousting.
MONMOUTH MUSEUM
monmouthmuseum.org 765 Newman Springs Rd., Lincroft 732-747-2266
Explore monthly themes like art and culture with hands-on crafts and workshops. Wander the Becker Children’s Wing and WonderWing to board pirate ships, learn about dinosaurs and more.
MONTCLAIR ART MUSEUM
montclairartmuseum.org 3 S. Mountain Ave., Montclair 973-746-5555
Interactive field trips support students in creating art and making observations of artwork based on a chosen theme. These include work covering different time periods, LGBTQ artists of color and landscapes. Virtual tours where students have specially designed creativity kits sent to their school are also available.
MORRIS MUSEUM
Think galleries of geological finds from NJ and beyond, as well as retro trains and more. Be an inventor for the day at the Spark!Lab where engineering challenges abound.
MORRISTOWN NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
nps.gov/morr/index.htm 30 Washington Pl., Morristown 973-539-2016, ext. 210
This National Historical Park is located at the site where George Washington and the Continental Army survived the winter of 1779. There are 27 miles of hiking trails to explore and kids can go on a scavenger hunt to become Junior Rangers.
MUSEUM OF EARLY TRADES & CRAFTS
Discover the history of trades and crafts at this 50-year-old museum. Programs cover early American toys, immigrant experiences and voting rights. Younger students can learn about legends, mythological creatures and make their own dragon to bring home!
MUSEUM OF ICE CREAM
Indulge in this beloved dessert at the Museum of Ice Cream! Enjoy a variety of ice cream treats, learn about its history, play in the colorful sprinkle pool and take a trip down NYC’s highest indoor slide.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MATHEMATICS
momath.org 11 East 26th Street, NYC 212-542-0566
Offering in-person and online field trips for kids in pre-K through 12th grade, students will attend educator-led sessions on topics like cryptography and topology. Kids can use statistics to nail a free-throw, create stereographic images by manipulating metal plates and even ride a tricycle with square wheels!
THE NEWARK MUSEUM OF ART
Travel around the world in a day with exhibits about Asian, African and Mediterranean art. Lie inside of a kaleidoscope, stand before a Tibetan Buddhist altar and gaze at Native American clothing at this museum committed to inclusivity.
NEW JERSEY SEA GRANT CONSORTIUM
njseagrant.org Various locations 732-872-1300
Little marine biologists can learn everything about the sea, from the history of Sandy Hook to how humans affect the ocean and its inhabitants. The Coastal Experience offers a collection of marine science field trips for children in grades pre-K through 12 where they will learn about ocean environments, salt marsh ecology and more.
NEW JERSEY STATE HOUSE
njstatehousetours.org 145 W. State St., Trenton 609-847-3150
Kids will have the chance to learn about how laws are made, visit the Senate and General Assembly chambers and explore the building’s art and architecture. Teachers can also schedule virtual class visits to bring NJ’s legislature to them!
NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM
nj.gov/state/museum 205 W. State St., Trenton 609-292-6464
Dive into fascinating pieces of Garden State history like Native American artifacts and dinosaur and shark fossil records. Visit the planetarium in person or check out the museum’s virtual planetarium sky talks from home.
NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCE
nysci.org 47-01 111th St., Corona, NY 718-699-0005
Step into The Happiness Experiment, Design Lab or more than 450 other exhibits at this science museum. Discover how 3D printing works and aircrafts defy gravity in workshops and demonstrations. If you can’t make it to Queens, your child’s teacher can video conference workshops from the classroom.
OLD BARRACKS MUSEUM
barracks.org 101 Barrack St., Trenton 609-396-1776
Head to the state’s capital city to see where soldiers lived during the Revolutionary War. Virtual programming with historical videos and photos of artifacts are also available.
PATERSON GREAT FALLS
nps.gov/pagr/index.htm 72 McBride Ave., Paterson 973-523-0370
This stunning natural attraction has magnificent waterfalls that kids will marvel at while learning about the history of Paterson and its industrial renaissance on a guided tour. Reservations are available for tours and the falls are accessible and free to visit for everyone.
PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM
pleasetouchmuseum.org 4231 Avenue of the Republic, Philadelphia, PA 215-581-3181
Touching the exhibits is mandatory here! We love Wonderland, where kids will feel like they’ve fallen down the rabbit hole, and Rocket Room, where they’ll learn about space and launch their own rocket in Mission Control.
POPCORN PARK ZOO ANIMAL RESCUE & SANCTUARY
ahscares.org/popcorn-park 1 Humane Way, Forked River 609-693-1900
Established in 1977, Popcorn Park is a sanctuary for abandoned, injured, ill, abused or elderly farm animals, birds and wildlife (both domestic and exotic). The kids will see horses, goats, peacocks, bears and tigers all in one place and they’ll also learn about how to humanely treat creatures and critters of all sizes. Plus, they’ll get a kick out of feeding popcorn or peanuts to free roaming birds and some of the farm animals on the property.
QUEENS COUNTY FARM MUSEUM
queensfarm.org 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY 718-347-3276
Seasonal education programs include fall forays into apple cider pressing, composting and sustainability. Winter quilting lessons and spring sessions on the history of NYC and the importance of pollinators are also available.
RAPTOR TRUST
theraptortrust.org 1390 White Bridge Rd., Millington 908-647-2353
Kids can learn about hawks, eagles, owls and other birds of prey being rehabilitated. They’ll explore the personal histories of these species and see them in action while touring the facility.
RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLANETARIUM
raritanval.edu/private-shows-planetarium 118 Lamington Rd., Branchburg 908-231-8805
Journey through the solar system, ride alongside a star or enter a black hole while inside the planetarium. Unlock your students’ creativity with a laser concert where they’ll draw pictures on the dome as music plays.
RED MILL MUSEUM
theredmill.org 56 Main St., Clinton 908-735-4101
Tours of this 19th-century Hunterdon County landmark will make kids feel like they’ve stepped back in time. They can learn about everything from life during the 1800s to 19th century energy production as they walk the grounds or try their hand at wool-carding and candle making.
REEVES-REED ARBORETUM
reeves-reedarboretum.org 165 Hobart Ave., Summit 908-273-8787
Meet honeybees, engage in a planting project and create a mini-terrarium at this 13.5-acre arboretum composed of forest and gardens. Programs are tailored to students from preschool through 8th grade.
RiseNY
riseny.co 160 W. 45th St., NYC 601-228-2201
Experience New York from a different view with this three-part adventure that showcases the city’s most known sites. Fly 30 feet above ground in the theater as you watch over the Big Apple. Don’t miss the immersive film centered around Times Square and its worldwide impact.
RUTGERS GEOLOGY MUSEUM
geologymuseum.rutgers.edu 85 Somerset St., New Brunswick 848-932-7243
Take a guided tour to learn about dinosaurs,
geology, the Ice Age and mummies, with special attention given to NJ-based exhibits. There are free tours for kids in grades K-12, but additional activities can be added for a fee, such as making a stegosaurus hat, creating a fossil necklace or constructing a 3-D mummy.
SCHIFF NATURE PRESERVE
schiffnaturepreserve.org 339 Pleasant Valley Rd., Mendham 973-543-6004
Dubbed the place where “wild things happen naturally,” Schiff is home to 12 miles of trails, 768 acres of protected land and plenty of educational programs. Make sure to check out the Great Meadow and plant garden with native species.
SEA LIFE AQUARIUM
visitsealife.com/new-jersey 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford 551-234-6382
Kids will come face to face with 3,000 different exotic aquatic creatures in more than 20 marine exhibits (and get even closer to some, thanks to the Touchpool). There are also education workshops covering subjects like habitats and animal behavior.
SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
guggenheim.org 1071 Fifth Ave., NYC 212-423-3500
In case the museum’s incredible collections of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist and modern French masterpieces aren’t enough incentive to visit, the building itself is also one of eight Frank Lloyd Wright designs designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The museum is currently offering one-hour museum tours for K-12 students.
SOUTH STREET SEAPORT MUSEUM
southstreetseaportmuseum.org 12 Fulton St., NYC 212-748-8600
This museum offers tours of historic buildings and ships and interactive learning activities. Kids will ride a tugboat or schooner after learning about the 19th century port of New York. Visitors can enter some of the ships like the 1885 Wavertree or take virtual tours.
STATUE OF LIBERTY
nps.gov Liberty Island, NY 212-363-3200
Visitors can climb the pedestal but the crown remains closed at this time. You can also check out the Statue of Liberty Museum and theater on Liberty Island as well as the National Museum of Immigration on Ellis Island.
STORM KING ART CENTER
stormking.org 1 Museum Rd., New Windsor, NY 845-534-3115
Kids will marvel at the large-scale works of art and on-site commissions at this open-air arts center located on 500 acres in New York’s Hudson Valley. You’ll get lots of steps as you take in a huge collection of contemporary sculptures.
THOMAS EDISON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
nps.gov 211 Main St., West Orange 973-736-0550, ext. 11
They may know Thomas Edison invented the lightbulb, but what about his other works? Here, kids can explore his chemistry lab and tour the Black Maria, Edison’s first film studio.
TiLT
americandream.com/venue/tilt-museum 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford 833-263-7326
Become one with the art at TiLT, which provides an immersive art experience designed (with guests of all ages in mind) by award-winning artist Tracy Lee Stum. Her renowned optical illusions will make this a trip to remember!
TURTLE BACK ZOO
turtlebackzoo.com 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange 973-731-5800
This zoo keeps adding more amazing things to explore like a giraffe exhibit and a sea turtle recovery center. Check out the most recent indoor exhibit, “Shores of Africa,” where African penguins can be found.
VALLEY SHEPHERD CREAMERY
valleyshepherd.com 50 Fairmount Rd., Long Valley 908-876-3200
During a guided tour, kids can visit farm animals and learn to age cheese. Stop at the Sheep Shoppe for a unique souvenir.
THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION CENTER
thebatcave.org 303 Midland Ave., Garfield 201-257-2231
Students can visit this center on field trips to learn how important bats are to the ecosystem. Kids can watch presentations on bats, reptiles and rainforest critters, plus see animals up close.
YOGI BERRA MUSEUM & LEARNING CENTER
yogiberramuseum.org Montclair State University 8 Yogi Berra Dr., Little Falls 973-655-2378
This museum is dedicated to the life and work of the New York Yankees legend. Fifth through 12th graders can choose from three topics for field trips: Baseball & STEM; Poetry, Spoken Word & Yogi-isms, and Discovering the Negro Leagues. Online lesson plans are also available.
ZIMMERLI ART MUSEUM
zimmerli.rutgers.edu 71 Hamilton St., New Brunswick 848-932-7237
Kids can check out thousands of pieces of art across several mediums, create stories inspired by portraits and go on interactive educator-led discovery tours at this museum.
connecting with the performing arts connecting with each other
schooltime performances
SchoolTime is in the spotlight! Share with your students the magic of live performances with one or more of our curated arts experiences, with in-person and virtual programming options.
in-school residencies
Bring NJPAC teaching artists right to your classroom for multiple sessions. Our residencies are designed to serve up to 30 students for one classroom, and can be delivered in-person or virtually.
Get your school involved today!
For more information, visit njpac.org/education
Recycled Percussion SchoolTime Performance Dec 8 & 9
professional development
Expand your teaching skills, deepen your curriculum and give yourself a creative boost in NJPAC's professional development workshops. PDs are for teachers from pre-K to high school, and include hip hop, dance, storytelling, theater, music and more.
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Major support for NJPAC Arts Education programs is provided by Judy and Stewart Colton, Toby and Leon Cooperman, Steven and Beverly Rubenstein Charitable Foundation, and The John Strangfeld and Mary Kay Strangfeld Foundation.
Generous annual support for NJPAC Arts Education programs is provided by Atlantic, Tomorrow's Office, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., Jennifer A. Chalsty, Mimi and Edwin Feliciano, Investors Bank, The Izzo Family, Don Katz & Leslie Larson, M&T Bank, McCrane Foundation, Inc., care of Margrit McCrane, The MCJ Amelior Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, NJ Advance Media, NJM Insurance Group, PNC, Richmond County Savings Foundation, David & Marian Rocker, Santander, Turrell Fund and an anonymous donor.
