JOURNEYS OF LEARNING
{ ESCAPES }
Six family day-trip destinations offer real educational value, well camouflaged by fun. Let your kids lead the way. Schools don’t open for a few more weeks, and the “dog days” are ideal for lolling about and forgetting last year’s curriculum. But what if curiosity stirs? There’s still time this summer to take your family to visit a destination that will engage young imaginations and inform as it entertains. Each of the half-dozen attractions here is within driving distance of Bergen County. (They’re listed in order of proximity.) Just promise your kids there won’t be a quiz. BERGENMAG.COM
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AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY, NEW YORK CITY, N.Y.
Whom to take: The family-friendly museum has fun and educational exhibits for all ages. Strollers are permitted except in theaters, outside which stroller parking is available. Distance from Bergen: 13 miles Why go now: If your kid loves turtles and marine life (or maybe it’s you), check out the museum’s new feature flick Turtle Odyssey, which debuted in July and runs through the end of the year at the LeFrak Theater. For more aquatic adventure, the special “Sharks” exhibit—which includes several life-sized models (some as long as 33 feet) and all their teeth—is designed to explain the mysteries behind the often misunderstood underwater predators. But catch it soon: “Sharks” ends on Aug. 14. Valuable lessons can also be learned at “Extinct and Endangered: Insects in Peril,” another recently opened exhibit that spotlights threatened ecosystems and insect species and features largeformat photos, some as big as 8 feet. Where to grab a bite: The museum food court serves sandwiches, salads and the like. If you leave the facility, try The Milling Room for modern American fare, Thyme & Tonic for gluten-free eats or, of course, Shake Shack. For reservations and pricing: amnh.org
THE RAPTOR TRUST, MILLINGTON, N.J.
Whom to take: Though open to all ages, the facility is ideal for visitors in second grade and up—and all those interested in wild birds. Distance from Bergen: 40 miles Why go now: Chances are good that you’ve recently looked up and seen a large bird of prey. Hawks, eagles and owls are becoming more common in North Jersey. The Raptor Trust is a bird rehab center—the staff takes care of birds that are found injured in the wild and releases them when nursed back to health. Those that can no longer survive in the wild remain at the trust and are used to educate the public. Summer is the perfect time to take a self-guided tour and see the resident raptors. Guided tours and programs are booked for the season, but fall reservations are underway. Where to grab a bite: The trust doesn’t have on-site eateries, but a short drive will take you to the Millington Station Café (breakfast and burgers), Bonji Bowls (bowls and smoothies) and Fu Feng Yuan (Chinese). For reservations and pricing: theraptortrust.org
AUGUST 2022
7/14/22 11:54 AM
