Escapes

JOURNEYS LEARNING OF

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.

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

DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER & PLANETARIUM, BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

Whom to take: Middle and high school students interested in STEAM subjects (that’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math) can learn and have fun at this center on the Sacred Heart University campus. Distance from Bergen: 60 miles Why go now: Students can brush up on their STEAM subjects before going back to school in September. Future engineers may immerse themselves in the world of planes and rockets at the “Science in Flight” exhibits, surgeons-in-training can learn basics at “Teddy Bear Triage” and astronomy buffs may travel to the final frontier at “The Universe and You.” The planetarium offers three daily shows featuring planets and star systems projected onto a 33-foot diameter dome. Where to grab a bite: A small food court and vending machines are on site, but downtown Bridgeport offers more options. Merritt Canteen is a popular spot for burgers, Bereket Turkish Restaurant is perfect for falafel and kebobs and the Galaxy Diner has just about everything to fill hungry bellies.

For reservations and pricing:

shudiscovery.org

ADVENTURE AQUARIUM AND BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY, CAMDEN, N.J.

Whom to take: Both attractions are suitable for all ages, though battleship history is more in line with lesson plans in middle school and up (and perfect for military history buffs). Special tours are available for select age groups. Distance from Bergen: 100 miles Why go now: Shark Week on TV is great, but there’s nothing like seeing these great fish up close. The aquarium’s “Shark Summer” takes place Aug. 1 through Sept. 4 and includes special events to complement the popular Shark Tunnel and Shark Bridge exhibits. Kids and parents can learn a different maritime lesson aboard the Battleship New Jersey. Tour a real battleship—go up and down ladders, step through passageways and maneuver tight spaces just as the officers and crew once did. Where to grab a bite: The aquarium offers dining options such as The Marketplace and Flying Fish Beer Garden. Elsewhere you can grab a burger at nearby Liberty Point, a cheesesteak at Oh Brother Philly or a breakfast sandwich or pastries at Freida.

For reservations and pricing:

adventureaquarium.com and battleshipnewjersey.org

PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM, PHILADELPHIA, PENN.

Whom to take: Ideal for children ages 1 to 7 years, but older children can enjoy exhibits too. Distance from Bergen: 102 miles Why go now: Young ones who are learning how to play and developing social skills will enjoy hands-on exhibits and programs like sculpting with clay, making murals and constructing cardboard structures. On Aug. 28, a special program called “Bust A Move” will focus on heart health and show kids movements and activities to maintain physical health. Another exciting exhibit is “Food & Family,” where little ones go through three interconnected zones: grocery, home and industrial kitchen. Where to grab a bite: Enjoy pizza, ice cream and more at the museum’s Garden Grille Café or head out into the city near Drexel University to dine at Sabrina’s Café or White Dog Café. More options are a stone’s throw away across the Schuylkill River: Bad Brother for burgers, Trio for ThaiAsian and Little Pete’s for familiar diner food.

For reservations and pricing:

pleasetouchmuseum.org

HOWE CAVERNS, HOWES CAVE, N.Y.

Whom to take: The attraction is suitable for all ages and especially for young adventurers and students interested in Earth science. Strollers, wheelchairs and other wheeled devices are not permitted in the cave. Distance from Bergen: 150 miles Why go now: Head 156 feet below the Earth’s surface to tour limestone corridors, ancient boulders and a subterranean river—plus, at around 50 degrees, the cave is the perfect way to beat August heat. There are several ways to see and experience the caverns: The Traditional Tour is a 90-minute expedition and boat ride, the easiest option, while the Adventure Tour will require you to get down and dirty for a two-hour spelunking journey with an experienced guide. Where to grab a bite: Because food isn’t allowed in the caves, you’ll have to find eats above ground. In nearby Cobleskill, N.Y., you can stop at Rubbin Butts Bar-B-Q for burgers, wings, ribs and pizza, or the Red Barn Clubhouse at Cobleskill Golf and Country Club for elevated dining. More pizzerias and chain eateries are located in town as well.

For reservations and pricing:

howecaverns.com