BEST THINGS TO DO IN SOUTH JERSEY

South Jersey is a vibrant and diversified region packed with activities and attractions to satisfy every interest and inclination. South Jersey, located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware River, combines natural beauty, historical landmarks, cultural experiences, and recreational options. Also, South Jersey has something for everyone, whether you’re a history buff, an outdoor enthusiast, a foodie, or simply looking for relaxation on pristine beaches. South Jersey’s varied choice of activities promises an unforgettable experience, no matter what your interests are. When you decide to take a weekend trip to South Jersey, we will look at the list of fun things to do for adults. So pack your bags, embark on a trip, and experience the treasures that await you in this enthralling part of New Jersey.

Free Things to Do in South Jersey

Sure, there are the usual free things to do for the weekend as adults in South Jersey, such as playgrounds, bicycling trails, and hiking trails, but did you know you can also dig for fossils, visit the Governor’s residence, and walk through a fairy garden for free? We discovered everything from a zoo to a museum with vintage aircraft and even a couple of free lighthouses. Scroll down for some unusual free things to do in South Jersey that will keep adults entertained all weekend.

#1. Find a historic village at Allaire State Park

A 19th-century village trapped in time or a train ride on the antique Pine Creek Railroad may all be found at Monmouth County’s one and only Allaire State Park. The park and buildings are free to visit and enjoy all year, but the village and nature center have an admission cost from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

#2. Wander through 96 acres of beautiful gardens

Ringwood State Park, the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, and the Department of Environmental Protection all contribute to the New Jersey Botanical Gardens. From May through October, the park offers free guided garden tours at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoons.

#3. See museums with no entry fees

Did you know you can use your NJ Library card to gain free entry to museums? Free entry to Battleship NJ and Insectropolis in Toms River for up to four persons. Most passes are rented for three days, including the day the pass is picked up. While not every library participates, it’s worth checking with yours to see if they do (here’s what the Ocean County Library has to offer).

#4. Dig through history

The Cumberland County Prehistorical Museum, history workshop, and galleries are all free and available to the public. The Prehistoric Museum is a popular trip for paleontologists and archaeologists alike, combining displays of folk art, antiquities, and more. Alternatively, dress yourself like a paleontologist and tour the Big Brook Park Preserve to go artifact hunting on your own. Look for cretaceous fossil shark teeth, such as Goblin shark and Mosasaur teeth, and transport your discoveries home in a sandwich baggie.

#5. Marvel at birds and sculpture gardens at Duke Farms

Duke Farms encompasses nearly 1,000 acres of property rich in native species, natural beauty, and environmental initiatives. The former Doris Duke estate is free to enter and explore the places rich in history and natural beauty (with many flat surfaces, you may bring your bikes or scooters). Along the way, don’t miss the sculpture gardens, greenhouse, and waterfall.

#6. Spend an afternoon bowling

Can kids bowl for free? Yes, you read that correctly. The Kids Bowl Free Program allows your children to use the lanes at over ten participating bowling alleys around South Jersey, making it one of the weekend things to do. During the spring and summer, they can play two FREE bowling games every day. Bowling centers created this initiative to give back to the community while also providing a safe, secure, and fun environment for kids to acquire skills and mingle with friends. Make sure to register so that your children do not miss out on this free activity.

#7. Cool off in a water park.

Want to spend time at a waterpark but don’t want to pay the high entry price? You can do so at one of New Jersey’s many splash pads. During hot days, go to an aquatic wonderland near you and prepare to burn off some energy while also cooling off. There are free splash parks throughout New Jersey, from north to south, with sprinklers, rainy domes, and large buckets ready to spill over to keep your kids cool.

#8. Meet new people at the Cape May County Park & Zoo.

The entire family can see anything from lions to bald eagles to snow leopards for free at Cape May County Park & Zoo (but donations are always appreciated). Open all year, youngsters will enjoy seeing their favorite animals in each season. This is one of the things to do for the weekend as adults in South Jersey.

#9. Enjoy free canoe and kayak rentals.

Spending the day on the water is one of the weekend things for adults in South Jersey—-from June to September, the entire family may paddle a canoe or get in a kayak for free at Scotland Run Park in Clayton, NJ. The boats are first come, first served, and all youngsters 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. They provide life jackets and paddles, but you must print and fill out a waiver before your visit.

#10. Go to the beach.

Here’s one of the Jersey Shore’s best-kept secrets: there are free, no-badge-required beaches open during the season. Apply sunscreen at Cape May Point State Park or stroll down the 4-mile Atlantic City Boardwalk to access the beach for free. North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest all have badge-free beaches where you can set up your umbrella and relax on your beach chair.

#11. Learn about glass, art, and seashells.

There’s a free spot to see the history of glass, fine art, or fossils in New Jersey. Visit the Past Glass Museum in Glassboro, a community nonprofit that collects, maintains, and curates old southern New Jersey glass (historic and fine art), objects, photographs, and documents to preserve the state’s glass-making past. Visit the Noyes Museum of Art in Hammonton and Atlantic City, or the Discovery Seashell Museum in Ocean City to see 1,000 species of seashells and ancient fossils all in one spot.

#12. Take some time to think about it.

The Empty Sky Memorial honors the 749 loved ones who died on 9/11, and the tall memorial connects your gaze to Ground Zero. This Liberty State Park Memorial recognizes those who lived in New Jersey. Alternatively, teach your children about history and service by visiting one of the Veterans Memorials found throughout New Jersey to honor those who gave their all.

#13. Visit the Governor’s Mansion at Dumthwacket.

Did you know you may go to the Governor of New Jersey’s official mansion for free? This is one of the weekend things to do for adults in South Jersey. Drumthwacket is a historical site that offers guided excursions. View the Governor’s six public rooms, as well as beautiful paintings and antiques. And, weather permitting, don’t miss the lovely gardens.

#14. Feel the magic of the fairies

Travel down a half-mile trail inhabited by fairies if you want to give your kids a fantastic experience for free. Children will be captivated as they stroll along the white-blazed route to view fairy homes constructed into tree hollows and roots and use their imaginations to figure out how they got in. It’s one of the truly unique and unusual free weekend things to do for adults in South Jersey.

#15. Enjoy the lovely gardens of Sayen House & Gardens.

Sayen House & Gardens is located in Historic Hamilton Square and is open daily from dawn to dusk. Enter an azalea and rhododendron garden surrounded by ponds, gazebos, and bridges, and bring a picnic to enjoy on the insta-worthy grounds.

#16. Spend time getting nautical

Skip the expensive aquariums and instead go to the Sea Life Museum, which showcases marine mammal artifacts and works with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center to rehabilitate sea life. Tour the Highlands of the Navesink, which overlook the entrance to New York Bay and are some of the highest spots on the United States eastern seaboard. Because of their location, the Highlands have been used to oversee shipping traffic entering New York Harbor in a variety of ways.

#17. Spend some time smelling the flowers.

This is one of the weekend things to do for adults in South Jersey. Deep Cut Gardens and its 54 acres of magnificence may be found in Middletown Township. Deep Cut Gardens is free to enter, and you may organize your visit by printing off a park brochure and map online before you go. While no food or drinks are sold, you are welcome to bring your lunch for a picnic (with a magnificent view).

#18. Celebrate sports heroes in Southern NJ

Do you have sports-obsessed children? View sports memorabilia from professional athletes with ties to southern New Jersey. The All Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey showcases stories and trophies from NFL legends, MLB all-stars, MVP heavyweights, and NHL champions who grew up or ever lived in South Jersey.

#19. Take a step back in time at a Living History Farm

It’s one thing to observe historical artifacts in a museum; it’s quite another to be immersed in real history. You can take your children to Howell Living History Farm in Hopewell Township to help with potato or honey harvesting or wheat planting for free. Or, in Holmdel, stop by Longstreet Farm to observe a blacksmith demonstration, a corn harvest, or a 19th-century woodworking display.

#20. Get a nautical view

Did you know several free lighthouses in South Jersey offer spectacular views? Climb to the top of the Twin Lights Historic Site in Highlands or visit the Sea Girt Lighthouse to observe a fourth-order Fresnel lens. Get some exercise at “Old Barney,” also known as the Barnegat Lighthouse, by climbing the 217-step lighthouse and being rewarded with magnificent ocean views.

#21. Visit the Revolutionary War locations.

Relive history by taking a free tour with the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield, which includes a walking tour of the Battlefield, talks about various conflicts, and even living history encampments. Alternatively, in Hancocks Bridge, explore the Revolutionary War massacre site of the Hancock House. The Morristown National Historical Park, where Washington had his headquarters during a critical period of the Revolutionary War, is also a great place to soak up free history. This is one of the best weekend things to do for adults in South Jersey.

#22. Examine old police and military equipment.

The NJ State Police Museum and Learning Center in West Trenton displays vintage vehicles, confiscated weapons, and radar detectors from 1921. The Police Museum is open to the public and provides insight into the history, relics, and recollections of deceased policemen. If you’re more interested in aircraft and military history, the Millville Army Air Field Museum in Millville houses vintage and military aircraft and is a great destination for students, aviation enthusiasts, and history aficionados alike.

#23. Visit a national park for free with your fourth grader.

Do you have a fourth-grade student? If you do, kids will be able to visit National Parks in the United States for free. Your fourth grader and their guests can earn a free pass to all of America’s federal lands and waters, spanning millions of acres, through Every Kid Outdoors, a national-funded government effort. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, Morristown National Historical Park, and Thomas Edison National Historical Park are all free to visit in New Jersey.

#24. See the stars

This is one of the weekend things to do for adults in South Jersey. While visiting a planetarium is a fun way to observe the stars, a telescope allows you to see them in real time without paying an entry fee. Every Friday, the Sperry Observatory in Cranford is open for viewing through two enormous telescopes. The Buzz Aldrin Astronomical Center in High Bridge is also free, and it’s a great site to see the night sky with New Jersey’s largest public telescope.

What is Jersey most famous for?

Jersey is a small island in the English Channel that is officially known as the Bailiwick of Jersey. It is well-known for various factors that contribute to its distinct and valued identity:

Jersey Cows
Jersey Royals
Stunning Beaches
Historical Heritage
Tax Haven
Natural Beauty
Hospitality and Tourism

Which part is South Jersey?

South Jersey is the southern region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. While there is no legal boundary that defines the exact dividing line between North and South Jersey, it is widely assumed that South Jersey includes the counties located south of the state’s center.

Is South Jersey cheaper than North Jersey?

In general, South Jersey has a cheaper cost of living than North Jersey. It is crucial to note that there is diversity in affordability between North and South Jersey. Housing expenses may be higher in some parts of South Jersey, such as popular beach towns or those closer to big cities like Philadelphia. Similarly, certain parts of North Jersey, particularly those near New York City, may have higher living costs.

Is North Jersey or South Jersey better?

Whether North Jersey or South Jersey is superior is a subjective decision that is heavily influenced by personal preferences and priorities. Both locations have distinct qualities and advantages, and what appeals to one individual may not appeal to another.

Is South Jersey a nice place to live?

Yes, South Jersey is typically regarded as a pleasant location to reside. It possesses several appealing characteristics that make it an appealing destination for residents.

What city is South Jersey?

South Jersey is not a single city, but rather the southern area of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It includes several cities, municipalities, and counties in the state’s south. South Jersey’s significant cities include, among others, Atlantic City, Camden, Vineland, Cherry Hill, Cape May, and Millville. Each city in South Jersey has its distinct personality, attractions, and amenities, which contribute to the region’s overall appeal.

What is the difference between Central Jersey and South Jersey?

The demarcation between Central and South Jersey is debatable and can change based on one’s perspective and perception. However, the following are some general distinctions that are frequently addressed when comparing the two regions:

Geographic Location
Demographics
Cultural Influences
Economic Factors

Again, it’s crucial to emphasize that the distinction between Central and South Jersey is subjective, and various people may have different ideas about where the line between the two regions lies.