WITHIN AN HOUR'S DRIVE:
Alstede Farms (Chester, NJ): Weekend family fun at the farm including haywagon rides, pony rides, moon bounce, and more. For all ages.
American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY): Check out the new exhibit "Dinosaurs Among Us," see the Titanosaur, a 122-foot long dinosaur fossil whose species is so new that paleontologists haven't named it yet, see live butterflies at the popular Butterfly Conservatory (Closed April 7-8), and watch National Parks Adventure in IMAX. Check your local library to see if they offer museum passes. Best for ages 3 and up. Read Macaroni Kid's review here.
American Museum of Natural History (New York, NY): Check out the new exhibit "Dinosaurs Among Us," see the Titanosaur, a 122-foot long dinosaur fossil whose species is so new that paleontologists haven't named it yet, see live butterflies at the popular Butterfly Conservatory (Closed April 7-8), and watch National Parks Adventure in IMAX. Check your local library to see if they offer museum passes. Best for ages 3 and up. Read Macaroni Kid's review here.
Bronx Zoo (Bronx, NY): Butterfly Garden and meet and greet Farmyard animals at the Children's Zoo, daily penguin and sea lion feedings. For all ages.
Field Station: Dinosaurs (Leonia, NJ): Starting May 28, the dinosaur park featuring full-sized animatronic dinosaurs will have a new home in Bergen County at Overpeck Park in Leonia. Best for ages 3 and up.
Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum (New York, NY): Climb inside a space capsule, navigate through an interactive submarine in the hands-on exhibit space in the Hangar deck, tour the inside of a real submarine the Growler, visit the Space Shuttle Pavilion and get up close and personal with 2 dozen aircraft on the Intrepid's Flight Deck. Check your local library to see if they offer free museum passes. Click here and here to read Macaroni Kid's reviews. Best for ages 3 and up.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Yonkers, NY): Check out the new LEGO Star Wars: Phantom Menace MINILAND Model Display, watch The LEGO Movie in 4D, build and test your own LEGO race car, and sing karaoke at LEGO Friend's Heartlake City. Best for ages 4 and up. Click HERE for a discount code through Macaroni Kid Nanuet.
Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ): Learn about bees, meet furry friends, and build your own simple machine. There's always tons to do at Liberty Science Center. For ages 2 and up.
Luna Park at Coney Island (Brooklyn, NY): Rides and carnival fun. Open weekends until Memorial Day. Best for ages 8 and up.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (Norwalk, CT): Experience Star Wars: The Force Awakens in IMAX (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays), touch a jellyfish, see a baby black dragon - one of only 31 in the US! For all ages.
Space Farms Zoo and Museum (Sussex, NJ): Come see over 500 live wild animals the largest private collection of North American wildlife in the world including bobcats, tigers and lions, buffalo, hyena, wild ponies, timber wolves, various types of foxes, bears and deer, leopards, monkeys, jaguars, coyotes, llamas, yaks, snakes, and more! All ages.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk, CT): Check out the wet & wild Energy Lab, the new Rainforest exhibit, Tot Town and more in this hands-on, interactive museum just for kids. Best for ages 2 and up.
Turtleback Zoo (West Orange, NJ): Celebrate Disney's all new live-action movie "The Jungle Book" April 9th from 11AM to 2PM at the Touch Tank. Have breakfast with the wolves April 16-17 from 8:30AM-10AM (additional charge). Join the Party for the Planet on April 23rd with animal talks and presentations, games and activities to celebrate Earth Day. Saturdays and Sundays starting April 23 check out performances and activities as the Zoo expands to the African continent. All ages.
Space Farms Zoo and Museum (Sussex, NJ): Come see over 500 live wild animals the largest private collection of North American wildlife in the world including bobcats, tigers and lions, buffalo, hyena, wild ponies, timber wolves, various types of foxes, bears and deer, leopards, monkeys, jaguars, coyotes, llamas, yaks, snakes, and more! All ages.
Stepping Stones Museum for Children (Norwalk, CT): Check out the wet & wild Energy Lab, the new Rainforest exhibit, Tot Town and more in this hands-on, interactive museum just for kids. Best for ages 2 and up.
Turtleback Zoo (West Orange, NJ): Celebrate Disney's all new live-action movie "The Jungle Book" April 9th from 11AM to 2PM at the Touch Tank. Have breakfast with the wolves April 16-17 from 8:30AM-10AM (additional charge). Join the Party for the Planet on April 23rd with animal talks and presentations, games and activities to celebrate Earth Day. Saturdays and Sundays starting April 23 check out performances and activities as the Zoo expands to the African continent. All ages.
WITHIN 2 HOURS' DRIVE:
Crayola Experience (Easton, PA): Name and wrap your own Crayola crayon, star in a coloring page, sculpt your own creation with Crayola Model Magic and more! For all ages.
Mystic Aquarium (Mystic, CT): Meet New England's only beluga whales, check out the African penguins and explore Mystic Seaport - The Museum of America and the Sea, the nation's largest Maritime Museum, while you're there. For all ages.
SPEND THE NIGHT
Hersheypark (Hershey, PA): Hersheypark is open April 9-10, Fridays through Sundays starting April 29 through May 22, then daily starting May 26 through September 5. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark opens daily starting May 28 through September 5. While you're there, check out ZooAmerica - a North American Wildlife Park which is open daily. Read Macaroni Kid's sponsored review here.
Kalahari Resorts (Poconos, PA): Enjoy the authentically African-themed indoor waterpark and resort complete with restaurants and a Family Entertainment Center. Read Macaroni Kid's sponsored review here.
Rocking Horse Ranch (Highland, NY): This all-inclusive family resort is a great weekend getaway complete with an indoor pool and water playground, daily outdoor activities, horseback riding, pony rides, paddle boats, rock climbing wall, child care, and more! Read Macaroni Kid's sponsored review here.
SPEND THE NIGHT
Hersheypark (Hershey, PA): Hersheypark is open April 9-10, Fridays through Sundays starting April 29 through May 22, then daily starting May 26 through September 5. The Boardwalk at Hersheypark opens daily starting May 28 through September 5. While you're there, check out ZooAmerica - a North American Wildlife Park which is open daily. Read Macaroni Kid's sponsored review here.
Kalahari Resorts (Poconos, PA): Enjoy the authentically African-themed indoor waterpark and resort complete with restaurants and a Family Entertainment Center. Read Macaroni Kid's sponsored review here.
Rocking Horse Ranch (Highland, NY): This all-inclusive family resort is a great weekend getaway complete with an indoor pool and water playground, daily outdoor activities, horseback riding, pony rides, paddle boats, rock climbing wall, child care, and more! Read Macaroni Kid's sponsored review here.
Want more ideas for family fun? Subscribe HERE to receive Macaroni Kid Northeast Bergen's FREE weekly e-mail on local things to do in and around Paramus, Bergen County. Also don't forget to use the drop down menu of Macaroni Kid National's site for more local things to do in your final destination!
