| Author | Message | ||
     mb3303 Citizen Username: Mb3303 Post Number: 82 Registered: 2-2002 |
I'm childless, so I'm not sure what there is for kids to do around here, but my 3 young cousins (boys 13 and 11; girl 8) are coming to visit for an afternoon (on a Saturday) and I'm wondering what might be a nice (preferably outdoorsy) thing to do that would keep them amused. Is the Turtle Back Zoo any good? Is there anything else around there of interest? Any places in South Mountain Res. that would interest kids? I'm open to just about any suggestions, though they should be free or cheap. They're visiting in mid-May. Thanks! | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 767 Registered: 5-2001 |
I'm not totally sure, but I think that the older two might get bored with the zoo fairly quickly. The younger one would probably love it. My kids (girls aged 7 and 11) like to go bike riding up on that road near Washington Rock in the Reservation, but I'm guessing you might not have bikes available to you. That road is also good for roller blading, running or walking, since most of it is closed to motor vehicles and it has some nice views, etc. There are lots of hikes in the Reservation - someone posted information about how to obtain a trail map not too long ago. Searching on "Reservation" might turn that up. | ||
| Wendyn Citizen Username: Wendyn Post Number: 47 Registered: 9-2002 |
If it rains Liberty Science Center is always fun. Another outdoor suggestion is Hershey Park if you don't mind driving 1.5 hours to get there (not sure where your cousins are coming from). And check out local fairs, etc. in the area for that weekend. | ||
| naborly Citizen Username: Naborly Post Number: 215 Registered: 7-2001 |
Roller rink in Florham Park. Bowling (watch out for league reservations) Batting cages and driving golfballs at Crescent Hiking trails in reservation Hobby shop on Springfield Ave. The Great Swamp Trailside Museum J P Lee's in Millburn | ||
| mb3303 Citizen Username: Mb3303 Post Number: 84 Registered: 2-2002 |
Thanks. The date is fast approaching and I seek any additional suggestions anyone's got to offer. Also, if I were going to go to South Mountain Reservation, where would you suggest we enter/go? It's a big place and I'd like to know the nicest way to access the place and/or what sorts of things (besides hiking around) one might do there. Thanks! | ||
| lah Citizen Username: Lah Post Number: 109 Registered: 5-2001 |
There's lots of special outdoor activities over the next couple of weekends -- there's a fair at Marshall school this Saturday, there's a fair at St. Josephs from Friday through Sunday and I believe that the Clinton fair is on the following Saturday (5/17). All of the activities are extremely kid friendly. | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 786 Registered: 5-2001 |
To get to the Washington Rock area, take South Orange Avenue up to the top and turn left into the reservation just past the condominium tower up there. (Just before the road starts back downhill.) There is a reservation sign there and a marked left turn lane. | ||
| irl Citizen Username: Irl Post Number: 40 Registered: 6-2001 |
WHere/what are the Trailside Museum,the Great Swamp and JP Lees? I'll be looking for activities this summer and they sound interesting | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 796 Registered: 5-2001 |
Trailside museum is in the Watchung reservation in Summit. It has nature exhibits and some trails. A very popular destination for school field trips. I know how to get there, but I don't know the names of the streets ... perhaps someone else can weigh in with usable directions. The Great Swamp is a National Wildlife Refuge bordering Chatham Township, Meyersville and some other towns ... more or less south of Chatham. You can get there by taking Fairmount Avenue south from downtown Chatham and follow the refuge signs. You more or less stay on the same road, but it changes names to Meyersville Road at some point. When you get to the Meyersville Circle (next to Casa Maya - excellent Mexican restaurant), take a right from the circle and you will get to the refuge. There are several other roads in the area to different parts of the refuge, but that one will get you to the nature observation area, with boardwalks and several "blinds" for watching birds and other creatures. JP Lee's is a chinese restaurant in Millburn. | ||
| algebra2 Citizen Username: Algebra2 Post Number: 964 Registered: 5-2001  |
did someone already post www.fieldtrip.com Lots of good ideas. | ||
| ffof Citizen Username: Ffof Post Number: 1186 Registered: 5-2001  |
Is there a home game for Newark Bears that afternoon? Easy train ride, cheap tickets, good seats, can leave early and not feel guilty! | ||
| sac Citizen Username: Sac Post Number: 798 Registered: 5-2001 |
Another interesting destination near the Great Swamp is the Raptor Trust. They have a number of injured birds being cared for in large sheltered cages connected by pathways and marked with educational information about the species, etc. Similar to a small zoo, but focused on raptor bird species and their rehabilitation efforts for the injured birds. I can't remember exactly how we got there, but I think it is on the opposite side of the refuge from the nature observation area mentioned above. We found all these places and more with our trusty Hagstrom county maps and our growing collection of birding guides. I think that this area is all in Morris County, but I'm not sure. |
