34 Educational & Totally Fun Field Trip Ideas in NJ! These are Best Places to Go

Bring some fun into an ordinary afternoon by planning a field trip for the kids. The kids will appreciate a change of scenery and they will get a chance to explore and learn. Activities at most of these destinations are hands-on promising entertainment for the little ones. Options can be thrilling, laid-back, educational, and even creative. So all of you teachers, chaperones, administrators, team leaders (and even parents) who are looking for the best places for field trips, we are here to help you find the perfect fit.

Watch History Come Alive On Your Next Field Trip To These Historic Sites and Museums

Morristown National Historic Park
30 Washington Place, Morristown, NJ 07960
973-539-2016 x210

Morristown National Historic Park commemorates the historic sites of General Washington and his Continental army's winter lodgings from December 1779 to June 1780 where they survived the coldest winter on record. Equipped with a museum and a library dedicated to George Washington this is the perfect site for a historic field trip in New Jersey. 

Cooper Gristmill
66 Route 24, Chester Township, NJ 07930
908-879-5463

Come see costumed actors bring this historic site to life with the mill's water wheel, power shafts, gears, and a 2,000-pound millstone. Built-in 1826 and set on a 14-acre park The Cooper Gristmill is a great spot for a field trip and offers tons of places for picnics and hiking. 

Sterling Hill Mining Museum
30 Plant St, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439
973-209-7212

For an exciting scientific adventure check out the Sterling Hill Mining Museum. With an underground mine tour with drilling and blasting demonstrations and the world-famous fluorescent "Rainbow Tunnel". That's not all they also have a ton of awesome displays that are sure to be a hit for groups of any age. 

The Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Rd #100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
856-424-1233

Perfect for children ages infant through ten years old. The Garden State Discovery Museum is one of New Jersey's most popular cultural attractions and South Jerseys larges children's museum. With education hands-on entertainment that is focused on building self-confidence, compassion, and self-esteem this is the perfect place to get a child's mind moving

Historic Village of Allaire
4265 Atlantic Ave, Farmingdale, NJ 07727
732-919-3500

Once an iron-producing factory town known as Howell Iron Works, Co this self-sufficient community had everything you can think of from a blacksmith to a bakery. With a ton of hands-on activities, you can experience the history the way it was lived in Industrial America. 

The New Jersey State House
145 West State St, Trenton, NJ 08625
609847-3150

Offering free tours for students from kindergarten to college The New Jersey State House is the most historic building in the state! Built-in 1792 by Jonathan Doane the site was 3.75 acres and cost 250 Brittish pounds. Complete with a bell tour and seven bays running off the center hall this building is a sight to behold.

Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-737-3299

Also known as the Joseph Phillips Farm this 130-acre open-air museum shows how life truly was in the 1900s. Howell Farm's education programs are set to engage students in the same seasonal activities that were performed on a working farm in that time period. This is a unique learning experience where history, technology, and science come together for a fun educational experience.

The Governor's Mansion (Drumthwacket)
354 Stockton St, Princeton, NJ 08540
609-683-0057

Host to school children around the state and the official residence of New Jersey's governor this historic site promotes an understanding of NJ's history and the heritage of our state. Geared towards the 4th-grade curriculum mostly Drumthwacket welcomes students of all ages to come to learn and enjoy the rich history of our great state.

USS New Jersey
62 Battleship Place, Camden, NJ 08103
856-966-1652

Launched December 7th, 1942 the USS New Jersey is quite the sight to behold. With various educational programs on the ship, this is a field trip the kids are not soon to forget. Explore this behemoth as you find your way around the battleship and learn what it was like to be a sailor during wartime. Learn how the ship survived a foe just as dangerous as the Axis... Hurricane Cobra and visit the onboard museum to view various exhibits and artifacts. 

Tuckerton Seaport & Baymen's Museum
120 West Main Street. Tuckerton, NJ 08087
609-296-8868

Tuckerton Seaport was once known as Narmegat Bay and Baymen's Museum. Now the 40-acre site includes 17 historic and recreated buildings. With a beautiful wetlands trail, decoy gallery and a historic marine railway you will be immersed in the history of the seaport from the moment you step onto its docks. With hands-on activities, workshops, tours, and classes this is a great choice for a field trip that will teach children the rich history of the area.

Thomas Edison National Historic Park
211 Main St, West Orange, NJ 07052
973-736-0550 x11

When you visit Thomas Edison National Historic Park you will be teleported to the days of the famous inventor of the same name. Explore his laboratory complex and see some of his most famous inventions. You will learn how Edison used the complex to develop products we still use today. Throughout the tour, you will learn his creative process through a simulation activity and learn how his technological and industrial developments have affected the students' own lives.

Grover Cleveland Birthplace
207 Bloomfield Ave, Caldwell, NJ 07006
973-226-0001

This is the home President Grover Cleveland was born in 1837. Also known as the Caldwell Presbyterian Church Manse before his family moved to New York in 1841.
In the early 20th century the house was turned into a museum. Now, this is the only museum in the country dedicated to Presidents Cleveland's life. Filled with artifacts and political memorabilia it is open to the public free of charge.

Here Are Some Educational Field Trip Ideas to Stimulate Young Minds

Field Station Dinosaurs
40 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia, NJ 07605
1-855-999-9010

Step into this prehistoric outdoor theme park. Designed for children aged three to eleven this park features a walking tour where you will see scientifically accurate animatronic dinosaurs! With interactive exhibits and live shows, Field Station Dinosaurs educates children about dinosaurs and the local ecosystem. Named the second-best dinosaur theme park in the world this is a must-visit for any dino enthusiast.

Lakota Wolf Preserve
89 Mount Pleasant Rd, Columbia, NJ 07832
908-496-9244

The Lakota Wolf Preserve teaches children about some of the most amazing animals in the world through their Wolf Watch Tours. Once you arrive you will enjoy a scenic half-mile nature walk to the preserve to visit 4 different packs of wolves, foxes, and bobcats! With the option to take advantage of private guided photography and video sessions you will be able to immortalize your experience at the preserve with photos of these majestic animals.

Field Trip Ideas That are More suited to Having Fun With The Kids!

Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07305
201-200-1000

Liberty Science Center knows exactly what you need as an educator to bring science and technology to students of all ages. With their age-appropriate curriculum-linked programs designed for students from preschool to post-college, Liberty Science Center offers leading-edge development programs that will improve STEM teaching practices.

Wild West City
50 Lackawanna Dr, Stanhope, NJ 07874
973-347-8900

Celebrating their 63rd year with a huge array of special events and shows, this is one of the most exciting and fun field trip ideas in all of NJ! Bringing the old west back to life through real-life western characters and recreating legendary events this frontier town re-creation is really something else. In addition to shows, they also have a 24-gauge miniature train ride, stagecoach and pony rides.

Space Farms
218 County Rd 519, Sussex, NJ 07461
973-875-5800

Space Farms Zoo and Museum is a 100-acre zoo and museum complex. With over 500 live wild animals including tigers, bears, buffalo, kangaroos, and more your class field trip will be a huge hit. The museum complex has 9 large buildings with artifacts that range from antique cars, motorcycles, antique firearms collections, and even old Indian artifacts and so much more. No trip to space farms is complete without a stop by their Extreme Pizza Restaurant to refuel after a day of exciting animals and educational exhibits.

For Families

Weekends are a great time for a little adventure, too. Take the whole family for a kid-friendly day trip where they can enjoy a new environment and learn something about NJ. Fill the day with adventure!