Chol Hamoed Trip Guide

Chol Hamoed is a great time to enjoy meaningful and fun activities together with family.

Please note:

• It’s important to call any location in advance to confirm hours, availability, pricing, and covid-19 protocols.
• Some discounts on admission can be found at beentheredonethattrips.com, groupon.com, and theoceancountylibrary.org/museum-pass-program.

Stay safe and have fun!

The Voice does not take responsibility for any errors listed below or the kashrus of any establishment.

Parks and Farms

Deerwood Park

Details: Features large and varied playground structures, spacious fields, walking/bike paths, and lots of parking

Hours: Dawn–dusk

Address: 2740 Lakewood Allendale Rd., Howell, NJ 07731

Windward Beach/Park

Details: Swings,indoor restrooms, picnic tables, grassy area, and beautiful views of the water

Address: 265 Princeton Ave., Brick, NJ

Phone: 732-262-1044

Cattus Island County Park

Details: Features walking trails, a bridge through a marsh, playground area, butterfly garden, and an indoor nature center. Some parts may be open/closed seasonally; call for details.

Hours: Dawn–dusk, environmental center: Sunday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Address: 1170 Cattus Island Blvd., Toms River, NJ 08753

Phone: 732-270-6960

Lake Shenandoah

Details: A beautiful park featuring bike trails, boat rentals, a conservation area, fishing, handicap accessibility, a picnic area, restrooms, a small boat launch (electric motors only), basketball, soccer, and softball

Hours: Daily7 a.m.–dusk

Address: Route 88, Lakewood, NJ

Turkey Swamp Park

Details: A large park with boat rentals, plenty of walking trails, and a playground

Hours: Daily 7 a.m.–8 p.m. Boat rentals: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. weekends only

Admission/prices: Free admission. Boat rentals begin at $14.54 per hour per boat (includes one set of paddles and a life vest).

Address: 200 Georgia Rd., Freehold, NJ

Phone: 732-462-7286

Mantoloking Bridge County Park

Details: Picnic tables, grassy area, boardwalk, fishing pier, beautiful views of the water, clean indoor restrooms

Address: 70 Herbert St., Brick, NJ

Jakes Branch County Park

Details: Four hundred acres featuring a nature center with live and taxidermy animals, eight-plus miles of walking/biking trails, discovery play trail, open play fields and courts, and playgrounds. Views of the Pine Barrens forest can be seen from the observation deck perched five stories atop the nature center.

Hours: 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Address: 1100 Double Trouble Rd., Beachwood, NJ

Phone: 732-281-2750

Website: oceancountyparks.org

Dorbrook Recreation Center

Details: A large variety of play facilities, picnic tables, sand play area, grassy area

Address: 353 County Rd. 537, Colts Neck, NJ

Phone: 732-542-1643

Website: monmouthcountyparks.com

Allaire Community Farm

Details: A 25-acre farm and petting zoo with rescued animals. Barrel-train ride available on weekdays for $2, pony rides available on weekends for $5.

Hours: Sunday 12–4 p.m., Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Admission/prices: Children over age 1, $3; adults $5; animal feed $2 per bag

Address: 1923 Bailey’s Corner Rd., Wall, NJ

Phone: 732-796-3298

Website: allairecommunityfarm.org

Howell Living History Farm

Details: Visitors have the opportunity to experience over 250 years of New Jersey farm life. Pitch in with feeding and watering animals, mixing animal feed, and collecting eggs and enjoy a corn maze. Children can try bottle-feeding lambs, gathering honey, collecting sap, and harvesting ice.

Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m., closed on Sundays, Mondays and Mercer County holidays

Admission/prices: Free admission; small fee to attend the classes

Address: 70 Woodens Ln., Lambertville, NJ 08530

Phone: 609-737-3299

Website: howellfarm.org

Manasquan Reservoir and Bike Rentals

Details: Enjoy a serene and beautiful bike ride around the 1,204 acres of land and water of the Manasquan Reservoir.

Hours: First rental at 9:30 a.m.; bikes must be returned by 6:30 p.m.

Admission/prices: Walk/watch/enjoy the views for free.Bike rentals begin at $13 per hour, helmet included.

Address: 311 Windeler Rd., Howell, NJ 07731

Phone: 732-919-0996

Double Trouble State Park

Details: Eight miles of trails that are perfect for hiking, biking, and access to boating at Cedar Creek; daily prescheduled guided village tours for viewing a restored sawmill, a cranberry packing house, and a cranberry bog. Tours run from Wednesday to Sunday and are open seasonally and based on staff availability. Call before visiting to book a tour.

Hours: Daily 8 a.m.–dusk

Admission/prices: No entrance fee for the park; there is a small fee for guided tours.

Address: 581 Pinewald Keswick Rd., Bayville, NJ 08721

Phone: 732-341-4098

Holmdel Park and Longstreet Farm

Details: A beautiful state park with trails, playgrounds, and a historic farm with animals, old machinery, and staff dressed in period costumes

Hours: Park open daily 7 a.m.–8 p.m., farm open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Admission/prices: Free

Address: 44 Longstreet Rd., Holmdel, NJ

Phone: 732-946-9562

Website: monmouthcountyparks.com

Whitesbog Historic Village and Old Bog Nature Trail

Details: A five-mile automobile loop around a system of bogs, blueberry and cranberry fields, canals, reservoirs, and pine forests

Hours: Dawn–dusk

Address: 120 W. Whites Bog Rd., Browns Mills, NJ 08105

Phone: 609-893-4646

Website: whitesbog.org

Monmouth Battlefield State Park

Details: An expansive historic park with trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and seasonal pick-your-own orchards

Hours: Sunday–Friday 8 a.m.–8 p.m., visitors’ center: Wednesday–Sunday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Admission/prices: Free

Address: 16 Business Route 33, Manalapan, NJ 07726

Phone: 732-462-9616

Duke Farms

Details: A 2,740-acre property with historical farm buildings, orchid displays, a waterfall, and a 1.25-mile self-guided nature trail through a series of different habitats. Teens and adults can also rent bikes.

Hours: Tuesday–Friday8:30 a.m.–6 p.m., bike rental: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Admission/prices: Free admission; bike rentals (for 2 hours): adults $7, children (under 18) $5

Address: 1112 Dukes Parkway W., Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844

Phone: 908-722-3700

Washington Crossing State Park

Details: A museum, trails, playgrounds, a nature center, and a historic ferry house at the site of George Washington’s Delaware River crossing

Hours: Park open daily 8 a.m.–8 p.m., visitors’ center: Thursday–Sunday 10 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1–3 p.m., nature center: Sunday 12–4 p.m., tours: Thursday–Friday 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Admission/pricing: Free entry for the 2022 season

Address: 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Rd., Titusville, NJ 08560

Phone: 609-737-0616

Barclay Farmstead Museum

Details: A restored farmstead and 32-acre property built in 1816. In addition to tours of the farmhouse, spend some time wandering interpretive nature trails and admiring garden plots.

Hours: Wednesdays 12–4 p.m.

Admission/prices: Children under 12 free, adults $5, seniors and students $3

Address: 209 Barclay Ln., Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Phone: 856-795-6225

Tenafly Nature Center

Details: A nature preserve where one can observe wildlife, take beautiful nature pictures, and more

Hours: Trails are open all year from dawn to dusk; visitors’ center is open daily 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Admission/prices: Free for members, $2 for non-members

Address: 313 Hudson Ave., Tenafly, NJ 07670

Phone: 201-568-6093

Website: tenaflynaturecenter.org

Palisades Interstate Park and Historic Fort Lee Park

Details: Gorgeous overlooks, scenery, trails, and historic Kearny House and exhibits at a Revolutionary War site

Hours: Park open during daylight hours; visitors’ center open Wednesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.

Admission/prices: Metered parking at Fort Lee Park

Address: Palisades Interstate Pkwy., Alpine, NJ 07620

Phone: 201-461-1776

Van Saun County Park

Details: 130 acres featuring ball fields and tennis courts, picnic areas, state-of-the-art playgrounds and splash pads, and Bergen County Zoo. (Pony rides, a millennium carousel, and a miniature train ride open seasonally—call to confirm.)

Hours: Zoo open 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Admission/prices:  Zoo: adults $8, children (3–14) $5, seniors $2

Address: 216 Forest Ave., Paramus, NJ 07652

Phone: 201-336-7275, zoo: 201-634-3100

Website: www.co.bergen.nj.us/parks-recreation-areas/van-saun-county-park

Wharton State Forest

Details: The largest NJ state park, it’s also the site of Batsto Village, a restored former bog, iron, and glassmaking industrial center from 1766–1867; the restored Atsion 1826 mansion; as well as rivers, streams; trails; playgrounds; and picnic areas.

Hours: Daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Admission/prices: Free admission to the park; $5 per car to Batsto Village on weekends

Address: 31 Batsto Rd., Hammonton, NJ 08037

Phone: 609-561-0024, 609-268-0444 for mansion tour availability

Holland Ridge Farms

Details: A breathtaking 300-acre farm with 8 million fresh flowers to enjoy, take gorgeous photos of, and pick. Also features hayrides around the farm and a petting zoo.

Hours: Must reserve online for timed slots

Admission/prices: Stems are $1 each. Check website for schedule and pricing.

Address: 86 Rues Rd., Cream Ridge, NJ 08514

Website: hollandridgefarms.com

Norz Hill Farm and Market

Details: Farmer’s market with hayrides and corn mazes. Pony rides on weekends.

Hours: Weekdays 12–6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

Admission/prices: Weekdays $12, children (under 36 inches) free; weekends/holidays $15, senior discount

Address: 120 South Branch Rd., Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Phone: 908-371-2697

Website: norzhillfarm.com

Other Outdoor Activities

Quail Ridge Golf World

Details: An outdoor golf- and mini golf-practice facility featuring a 50-stall covered driving range with seven hitting targets

Hours: Weather permitting; call for hours.

Admission/prices: Call for details.

Address: 4130 Hurley Pond Rd. and Route 34, Wall Township, NJ

Phone: 732-681-0918

Website: quailridgegolfworld.com

Tuckerton Seaport

Details: A village that brings maritime traditions of the past to life through exhibits and hands-on activities. The seaport and on-site Baymen’s Museum feature live aquatic displays, animals, as well as recreated and historical buildings and demonstrations.

Hours: Call to confirm schedule of demonstrations. Seaport is open daily to the public.

Admission/prices: Varies depending on activity

Address: 120 West Main St., Tuckerton, NJ 08087

Phone: 609-296-8868

Website: Tuckertonseaport.org

Absecon Lighthouse

Details: Climb the 228 steps upNew Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, the third tallest in the US, and enjoy the view!

Hours: Thursday–Monday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Admission/prices: Children under 4 free; ages 4-12, $6; adults $10; cheaper for groups of 10 plus

Address: 31 South Rhode Island Ave., Atlantic City, NJ

Phone: 609-449-1360

Website: abseconlighthouse.org

Deep Cut Gardens

Details: 54 acres of gardens and greenhouses featuring 52 varieties of roses

Hours: 8 a.m.–dusk

Admission/prices: Free

Address: 152 Red Hill Rd., Middletown, NJ

Phone: 732-671-6050

Website: monmouthcountyparks.com

Cape May Ferry

Details: An 85-minute ferry ride (one way; 3 hours round trip) the whole family can enjoy. The ferry can hold approximately 100 vehicles.

Hours: Ferry departs daily at various times. Confirm schedule in advance.

Admission/prices: Adults $10, children (6 and up) $4. Fares start at $39 per car; return trips and additional passengers subject to additional charge.

Address: 1200 Lincoln Blvd., Cape May, NJ 08204

Phone: 800-643-3779

Website: cmlf.com

Rutgers Gardens

Details: A beautiful 180-acre botanic garden with designed gardens, farms, plant collections, natural habitats, and a farmer’s market. Rutgers Gardens is a botanic laboratory for Rutgers University.

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 8 a.m.–7 p.m.

Admission/prices: Free

Address: 130 Log Cabin Rd., New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Website: rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu

Cape May Lighthouse

Details: A lighthouse and museum with spectacular panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean

Hours: Park open sunrise–sunset daily; call for lighthouse schedule.

Admission/prices: Adults $12; children (3–12) $8

Address: 215 Light House Ave.,Cape May Point, NJ 08212

Phone: 800-275-4278, 609-884-5404, 609-224-6066

The World War II Lookout Tower Museum and Memorial

Details: A restored lookout tower used to defend the area during World War II

Hours: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Admission/prices: Adults $8, children (3–12) $5

Address: 1200 Sunset Blvd., North Cape May, NJ 08204

Phone: 609-884-5404

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Details: Visit a 77-foot giant waterfall in America’s first planned city. Tours of the mills and the city’s history available.

Hours: Sunrise–sunset. Tours: Wednesday–Sunday 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., no reservation required. Meets at the Alexander Hamilton in Overlook Park, main address.

Admission/prices: Free

Address: 72 McBride Avenue Extension, Paterson, NJ 07501

Aquariums/Zoos

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk and Aquarium

Details: Arcade rooms, rides, and an aquarium with many interesting fish and aquatic creatures

Admission/prices: Rides/arcades: pay per activity. Aquarium: children (3–11) $10, adults $16, seniors (65 plus) $11

Hours: Aquarium 10 a.m.–5 p.m., rides 12 p.m.– 6p.m.; may change; call or check online to verify.

Address: 300 Ocean Ave., Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ

Phone: 732-892-0600

Website: jenkinsons.com

Adventure Aquarium

Details: Voted the best aquarium in the Northeast with over 15,000 aquatic animals, including a walk-through shark tank

Admission/prices: Varies depending on day/time; starts at $26.99 for adults, $18.99 for children, $24.99 for seniors

Hours: Weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Address: 1 Riverside Dr., Camden, NJ

Phone: 1-844-474-3474 (FISH)

Website: adventureaquarium.com

Space Farms Zoo and Museum

Details: A 100-acre zoo-and-museum complex with over 500 live wild animals; nine large museum buildings with over 50 antique cars, motorcycles, old horse-drawn carriages and sleighs, antique dolls, one of the largest private antique firearms collections, old farm machinery, and Indian artifacts; a large picnic area; and a playground

Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (last ticket at 4 p.m.)

Admission/prices: Ages 3–12, $18; ages 13–64, $22

Address: 218 Country Rd. 519, Sussex, NJ 07641

Phone: 973-875-5800

Website: spacefarms.com

Popcorn Park Zoo

Details: This family-oriented zoo was established to provide a refuge for wildlife that were sick, elderly, abandoned, abused, or injured and could no longer survive in their natural habitats. It also includes exotic and domestic animals. Popcorn may be purchased to feed free-roaming birds and some of the farm animals.

Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; ticket purchases stop at 4:15 p.m.

Admission/prices: Adults $7; seniors and children under 11, $4; children under 3 free

Address: 1 Humane Way (off Lacey Rd.), Forked River, NJ

Phone: 609-693-1900

Website: ahscares.org

Turtle Back Zoo

Details: A large, beautiful zoo that features many animals from various regions plus extra activities. Playground and train ride are included in admission; mini golf, pony rides, and other rides cost extra.

Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m