Stop wondering what to do this summer with kids—I planned it all for you!
I’m so excited to finally share this with you. As a fellow parent who knows the specific kind of dread summer vacation planning can bring, I’ve been busy curating something truly special just for you.
Discovery Days is a completely free, downloadable guide packed with five ready-to-go, themed itineraries designed to take the stress out of family fun this summer. How you use it is up to you: make these weekly adventures, do them all in one fun-filled staycation week, or have them in your back pocket for a surprise family outing. These days are perfect for exploring New Jersey with your kids.
We’ve got your whole summer covered. Our New Jersey Kids Summer Guide is packed with more than 500 of the best festivals, deals, activities, and FREE stuff for kids. Bookmark it—your summer is planned!
How to Use Discovery Days
- Pick a day that works for your family.
- Download the guide with all the stops and addresses.
- Follow the plan and enjoy the day.
5 Ready-to-Go Discovery Days in NJ
Let’s be real—the hardest part of a great family day is the planning. You have to pick the main activity, find a lunch spot that isn’t chaos, locate a park to burn off energy, and, most importantly, track down a good treat. Exhausting.
I get it. That’s why I created this. Each itinerary is a perfectly crafted day trip with a mix of hidden gems and classic favorites. Each itinerary includes my favorite things:
- A main, kid-friendly activity
- A favorite lunch spot I know families will love
- A park or playground to let the kids run wild
- A delicious, local sweet treat
- Plus, a bonus attraction to explore if your crew has more time and energy
It’s all plotted out, with addresses included. No more scrolling, no more decision fatigue—just plug in the address and go!
Escape the everyday for a visit to Terhune Orchards, with fresh fruit and farm fun. Photo by Yuliya Marks
A Sneak Peek Inside Your Discovery Days Guide
We’ve pulled together five distinct New Jersey day trips, mixing classic favorites with a few awesome hidden gems. Here’s a little taste of what’s waiting for you:
- Play Away in Cape May: A day in the Cape May area centered around furry friends at the Cape May County Zoo, plus family-friendly eats, and the sweetest view of the sunset over Delaware Bay.
- A South Mountain Sojourn: This itinerary in South Mountain Reservation and the surrounding towns pairs plenty of time in the great outdoors with a classic Jersey diner, and a sprinkle of magic.
- Fun on the Farm: Kick your day off with pick-your-own eats at Terhune Orchards, and close it out with FREE library fun and farm-to-spoon artisan ice cream.
This is just a small sample of the adventures! Each day is designed to be flexible and fun, working at your family’s pace.
But, What About the Weekends?
We’ve also got two getaway itineraries for a mini mid-week or weekend getaway. These are spots you might not think of at first, but they’re all relatively inexpensive getaways, and they’re fun for kids of all ages. You can drive there in less than two hours, and experience something a world away from your everyday life. Our itineraries take the guesswork out of a mini vacation!
How To Get Your Discovery Days Guide
The Discovery Days Guide is completely FREE. Just sign up, and we’ll send you the guide by email! You can download it and keep it on your phone or print it and stick it on your fridge.
