By Chistina Schiaretta
1. Your summers will never be the same again. In South Jersey, you’ll find some of the best beach towns in America, each with its own vibe and family fun to be had. From local fishing, parasailing, surfing, yoga, and sunset paddle-boarding, to long days in the sand and long nights on the boardwalk, there is never a shortage of pure quality family time during a Jersey summer.
2. Adventure is oh so close!
Just as easily as you can find the beach, you can find the mountains! Ski, snowboard, or go tubing with the kids this winter. You can be there within two hours of home and feel like you’re a million miles away just for the day. No experience? No problem! Every mountain has lessons for all ages and levels and you can even rent equipment. If you want to shake it up, then hit the slopes with the family and fill your lungs (and hearts) with fresh mountain air.
3. Our farms are the perfect place for an educational trip and some delicious produce.
Spring, Summer, and Fall yield the most delicious fresh produce you could possibly imagine. The tomatoes, peppers, corn, cabbage, romaine, cranberries, apples, and of course, blueberries are unlike anywhere else. After all, we are known as “The Garden State!” During the Fall, we have the most family-friendly pumpkin farms. Spend the day on a hayride or corn maze. Pick sunflowers, pumpkins, and apples. Visit a bakery/market for warm apple cider doughnuts. You can even feed their farm animals. Come winter, forget about buying your tree pre-cut. Visit one of the many Christmas Tree Farms, like Van Meter’s in Bridgeton, and take a tractor ride to the middle of the tree farm. Then enjoy a cup of hot apple cider by the woodstove, while your fresh balsam tree is wrapped and loaded.
4. The two greatest cities on the East Coast are driving distance from you at any point in time. Philadelphia has the most awesome children’s museums, The Franklin Institute and the Please Touch Museum. Philly is constantly pulsing with art, rich history, the most creative, exquisite restaurants, and tons of outdoor things to do in every season. New York is well, New York! You can take the train right into the city and spend the day seeing a broadway play, shopping, brunching, visiting the American Girl Cafe, or the Lego store.
5. The Pine Barrens provide a breath-taking and serene backdrop for exploration and habitat education. Learn about our wildlife at the wildlife refuge or immerse yourself in the 1700’s history at Batsto Village. Ever seen a cranberry bog? We have those too. Wharton State Forest is the perfect place for a day trip and some family fun.
Chistina Sciarretta is a mom, wife, & CEO of Rockstar Real Estate & Media Group at Keller Williams Jersey Shore as well as the Founder of Rockstar Moms of Atlantic County. Atlantic County’s local Moms’ Group, You can find her blog and podcast online at rockstarjerseyshore.com.
