Hurray! It is finally vacation time, and you and your family are ready for a true one-of-a-kind experience in Livingston, New Jersey. Not sure where to start? Choose the roads less traveled or explore these three must-see destinations.
Turtle Back Zoo
Your first stop will be the Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County. Here you and your mighty herd will find an excess of animal activities. With so many wild critters to see, this local adventure is sure to delight individuals of all ages. Have you ever dreamed of petting a stingray, eyeing down a big cat, or discovering a reptile house? Turtle Back Zoo provides these unique experiences along with:
- Tours.
- Mini golf.
- Restaurants.
- Train rides.
- Prehistoric playgrounds.
- Waterfront boating.
- Pony rides.
- Carousels.
- Face painting.
- South Mountain Ice Arena.
- Treetop Adventure Course.
- Aviary.
- Butterfly gardens.
- Holiday Light Spectacular.
The Turtle Back Zoo also offers curious youth the opportunity to attend zoo camps and early childhood programs at the Education Center. From special occasions to daily visits, Turtle Back Zoo promises to provide a roaring good time for your entire flock. Need more time to explore all that this Zoo has to offer? There are a plethora of lodging locations available to fit all of your families unique needs.
South Mountain Reservation
Second on your list should be the South Mountain Reservation, where you can enjoy hiking, picnicking, and fishing on the Orange Reservation. Enjoy the fresh mountain air while becoming steeped in rich state history. Engage with Revolutionary War sites that date as far back as the 1700s and discover monuments steeped in educational opportunities for your entire family. Take a break from your nature walk and enjoy the scenic picnic areas, or catch your own lunch as you fish in the permissible streams, creeks, ponds, and rivers. You can also find:
- History.
- Vast woodlands.
- Boundless waterways.
- War sites.
- Mountain trials.
- Curious wildlife.
When exploring this location, be sure to bring a camera, plenty of water, portable snacks, and your hiking shoes for an epic hike filled with memorable moments.
Thomas Edison Home and Laboratory
Your trip is not over yet! Prepare to travel back in time as you explore the famous Thomas Edison Home and Laboratory. Educate yourself on the origins of sound recordings, and see where one of the world’s leading inventors changed the way that society would run forever.
Wondering if your child is the next Thomas Edison? This specific destination and its webpage offer travelers and their children the opportunity to test their knowledge, invent, experiment, become WebRangers, and take the Edison Test, which incorporates 150 questions selected by Edison himself.
It is easy to get caught up in the whirlwinds of life. Between your career, social obligations, and family, your days can seem like one big blur. Thankfully, vacations can provide you with the chance to reconnect, unwind, and uncover new locations with those that you love. So pack your bags, gather your crew, and prepare for well-rounded and much-needed excursions.