The Biggest List of FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey 2024

African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey

661 Jackson Road, Newtonville, 609-704-5495 and 2200 Fairmount Avenue in Atlantic City, Atlantic County.

The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey Atlantic City and Newtonville locations are home to unique permanent collections that focus on generations of African American history. Limited-time showings feature rarely-seen work by local artists.

• Current Status: The African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey in Newtonville is listed as open 11 am – 5 pm Wednesday – Sunday.
• For more information please visit their website. Donations are requested, all are admitted free on Wednesdays. Read our African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey museum review in this article, Eye Opening Exhibits at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey.

African Art Museum

23 Bliss Avenue, Tenafly, 201-894-8611, Bergen County.

The African Art Museum of the SMA Fathers at Tenafly, New Jersey is one of five museums around the world founded and maintained by the Society of African Missions (SMA), an international Roman Catholic missionary organization that serves the people of Africa.

Established in 1980, the Tenafly museum is one of only a rare few in the United States dedicated solely to the arts of Africa. Its permanent collections, exhibited on a rotating basis, offer a unique advantage in the study and research of sub-Saharan sculpture and painting, costumes, textiles and decorative arts, religion and folklore.

• Current Status: The African Art Museum is listed as open 8 am – 5 pm 7 days a week.
• For more information please visit their website.

American Hungarian Museum

300 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, 732-846-5777, Middlesex County.

The Museum’s collections capture the flavor of Hungarian immigrant life with a fine art, folk art and folk life focus. The short- and long-term exhibition area features shows of Hungarian naive art, one-man shows of American and Hungarian artists and photographers, as well as special aspects of Hungarian-American history, art, culture and traditions. Program services include tours for the public, schools and special interest groups, library research, traveling exhibitions and related lectures.

• Current Status: The American Hungarian Museum is open Tuesday – Friday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm and by appointment. They are also open Saturday by appointment only. Sunday and Monday they are closed.
• For more information please visit their website.

Noyes Museum of Art

Multiple locations in Southern New Jersey, 609-347-5839: Atlantic County ~ See their list of locations here.

• Current Status: Hours vary by location. Please see their website for more specific information.
• Read our Noyes Museum of Art museum review in Noyes Museum of Art – Explore Art with Your Kids.

Avalon History Center

215 39th Street, Avalon, 609-967-0090: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Avalon History Center is currently open Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm and Saturday 10 am – 3 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Brigantine Historical Museum

3607 Atlantic Brigantine Blvd, Brigantine, 609-266-3437: Atlantic County.

The Brigantine Beach Historical Society was formed to preserve the Island’s past. Through their efforts and the efforts of Brigantine’s town historian, Howard “Fritz” Haneman, the Brigantine Historical Museum opened in 1992 and is located adjacent to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. Exhibits include a large collection of photographs from the 19th and early 20th centuries as well as many artifacts from days gone by. Stop in and stroll through Brigantine’s unique past.

• Current Status: The Brigantine Historical Museum is open from Memorial Day to Columbus Day weekend in October from 11 am – 2 pm Monday through Saturday and 1 pm to 4 pm on Sundays.
• For more information please visit their website.

The Alan Ewing Carman Museum of Prehistory in Cumberland County

1461 Bridgeton Road, Greenwich 856-455-8141: Cumberland County.

To visit the museum is to enter the world of the Indians who inhabited the lower Delaware Valley. At the end of the last Ice Age, the Paleo (Clovis) Indians were the first primitive people to penetrate this region. Many subsequent Indian cultures followed in their wake, leaving physical evidence of their passing in the earth’s archives. This salvaged evidence is exhibited in the form of stone and bone artifacts, pottery and native crafts. When combined, they illustrate the evolution of the Indian societies who occupied southern New Jersey. – Alan Ewing Carman Museum website

• Current Status: The Alan Ewing Carman Museum of Prehistory in Cumberland County is open Saturday and Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Friar Mountain Railroad Museum

240 Demarest Rd, Sparta, 973-579-9833: Sussex.

• Current Status: The Friar Mountain Railroad Museum does not currently have an online presence. We are still attempting to contact them as of 4/3/24.
• For more information please visit their website. For more information please visit their website.

Hancock House

3 Front Street, Hancocks Bridge 856-935-4373: Salem County.

• Current Status: The Hancock House is open Wednesday – Sunday 9 am – 4 pm. Starting in October the new Sunday hours will be 1 pm – 4pm. Verifying for 2024.
• For more information please visit their website.

Heritage Glass Museum

25 E. High Street, Glassboro 856-881-7458: Gloucester County.

• Current Status: The Heritage Glass Museum is open most Saturdays 11 am – 2 pm. Their website gives the following information: “Please note that we are open on most Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; however, we do need to occasionally close due to the availability of our all-volunteer staff and interns. Please check the schedule on this page and the home page for specific days that we will not be open.”
• For more information please visit their website.

Historical Society of Moorestown (The Smith-Cadbury Mansion)

12 High Street, Moorestown, 856-235-0353: Burlington County.

• Current Status: The Smith-Cadbury Mansion is open Tuesdays 1 pm – 4 pm and second and fourth Sundays 1 pm – 3 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Hopewell Museum

28 East Broad Street, Hopewell, 609-466-0103: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The Hopewell Museum is currently closed.
• For more information please visit their website.

Keyport Fire Museum

86 Broad Street, Keyport, 732-351-6567: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The Keyport Fire Museum is currently open Saturday and Sunday from 11 pm – 3 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Maywood Station Museum

269 Maywood Avenue, Maywood: Bergen County.

• Current Status: As of April 4, 2024 they are currently closed for restoration work. They have hopes to reopen during the summer but not definite plans at this time. Please contact them for more information.
• For more information please visit their website.

Meadowlands Museum

91 Crane Avenue, Rutherford, 201-935-1175: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Meadowlands Museum is open Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm.
• There is a suggested donation. For more information please visit their website.

Millville Army Air Field Museum

1 Ledden Street, Millville, 856-327-2347: Cumberland County.

The mission of the Millville Army Air Field Museum is to preserve and promote the WWII aviation and military history of “America’s First Defense Airport”, located at Millville Airport in Millville, New Jersey. It serves to recognize and commemorate all aspects of American aviation history, document and honor the lives of American veterans, be the proprietor of historic buildings and structures of the WWII period that exist on site, honor and promote the invaluable role of the P-47 Thunderbolt pursuit/fighter plane and its pilots during WWII, accrue, research, preserve, display and educate with collections of valuable historic materials, and to perpetuate these goals for all of posterity.

• Current Status: The Millville Army Air Field Museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

New Jersey Maritime Museum

528 Dock Rd, Beach Haven, 609-492-0202: Ocean County.

The New Jersey Maritime Museum is dedicated to the preservation of New Jersey maritime history. Their collection includes rare documents, antique navigational equipment, over ten thousand rare and historic photographs, logs, video and artifacts spanning over one hundred years of maritime history!

• Current Status: The New Jersey Maritime Museum is open all year long, Friday through Sunday in the off season, and seven days a week during the summer.
• Click over to read more about our visit to the New Jersey Maritime Museum or visit their website.

New Jersey Museum of Boating

1800 Bay Ave Building 13, Point Pleasant, 732-701-2581: Ocean County.

• Current Status: Their current hours are Wednesday – Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm during the summer. Please check their website for updated seasonal hours.
• For more information please visit their website.

New Jersey State Museum

205 West State Street, Trenton, 609-292-6464: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The New Jersey State Museum Building is open Tuesday – Sunday 9 am – 4:45 pm. Exhibits begin closing down at 4:30 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

New Jersey State Police Museum

1040 River Road, West Trenton, 609-882-2000 EXT: 6401: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The New Jersey State Police Museum is open 9 am – 3 pm Monday – Friday. They are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and on state holidays.
• For more information please visit their website.

Ocean City Historical Museum

1735 Simpson Ave, Ocean City, 609-399-1801: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Ocean City Historical Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm. Holiday hours are subject to change. Please call to confirm hours before holidays.
• For more information please visit their website.

Pascack Historical Museum

19 Ridge Ave, Park Ridge, 201-573-0307: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Pascack Historical Museum is open every Sunday from 1 pm – 4 pm (excluding state and federal holidays).
• For more information please visit their website.

Princeton University Art Museum

McCormick Hall, Princeton, 609-258-3788: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The main museum building is closed for construction. The gallery space in downtown Princeton is open for exhibitions but closes between exhibitions. Please check the website for the most accurate list of open dates and times.
• For more information please visit their website.

Rutgers Geology Museum

85 Somerset St, New Brunswick, 848-932-7243: Middlesex County.

• Current Status: The Rutgers Geology Museum is open Tuesday – Friday from 10 am – 4 pm. They are also open some Saturdays. Please see their website for a list of Saturdays they are open.
• For more information please visit their website.

The Schoolhouse Museum

Ridgewood, 201-447-3242: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Schoolhouse Museum is currently open Saturdays and Sundays 1 pm – 3 pm and the first Thursday of each month from 6 pm – 8 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Shippen Manor Museum

8 Belvidere Ave., Oxford, 908-453-4381: Warren County.

• Current Status: The Shippen Manor Museum is open first and second Sundays from May to December. December tours require reservations.
• For more information please visit their website.

Somerville Fire Department Museum

15 N Doughty St, Somerville, 908-725-9427: Somerset County.

• Current Status:  The museum is open each Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon for guided tours. Group tours during weekdays can be arranged by e-mailing [email protected].
• For more information please visit their website.

Southern New Jersey All Sports Museum and Hall of Fame

Burt Ave Rec Center Bridgeton, 856-451-7300: Cumberland County.

• Current Status: The Southern New Jersey All Sports Museum and Hall of Fame is open Thursday – Saturday 10 am – 12 pm and 1 pm to 3 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Stone Harbor Museum

9410 2nd Avenue, Stone Harbor, 609-368-7500: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Stone Harbor Museum is currently closed. It will reopen May 2024 on Memorial Day weekend.
• For more information please visit their website.

Toms River Seaport Society and Barnaget Bay Maritime Museum

78 East Water Street, Toms River, 732-349-9209: Ocean County.

• Current Status: The Barnegat Bay Maritime Museum is open 10 am to 2 pm each Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday except major holidays.
• For more information please visit their website.

West Milford Museum

1477 Union Valley Rd, West Milford, 973-728-1823: Passaic County.

• Current Status: The West Milford Museum is open Saturdays from 1 pm to 4 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Zimmerli Art Museum

71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, 848-932-7237: Middlesex County.

• Current Status: The Zimmerli Art Museum is open Saturday and Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm, Monday and Tuesday closed, Wednesday and Friday 11 am – 6 pm, and Thursday 11 am – 8 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Free New Jersey Gardens & Arboretums

Any season is a good time to see what’s in bloom. Get outside and enjoy a garden or arboretum, for some of the more beautiful free places to visit in New Jersey.

Barton Arboretum

1 Medford Leas Way, Medford, 609-654-3000: Burlington County.

• Current Status: The Barton Arboretum is open 7 days a week from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Cedar Brook Park Shakespeare Garden

Park Drive, Plainfield, 908-527-4900: Union County.

• Current Status: The Shakespeare Garden is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset. It is located in Cedar Brook Park.
• For more information please visit their website.

Colonial Park Arboretum

Colonial Park

156 Mettlers Road, Somerset, 908-722-1200: Somerset County.

• Current Status: Colonial Park is open seven days a week from 7 am – 7 pm. The arboretum is located within Colonial Park.
• For more information please visit their website.

Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary

324 Forest Drive South, Short Hills, 973-376-3587: Essex County.

• Current Status: Cora and Hartshorn Arboretum and Bird Sanctuary’s trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. The building is open 9 am – 4 pm daily.
• For more information please visit their website.

Cross Estate Gardens

61 Jockey Hollow Road, Bernardsville, 973-539-2016: Somerset County.

• Current Status: The Cross Estate Gardens are currently open for visitors from 8 am – 7 pm daily. In the summer they are open from 8 am – 8 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

David C. Shaw Arboretum

Holmdel Park, 44 Longstreet Road Holmdel, 732-946-9562: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The David C. Shaw Arboretum is located in Holmdel Park. The park opens at 7 am daily and closing time is 8:30 p.m. through April 28; 9 p.m. April 29-May 26; and 9:30 p.m. May 27-July 21.
• For more information please visit their website.

Egg Harbor Township Arboretum

18 School House Rd, Egg Harbor Twp, 609-926-4093: Atlantic County.

• Current Status: The Egg Harbor Township Arboretum is open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

353 East Hanover Ave, Morris Township, 973-326-7603: Morris County

• Current Status: The Frelinghuysen Arboretum has open grounds daily from 8 am – dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Herrontown Woods Arboretum

600 Snowden Lane, Princeton, 609-303-0700: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The Botanical Garden is located next to the main parking lot. Their current hours are currently open from 10 am – 6 pm Monday to Friday.
• For more information please visit their website.

Hunterdon County Arboretum

1020 State Route 31 Lebanon, 908-782-1158: Hunterdon County.

• Current Status: The Hunterdon County Arboretum is open 8 am to sunset daily.
• Read about our experiences at the Hunterdon County Arboretum in this story.
• For more information please visit their website.

Leonard J. Buck Garden

11 Layton Road, Far Hills, 908-722-1200: Somerset County.

• Current Status: The Leonard J. Buck Garden is open Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm, Thursday 8 am – 7 pm (May – August), Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, and Sunday 12 pm – 5 pm. They are closed weekends and holidays (December – March).
• For more information please visit their website.

New Jersey Botanical Garden

2 Morris Road, Ringwood, 973-962-9534: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The New Jersey Botanical Garden is open from 8:00AM to 8:00PM during Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) and 8:00AM to 6:00PM during Eastern Standard Time (EST).
• For more information please visit their website.

Rutgers Gardens

130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick NJ, 848-932-7000: Middlesex County.

• Current Status: Rutgers Gardens is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 8:00am to 7:00pm. They are closed every Monday.
• For more information please visit their website.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum

165 Hobart Avenue Summit, 908-273-8787: Union County.

• Current Status: The Reeves- Reed Arboretum grounds are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year  (November 1 – March 31, 9 am – 4 pm/April 1 – October 31, 7 am – 7 pm). The visitors center is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 4 pm.
• There is a suggested donation. For more information please visit their website.

Theilke Arboretum

460 Doremus Ave., Glen Rock, 201- 444 -1270: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Theilke Arboretum is open Monday – Wednesday 9 am – 3 pm, Saturdays 9 am – 12 pm, and Sundays 12 pm – 2pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Wagner Farm Arboretum

197 Mountain Avenue, Warren, 908-350-7383: Somerset County.

• Current Status: The Wagner Farm Arboretum is open Monday – Friday 10 am – 2 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Willowwood Arboretum

300 Longview Rd, Chester Township, 973-326-7600: Morris County.

• Current Status: The Willowwood Arboretum is open daily 8 am – dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

New Jersey Nature Centers with Free Admission

The Garden State is of course filled with nature! Whether it’s beach, country or woods, a visit to these nature centers is a great free thing to do in New Jersey.

Albert J. Kolonich Jr. Nature Trail

Bridgeton, Cumberland County.

• We are still awaiting updates for 2024.
• For more information visit their website.

Alloway Creek Watershed

Elsinboro, 888-627-7437: Salem County.

• Current Status: The Alloway Creek Watershed is open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information visit this website.

Basking Ridge Environmental Education Center

190 Lord Stirling Road Basking Ridge, 908-722-1200 EXT. 5002: Somerset County.

• Current Status: The building hours are 9 am – 5 pm daily. The trails are open from dawn until dusk daily.
• For more information visit this website.

Cape May Bird Observatory

701 East Lake Drive, Cape May Point, 609-400-3868: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Cape May Bird Observatory is open Wednesday – Sunday 9:30am – 4:30pm. The Ryan De Witt Memorial Trail is open year-round from dawn to dusk.
• For more information visit their website.

Closter Nature Center

154 Ruckman Road, Closter, 201-800-2008: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The trials are open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information visit their website.

Cooper Environmental Center (Cattus Island County Park)

1170 Cattus Island Boulevard Toms River, 732-270-6960: Ocean County.

• Current Status: The Cattus Island County Park opens at 7am and closes at dusk.
  The Cooper Environmental Center is open is open Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:00 pm and
  Saturday & Sunday 10am – 4pm, excluding major holidays. The Center’s first hour is reserved for Seniors and vulnerable populations.
• For more information visit their website.

Demarest Nature Center

90 Park St, Demarest, 201-403-3183: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Demarest Nature Center is open daily from 7 am – 8 pm.
• For more information visit their website.

Duke Farms

1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, 908-722-3700: Somerset County.

• Current Status: Duke Farms trails are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 8:30 am – 6:00 pm. The Farm Barn Orientation Center is only open Thursdays through Saturdays.
• For more information visit their website.

Flat Rock Brook Nature Center

443 Van Nostrand Avenue, Englewood, 201-567-1265: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Nature Center is open 9:00 am – 5:00 on weekdays and 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Fridays. The trails are open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information visit their website.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

32 Pleasant Plains Road, Basking Ridge, 973-425-1222: Somerset County.

• Current Status: Great Swamp National Wildlife visitors are permitted only in the designated areas during daylight hours, unless otherwise posted.
• For more information visit their website.

Hawk Rise Sanctuary 

1811 Lower Road Linden, 908-396-7380: Union County.

• Current Status: Hawk Rise Sanctuary is open daily form sunrise to sunset.
• Read about our visits to the Hawk Rise Sanctuary in this story.
• For more information please visit their website.

Huber Woods Environmental Center (Huber Woods Park)

25 Brown’s Dock Road, Locust, 732-872-2670: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The park at the Huber Wood Environmental Center opens at 7 am daily, year round. The closing time is 8:30 pm through April 28, 9:00 pm April 29-May 26, and 9:30 pm, and May 27-July 21. 
• For more information please visit their website.

Kay Environmental Center

200 Pottersville Rd, Chester, (908) 879-5100: Morris County.

• Current Status: The current hours are not listed online as of 4/12/2024.
• For more information please visit their website.

Jakes Branch Nature Center

1100 Double Trouble Road, Beachwood, (732) 281-2750: Ocean County.

• Read about our experiences at the Jakes Branch Nature Center in this story.
• Current Status: The park opens at 7 am and closes at 8:00pm, as of 8/26 closing time is 7:30 pm. 9/9 7:00 pm, 9/23 6:30 pm, 10/7 6:00 pm, 10/21 5:30 pm, and 11/6 5:00 pm. The Nature Center hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 – 4:00 pm with the exception of major holidays.
• For more information please visit their website.

James McFaul Environmental Center Garden

150 Crescent Ave, Wyckoff, 201-891-5571: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The park is open daily but the hours change seasonally. Please consult their website for additional details. Typically they are open weekdays 8:00 am – 6:45 pm and weekends and holidays 8:30 am – 6:45 pm. The museum is open on weekdays between 8:30 am – 4:45 pm and weekends 10:00 am – 4:45 pm. They are closed on holidays.
• For more information please visit their website.

Lorrimer Sanctuary

790 Ewing Avenue, Franklin Lakes 908-481-4090: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Nature Center and Gift Shop are open Wednesday – Saturday between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Sanctuary trails are open daily from dawn to dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Nature Center of Cape May

1600 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, 609-427-3045: Cape May County.

• Current Status: From April 1st – June 15th they are open Thursday – Monday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and are Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• For more information please visit their website.

Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center

311 Windeler Road, Howell, 732-751-9453: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The park opens daily at 7:00 am November 1-March 31, and 6:00 am April 1-October 31.  The closing time is 8:30 pm through April 28, 9:00 pm April 29-May 26, and 9:30 pm May 27-July 21.   
• For more information please visit their website.

Meadow Wood Environmental Facility

Maurice River, 201-460-1700: Cumberland County.

• Current Status We are currently still looking for current updates as of 4/13/2024
• For more information please visit their website.

Palmyra Nature Cove

1335 Route 73 South, Palmyra, 856-735-1265: Burlington County.

• Current Status: The Environmental STEM Center is open 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday – Friday. They are closed on weekends and major holidays. The outdoor nature park is open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Pequest Trout Hatchery

 605 Pequest Rd, Oxford, (908) 637-4125: Warren County.

• Current Status: The Pequest Trout Hatchery is closed Mondays, Fridays, and weekends. They are open Tuesdays 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Wednesdays 12:00 pm, – 4:00 pm, and Thursdays 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. The trails are open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Plainsboro Preserve

641 Plainsboro Road, Plainsboro, 609-799-4013: Middlesex County.

• Current Status: The Plainsboro Preserve is open every day at 7:00 am. Closing times vary depending on the season. Check the website and calendar for additional details.
• For more information please visit their website.

Poricy Park

345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank, 732-615-2260: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The trails at Poricy Park are open from dawn until dusk. The Nature Center is open Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. The fossil beds are also open daily from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Rancocas Nature Center

794 Rancocas Road, Westampton, 609-261-2495: Burlington County.

• Current Status: The trails at Rancocas Nature Center are open daily from dawn until dusk. The visitors center is open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

The Raptor Trust

1390 White Bridge Rd, Millington, 908-647-2353: Morris County.

• Current Status: The Raptor Trust is open 7 days a week. From Memorial Day to Labor Day 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Labor Day – Memorial Day from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary

11 Hardscrabble Road, Bernardsville, 908-396-6386: Somerset County.

• Current Status: The Scherman Hoffman Wildlife Sanctuary is open Wednesdays 10:00 am – 3:00pm, Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. The trails are open 7 days a week from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Schiff Nature Preserve

339 Schiff Drive, Mendham, 973-543-6004: Morris County.

• Current Status: The trails at Schiff Nature Preserve are open 365 days a year from dawn until dusk.
• For more information please visit their website.

Scotland Run Park Nature Center

980 E Academy St, Clayton, 856-881-0845: Gloucester County.

• Current Status: Scotland Run Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset except for Christmas Day and New Years Eve.
• For more information please visit their website.

Stony Brook Millstone Watershed

31 Titus Mill Road Pennington, 609-737-3735: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Center is free and is currently open on weekdays from 9 am – 5 pm and weekends from 10 am – 4 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Tenafly Nature Center

313 Hudson Avenue Tenafly, 201-568-6093: Bergen County.

• Current Status: The Visitors Center is open daily from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm but may be closed to the public during major holidays and programs. The Trails are open daily between one hour after sunrise until one hour prior to sunset.
• For more information please visit their website.

452 New Providence Road  Mountainside, 908-789-3670: Union County.

• Current Status: The Trailside Nature and Science Center is open Tuesdays – Sundays from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. They are closed on Mondays.
• Read about our experiences at the Trailside Nature and Science Center in this story.
• For more information please visit their website.

Warren E. Fox Nature Center

109 Boulevard Route 50 Mays Landing, 609-625-1897: Atlantic County.

• Current Status: The Fox Nature Center is open 8:00 am – 4:00 pm daily including weekends and holidays.
• For more information please visit their website.

Wells Mills Nature Center

905 Wells Mills Road Waretown, 609-971-3085: Ocean County

• Current Status: The Wells Mills Nature Center is open or passive recreation only. The park opens at 7:00 am and closes at 5:30 pm. As of 11/7 the closing time of the park will be 5:00 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey – Free Zoos in New Jersey

Seeing animals can brighten anyone’s day. Seeing them for free is even better! There are two to choose from on our list of free places to visit in New Jersey.

Cape May County Park Zoo

707 US-9 North, Cape May Court House, 609-465-5271: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Cape May County Zoo is open every day 10 am – 4:30 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Cohanzick Zoo

45 Mayor Aitken Drive Bridgeton, 856-453-1658: Cumberland County.

• Current Status: The Cohanzick Zoo is open every day. During the summer the zoo is open from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm and during the winter from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• For more information please read our Cohanzick Zoo review or visit their website.

New Jersey Historical Landmarks with free admission

We have so much history throughout our great state. Imagine you’re George Washington, or a 19th century landowner, or even a lighthouse keeper at one of these free places to visit in New Jersey.

The Bloomfield Historical Society Museum

90 Broad St, Bloomfield, 973-743-8844: Essex County.

• Current Status: The Museum of the Historical Society of Bloomfield is open on Saturdays from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm and by appointment.
• For more information please visit their website.

Boonton Historical Society and Museum

210 Main St, Boonton, 973-402-8840: Morris County.

• Current Status: The museum is open to the public on the first and third Sunday of each month from 1 pm – 4 pm. They are also open other days and times by special appointment.
• For more information please visit their website.

C.A. Nothnagle Log House

406 Swedesboro Road Gibbstown, (856) 423-0916: Gloucester County.

• The C.A. Nothnagle Log House is temporarily closed.

Califon Historical Society

Academy St & Railroad Rd, Califon: Hunterdon County. 

• Current Status: The Califon Historical Society offers access to multiple historical sites with varying operating schedules.
• For more information please visit their website.

Camp Olden

2202 Kuser Rd, Hamilton: Mercer County.

• Current Status: According to their website on 4/14/2024, The Civil War and Native American Museum is closed until further notice.
• For more information please visit their website.

Colonial House Museum

653 1/2 Washington St, Cape May, 609-884-9100: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Colonial House Museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 1:00 pm –4:00 pm June 15th to September 15th. They are open with prior arrangement on Victorian Weekend in October. In December, they open for the second and third Saturday evenings for the MAC sponsored Candlelight and Lamplighter house tour.
• For more information please visit their website.

Denville Historical Society and Museum

113 Diamond Springs Rd, Denville, 973-625-1165: Morris County.

• Current Status: The hours of the Denville Historical Museum change seasonally. During Spring 2024 they will be open every Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Please check their website for the seasonal changes in their hours.
• For more information please visit their website.

Drake House Museum

602 West Front Street, Plainfield, (908) 755-5831: Union County.

• Current Status: The Drake House Museum is open for visitors however they do not have regular hours listed online. They as that you call or e-mail them to arrange a visit.
• For more information please visit their website.

Dr. William Robinson Plantation

593 Madison Hill Road, Clark, (732) 340-1571: Union County.

• Current Status: The Dr. William Robinson Plantation is open for visitors every third Sunday, from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm from March – June and September – December.
• For more information please visit their website.

Fleming Castle Museum

5 Bonnell St, Flemington, 908-782-4607: Hunterdon County.

• Current Status: The Fleming Castle Museum is open for tours on the second Saturday of each month.
• For more information please visit this website.

Fort Hancock Historic District

128 South Hartshorne Drive Highlands, (718) 354-4606: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: As of 4/14/2024 the open hours are not listed online.
• No fees in the off season.
• For more information please visit their website.

Hamilton Van Wagoner House (Hamilton House Museum)

971 Valley Rd, Clifton, 973-706-6640: Passaic County.

• Current Status: The Hamilton House Museum is currently closed for tours. Please contact them for more information.
• We are currently still verifying that this location is free to visit in 2024.
• For more information please visit their website.

Historic Walnford

62 Walnford Rd, Upper Freehold, 609-259-6275: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The park at Historic Walnford is open from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm from Memorial Day through Labor Day and 8 am – 4:30 pm thereafter. The historic buildings are open daily from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Kuser Farm Mansion

390 Newkirk Avenue Hamilton, (609) 890-3874: Mercer County.

• Current Status: The Kuser Farm Mansion will be open for tours starting Saturday, April 6, 2024 through October 12, 2024, and every other Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. The last walkthrough tour will start at 2:15 pm. We will be open every Saturday and Sunday with the exception of April 9th for Easter.
• For more information please visit their website.

Lake Hopatcong Historical Museum

Hopatcong State Park, Landing, 973-398-2616: Morris County.

• Current Status: Please contact them for current open hours.
• For more information please visit their website.

Old Schoolhouse Museum

681 Petersburg Rd, Dennisvillle, 609-861-1899: Cape May County.

• Current Status: The Old Schoolhouse Museum is open the first and third Saturday of every month form 10:00 am – 2:00 pm or available by appointment. They are closed on national holidays as well as for inclement weather due to snow or ice in the winter.
• For more information please visit their website.

Sea Girt Lighthouse

9 Ocean Avenue Sea Girt, (732) 974-0514: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: Tours of the Sea Girt Lighthouse restarted for 2024 on April 7th and will continue through Thanksgiving. They are open every Sunday from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm with the exception of Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
• For more information please visit their website.

Somers Point Mansion

100 Shore Road Somers Point (609) 927-2212: Atlantic County.

• Current Status: The Somers Point Mansion webpage currently requests that visitors call for current hours.
• For more information please visit their website.

New Jersey State House

145 West State Street, Trenton, (609) 847-3150: Mercer County.

• Current Status: Weekday tours are available by reservation.
• For more information please visit their website.

Tuckerton Historical Society

35 Leitz Blvd & Wisteria Lane, Little Egg Harbor, 609-294-1547: Ocean County.

• Current Status: The Tuckerton Historical Society is currently available on Wednesdays from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 4 pm, and 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm by appointment.
• For more information please visit their website.

Twin Lights Historic Site

2Lighthouse Road, Highlands, (732) 872-1814: Monmouth County.

• Current Status: The grounds are open every day from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. The buildings and museums are open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. They are also open Wednesdays – Sundays from September – May from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
• There is a small fee to climb the tours, but visiting the grounds are free.
• For more information please visit their website.

Washington Twp Historical Museum

6 Fairview Ave, Long Valley, 908-876-9696: Morris County.

• Current Status: The museum is open Sundays from 1 pm – 4 pm and by appointment.
• For more information please visit their website.

James and Anne Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield Park

100 Hessian Avenue, National Park, 856-853-5120: Gloucester County.

• Current Status: The Whitall House is open Thursday – Sunday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm.
• For more information please visit their website.

Free New Jersey Beaches

New Jersey is known for its extensive shoreline but a day at the beach in the summer can require beach tags at most New Jersey beaches. If you’re looking for free beaches in New Jersey that offer some ocean fun, head to these three free places to visit in New Jersey!

• Atlantic City Beaches, Atlantic County
• Somers Point Municipal Beach, Atlantic County
• Wildwood Beaches, Cape May County

Click over for our listing of all New Jersey beaches.