We’ve been telling you about ALL the free places to visit in New Jersey since 2014. It’s at the heart of what we do, help families find ways to have fun together in New Jersey without having to spend a lot of money. We continually work to keep this listing of free places to visit in New Jersey updated as well as to add stories about each of these places.
Why drain your wallet to give your kids a fun time? You don’t have to.
Check out these free places to visit in New Jersey.
Although admission is free, some may have an additional charge for shows, programs, and parking. We recommend you call ahead to these free places to go in New Jersey to confirm their hours of operation and parking arrangements.
Some of these museums, because of their limited hours, do require advance reservations. There may also be a suggested donation. If you become aware that any of these attractions no longer offer free admission please let us know in the comments below.
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FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey – Free New Jersey Events
Our Calendar of NJ Events for kids and teens is always packed with free events and locations offering free admission days. Use it and keep it in mind when looking for free things to do in New Jersey.
FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey – Free New Jersey Museums
Explore a culture other than your own, a specific time in the past or all kinds of art – for free! There are so many New Jersey museums that offer free admission.
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 10 am – pm Monday – Friday.
- 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 – 1:00 pm 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) 626-3805: 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.
Cranbury Museum
6 South Main Street, Cranbury, (609) 860-1889: Middlesex County.
- Current Status: The Cranbury Museum is open on Thursdays from 10:00 – 1:00 pm.
- 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 /6/24.
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.
- 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 Thursdays & Fridays from 4 pm – 8 pm and Saturdays from 11 am-2 pm. Please note that they do need to occasionally close due to the availability of their all-volunteer staff and interns. You can always call them at (856) 881-7468 to confirm that they are 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.
Keyport Steamboat Museum
34 Main Street, Keyport, (732) 739-7379: Monmouth County.
- We have reached out to the Keyport Steamboat Museum for more information about their current hours. We are waiting to hear back as of 7/6/24.
- Current Status: NA
- For more information please visit their website.
Maywood Station Museum
269 Maywood Avenue, Maywood: Bergen County.
- Current Status: As of 7/6/24 we are waiting to hear back about their current hours.
- 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.
National Guard Militia Museum
100 Camp Drive, Sea Girt Avenue, (609) 530-4600: Monmouth County.
- Current Status: The National Guard Militia Museum Museum in Sea Grit is open 10 am – 3 pm Monday – Friday.
- 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 (10 am – 4 pm), 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, 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: 6400: 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 Monday – 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 various days and times. Please check the website for more details.
- For more information please visit their website.
The Schoolhouse Museum
650 E. Glen Ave, 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 select days from May to December. Please call for open days and times.
- For more information please visit their website.
Somerville Fire Department Museum
15 N Doughty Ave, Somerville, (908) 335-0702: 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 St, 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 open Monday – Saturday 9 am – noon.
- 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. The Zimmerli closes at 6pm on Thursdays, May 16 through July 25, 2024.
- For more information please visit their website.
Click over for our listings of all museums in New Jersey.
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 Rd, Bernardsville, (201) 240-5898: Somerset County.
- Current Status: The Cross Estate Gardens are currently open for visitors from 8 am – 9 pm daily. In the off season they are open from 8 am – 7 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 9:30 p.m. through July 21; 9 p.m. July 22-August 18; and 8:30 p.m. August 19-September 8.
- 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) 326-7601: 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 dawn to dusk daily. The office is open 8:00 am – 4:30 pm Monday – Friday.
- 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 EXT 5011: 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 (April – November). They are closed weekends and major holidays (December – March).
- For more information please visit their website.
New Jersey Botanical Garden
5 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.
Thielke Arboretum
460 Doremus Ave., Glen Rock: Bergen County.
- Current Status: The Thielke 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
14 Longview Rd, Far Hills, (973) 326-7600: Morris County.
- Current Status: The Willowwood Arboretum is open daily and year round 8 am – dusk.
- For more information please visit their website.
Click over for our listing of all Gardens and Arboretums in New Jersey.
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
Money Island Rd., Elsinboro, NJ, (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. Closed Holidays and Saturdays in July and August. 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 Tuesday- 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 7am and the closing times are as follows: January 1 – 5pm, January 26 – 5:30pm, February 9 – 6:00pm, February 23 – 6:30pm, March 10 – 7:00pm, March 29 – 7:30pm, April 12 – 8:00pm, August 23 – 7:30pm, September 6 – 7:00pm , September 20 – 6:30pm, October 4 – 6:00pm , October 21 – 5:30pm , November 3 – 5:00pm.
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) 750-0753: 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 weekends. 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. The visitor center is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays from 10AM-4PM. The Wilderness Area provides a more primitive outdoor experience and serves as an outdoor classroom and laboratory. Hiking on approximately 8 ½ miles of trails or cross-country travel is permitted.
- 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 from 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 9:30 p.m. through July 21; 9 p.m. July 22-August 18; and 8:30 p.m. August 19-September 8.
- For more information please visit their website.
Kay Environmental Center
200 Pottersville Rd, Chester, (973) 326-7600: Morris County.
- Current Status: They are open daily from 8:00 am – sunset.
- 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 7am. The closing times are January 1 – 5pm, January 26 – 5:30 pm, February 9 – 6:00 pm, February 23 – 6:30 pm, March 10 – 7:00 pm, March 29 – 7:30pm, April 12 – 8:00 pm, August 23 – 7:30pm, September 6 – 7:00 pm , September 20 – 6:30 pm, October 4 – 6:00 pm , October 21 – 5:30 pm , and November 3 – 5:00 pm. The nature center hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm and Saturday & Sunday 10 – 4 pm except 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 Tuesday – Friday between 10:00 am – 4:00 pm from June 24th to August 31st. The nature center and gift shop hours change seasonally. Check their website for updates. 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: Summer 2024 hours are Monday-Friday 9am to 4pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am to 4pm.
- 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 9:30 p.m. through July 21; 9 pm, July 22-August 18; and 8:30 pm August 19-September 8.
- 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 7/13/2024
- For more information please visit their website.
Palmyra Nature Cove
1335 Route 73 South, Palmyra, (856) 735-1264: Burlington County.
- Current Status: The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Environmental Discovery Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. No pets, bicycles, ATVs or equestrian use.
- For more information please visit their website or the NJAudobon website to learn more.
Pequest Trout Hatchery
605 Pequest Rd, Oxford, (609) 777-3373: 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: As of July 13, 2024 no information was available about the Plainsboro Preserve.
For more information please visit their website.
Poricy Park
345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank, (732) 268-7034: Monmouth County.
- Current Status: The trails at Poricy Park hours are not currently listed online. Please contact Poricy Park for open days and hours.
- 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) 647-1091: 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. The nature center hours are Thursday and Friday 1 pm-4 pm and Saturday and Sunday 10 am – 3 pm.
- 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. They are closed Thanksgiving Day, day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
- 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.
Trailside Nature and Science Center
452 New Providence Road, Mountainside, (908) 527-4000: 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: Park opens at 7am. Closing times change seasonally. Closing dates are as follows: January 1 – 5 pm, January 26 – 5:30 pm, February 9 – 6:00 pm, February 23 – 6:30 pm, March 10 – 7:00 pm, March 29 – 7:30 pm, April 12 – 8:00 pm, August 23 – 7:30 pm, September 6 – 7:00 pm , September 20 – 6:30 pm, October 4 – 6:00 pm , October 21 – 5:30 pm , and November 3 – 5:00 pm.
- For more information please visit their website.
Click over for our listing of all Nature Centers in New Jersey.
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 except Christmas from 10 am – 4:30 pm. The summer zoo hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (March 8, 2024 – October 31, 2024) and the fall/winter zoo hours are 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (November 1, 2024 – March 6, 2025).
- 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.
Click over for a list of all zoos in New Jersey.
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 Sundays 1 pm – 4 pm. They are also open other days and times by 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 website is currently down for maintenance. Please check back in the future for updates.
- For more information please visit their website.
Camp Olden
2202 Kuser Rd, Hamilton: Mercer County.
- Current Status: According to their website on 7/14/2024, 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) 884-9525: 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. Winter tours are available by appointment.
- For more information please visit their website.
Denville Historical Society and Museum
113 Diamond Springs Rd, Denville, (973) 625-1165: Morris County.
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.
Hamilton Van Wagoner House (Hamilton House Museum)
971 Valley Rd, Clifton, 973-706-6640: Passaic County.
This location appears to no longer have free admission.
Current Status: The Hamilton House Museum is currently closed for tours. Please contact them for more information.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) 890-3630: 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 from 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 N, 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. Closures will be posted on their Facebook page.
- For more information please visit their website.
Somers Point Mansion
1000 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 during peak season from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. They are also open Wednesdays – Sundays in the winter season 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, Washington 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.
Click over for our listing of all New Jersey lighthouses.
FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey – Free Farms in New Jersey
Looking for more animals in a natural habitat? There are many farms in New Jersey and these are a few that will let you visit – for free of course! Farms on our list of free places to visit in New Jersey:
Historic Longstreet Farm
44 Longstreet Rd, Holmdel, (732) 946-3758: Monmouth County.
- Current Status: The Historic Longstreet Farm is open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. They offer extended hours from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm from Memorial Day – Labor Day.
- Read about our experiences at the Historic Longstreet Farm in this story.
- For more information please visit their website.
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell Twp, (609) 737-3299: Hunterdon County.
- Current Status: The Howell Living History Farm is open from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm Tuesday – Friday.
- For more information please visit their website.
Click over for our listing of all New Jersey farms with children’s activities.
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.
FREE Places to Visit in New Jersey – More free places to go in New Jersey
Historic Batsto Village
31 Batsto Road, Hammonton, (609) 561-0024: Burlington.
- Current Status: The grounds, buildings, an visitors center are all open. Please check their website here to find information about tour times and other open times.
- Please note that while visiting the grounds and taking self guided tour is free, there is a small fee to tour the mansion.
- Read about our visits to Batsto Village in this story.
- For more information please visit their website.
The Korean War Memorial
Atlantic City Boardwalk (Behind Claridge): Atlantic County.
The NJ Korean War Memorial was created to ensure that future generations remember and honor the pride and dedication of those who served, the legacy they continued, and the freedom they preserved.
- Current Status: The New Jersey Korean War Memorial in Atlantic City is open daily.
- For more information please visit their website.
Click over for our extensive list of Splash Pads and Spraygrounds in New Jersey (many with free admission)
Click over for our reviews of New Jersey Parks and Playgrounds.
Do you know of a great free place to go in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments below!
Don’t forget to pin me for later.
estaservice.us
Tuesday 18th of February 2020
There's so much to explore in New Jersey and it should be on every traveler's list while planning a visit to US. You have share some really good information and in detail. Thanks for sharing it with us, it was really helpful!
Melissa Benno
Sunday 16th of February 2020
Grover Cleveland Birth Place (Caldwell - Essex County https://presidentcleveland.org/) Fort Nonsense (Morristown - Morris County https://www.nps.gov/morr/index.htm) Macculloch Hall Historical Museum Gardens The gardens at Macculloch Hall. Sixty varieties of roses can be found among the seasonal blooms. (Morristown - Morris County www.maccullochhall.org) The museum is not free. The gardens are free. Tours of The Seeing Eye SeeingEye.org (Morristown - Morris County)
NJ Traveller
Sunday 11th of November 2018
Paterson great falls is a amazing place...
Also we had a great time at the Audubon's Plainsboro Preserve.
Kevin C Wolbach
Tuesday 4th of September 2018
Fort Mott and Hancock house are two other great museums to include.
Melanie C.
Wednesday 3rd of October 2018
Thanks Kevin! We've added Hancock House to our list.
Jim
Friday 10th of August 2018
Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park, Gloucester County is free as well.
Melanie C.
Monday 13th of August 2018
Thank you! We've added the Whitall House at the Battlefield Park.