Things to Do
Day trips, free passes, museums, walks and the best of each season across all 21 counties.
6 in-depth guides
Free and discounted things to do in New Jersey after 60
Park passes, half-price train rides, tuition-free college classes and free museums. Here is what New Jersey residents 60 and older can get for little or nothing, and how to claim it.
20 easy day trips in New Jersey, region by region
Lighthouses, gardens, museums and wildlife drives, with honest notes on stairs, walking distances and the best season to go.
15 New Jersey museums and historic sites worth the drive
From Edison's lab in West Orange to a battleship on the Delaware, here is what to see at each stop, how easy it is to get around, and what seniors pay.
New Jersey gardens and easy walks, with the benches and restrooms noted
Arboretums, iris beds, cherry trees and flat paths along the canal and the bay. Here is what the ground is like at each one, where to sit, and when to go.
The Jersey Shore after Labor Day: a town-by-town guide
Quiet beaches, easy parking and boardwalks you can actually stroll. Here is what stays open, where beach wheelchairs and mats are, and how to get there without driving.
15 places in New Jersey to take the grandkids
Zoos, aquariums, farms and a battleship, chosen for children and grandparents alike. Here is where the benches, elevators and wheelchair rentals are, and what seniors pay.
Questions people ask
Do I have to be a New Jersey resident for the State Park senior pass?
Yes. The free Senior Citizen Pass is for New Jersey residents aged 62 or older. Bring ID showing your age and address to any state park office.
Is the federal Senior Pass still $80?
Yes. The lifetime Senior Pass is $80 and the annual Senior Pass is $20, for U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62 or older.
Which of these trips involves the least walking?
The Forsythe Refuge Wildlife Drive, which you see from your car. Duke Farms and Grounds For Sculpture also offer accessible transport or tours by reservation.
How many steps is the Cape May Lighthouse?
199 steps on the cast-iron spiral staircase, or 217 counting the approach. The Oil House at the base is fully accessible if you would rather stay on the ground.
Which New Jersey museums are free?
Princeton University Art Museum, the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers and the New Jersey State Museum charge no general admission. Morristown National Historical Park has no entrance fee. The Paterson Great Falls overlook is also free.
Does the national park Senior Pass work at Thomas Edison's lab?
Yes. Thomas Edison National Historical Park accepts America the Beautiful passes. The Senior Pass is $20 a year or $80 for life for U.S. citizens and residents 62 and older. Bring photo ID.
Which New Jersey garden is best for a wheelchair?
Duke Farms in Hillsborough has the most flat, paved trail, over 15 miles, plus a free accessibility transport you can reserve. Reeves-Reed Arboretum and the main paver path at Grounds For Sculpture are also good choices.
When do the irises bloom at Presby in Montclair?
Usually from mid-May through the first week of June. Check the garden's website each spring for its opening day.
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