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Community Corner

50 Local Adventures—Right Outside Your Door!

Local activities and nearby day trips are perfect budget summer getaways.

The end of the economic downturn may be months away, but that doesn’t mean families have to give up their annual summer vacations. There are lots of budget-conscious options available for those who take the time to seek them out.

According to AAA, airfares have dropped 16 percent and offer some substantial last-minute deals. Lodging has come down 12 percent, and many resorts and tourist attractions now feature stimulus/recession prices.

“Right now, there are some great deals for people, who can take time off and go on a cruise,” said Michele Mount, a spokesperson for AAA. “Cruises out of New York are dirt cheap at the moment. Las Vegas is also a great option right now. I really think it comes down to personal preference. If you want to take a vacation, there’s definitely something out there for you and there’s a deal to be had.”

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But if flying is still too much of a stretch, take a “staycation” right in your own backyard. There are lots of adventures to be had in and around Scotch Plains and Fanwood. Or, pile into the car and hit the road for a one-day, “daycation” trip—and be back in your own bed by nightfall. Driving can definitely be more affordable than flying, even with the fluctuating gas prices.

New Jersey and the surrounding states offer something for everyone—hiking, biking, beaches, museums, theme parks, and more. And the best part is, you’ll feel like you’re miles away.

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STAYCATIONS: Same Day Activities In/Around Scotch Plains and Fanwood

Activities

1. Mini Golf: Scotch Hills Mini Golf Course (Scotch Plains), Fairway Golf Center (Piscataway, also has bumper boats & batting cages)

2. Canoeing: Cranford Canoe Club (Cranford)

3. Bowling: AMF Strike N Spare Lanes (Green Brook, free for kids w/online sign-up), Linden Lanes (Linden), Garwood Lanes (Garwood, 908-276-2040)

4. Horseback riding: Watchung Stables (Watchung)

5. Minor league baseball: Somerset Patriots (Bridgewater)

Museums

6. The Newark Museum (Newark)

12. Franklin Mineral Museum (Franklin)

Nature/Outdoors

13. Fanwood Nature Center (Fanwood) and Watchung Reservation's Trailside Nature & Science Center (Watchung)

14. Paterson Great Falls (Paterson)

Amusements

18. BB Grand Slam (South Plainfield, batting cages, sports fields, games, climbing tunnels, laser tag, paintball, reball)

19. The Funplex (East Hanover, rides, arcade, 4D movies, laser tag, Magiquest)

20. Bowcraft (Scotch Plains, amusement park)

DAYCATIONS : One Day/Overnight Trips

Hiking & Camping

21. Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain (Bear Mountain, New York, for specific hiking trails: http://www.nynjtc.org/view/hike)

22. High Point State Park (4 miles north of Branchville) and Stokes State Forest (Sussex)

23. Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Mohonk Preserve (New Paltz, New York, for hiking trails: http://www.trails.com/city-trails.aspx?keyword=New+Paltz&state=NY)

24. Pyramid Mountain (Kinnelon) and Turkey Mountain Trail (Boonton)

25. Palisades Interstate Park (northeastern Bergen County)

Biking

26. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park (two flat, car-free biking/jogging paths along the canal—one from New Brunswick to Trenton and the other from Frenchtown to Trenton, map: http://www.dandrcanal.com/park_map03.html)

Water Parks

27. Camel Beach Mountain Water Park (Tannersville, PA)

28. Mountain Creek Water Park (Vernon)

29. Great Wolf Lodge (Poconos, PA, indoor water park)

30. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Jackson)

Amusement Parks

31. Hershey Park (Hershey, PA)

32. Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari (Jackson)

33. Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom (Allentown, PA)

34. Land of Make Believe (Hope) 

35. Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, PA)

36. Jenkinson's Boardwalk (Pt. Pleasant Beach)

37. Funtown Pier (Seaside Park)

Activities

38. White water rafting and tubing down the Delaware River/Lehigh River/Port Jervis

39. Antiquing, fairs, and flea markets in NJ, Lambertville, Point Pleasant, Lafayette, Chester, Catskills, anywhere (enter city in the search field at the top right)!

40. Fishing/Boating (Atlantic Highlands)

 

State Beaches

41. Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park (Long Branch)

42. Sandy Hook (Sandy Hook)

43. Island Beach State Park (Ocean County) 

 

Places of Interest

44. Philadelphia

45. Washington, D.C.

46. New York City

47. Amish Country

48. Mystic, CT.

49. Adventure Aquarium (Camden)

50. Howe Caverns (Howes Cave, NY)

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