Winter Getaways within driving distance from New Jersey: Perfect for the President’s Day Long Weekend!
The long President’s Day Weekend usually means a few days off school and the opportunity to get out of town. What I love about living in New Jersey is that in 5 hours or less, you can be in any number of states, with a variety of activities at your fingertips. Read to the end for some bonus staycation tips if you prefer to stay home and take a day trip instead.
Lake George, New York: The Lake George Winter Carnival takes place on Saturdays and Sundays in February. From cook-offs to outhouse races to a polar plunge, there is plenty of fun for the entire family. If there is snow on the ground, the Lake George recreation center has over four miles of cross-country ski trails as well as a snow tubing hill. Lake George puts you in a prime spot to explore the Adirondacks and eastern Vermont, with a plethora of winter activities within a 1-2 hour drive. Nearby Lake Placid, home to the 1980 Winter Olympics, offers the opportunity for toboggan rides, ice skating on an Olympic rink, and even bobsledding! And don’t miss The Wild Center. This indoor/outdoor nature center is a must-do any season of the year!
Washington, DC: If you prefer indoor versus outdoor activities in the cold winter months, a long weekend in our nation’s capital is a great choice. With endless museums and historical sites to visit, this trip is both fun and educational. We love that The Smithsonian museums are free to visit. The National Air and Space Museum and the Natural History Museum are both big hits with kids and if the weather cooperates, the Smithsonian Zoo is a must-do. Our friends at Reclaiming Wonders and Big Brave Nomad have some great tips on their sites. Be sure to check them out!
The Poconos: There is so much to do in the Poconos during the winter months. You can ski or snowtube at Shawnee Mountain or Camelback Mountain. Shawnee is a small resort and especially good for beginners. If you prefer warm, tropical vibes, the area boasts 3 indoor waterparks: one at the Camelback ski resort, Kalahari, and Great Wolf Lodge. For a quieter retreat, I recommend booking an AirBnB with a hot tub and a fireplace and cozy up with the family for a weekend of board games and reading. If the need for adventure strikes, head over to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and take a winter stroll on the boardwalk to view some waterfalls. Stop by park headquarters to pick up a free Junior Ranger activity book and get a stamp for your passport book. Just remember, in the off-season, hours are limited and they are closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays.
Ocean City, MD: This one may be a bit unconventional, but hear me out. We have been experiencing warmer winters, and my kids LOVE a winter day at the beach. Just last week we were down the shore on a 40-degree day and both of them were barefoot in the sand. Winter days at the beach still allow for plenty of sand play, and it’s a great time to bring along your kite. While much of Ocean City is shut down, there are still several hotels open and plenty of fun to be had. Bring your bikes, because you can ride on the boardwalk any time of day from the day after Labor Day until the start of Memorial Day weekend. Head into the nearby town of Berlin to walk around, grab a bite to eat, or enjoy one of their family-friendly breweries. We love spending the day at Assateague Island National Seashore, or if you would like to take a drive, check out Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Explore the beach, take a hike or bike ride, and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the famous wild ponies, they are the highlight of every visit!
Mystic, CT: I love visiting Mystic, regardless of the season. Both the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Mystic Aquarium are open year-round and are a great way to spend the day. Be sure to start your day fueled with delicious sweet and savory treats from Sift Bake Shop. They were recommended to us years ago and are now a must-do when we visit the area. If you have any Swifties in the family, Watch Hill, RI is about 20 minutes from Mystic and is where Taylor has owned a house for the last decade or so. About an hour away is Providence, RI where you can walk along the cliffs and gaze at the stunning mansions that overlook the water. If you’re looking for some indoor thrills, head over to Mohegan Sun. This is a casino resort, but they have an arcade, indoor go-karts, and a trampoline park, all of which are family-friendly.
BONUS: New Jersey Staycation Tips
For some indoor fun, check out The Liberty Science Center. If you travel out of state often, I highly recommend a membership to LSC. They are part of the ASTC network of museums and a membership allows you to visit hundreds of museums across the US.
Nearby Liberty State Park has a great playground and an awesome nature center that is free of charge and a great stop before or after LSC. Nature centers are a great way to spend the day regardless of the weather. Some of our favorites are: The Nature Center of Cape May, the Huber Woods Environmental Center, and the Somerset County Environmental Education Center.
Adventure Aquarium and Battleship New Jersey are two great options in the Philadelphia area. Check with your local library for Battleship New Jersey passes. Ours (Hunterdon County) offers free passes that they email to you. It saved us over $100!
As I mentioned above, I love a winter beach day and my kids love it even more. The seals are currently out at Sandy Hook (Gateway National Recreation Area). They are best viewed at low tide, where they like to hang out on the jetty near the Fort Hancock section of the park. Once you enter the park head north and you will see the signs for parking and the others gathered on the shoreline to catch a glimpse at these beautiful creatures.
A playground crawl is another great option if the weather cooperates. Want to find playgrounds closer to home? Check out NJ Park Sharks on Instagram. She’s my go-to for playground recommendations in and around New Jersey.
We have some great zoos in New Jersey, and one of our favorites, The Bergen County Zoo is free in the off-season and the Cape May Zoo is free year-round. We have been members of The Turtleback Zoo since our oldest was born, and even on the coldest days, the reptile house, the turtle recovery center, and the touch tank are great spots to keep warm.
What will you be doing this President’s Day Weekend? Head over to our Instagram and let us know!