Garden State Discovery Museum

Walk aboard a vessel that earned more commendations than perhaps any other warship in American naval history, and you're stepping into something far more immersive than a typical museum experience. Winter visits bring a particular quietness to the decks—the chill off the water adds an almost contemplative quality as you navigate through BB62's corridors and compartments. Rather than observing history from behind glass, you become part of the story itself. Sit in Admiral Halsey's command chair, bunk down where crews once rested between shifts, and squeeze into the 16-inch gun turrets to grasp how ammunition moved through the firing sequence. The ship hosts guided explorations, special events, and overnight stays that transform this retired battleship into an extraordinarily hands-on journey through naval warfare and maritime life.

America's most decorated Battleship is now the area's most exciting museum, open for tours, events and overnight encampments. Exploring “BB62” is experiencing history in a whole new way. Not only do you see exhibits of artifacts from the ship’s past, but you are put into the exhibit as you go through the tour route. Sit in the chair from which Admiral Halsey commanded the fleet. Stretch out on the bunks where the sailors slept. Climb into the 16” gun turret and learn how the projectiles were loaded. <br> From the moment you step across the ship’s brow you will understand that this is a museum where visitors take an active role. From strolling across forecastle to climbing the original ladders up to the bridge, and beyond, each step in your journey brings you closer to understanding what life was like for a sailor on the Battleship New Jersey.

Walk through Freehold's Metz Bicycle Museum and you're essentially time-traveling through a century of two-wheeled ingenuity. The sprawling collection pulls together bicycles from the 1850s through 1950s—think boneshakers, highwheelers, tricycles, ordinaries, safeties, and stranger contraptions you've probably never seen before. Hundreds of these machines fill the space with their own particular character and charm, especially during winter months when the indoor setting becomes a warm escape into mechanical nostalgia. Beyond just bikes, the museum surprises visitors with an eclectic mix that lives up to its "Treasures of Years Gone By" motto. Vintage children's riding toys, cast iron bottle openers, antique mousetraps, kitchen gadgets, pencil sharpeners, and early automobiles share display space alongside bicycle gear like oil lanterns, period horns, vintage seats, tools, and posters. It's the kind of place where each corner reveals something unexpected from another era, making winter visits particularly inviting when you want to spend hours browsing indoors.

Dedicated to celebrating, preserving, exploring, and illustrating the rich and unique history of the Jewish residents of Monmouth County. <br> Located in the early 19th century Levi Solomon Barn.

Historic Cold Spring Village is an Early American open-air living history museum. The Village brings to life the day-to-day activities of villagers living in South Jersey during the “age of homespun.” (1790-1840). Visitors can make a personal connection between the past and present through the interactive, educational, and hands-on family activities. Take a stroll along our 22 acres of shaded lanes, enjoy the gardens and observe the farm where heritage crops are grown; visit twenty-six restored antique buildings housing historically-clothed interpreters, who educate and entertain visitors about the lifestyles, issues, trades and crafts of yesteryear. Children enjoy playing at the activity area where they take part in a variety of projects such as trying on costumes, participating in hands-on crafts and playing games.

Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to restore Hangar #1 at the Cape May Airport, Cape May County, New Jersey, into an aircraft museum honoring the Navy airmen who died while training during World War II.<br> NAS Wildwood Aviation Museum now boasts over 26 aircraft displays as well as exhibits of military memorabilia, engines, photographs and more. Additionally, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia has provided NAS Wildwood with a wealth of interactive exhibits that allow visitors to discover the science of flight. The museum also features a library, food vending area as well as a recently expanded gift shop.

Step into a place where the Jersey shore's maritime past comes alive through hands-on exploration and authentic storytelling. Winter visits bring a quieter, more intimate atmosphere to the waterfront—perfect for wandering through exhibits that reveal the lives and craftsmanship of generations of baymen. The museum weaves together the region's environmental heritage with the artistic traditions that shaped coastal communities here. Beyond the collections, there's plenty to discover across the grounds, from seasonal waterfront walks to learning about the skills that built this area's identity. Active Military Service members and up to four family members enjoy free admission year-round as part of the Blue Star Museums partnership.

The New Jersey Museum of Boating is open 7 days a week, 365 days per year, and offers free guided and self-guided tours of a robust collection of maritime arts and artifacts celebrating New Jersey’s boating history. NJMB welcomes the general public, but especially youth of middle and high school ages, and all boating and New Jersey history enthusiasts. Currently housed at the historic Johnson Brothers Boat Works in Point Pleasant, the museum uses just about every inch of its 2000 square feet of space.

Founded in 1972, the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey is dedicated to the preservation of the Garden State's distinguished, two-century aviation and space heritage. <br> The museum offers visitors an opportunity to view historic air and space artifacts, photographs, fine art and an extensive model collection.

Discover the rich heritage of Upper Saddle River at this beloved local institution, where passionate historians preserve the area's stories through the meticulously restored Hopper Goetschius House Museum and engaging year-round programming. With nearly 2,500 visitors annually and a thriving community of over 500 members, the Historical Society brings the past to life through special events like festive holiday celebrations and seasonal celebrations that invite everyone to experience local history firsthand.

The New Jersey Museum of Agriculture's mission is to tell the story of the Garden State's agriculture - past, present, and future. Centrally located off U.S. 1 and College Farm Road in North Brunswick, the Museum contains permanent and changing exhibits about the evolution of agriculture in New Jersey. The 30,000 square foot facility is active throughout the year with programming that showcases the people, products, and ingenuity that established, and will continue to position, New Jersey as a leader in agriculture. Established as an independent, not-for-profit educational organization in 1984, the New Jersey Museum of Agriculture opened to the public in 1990.

The Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society was organized in 1967 and incorporated on November 17, 1970. It is governed by an Executive Board, composed of officers, trustees and committee chairpersons. <br> Its museum was originally built in 1834 by Dr. Garret P. Voorhees, with additional rooms added added from 1850 to 1862 by the Isaac Snedeker Family. The Historical Society acquired the house in May, 1972 and volunteers transformed it in six months from a simple house into a museum. <br> The many original architectural elements, (including window sashes with early glass, wide pine floor boards, original paint), its collections of 18th and 19th century furnishings, Indian artifacts, and local memorabilia, radiate a sense of Cranbury past. Follow on Twitter: @cranburyhistory

A National Historic Landmark located in the heart of historic Mount Holly, New Jersey.

Northlandz is a 16 acre world class attraction developed by Bruce and his wife Jean. Included in this complex is a doll museum, La Peep Doll House, a 2,000 pipe theater pipe organ (which Bruce plays) and art galleries throughout. The building is reflective of the couples lifelong commitment to art, expression, and creativity.

Walking through these grounds takes you back to the 1750s, when Samuel Fleming claimed 210 acres of untamed wilderness—a landscape he famously described as overrun with wolves, bears, and indigenous peoples far outnumbering the scattered colonists. What began as one man's frontier homestead has transformed into a vibrant gathering place where visitors of every age can explore how life unfolded on the raw edge of settlement. The castle hosts engaging programs and exhibits designed to bring that frontier spirit to life, and during winter months, the crisp air and quiet grounds create an especially immersive way to imagine those early survival stories. The property marked two and a half centuries since its founding in 2006, and continues opening its doors to anyone curious about the region's frontier origins.

The New Jersey Historical Society is a state-wide, private, non profit historical museum, library, and archives dedicated to collecting, preserving, and interpreting the rich and intricate political, social, cultural and economic history of New Jersey to the broadest possible audiences. Founded in 1845, it is the oldest cultural institution in the state. Through exhibitions, publications, and programming, it examine what it means to live and work in New Jersey, what contributes to New Jersey's distinct identity, and the unique contributions New Jerseyans make to the region and the country.

The Museum complex, the largest in New Jersey, weaves together 80 galleries of art and science, a mini zoo, planetarium, gift shops, cafe, auditorium, sculpture garden, schoolhouse and the Ballantine House, the restored 1885 mansion that is a National Historic Landmark.

The mission of Historic Morven, Inc. is to “preserve and operate the National Historic Landmark known as Morven as a museum and public garden showcasing the cultural heritage of New Jersey.” Morven’s historic garden includes a formal, grand lawn dotted with majestic trees, beds of heirloom annuals from the 18th and 19th centuries, and a re-creation of the Colonial Revival style garden that was planted at Morven in the early 20th century. Spring bulbs appear in April, followed by peonies and iris in May. The phlox burst forth in June and continue through August, concluding with a late summer display of dahlias and other annual flowers.

In 1895, the New Jersey State Legislature formally established the New Jersey State Museum in the capital city of Trenton with a mission to collect and exhibit specimens in natural history, archaeology, and industrial history. The State Museum was initially accredited by the American Association of Museums in 1974. Since 1983 it has been a division of the New Jersey Department of State.

Wander through galleries where the founders' passion for regional creativity continues to thrive, especially striking during winter months when the serene indoor spaces feel like a refuge for art lovers. Here you'll discover thoughtfully curated fine art, crafts, and folk traditions rooted in New Jersey and the broader Mid-Atlantic landscape. The museum breathes life into its collection through hands-on learning experiences designed for curious minds of all ages, while behind the scenes, dedicated staff work to safeguard these cultural treasures for future generations. What started as one couple's dream has blossomed into a hub where preservation and discovery walk hand in hand.

The Museum's mission is to educate the public about Hoboken's history, diverse culture, architecture and historic landmark. It offers special exhibits, tours, events and lectures, as well as educational programs for adults and children on a weekly basis. An updated schedule of events and an online catalog of many items in its collections are available on the site. The Museum is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt entity.

At the Whippany Railway Museum, you can enjoy an operating O-gauge model railroad layout, railroad artifacts, a gift shop, and outdoor railroad equipment. The Museum is open once a week on Sundays ONLY, from April through October, from 12:00PM to 4:00PM. Admission is $0.50 for children and $1.00 for adults.