Exploring and traveling with the kids is one of my favorite things to do, but there is nothing quite like finding fun and adventure in your own backyard.

Here in New Jersey there are some truly great places for family fun and so today I am teaming up with some of my fellow ‘Jersey girls’/Moms to share our favorite spots!

/ Mama Lew / A Fancy Girl Must / Everyday Cori / The Millenial Mom / We’re Parents /

Five Family Fun Faves In New Jersey

/ Outdoor fun /

LIBERTY STATE PARK

When it comes to the perfect park day there is just nothing that compares to this one.

Beyond your typical playground fun, Liberty State Park is home of the most breathtaking views of the sweeping New York City skyline, a gorgeous 9/11 memorial, old vintage train yard and a ferry to Liberty Island!

[read more about my favorite Mother’s Day ever at Liberty State Park]

/ Family Noshing /

SUNDAY BRUNCH AT ROONEY’S

credit: Rooney’s

We don’t often eat out for breakfast but that is what makes it extra special when we do!

Located directly off the beach in Long Branch, New Jersey, Rooney’s offers indoor and outdoor dining with a view– that is totally family friendly!

Rooney’s Sunday brunch is one of the best we’ve ever experienced here in New Jersey. Served buffet style (the kids looove buffets), they have everything you can imagine omelets, carving station, muffins, waffles, bagels salads, desserts…. and complimentary mimosas!

/ Indoor Fun /

KNOCKERBALL AT THE MONMOUTH MALL

This one we just discovered this past week when my oldest attended a birthday party here. Such a unique and fun experience, I knew right away I had to include it in this post.

Whether you’ve heard it called bubble soccer, bubble ball or bumper ball, Knockerball is basically human bumper cars. It is SO much fun and the perfect way for active kids to burn off some energy indoors!

The Knockerball location at the Monmouth mall also offer human foosball, “foot pool” (life/human-size pool table), “foot darts” and bocce. You can reserve any of these activities for 60-90 min.

/ Sweet Tooth /

FAMILY ICE CREAM SOCIAL AT CONEY WAFFLE

credit: Coney Waffle

You know those crazy, ginormous, ice cream sundaes people wait in line for, for hours (literally.) in New York City??

Well because we are friends, I’m going to let you in on a super secret I just recently discovered– you can find that same jaw-dropping sweetness here in New Jersey– without the crazy lines!

Coney Waffle is located Ocean Avenue in Belmar, New Jersey and serves up unique Sundaes that will wow your taste buds and give you and your family the ultimate dessert experience– what kid wouldn’t love that??

/ Beach Fun /

Jenkinson’s Boardwalk

There is definitely no shortage of boardwalk fun to be had here in New Jersey, but Jenkinson’s remains our favorite perhaps because it is holds so many years of memories for us.

It’s where James and I spent countless days when we first started dating, where we took our wedding photos, where all of our children had their first “beach day”, where we started our Father’s Day-at-the beach tradition – and not to brag, but it’s where our claw-game skills truly go to new levels– we get super competitive with each other over these games– only at Jenks!

We love spending the morning at the beach, the afternoon playing games, riding rides, sometimes popping in to see the penguins at Jenkinson’s Aquarium and always stopping at Joey Tomatoes for a ginormous-Jersey size slice of pizza. I highly recommend the buffalo chicken slice!

The fun doesn’t stop here!

There is so much more family fun here in The Garden State.

Hop on over to check out more Jersey Mom Favorites below:

/ Mama Lew / We’re Parents / A Fancy Girl Must / The Millenial Mom /