World Penguin Day at Jenkinson’s Aquarium
April 26 @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Join Jenkinson’s Aquarium for a celebratory day that encourages people to learn more about the world’s penguins and the threats they face on April 26th from 11AM to 4PM. There will be crafts, activities, and penguin keeper chats.
14 Spring Activities to Try at the Jersey Shore
Spring at the Jersey Shore is the ideal time to enjoy outdoor adventures, exciting attractions, and family-friendly fun ahead of the busy and crowded summer season. Thrill-seekers can take a visit to Six Flags Great Adventure, where roller coasters and wildlife safaris provide excitement for all ages. Nature lovers can explore scenic biking trails or admire vibrant spring blooms in local gardens. Families can spend a day browsing unique finds at flea markets or catching a Jersey Shore BlueClaws baseball game. Whether looking for adventure, retail therapy, or family-friendly fun, the Jersey Shore has something for everyone this spring, Read on to learn more about the best spring activities to do at the Jersey Shore.
Witness New Jersey’s biggest tulip display
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Holland Ridge Farms — 108 Rues Road, Cream Ridge — is a floral paradise in central New Jersey. In mid-April, 8 million tulips bloom and it is truly a sight to see – pictures don’t do it justice. Holland Ridge Farms is a U-Pick flower farm that allows visitors to pick from tulips for just $1 per stem and 50 cents during the weekdays. Dog + Ram Distillery will be onsite serving floral-themed cocktails on the weekends. Plus, there will be a mocktail + gourmet soda cart. Asbury Fresh will be hosting farmers and makers market every weekend during the event. Tickets for the U-Pick Tulips Spring Spectacular can be purchased on Holland Ridge Farms’ website.
Attend a Jersey Shore BlueClaws game
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The Jersey Shore BlueClaws are a Minor League Baseball team affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays at the ShoreTown Ballpark, which is located at 2 Stadium Way in Lakewood, New Jersey. Games are affordable, fun, and family-friendly. Plus, the BlueClaws host themed games throughout its season, such as Star Wars Night, Christmas in July, Pride Night, and Grateful Dead Night — just to name a few. Opening night is Tuesday, April 8th, 2025. Single-game tickets, group tickets, and season memberships can be purchased on the Jersey Shore BlueClaws website.
Read More: An A-Z List of Women-Owned Jersey Shore Businesses
Peruse the Allaire State Park flea market
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Allaire State Park’s flea market will host over 150 vendors in Allaire Village at 4263 Atlantic Avenue in Farmingdale, New Jersey on Saturday, April 5th, Saturday, May 10th, and Saturday, June 14th from 8AM to 2PM. All rain dates are for the following Sunday. It is $5 per person to enter the flea market and all proceeds benefit the non-profit organization that operates Allaire Village.
Go to a Drive-In Movie
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The Delsea Drive-In Movie Theater — located at 2203 South Delsea Drive in Vineland, New Jersey — is the only drive-in movie theater in New Jersey. The Delsea Drive-In was built in 1949, closed in 1987, and reopened in 2004. The Delsea Drive-In combines the nostalgia of the drive-in movie theatre with modern technologies. The drive-in closes for the season for the winter but re-opens in mid-March. Tickets for movies + screening events can be purchased on the Delsea Drive-In website.
Visit the Cape May County Park + Zoo
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The Cape May County Park and Zoo — at 707 US-9 North, Cape May Court House, NJ — is open all year round, except for Christmas, but is super fun during the spring months. Spring events include the zoo’s Easter ExtravaganZoo, an Earth Day celebration, and a Run Wild 5K for the Cape May Zoo. Plus, admission and parking is free!
Go Whale Watching
Seastreak Whale Watching hosts excursions to spot humpback whales, dolphins, and other marine life off the coast of New York and New Jersey. Whale-watching boats take off from the Seastreak Ferry Terminal at 326 Shore Drive in Highlands, New Jersey beginning May 24th, 2025 through September. A wildlife expert is on each cruise to provide species identification support and additional information about the animals spotted. The expert will also collect whale sighting data to be shared with scientists at Gotham Whale who track and monitor the local whale population. Whale-watching schedules and pricing information can be found on Seastreak’s website.
Ride the Asbury Park Pedal Boats
The Asbury Park Pedal Boats operate on Wesley Lake with the historic town of Ocean Grove as a backdrop. The swan boats are designed to accommodate a maximum of 2 adults and 1 child or an adult and 2 children. Each boat ride is a half-hour and costs $25 per boat ride. Everyone is required to wear a safety vest on the boats. A colorful selection of fun boats — including swans, dragons, a blue heron, and a pink flamingo — are always available. Asbury Park Pedal Boats closes for the winter but reopens Easter weekend for the 2025 season.
Bike the Edgar Felix Memorial Bikeway
The Edgar Felix Memorial Bikeway is a popular bike path that stretches from downtown Manasquan to Allaire State Park in Farmingdale. The path is paved and popular with bikers, runners, and walkers. The trail passes old farm fields, forests, and ponds with waterfowl. The Edgar Felix Memorial Bike Path runs between 2038 Hospital Road in Allenwood and Main Street between Atlantic Avenue + Central Avenue in Manasquan, with parking available at both endpoints.
Go on an adventure to Cattus Island County Park
Cattus Island County Park – located at 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard in Toms River – covers over 530 acres and has seven miles of trails. Cattus Island is home to the newly renovated Cooper Environmental Center where visitors of all ages can enjoy hands-on educational displays such as a live view osprey cam, habitat tree and tunnel, bird viewing area, children's activity corner, and a spectacular collection of live reptiles and fish. The park also contains a beautiful Butterfly Garden where guests can view native plants and pollinators. There is also a wheelchair accessible 1000ft ADA boardwalk to enjoy the nature and wildlife at Cattus Island. Visiting hours can be reviewed on the Ocean County Parks website.
Pedal through Cape May with the Revolution Rail Company
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Revolution Rail Company’s Cape May run takes riders from the heart of Cape May for a 4-mile out-and-back trip alongside The Nature Conservancy’s Garrett Family Preserve. Riders will enjoy expansive native wildflower meadows, as well as migrating songbirds, raptors, and pollinators like bumblebees and monarch butterflies. The experience is appropriate for all ages and lasts 1.5 Hours. The Revolution Rail Company in Cape May opens for the season on March 15. Reservations can be booked on its official website.
Take on thrilling coasters at Six Flags Great Adventure
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Six Flags Great Adventure’s opening day is Saturday, March 29th, 2025. Opening day includes the unveiling of THE FLASH™: VERTICAL VELOCITY, North America’s first super boomerang coaster. Parkgoers will also enjoy the revamped dining experience at Granny’s Chicken, highlighted by the culinary skill of new Executive Chef Jeremy Hacker. Season passes + daily tickets can be purchased on Six Flags Great Adventure’s website.
Visit the Tuckerton Seaport
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The Tuckerton Seaport is a working maritime village and museum located at 120 West Main Street in Tuckerton, New Jersey. The Tuckerton Seaport preserves, presents, and interprets the rich maritime history, artistry, heritage, and environment of the Jersey shore and the unique contributions of its baymen. Visitors can spend the day exploring family-friendly exhibits both indoors and outdoors: climb the lighthouse, do on-site crafting, tour museum exhibits, visit the on-property goats and sheep, enjoy a ¼ mile nature trail, visit the gift shop, enjoy a tour and tea at the historic Captain’s House, and have breakfast or lunch at The Union Market. Plan your visit on the Tuckerton Seaport website.
See More: The Best Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in Northern New Jersey
Shop + eat at the Historic Smithville Village
Historic Smithville is a quaint town of over 60 specialty shops and seven eateries located at 615 East Moss Mill Road, Smithville. The village is open every day of the year except Christmas. During the Spring (April 1st to June 30th) Smithville is open Monday through Friday from 10AM to 6PM, Saturday from 10AM to 7PM, and Sunday from 11AM to 6PM. On April 12th + 13th, Smithville will transform into the Shire of Smithville for the Renaissance Faire. On April 26th, Smithville will host the Art Walk which features over 75 local artists set up displays on the Greene.
Get to the boardwalk ahead of the summer craziness
Kick off the season at Jenkinson’s Amusement Park on Saturday, March 15, and Sunday, March 16 from 12PM to 5PM for its opening weekend. Limited kiddie rides will be available and arcades will be open. Jenkinson’s also has great dining options on the boardwalk, such as the Boardwalk Bar + Grill, Little Macs, and Joey Tomatoes. If there ends up being inclement weather, visitors can also head to Jenkinson’s Aquarium for indoor fun and educational marine life experiences.
