Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey
Teterboro Airport (off Rt. 46 on Fred Wehran Dr.), Teterboro, 201-288-6344. Tues.-Sun. 10-4. Closed Mon. Adults $7, children 2 & older/srs. $5, group rate discount. Aeronautical Education Center (on east side of airport) features historical exhibits, hands-on aircraft engines & equipment, a Martin-202 airliner, M.A.S.H. unit and 60-seat theater with film tracing the history of aviation in New Jersey. Picnic area. Birthday parties for ages 5 and up; Dare to Fly 4-hr. group program for ages 8-15.
Selected Special Events
Apr-Nov
Open Cockpit Day, cockpits of museum airplanes, helicopters and fire truck are open with pilots and guides on hand for questions four times a year.
Battleship New Jersey
Camden Waterfront (Tpk. exit 4), 866-877-6262. Open for guided tours. Nov.-Dec. 31: Sat. & Sun. 9:30-3. Jan. 3-Feb. 4: closed for tours. Feb. 5-Mar. 31: Sat. & Sun. 9:30-3. April 1-30: Daily 9:30-3. May 1-Sept. 5: Daily 9:30-5. Sept. 6-Oct. 31: Daily 9:30-3. Adults $18.50, srs./veterans $14, ages 6-11 $14, under 6, active military and BB62 Vets free. Floating museum and veteran's memorial showcases the most decorated ship in history. Group tours; team-building programs; overnight encampments.
Dec 26-31
Open for Tours.
Black River & Western Railroad
12 Stangl Rd., Flemington; John Ringo Rd., Ringoes, 908-
782-6622. Antique passenger coaches depart Flemington and Ringoes weekends May-Oct. for a scenic ride through rural Hunterdon County. Adults $14, children 3-12 $7, under 3 free. First come, first served, no advance tickets sold except for North Pole Express. Special events include the Easter Bunny Express, Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Train, North Pole Express and Santa Express. www.brrht.org
Special Events
Dec 18
The Santa Express, Santa and his elves ride the train to Ringoes.
Jun-Aug
Excursion Trains, 75 min. round trip ride Ringoes to Flemington every Sat. and Sun. Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Model Railroad Club, Inc.
P.O. Box 1146, End of Jefferson Ave., off Rt. 22 East, Union, NJ 07083, 908-964-9724; 964-8808 recorded message. Open to the public Sat. 1-4pm. Adults $5, srs. $4, ages 2-15 $3.
New Jersey Naval Museum
Court & River St., Hackensack, 201-342-3268. Sat.-Sun. 10-4pm, last tour at 3:15. Call ahead to confirm hours. Adults $9, under 12 $4, group rates. Guided tour of the USS Ling, a WWII submarine. Birthday parties; scout tours.
New Jersey Transit Train and Bus
For information, visit website. Weekend and Holiday Family Supersaver Fare: Two children (11 and under) ride free when accompanied by a full fare-paying parent or guardian on weekends, beginning 7pm Friday (or the eve of a holiday) until 6am Mon. or the day after a holiday. At all times, children 4 & under travel free when accompanied by a full fare paying parent or guardian, children aged 5-11 pay children's fare (half fare or less).
Ongoing
Visit website under "Rider Tools–Deals & Discounts" for discount offers to destinations in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia with a valid light rail, rail or bus ticket.
Family-Friendly Train Destinations
We welcome reader's suggestions.
• Bound Brook George's Station Restaurant at station with train memorabilia, brunch, outdoor dining.
• Cranford Walk to downtown shops and restaurants.
• Far Hills Short walk to cafe, retail shops in Far Hills Center.
• Maplewood Station directly across from downtown shops, diner, bakery, ice cream and Memorial Park playground.
• Millington Millington Café at station with outdoor dining.
• Newark Museum is a few steps from the Light Rail Washington Park Station.
• New Jersey Performing Arts Center Light rail service connects all rail lines served by Newark Penn Station and Newark Broad St. Station to NJPAC. NJTransit.com/NLR
• South Orange Diner, ice cream shop at station, downtown shops, short walk to Meadlowland Park.
• Summit Mabie Playground and downtown Summit shops and restaurants are directly across from the station.
• Westfield Walk to downtown shops and restaurant
New York Susquehanna & Western
100 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg, 908-454-4433 (weekends 10-4), 877-train-ride. Steam train runs weekends May-Oct. Diesel locomotive runs Nov.-May. Adults $14, children $7, tickets available online. Special event fees vary. The only steam locomotive operating in New Jersey offers scenic one-hour trips along the Delaware River weekends May-Oct. or themed excursions throughout the year including Santa Claus, Polar Express, Easter Bunny, Wine and Great Pumpkin Trains. Check website for dates.
Special Events
Thru Dec 18
The Polar Express, visit with Santa, weekends.
May-Nov
Mine Train, ride to Susquehanna Mining Co. for gemstone panning.
Warren County Winery Train, scenic ride along the Delaware to New Jersey winery.
New York Waterway
800-53-FERRY. A quick, convenient and scenic route to midtown and downtown Manhattan via ferry service from Hoboken, Jersey City or Weehawken. Free shuttle to Times Square area.
Pine Creek Railroad
In Allaire State Park, Rt. 524 (exit 98 GSP), Allaire (Wall), 732-938-5524. June -Labor Day weekend: Daily 12-4:30. Sept.-Dec. and April-May: 12-4:30 weekends and special events. Tickets $4. Parking fee Memorial Day-Labor Day. Narrow gauge rail line operates vintage diesel locomotives every half hour on a 1.5 mile loop in Allaire State Park. School groups; birthday parties.
Special Events
Thru Dec 18
The Christmas Express, train ride with Santa departs every half hour 11-4 on weekends. $6.
Dec 9-17
Christmas Express Nights, nighttime train, departs every half hour 6-8:30pm. $6, tickets go on sale in Oct.
Whippany Railway Museum
1 Railroad Plaza, Rt. 10W & Whippany Rd., Whippany, 973-887-8177. Open for special events. Suggested donation: Adults $1, children $.50. Railroad memorabilia, exhibits, large operating Lionel train layout, gift shop, picnic grounds.
45-min. rides depart 1, 2 3, & 4pm. Seasonal events include rides with Santa, the Easter Bunny, on the Pumpkinliner or choose a restored caboose. Reservations are strongly recommended. Order online with credit card or send ticket order with check or money order and self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to: PO Box 16, Whippany, 07981-0016. Tickets go on sale at noon on day of trip for remaining seats. Adults $13, under 12 $8, babes-in-arms free.
Dec 18, 19
Santa Claus Special, see listing for details.
Mar 31, Apr 1, 7
Easter Bunny Express, see listing for details. Limited tickets available for seating in the elegant 1927-era Jersey Coast Club Car. Mail order reservations accepted through March 16, 2012.