Chol Hamoed dates: Wednesday, September 26 through Sunday, September 30
Please enjoy The Jewish Link’s updated guide to help you enjoy Chol Hamoed to its fullest.
New Jersey
Turtle Back Zoo
See animals from all over the world, including giraffes, kangaroos, penguins, Komodo dragons, ostriches, bald eagles and sea lions. Included in the price of admission is a dinosaur-themed playground, and other attractions include pony rides and an endangered-species carousel, both $2. Next door to the zoo are the TreeTop Adventure Course, with a world-class aerial obstacle course and a zip line for older kids and adults, and Mini Golf Safari, with an African-themed mini-golf course. SUKKAH ON PREMISES (Near new entrance on Northfield Ave near giraffes)
Admission: $15 adults, $12 children Children under 2 free.
Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Address: 560 Northfield Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052
Phone: 973-731-5800
Email: [email protected]
Website: turtlebackzoo.com
Six Flags Great Adventure
An amusement park for the whole family to enjoy! Experience the thrill of roller coasters, including Kingda Ka, the tallest coaster in the world. There is a variety of rides, from family friendly to kid friendly to thrill-seeking. Included with admission is the Safari Off-Road Adventure, which includes a tour of over 1,200 animals observed from an open-air truck.
NCSY Will be at Great Adventure on Thursday, September 27. NCSY rates are available. A sukkah and kosher food for purchase will be available. Go to www:ncsygreatadventure.com for all purchasing information, Buses for teens only with pre-arrangement will be available. All information is on the website.
Address: 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527
Phone: 732-928-2000
Website: https://www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Paterson Great Falls
A new addition to the National Park Service, Paterson Great Falls includes the Great Falls of the Passaic River, raceways built in the late 18th century, and the Paterson Museum. See the waterfall that powered an industrial city dating back to the 18th century, established by Alexander Hamilton. Guided tours are led daily by the National Park Service. You may also choose to visit the nearby Paterson Museum, which contains a variety of exhibits relating to the history of Paterson. Please note that all parking lots are under construction. Must make alternate arrangements.
Admission: Free ($2 suggested donation for the museum)
Hours: Tours available Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Welcome Center hours: Mon-Sun 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Museum hours: Sunday 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m., weekdays 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Address: 72 McBride Ave, Paterson, NJ 07501
Phone: 973-523-0370
Website: www.nps.gov/pagr
Circle Line Statue of Liberty
Ferry From Liberty State Park
Located only 2,000 feet from the Statue of Liberty. Information available about the statue and Ellis Island. Take advantage of playground, liberty walk, lookout point and nature trail.
Address: Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City
Phone: 201-915-3403
RPM Raceway
90 Caven Pt Road, Jersey City 201 333 7223
Mon – Thurs 12:00 PM – 10:00PM Sunday 10:00AM
4 people minimum. Youngest age is 6 $30 per person no matter the age
Use code JL1 for discount
Van Saun Park and Bergen County Zoo
Within its 146 acres, Van Saun County Park offers a wide range of activities that is sure to please the entire family. Some of its popular attractions include the nationally accredited Bergen County Zoological Park, the historic Washington Spring Garden, train, carousel, pony rides, several age-appropriate playgrounds and picnic and fishing areas.
.Hours: Open seven days a week 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Address: 216 Forest Ave, Paramus
Pony Rides, Train Ride and Carousel Available. Train and Carousel 1.50 per person. Special Rates for Bergen County Residents. Adults 15 – 61 4.00 Kids 3- 14 2.00 Children under three are free and senior $1.00. Increased rates for non Bergen county residents.
Glassworks Studio
Visit Glassworks Studio to create your own design out of glass. A bowl, a platter, a picture frame or a suncatcher—you can choose your own shape, colors and design. Glassworks Studio is great for adults and children, even offering specific projects for children under 7. Reservations are recommended during chol hamoed as Glassworks is usually quite busy during during that time and they don’t want visitors to be disappointed if they come without a reservation.
Admission: $23-135 (depending on which project you choose)
Hours: Open September 26th 10AM – 8PM, September 27th and 28th 10 – 6PM Address: 151 South St. Morristown, NJ 07960
Phone: 973-656-0800
Email: [email protected]
Website: umakeglass.com
Liberty Science Center
Check out the LSC’s calendar on their website for daily events and shows. http://lsc.org/see-whats-happening/events-calendar/.
Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:03 PM Closed on Wednesdays Admission: Child (age 2 -12) $18.75, adult $22.75, senior (age 62+) $18.75
Address: 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: 201-200-1000
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure
Safe, fun, affordable activities for the entire family. Open 3 – 8PM for jumping
29.00 plus tax for 2.5 hours 24.00 for 1.5 hours.
Address: 69 Wesley Street, Hackensack
Phone: 201-212-6454. Be sure to call for further information.
High Exposure
Obstacles high off the ground as well as right at your feet. Rock climbing, wall climbing etc.
10AM – 10PM Sunday 10AM – 6PM Check website for pricing
Address: 266 Union Street, Northvale
Phone: 201-768-8600
Sunshine Pottery
Address: 260 Grand Ave, Englewood
Wednesday – Friday 11AM – 5:00PM Sunday 12 noon to 5PM
Phone: 201-541-5559
Escape Room New Jersey
Solve the mystery and have loads of fun doing it! All games by appointment. Must book at least one hour prior to the beginning of the game.
Address: 157 A Main Street, Hackensack
Phone: 201 815 1784
Catch Air Indoor Playground
Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Children under 2 $9.99 Adults $9.99
Children over 3 $19.00 Adults accompanying $4.99
Address: 224 Rte 4 E at Forest, Paramus, lower level of ShopRite
Phone: 201-620-2125
New York
Staten Island Fun Park
215 Schmidts Lane 718 982 5578 www.sifunpark.com
Ask for Jewish Link promo combo $2.00
(Monsey) Turtle Boo
Hours: Open Wed 9AM – 10:00PM Thursday 9:00 – 7:00PM Sunday call for hours
Address: 175 East Central Avenue, Spring Valley, NY 10977
Phone: 845-746-2100
Website: www.turtleboo.com
Call to see if reservations are necessary. Totally kosher facility, snack bar, something to eat for everyone.
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum
National Historic Landmark depicts WW II history, the modern Navy, outer space, deep sea exploration and early aviation.
Open weekdays 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Children 5 – 12 24.00 Adults 13 – 64 33.00 Srs. 31.00
Address: Hudson River at W 46th St. and 12th Ave. Pier 86
Phone: 212-245-0072
Call or go online for further pricing info.
Ellis Island and Liberty Island Boat Tour
Visit the former immigration center of Ellis Island and learn about our nation’s history in the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, then venture to Liberty Island and climb to the crown of the Statue of Liberty. Additionally, get a boat tour of New York Harbor.
Admission: $9 -$18.50
Hours: First Ferry 8:30 a.m. Last ferry 5:00 p.m.
Ferry Addresses: Castle Clinton in Battery Park, Manhattan, or Liberty State Park, 200 Morris St., Jersey City, NJ 07305
Phone: 877-523-9849
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.statuecruises.com
Escape the Room NYC
Gather family and friends for the ultimate team-building exercise—get locked in a puzzle room and solve the clues to escape together! Escape the Room, located in both downtown and midtown NYC, offers several different themed rooms. No skills are required, just curiosity and a desire to unlock the door before 60 minutes are up.
Admission: $28-$30 per person
Hours: Games start every 90 minutes or so, check website
Address: 24 West 25th St., New York, NY 10010, 107 Suffolk, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 347-954-9160
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://static.escapetheroomnyc.com
Bronx Zoo
Visit the largest urban zoo in the country to see wondrous animal exhibits including Madagascar!, Congo Gorilla Forest, Tiger Mountain and African Plains. Witness penguin and sea lion feedings. Ride the zoo shuttle, watch a movie in the 4D theater, and ride the bug carousel (each $6, shuttle is weekends only).
Admission: Admission to the Zoo is free on Wednesdays. $36.95 for adults, $26.95 for children 3-12, free for children 2 and under
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Address: 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York 10460
Phone: 718-220-5100
Email: [email protected]
Website: bronxzoo.com
NY Tenement Museum
Learn about the lives of residents of New York City’s Lower East Side tenement apartments in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the residents were immigrants, and many were Jewish. Tour the actual tenement buildings that have been restored to look just as they did a century ago. The museum recommends both a guided tour of the buildings and a walking tour of the neighborhood to gain the best grasp of the immigrant experience.
Admission: $20-$25
Hours: Visitor Center: 10:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Not every day of week.Check website for tour times and exact information
Address: 103 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002
Phone: 877-975-3786
Email: [email protected] Website: tenement.org
American Museum of Natural History
Explore the incredible and educational exhibitions at the Museum of Natural History. Take tours and learn more about dinosaurs, mummies, ancient cultures, the planets, and much more. Before you go, make sure to watch the movie “Night at the Museum” because it’ll be fun to see what you can recognize from the movie!
Admission: Adult $22/ Child 2 – 12 $12.50/ Senior and Student $17 (all are suggested fees)
Hours: 10 a.m.- 5:45 p.m.
Address: Central Park West & 79th St, New York, NY 10024
Phone: 212-769-5100
Website: http://www.amnh.org
Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
Have you ever wondered about the height of the tallest man ever, hoped to see an authentic albino giraffe or wanted to witness the portrait of Albert Einstein made from toast? Ripley’s Believe It or Not! is a museum in which children and adults can immerse themselves into the world of the unbelievable. It is home to various exhibits portraying unusual and out-of-the-ordinary people, animals and artifacts. The experience is exciting, interesting and entertaining to kids and adults alike.
Admissions: Children (4-12) $16.80, adults (16+) $22.40 (online prices)
Hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m.
Address: 234 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Phone: 212-398-3133
Email: [email protected]
Website: ripleysnewyork.com
Gulliver’s Gate
Leave the Land of Large and enter an amazing new experience, located at the crossroads of the world, Times Square. A full city block wide, Gulliver’s Gate is a technologically advanced, interactive and immersive world of miniatures that will ignite your imagination and challenge your perspective.
Admission: Ages 6-12 and 65 and over: $27 at the box office or $22 online. Ages 13 to 64: $36 at the box office or $31 online.
Hours: October-May: Seven days a week: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Contact [email protected] for groups of 15 or more.
Address: 216 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 (between 7th Ave & 8th Ave)
The Roosevelt Island Tramway
The tramway was opened in 1976 as a means to shuttle residents to and from Manhattan. The tram holds 125 persons and is the only commuter cable car in North America. It travels a distance of 3,100 feet at an average speed of 16 mph in 4 ½ minutes, at a maximum height of 250 feet. Only MTA cards are accepted Open 6AM – 2 AM
Address: 591 Main St. Roosevelt Island, NY 10044; Manhattan Terminal at E 60th St. and 2nd Ave.
Phone: 212 832 4543
Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises
Comprehensive three-hour tour that loops completely around Manhattan accompanied by lively narration. There is also a two-hour Semi-Circle Cruise. For something completely different, which kids love, try the Beast, a 30-minute speedboat ride.
Address: Pier 83, W 42nd St. at 12th Avenue
Phone: 212-563-3200
Statue of Liberty
Ferry available from Battery Park.
Hours: 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Phone: 212-363-3200
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Many interesting exhibits check online to see the schedule.
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. daily except Shabbat and holidays
Address: 36 Battery Park Pl.
Phone: 646-437-4200
Central Park
Lots of fun for the entire family—try the zoo!
Address: 59th St. to 110th St.
Phone: 212-360-3456
Bryant Park
New bathrooms have made the news. Fresh flowers and attendants enhance the look.Check their calendar for various free concerts etc.
Address: Behind the NY Public Library between 40th and 42nd Streets & 5th and 6th Ave.
Phone: 212-768-4242
Battery Park
Free activities for kids. Check online.
Address: Battery St. to South St.
Phone: 212-360-3456
Grand Central Terminal
Built as a magnificent example of art. Sixty integrated railroad tracks act as a transport hub for over 500,000 people daily. Tours of the terminal are available. Beautifully lit at holiday time.
Address: 87 E 42nd St. at Park Ave.
Phone: 212-935-3960
Empire State Building
One of the world’s most famous skyscrapers. Observation decks are on the 86th and 102nd floors. On a clear day visibility should be 80 miles.
Address: 350 5th Ave. at 34th St.
Phone: 212-736-3100. Call for prices.
Hours: 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily rain or shine
New York Water Taxi
Buy an all-day pass and spend the day on the water with stops wherever you choose.
Phone: 212-742-1969
Staten Island Ferry
Admission: Still Free!
Runs every 30 minutes between 7 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Address: Whitehall Ferry Terminal in Lower Manhattan
Phone: 718-815-BOAT
Legoland Discovery Center Westchester
Take your family to the “indoor LEGO playground” with two rides, several themed LEGO building areas and a 4D theater. See giant LEGO models, get a “factory tour” and learn from the best builders around in the Master Building Academy.
Admissions: $16. 95. Check online. Prices vary.
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Address: 39 Fitzgerald Street, Yonkers, NY 10710
Phone: 866-243-0770
Website: https://westchester.legolanddiscoverycenter.com
Jewish Children’s Museum
Programs for all children in an educational and entertaining format.
Address: 792 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
2 years and up $13.00 Seniors $10.00 Be sure to call for availability Open 10AM each day.
Phone: 718-467-0600
Connecticut
IT Adventure Indoor Ropes Course
Visit the largest indoor ropes course in the world! Climb the 60’-high ropes course, jump off the 50’ free fall, and go down a 200’ zip line. A separate Climb It attraction provides four additional climbing walls, each with its own challenge. Includes Little It for children under 48’’—a replica of the full size course. Also featuring a Liquid Fireworks show! Adventure for the whole family.
Admission: $25-30, additional $10 for Climb It, $8 for Little It
Hours: Sun 11 a.m.- 7 p.m., Mon-Thurs 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Address: 40 Sargent Dr. Long Wharf, New Haven, CT 06511
Phone: 203-812-9981
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jordans.com/attractions/it
Maritime Aquarium
Visit the Maritime Aquarium to observe hundreds of sea creatures and learn about the ocean. Wander through the homes of octopuses, jellyfish, sharks, and more along with some land dwellers, such as meerkats and poison dart frogs. Watch an IMAX movie in the largest theater in Connecticut! Admission includes the full aquarium and an IMAX movie. Activity sheets and a scavenger hunt can be found on the website for kids to enjoy.
Admission: $24.95 Children under 3 free.Children 3 – 12 17.95 Seniors 22.95
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT 06854
Phone: 203-852-0700
Website: maritimeaquarium.org
Pennsylvania
Independence National Historical Park (INHP)
Known as “America’s Most Historic Square Mile,” INHP is home to several attractions that are key in the history of America. View the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall (where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed), the President’s House outdoor museum, the National Constitution Center and much more. If you are interested in history or are a proud American, INHP can’t be missed.
Admission: Varies by attraction, several (including Liberty Bell and Independence Hall) are free
Hours: Varies by attraction
Address: 6th and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Website: Check each site individually (visitphilly.com is a good place to start)
Longwood Gardens
Visit nearly 1,000 acres of beautiful gardens. Located mostly outdoors, there are also several indoor components, including a four-acre Conservatory and the Pierre du Pont House. Tour the gardens with a guide, or just walk through at your own pace, appreciating the nature. Highlights include the Rose Garden, Waterlily Display, and Chimes Tower and Waterfall.
Admissions: $12-23. Children under 4 free.
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Call to check hours.
Address: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Phone: 610-388-1000
Email: [email protected]
Website: longwoodgardens.org
Mütter Museum
Known for being equally disturbing and informative, the Mütter Museum focuses on medical history and the human body. View Albert Einstein’s brain, the Hyrtl Skull Collection of 139 human skulls, Lisa Nilsson’s Connective Tissue paper art and an exhibit tracing the history of spinal medicine. The museum aims to give visitors an appreciation for the human body and medical treatments, while also seeing the beauty beneath.
Admission: $13-18. Children under 5 free,
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Address: 19 S 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: 215-560-8564
Email: [email protected]
Website: muttermuseum.org
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Observe art from across the world in one of the country’s largest art museums. Over 240,000 pieces are included in the museum’s collection, with works that were hundreds of years and miles apart all brought together in one location. Highlights include the Sculpture Garden, Marcel Duchamp’s controversial “Fountain” and works by renowned artists such as Picasso and Monet.
Admissions: $14-20. Children 5 – 12 12,99, first Sunday of the month pay-what-you-wish.
Hours: Tues-Sun 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. (closed Mon) Wednesday open until 8:45PM
Address: 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-763-8100
Website: philamuseum.org
