Whether it’s a long weekend or just a Saturday with no plans, we have got you covered. Read on for some fun out of the City options for a splendid weekend.
Alpaca Farms:
Who doesn’t want to get up close and personal with an alpaca? There is no shortage of amazing farms to visit, so here is a roundup of some of our favs in NY and NJ.
New York:
Lilymoore Farm:
Located in Pleasant Valley, this Hudson River Valley farm has amazing photo-ops and an animal sanctuary onsite. You can even book a private or group alpaca trek, which will allow you to walk with your own alpaca around the farm and woods. Tickets (varied pricing) are available for purchase on the farm’s website here.
How to get there: just over a 2 hour drive from NYC.
Stagecoach Trails:
This farm located in Middletown offers private farm tours on weekends and holidays from 11 am until 2 pm. The tours cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids. This woman owned farm is not to be missed! Just over 2 hour drive from NYC.
Buck Brook Alpacas:
Located in Roscoe and set atop one of the highest peaks of the Catskills this 40-acre family run farm has an abundance of cute alpacas for you to visit with. Bonus, they are raised alongside bunnies, chickens, cats, and other cute creatures. Public and private tours are available year round. They offer a 45 minute guided tour that includes walking an alpaca. You can make it a full on weekend trip by staying at their year round AirBnB. Book here for tickets.
New Jersey:
Bluebird Farm:
Located in Peapack, NJ this 11 acre farm ensures a personal experience as the farm is only open on weekends and by appointment only which can be scheduled online here. A farm tour costs $12 per person. Get ready for a multi-sensory experience and a chance to perhaps adopt an alpaca through their two-tiered adoption program.
This 11-acre alpaca farm, nestled in the rolling hills of Somerset County, can be visited on weekends by appointment, which can be scheduled online. If you book a tour, expect to have plenty of fun as a staff member guides you through the Alpaca pens and fields. Families can enjoy a full sensory experience, explains farm coordinator Nick Villa.
How to get there: Take NJ Transit to Galdstone, then hop in an uber. Or drive and be there in just over an hour.
Arrow Acres Farm:
Located in Wall, NJ this farm is a family affair. The Sherman family welcomes visitors starting in September. Be sure to check their website for upcoming family events or email or call to schedule your visit. In addition to meeting the friendly alpacas, don’t miss their amazing farm store which is stocked full of blankets, sweaters, and much much more.
How to get there: Located minutes from the sandy shores of Belmar you can hop on NJ Transit or it is just over an hour from NYC via car.
American Dream Mall:
This giant retail and entertainment complex located in the Meadowlands will please everyone in the family. There is so much to do, so plan a whole day for this outing.
Read on below as we break it all down on the must stop attractions:
Nickelodeon Universe which is the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere. It boasts 30 rides and attractions for all ages. Family-friendly roller coasters like the Slime Streak and for the thrill seeker–the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shellraiser (the current record holder for the steepest coaster) can be found here. There is also a ropes course, live games shows, bumper cars, and mascots.
DreamWorks Water Park has over 40 slides and attractions as well as Jonathan Adler designed cabanas. The lazy river is a fun way to pass time or if you are a thrill seeker ber sure to go the body slide which is 14 stories high!
Want to ski? Head to BIG SNOW which is open 365 days a year. Here you will find a 16-story slope complete with a gondola. Private lessons are offered. Not into skiing, but want to pretend–the apres ski scene is awesome. Gourmet hot chocolate and churros are some of the offerings.
If wanting do something a little more subdued there is Blacklight Mini Golf and Angry Birds Mini Golf), a mind-bending Mirror Maze optical illusion and the world’s first tri-level candy department store It’s Sugar. You can also spend time at SEA LIFE® Aquarium and LEGOLAND® Discovery Center, or be sure to check out TiLT Museum – which is a 3D interactive art experience that lets you step into a life-size mural.
Of course there is shopping too! This is a mall that has it all. Stores like Zara, H&M, and the luxury wing called “The Avenue” can be found here.
And before you leave be sure to ride on the 300 foot high Observation Wheel.
Know Before You Go: for tickets to the attractions, refer to their section on the website. Visit the mall via a short drive from NYC or check NJ Transit’s trip planner.
For a bit more a staycation why not consider heading out to JFK and staying at the amazingly retro TWA Hotel. While you could just pop over for the day it is more fun to stay the night! Here are some of the awesome things you can do while there:
Pool! You can get a day pass to use at their rooftop HEATED pool! Have you ever swam near a 747 taking off? Well, now this is your chance. Reservations are required, so book here. If not staying at the pool tickets cost $50 per adult and $20 for children aged 5-12. Free for those under 5!
Don’t want to swim? How about taking a spin on their roller rink? The Roll-A-Rama is open weekends. Please note capacity is limited and is on a first come first serve basis.
On weekends up until November you can partake in Camp TWA–an all ages game experience. Here you can hit the astroturf outside near their 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane turned cocktail lounge and play old fashioned games like Connect Four.
Before you leave head to the Museum exhibit on the history of TWA, the Jet Age, and the mid-century modern design movement.
How to get here: take the subway to JFK.
