Spring is in full swing here in Monmouth County, and we have a fresh list of 15 Local Things to Do in time for the new season! Check out the full list for things to do with the family, with friends, and moms too! Enjoy!
1. Visit Historic Walnford
Historic Walnford offers over 150 years of history through multiple generations of the Waln Family in Upper Freehold. Buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries – including the grand 1774 home, carriage house with vehicles, operating 19th century gristmill, and many original artifacts – provide a variety of program opportunities that focus on domestic life, industrial heritage, and historical and current environmental challenges. Programs have multi disciplinary options and can often meet the needs of home schoolers, scouts and adult groups, as well as classroom field trips.
Set up a guided tour and hands-on experiences at Historic Walnford this Spring. Check out more with the link below.
Historic Walnford
2. 5 Must-Try Donut Shops in Monmouth County!
There’s no doubt that that these five shops have some of the tastiest donuts in the county! Throw this on your bucket list, and have fun with the whole family (even your teens will be into this!) Go grab a dozen, and enjoy!
3. Visit The Historic Village at Allaire
The Historic Village at Allaire has tons to offer families in Monmouth County. Located in Farmingdale, NJ, Allaire was once an iron-producing, factory-town known as the Howell Iron Works, Co. The Village was a self-sufficient community containing a carpentry and pattern making shop, a blacksmith shop, a bakery, a boarding house, a blast furnace, mills to finish iron products, a school, a church, a general store with a post office, and workers’ home. Today the Historic Village at Allaire is an interactive museum where visitors can experience history directly through hands-on activities. Visit any weekend to take it all in, or schedule to come to one of their upcoming events:
-April Flea Market: April 10th
-Allaire Music Jamboree: April 24th
-Spring Craft Show: May 1st
-May Flea Market: May 8th
Photo cred: Nicole Todd, Sea Salt + Honey
allairevillage.org
4. Rock Hunting at Deep Cut Gardens – Middletown, NJ
Take the kids to Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown and explore the grounds for hidden painted rocks. Once you find one, take a picture and post it on the Facebook page dedicated to Deep Cut Rocks (found here), and then hide it somewhere else for others to find!
5. Just Play!
Located in Oakhurst, NJ, Just Play! is a facility for children under 6 years old featuring an indoor playground space filled with carefully chosen toys, play environments and furnishings, designed to engage a child’s imagination. Open Playtime is on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The rest of the week and weekend they offer private play times along with birthday parties!
justplaynj.com
6. Seashell Hunting
One of my favorite things to do with the kids when the weather gets warmer is go for a walk on the beach and collect seashells. When we come home, we’ll paint them and make fun crafts. Check out some of our favorite local beaches below!
Local Beaches
7. Explore Pier Village
Pier Village is a fun way to spend the afternoon with the weather warming up, and we get closer to beach season! It’s home to plenty of great restaurants like McCloone’s Pier House, Sirena Ristorante, Stewart’s Root Beer, Turning Point, Playa Bowls, Wine Loft, and lots more! Take the kids on the carousel, do some shopping, and grab dessert at Coney Waffle or Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. And make sure to check out their annual kite festival:
Annual Kites at the Pier – April 17-18th
piervillage.com
8. Take a Yoga Class
Yoga is a great way to relax and stay fit, and we have plenty of studios and classes to choose from in the area. Here are a few to consider:
- Yoga at Beyond Organic Growers (outdoors on Saturday at 9:30 and Sunday at 10:30)
- Tula Yoga – Aberdeen
- Trinity Wellness Emporium – Union Beach
- Evenflow Yoga – Fair Haven
- Align Yoga & Strength
9. Burger Bucket List
Try some of Monmouth County’s favorite spots to grab a burger! We love:
- Barnacle Bill’s – Rumson
- The Committed Pig – Manasquan (re-opening Spring 2021)
- Jersey Freeze – Freehold
- Pour House – Tinton Falls
- Sonny’s Grille – Belmar
- The Cabin – Freehold
- Huddy’s Inn – Colts Neck
- New Monmouth Diner – Middletown
- Max Devros – Mansquan
10. Silverball Retro Arcade
The Silverball Museum Arcade, located in Asbury Park NJ is a living, breathing and blinking tribute to our pinball and video gaming past. Take the kids and relive some of your childhood favorites!
silverballmuseum.com
11. Go to a Playground and Park!
There’s no better day spent then heading to the park and having a picnic with the fam! Check out a full list of local parks in our link below, or head to monmouthcountyparks.com for some ideas!
Local Parks
12. Earth Day Outdoor Walks & Activities
Monmouth County Park System has coordinated several walks and activities taking place on Earth Day, April 24th! A full list is linked below. Can’t make it that day? These locations are still great to visit throughout the spring!
monmouthcountyparks.com
13. Go for a Bike Ride
The Henry Hudson Trail or Sandy Hook are perfect for a long bike ride! We got our bikes from the Trek store in Middletown. If that’s too far for you, check out Brielle Cyclery or Asbury Park Cyclery!
14. Craft Classes
Sign up through Monmouth County Park System to take a craft class at Thompson or Dorbrook Park. Classes are available for adults and kids! You can take a look at what’s available with the link below!
monmouthcountyparks.com
15. Visit a Local Winery
Have a babysitter for the evening? Visit or pick-up some local wine and do a tasting at a local winery! We’ve listed some below!
Fox Hollow Vineyards – Holmdel
Cream Ridge Winery – Cream Ridge
Tomasello Winery – Tasting Room at Wemrock Orchards