Strawberry Picking and Hacklebarney State Park

When we went to pick strawberries for the very first time in our lives I randomly picked a farm from NJ list of farms. Just pointed a finger to a place on a page. It turned out to be Donaldson Farms in Hackettstown, NJ, http://www.donaldsonfarms.net/.

Luckily for us, the place was amazingly beautiful, with rows and rows of strawberries. The store inside was nice also. There were a few goats in the shed and a 'pump it yourself' underground well. My kids ran ahead when they saw the animals, and by the time my hubby and I walked slowly over to them, the little one was having a deep and meaningful conversation with one of the goats. :) The strawberries were delicious as well.

After the farm we went to find a good place to sit down and have a picnic. We drove around for a bit, enjoyed some of the sights in the area. Wound up landing in Hacklebarney State Park, http://www.stateparks.com/hacklebarney.html. After the picnic we decided to take a little hike. In Hacklebarney there are a few decent sized rivers creating multiple waterfalls on their way down. My kids really loved skipping across the waterfalls on the giant boulders. Luckily we came home with all our faces intact.

The delicious strawberries we picked:

Hacklebarney State Park:

Spruce Run and Round Valley, NJ

We love camping! My husband and I used to go with friends before we were married. Then, after we were married, it was with our nephews when they were young, then with our nephews and their friends. After that it was our nephews, their friends and our kids.  Now for quite a few years it is just us and our two kids, even though friends and nephews make a brief entrance once in a while, it is mostly just us.  However, no matter who we go with, it's always relaxing and fun.

 Usually, when I say "camping", people think "no showers, pooping in the brush, and eating wild caught, possibly raw fish".  It is not what I mean by camping.  Over the years we have tried several places in NJ. Found out that we love Spruce Run. It is clean, family friendly, has a playground, beach with a beautiful lake, rangers that help you in time of need (like when you're being chased by a rabid gopher), decent bathrooms, and a good crowd of familes with kids. Our kids usually make a few friends and hang out with them either on the playground, or running back and forth.  One year we brought bikes with us, and they really enjoyed riding around the park.  Especially the older one, who was able to go off on his own. On the same lake you can rent a boat (they have several different kinds) and enjoy a nice boat ride, or go fishing.  It is a wonderful place to take the kids for a few days and get away from all the electronic devices, and just enjoy the nature. 

We have looked in to other places. Most of them are farther away, and more expensive. Most of the time we decide not to bother, and stick to the place we know and love. Can't be blamed for it, because this is what it looks like:

 

 

 



It is not an expensive place to go camping, but you do need to make reservations ahead of time.  If you are just starting out camping, this is a great place to start.  You do need to read their rules and follow them. 

Here is the website for their information: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/spruce.html

This past year we decided on not going overnight, but that doesn't stop us from coming to the beach and enjoying a swim.  Keep in mind that there is a small fee per car to go into the park.  Look at their website for more information!

Near Spruce Run there is another great state park: Round Valley.  Similar to Spruce Run it has a lake, playgrounds, food stand, bathrooms and showers.  There is also hiking trails, and camping.  As I understand, camping in Round Valley is for a more adventurous spirit.  They also have an information page right here: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/round.html
We never made it camping there, but it is a fun place to come and splash in the lake, build a few sandcasltes, enjoy a churro and a hike.

The place has been labeled the Bermuda Triangle of NJ, read more here: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/njs_bermuda_triangle_mystery_s.html .

 

Both places are very easy to get to from Rt. 22 or Rt. 78!

 

Howell Living History Farm

Howell Living History Farm is always a wonderful place to visit.

Here is their website with information: http://www.howellfarm.org/

We try to make it there annually and every time we come to a new surprise, with new experiences waiting for us. 

Last time we came on a weekday and the farm was pretty empty of visitors. I was there with a good friend, and we had six kids all together. With some very friendly volunteers our kids got to pick carrots from the ground, feed them to the cow, pet a really friendly cat, run with fun chickens, pump some water for the horse, and much more. We also met a whole bunch of interesting insects. On the way out we got a surprise: they found a turtle!! While driving home we also saw a dead deer being eaten by vultures. While it sounds icky, it was actually a really cool thing to see.

A great thing about Howell Living History Farm is that general visit is free, though we do make up for it in their gift shop.  Also they have a lot of different programs to sign up for on the weekends.  It is a great family destination.

 

 

Ringing Rocks State Park, PA

Ringing Rocks State Park in PA is definately an interesting place to visit. The reason it is called Ringing Rocks is if you hit a rock with a hammer or another rock it makes a ringing sound, almost like a bell, but to me it sounded more like pots and pans being hit with a spoon (something my kids loved to do as toddlers).  My boys were laughing that this could be a place of a true "Rock" concert.  The field of rocks is quite large, and fun to climb on. There are quite a few theories for how and why this field formed, and where the rocks came from. 

This is a great website for the information: http://www.davidhanauer.com/buckscounty/ringingrocks/  Towards the end it also mentions the first ever "Rock" concert with the rocks from this park.

The enitre experience was really weird and fun.  It was an interesting (and a bit creepy) experience for all. Hopping across giant boulders while hitting them with hammers is fun anytime.
Here is some more info about the place:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/ringing-rocks-park-upper-black-eddy
http://rockpiles.blogspot.com/2007/05/ringing-rocks-upper-black-eddy.html
After we hopped on rocks we took a nice hike down to the waterfalls, which happen to be the largest waterfalls in Bucks County.

If you decide to head down there, definately don't forget the hammers, and comfy shoes to climb the rocks in.

Also, right across Delaware is French town with many places to shop and eat. We especially like this place: http://twobuttons.com/ It is a large store with friendly owners and many interesting things.  It is right off Rt. 29 going South from French Town.  There is a restaurant/bakery in the same parking lot with good food. It is called Lovin' Oven: http://www.lovinovenfrenchtown.com/

And another picture of the waterfalls, apparently we were there when it was really dry:

Bowcraft

Bowcraft is a fun little amusement park in Union County, NJ. It is right on Rt. 22 in Scotch Plains.  We have gone there many times.  They have several ways you can pay for rides. You can either purchase a full day pass, or you can buy individual tickets and use them for the rides. If you have one kid and are just making it a quick stop for a few rides, individual tickets is the way to go.  However, if you'd like to spend some time there, they have several deals that you can take advantage of.  For example, they have a night pass, where after 5 pm the pass is $12.95.  That's the one we like.  From 5 until closing gives you plenty of time to try out all the rides, and it won't be as hot as during the day (the park gets little shade and becomes hot quickly). 

I always thought the rides were more geared towards the younger crowd.  My youngest and his friends love it.  My older one, almost 12, and other 12-13 year old friends and family we've brought there seem to be less enthusiastic about the rides.  Maybe they feel they are too cool for it, but deep in their heart still have a blast. ;) There are a few rides the older guys do like, but only a few.  For the younger ones, however, it's a blast!
Here is their website with directions, hours and pricing.
http://bowcraft.com/

There is also an indoor arcade the older kids like more!

We spend a lot of time on bumper cars!

NJ State Theater in New Brunswick, NJ

Every so once in a while we go to NJ State Theater to see a few on schooltime performances.  We homeschool, so it is easy enough for us to purchase the tickets for schooltime performances anytime there is something good playing.  It is most certainly worth the effort.
Last year we saw Blast!, "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble", "MOMIX remix" and the Shanghai Acrobats. 

With Blast! my youngest was only able to sit through the first half. We read "Sylvester" so much, that it was very interesting to see it come to life.  The Shanghai Acrobats was an amazing show. Both kids loved it. They sat with their mouths gaping open. We also had great seats, right in the second row in the front. MOMIX Remix was a really nice show. Well done. You can tell that the dancers put their heart in it. The kids enjoyed it thoroughly.
After one of shows we went to this place: http://www.stuffyerface.com/ It was something we have wanted to try ever since watching the Man vs. Food show with the kids. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6otbUX6Or4 It was yummy.

New Brunswick has a lot to do, so be sure to check out other attractions and making a day out of it. 

Here is the website for the NJ State Theater to see their upcoming performances:  http://www.statetheatrenj.org/

American Museum of Natural History

We made it out to the city to go and see the Museum of Natural History. The older guy loves archeology stuff right now, and the little one is into anything space related. They had a good time there.  Our library offers passes to this museum and many other ones as well.

 

 

The enjoyed the museum, it is always fun, no matter how often we come there.  They also enjoyed feeding the obnoxious city pigeons, and eating the icky hot dog from the hot dog stand. And then the drive through Chinatown. And french fries here:
http://www.pommesfrites.ws/  The french fries were GOOD!

Here is the website for the museum with hours and directions: http://www.amnh.org/