New Jerey Science and Environmental Centers

The attractions on this page are grouped by geographical area, arranged from north to south. Please click the map or a link to choose the area in which you are interested. Where possible, an attraction is linked to its home page.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the listings on this page. However, conditions do change and it is always advisable to check with the attraction you are planning to visit.

All attractions listed on this page are for information only. No endorsement is given or implied, except where expressly stated.

Northeast

Skylands

Midlands

Northern Shore

Southern Shore

Lower Delaware Valley

Tidewater

Northeast

Liberty Science Center, Jersey City

222 Jersey City Blvd.
Jersey City, 07305
(201)200-1000

Open Monday thru Friday, 9AM-5PM; Saturday, Sunday, 9AM-6PM
Admission varies; top combination ticket (exhibits, IMAX film, laser 3D show), Adults $24.50, Seniors, Children 2-12 $18.50; Liberty State Park parking fee $5

Extensive science museum offers interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and IMAX theater. In Liberty State Park.

From Turnpike: Exit 14, take Newark Bay Extension (Bayonne/Jersey City) 6 miles to toll plaza; stay to right through plaza, take Liberty State Park/Park Ride exit; at end of ramp, turn right on Jersey City Blvd., then take first left into parking lot.

Meadowlands Environment Center, Lyndhurst

2 DeKorte Park Plaza
Lyndhurst, 07071
(201)460-8300

Open Monday thru Friday, 9AM-5PM, Saturday, Sunday, 10AM-3PM

Interpretive center explains the complex ecology of the Hackensack Meadowlands. Trails allow viewing of the area.

From Turnpike: Exit 16W, west 1 mile on NJ 3, exit to NJ 17 South; turn left at first traffic light onto Polito Ave., continue to end; turn left and go 1 1/2 miles on Valley Brook Ave., cross railroad tracks, MEC is on the left.

From Parkway: Northbound, Exit 153A, Southbound, Exit 153, east 4 1/2 miles on NJ 3, take second NJ 17 South exit; at traffic light, continue straight on Polito Ave., then follow Turnpike directions.

The James Rose Center, Ridgewood

506 E. Ridgewood Ave.
Ridgewood, 07450
(201)446-6017

Center open Daily, May 15-Sept. 1
Self-guided tours Monday thru Friday, 10AM-4PM; lecture/tours available May-Sept., 1st and 3rd Saturdays, 10AM and 1PM
Admission $8

Center located in the home of the late landscape designer James Rose is dedicated to the promotion of sound environmental design; self-guided tours of the center are offered.

From Parkway:
Northbound, Exit 163, merge onto NJ 17 North and continue 2 miles, exit to Ridgewood Ave./Ridgewood; continue on Ridgewood Ave. 2 miles to center at Southern Pkwy.
Southbound, Exit 165, follow signs for Ridgewood, continue 3 miles on Ridgewood Ave. to center at Southern Pkwy.

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Edwin E. Aldrin Astronomical Center, High Bridge

Box 214, Voorhees State Park
High Bridge, 08829
(908)638-8500

Open Memorial Day thru October 31, Saturday, 8:30-10:30PM, Sunday, 2-5PM; Nov. and Feb., fourth Saturday, 8:30-10:30PM; closed December and January

New Jersey Astronomical Association maintains Paul H. Robinson Observatory and offers night-sky viewing and lectures on astronomical matters.

From I-78: Eastbound, Exit 16, Westbound, Exit 17, merge onto NJ 31 North and continue 2 miles to second traffic light; turn right on Co. 513 and continue through High Bridge 4 miles to Voorhees State Park entrance with NJAA sign; turn left and go 1/2 mile to observatory.

County College of Morris Planetarium, Randolph

214 Center Grove Rd.
Randolph, 07869
(973)328-5076

Check website for schedule of shows
Admission Adults $5, Seniors $4, Children under 13 $3

Planetarium on campus of County College of Morris offers public showings.

From I-80:
Eastbound, Exit 28, merge onto US 46 East and continue 1 mile; at Ledgewood traffic light, continue straight on NJ 10 East 5 miles; turn right on Center Grove Rd. and continue 1/2 mile to campus; enter on College Ave. and proceed to Parking Lot 7.
Westbound, Exit 43, take ramp to Exit 43A (Morristown), merge onto I-287 South and continue 2 1/2 miles to Exit 39B; merge onto NJ 10 West and continue 8 miles; turn left on Center Grove Rd. and continue 1/2 mile to campus; enter on College Ave. and proceed to Parking Lot 7.

From I-287: Northbound, Exit 39, Southbound, Exit 39B, merge onto NJ 10 West (Dover) and continue 8 miles; turn left on Center Grove Rd and continue 1/2 mile to campus; enter on College Ave. and proceed to Parking Lot 7.

Lakota Wolf Preserve, Columbia

89 Mt. Pleasant Rd.
Columbia, 07832
(877)SEE-WOLF

Wolf Watch, Daylight Savings Time, Daily, 10:30AM and 4PM, Standard Time, Daily, 10:30AM and 3PM. Reservations necessary Monday thru Friday.
Admission Adults $15, Children under 12 $7. Fee includes picnicking, swimming, hiking facilities at adjacent Camp Taylor.

Wolf preserve in rural setting allows observation of four wolf packs as well as bobcats and foxes.

From I-80:
Eastbound, Exit 4C, Westbound, Exit 4, merge onto NJ 94 East and go 2 miles to Hainesburg; turn left and go 1 1/2 miles on Mt. Pleasant Rd. to Camp Taylor.

United Astronomy Clubs of New Jersey Observatory, Hope

Box 150, Far View Rd.
Hope, 07844
(908)459-4366

Open April thru October, Saturday, 8-10PM, weather permitting; see website for details of shows

UACNJ offers sky observation programs to the public at observatory located on Jenny Jump Mountain.

From I-80: Exit 12, Eastbound, turn right, Westbound , turn left, continue south 1 mile on Co. 521 to Hope; at traffic light, turn left on Co. 519, then take first right on Great Meadows Rd. (Co. 611); continue on Great Meadows Rd. 2 1/2 miles, then turn left and go 1 mile on Far View Rd.

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The Planetarium at RVCC, North Branch

Box 3330
Somerville, NJ, 08876
(908)231-8805

Admission Star Show $6; Laser Concert $6; Star Show and one Laser Concert $10; public shows on Saturdays through end of school year

Planetarium on campus of Raritan Valley Community College offers Star Shows and Laser Concerts; reservations recommended.

From I-287:
Northbound, Exit 14B, merge onto US 22 West and continue 6 1/2 miles to fifth light; turn right on Orr Rd. to Raritan Valley campus.
Southbound, Exit 21B, merge onto I-78 West and go 3 miles to Exit 26, then follow I-78 Westbound directions below.

From I-78: Exit 26, Eastbound, turn right, Westbound, turn left, continue 2 miles on Rattlesnake Bridge Rd. (becomes Lamington Rd.) to Raritan Valley campus on left.

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Huber Woods Environmental Center, Middletown

25 Brown's Dock Rd.
Locust, 07760
(732)872-2670

Open Monday thru Friday, 10AM-4PM; Saturday, Sunday, 10AM-5PM

Former Huber family home serves as an environmental center in Huber Woods Park, where various nature programs are presented.

From Parkway, Exit 109, Northbound, continue to light at end of ramp, Southbound, turn left on Newman Springs Rd. (Co. 520 East), cross under Parkway, then exit to jughandle to Half Mile Rd. and continue to light; Both, cross Newman Springs Rd. and continue 1/2 mile on Half Mile Rd. to end; turn right on W. Front St. and go 3/4 mile to first light; turn left on Hubbard Ave. and go 1/2 mile to first light; turn right on Navesink River Rd. and go 3 miles; turn left on Brown's Dock Rd. to park.

InfoAge Science/History Learning Center, Wall

2201 Marconi Rd.
Wall, 07719
(732)280-3000

Open Sunday, 1-4PM

Museum on the site of the former Camp Evans is being developed to highlight the base's contributions to communications technology and development.National Broadcasting Hall of Fame and NJARC Museum are now open. Tours of Marconi Hotel are available. Further expansion of facilities and visiting hours are planned.

From Parkway:
Northbound, Exit 98, from ramp follow signs to NJ 138 East; merge onto NJ 138 and continue 1 mile, exit to NJ 18 North/Eatontown; continue north on NJ 18 2 miles to Exit 7; from ramp, cross Brighton Ave. and continue 1/2 mile to center.
Southbound,Exit 100, merge onto NJ 33 East and continue 2 1/4 miles, exit to NJ 18 South/Evans Area/Point Pleasant; merge onto NJ 18 and continue 1 1/2 miles to Exit 7A; merge onto Brighton Ave. and continue 1/2 mile; turn right on Marconi Rd. and continue 1/2 mile to center.

From I-195: Eastbound, at end, continue straight on NJ 138 East, then follow Parkway Northbound directions above.

Manasquan River Environmental Center, Howell

Georgia Tavern Rd.
Howell, 07731
(732)751-9453

Open daily, 10AM-5PM, Friday, 10AM-8:30PM

Center provides insight into wetlands ecology through exhibits and presentations. Wildlife observation area.

From I-195: Exit 28B, merge onto US 9 North and continue to first light; turn right on Georgia Tavern Rd. and go 1 mile to center.

New Jersey Forest Resource Education Center, Jackson

370 E. Veterans Hwy.
Jackson, 08527
(732)928-2360

Trails open daily, dawn to dusk; Interpretive Center open Monday thru Friday, 8AM-4:30PM

Organized programs at the Interpretive Center and natural area preservation offer lessons in forest management in New Jersey.

From I-195:
Eastbound, Exit 21, turn right on Cedar Swamp Rd. (Co. 527 South) and continue 2 3/4 miles to second light; cross W. Veterans Hwy./Bennetts Mills Rd. and continue on E. Veterans Hwy. (Co. 527 South/Co. 528 East) 1 3/4 miles to center on right.
Westbound, Exit 22, turn left and continue 2 1/4 miles on Jackson Mills Rd. to end; turn left on Cedar Swamp Rd. (Co. 527 South) and go 1 3/4 miles to first light; cross W. Veterans Hwy./Bennetts Mills Rd. and continue on E. Veterans Hwy. (Co. 527 South/Co. 528 East) 1 3/4 miles to center on right.

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Cooper Environmental Center, Toms River

1170 Cattus Island Blvd.
Toms River, 08753
(732)270-6960

Natural area with three miles of frontage on Barnegat Bay, nature trails, picnicking, playground, boat tours (summer)

From Parkway: Exit 82, merge onto NJ 37 and continue 4 miles to ninth light, exit to Fischer Blvd.; turn left onto Fischer Blvd. (Co. 571), cross NJ 37 and continue 2 miles to third light; turn right on Cattus Island Blvd., then take first left onto Cattus Island Rd. and proceed to park headquarters.

Warren E. Fox Nature Center, Estell Manor

Estell Manor Park
109 Boulevard, NJ 50
Mays Landing, 08330
(609)625-1897

Open Monday thru Friday, 8AM-4:30PM; Saturday, Sunday, 8AM-4PM
Admission Free

Atlantic County environmental education center has live animals, botanical exhibitions and historical artifacts from Estellville Glassworks and Bethlehem Loading Co.

From Atlantic City Expwy:
Eastbound, Exit 17, turn right on NJ 50 South and continue 6 miles into Mays Landing; after split with US 40, continue south on NJ 50 to park entrance.
Westbound, Exit 12, follow signs to US 40 West; continue 5 miles on US 40 to Mays Landing; cross Lake Lenape, then turn left on NJ 50 (Mill St.) and continue to park entrance.

From Parkway:
Northbound, Exit 20, cross US 9 and continue north 15 miles on NJ 50 to center.
Southbound, Exit 38A, merge onto Atlantic City Expressway West and continue 5 miles on to Exit 12, then follow Expressway westbound directions.

Nature Center of Cape May, Cape May

1600 Delaware Ave.
Cape May, 08204
(609)898-8848

Open Sept.-May, Tuesday thru Saturday, 10AM-3PM; June-Aug., Daily, 9AM-4PM

Audubon Society center provides exhibits and natural history programs concerning the diverse environment of the Cape May area

From Parkway: At southern end of Parkway, continue south 1/2 mile on NJ 109; cross Cape May Canal and continue 3/4 mile on Lafayette St. (Co. 633); after crossing second bridge, take first allowable left onto Sidney Ave. and go one block to end; turn left on Washington St. and get into right lane; take first right onto Texas Ave. (Co. 622), follow road around bend onto Pittsburgh Ave. and continue 1/4 mile; turn left on Delaware Ave. and continue 1/4 mile to center.

Robert J. Novins Planetarium, Toms River

College Dr., Box 2001
Toms River, 08754
(732)255-0343

The planetarium is closed for the remainder of 2008 for remodeling.

Planetarium on campus of Ocean County College offers sky shows and Friday evening outdoor observing sessions.

From Parkway:
Northbound, Exit 82, merge onto NJ 37 East and continue 1 mile to second light; go through light and take jughandle to Hooper Ave. northbound (Co. 549 North); turn right on Hooper Ave., cross NJ 37 and continue 3 miles on Hooper Ave.; exit to Ocean County College and proceed to parking lot 2.
Southbound, Exit 88, turn left on NJ 70 East (Brick) and continue 1/2 mile to first light; turn right on Shorrock St. and continue 1 1/2 miles to fifth light; continue through light as road bends to the left and continue 3/4 mile on Beaverson Blvd. through two lights; just before end, take jughandle to turn right onto Brick Blvd. (Co. 549 South) and go 3/4 mile to second light; turn right on Church Rd. and continue 3/4 mile, exit to Ocean County College and proceed to parking lot 2.

Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor

1075 Stone Harbor Blvd.
Stone Harbor, 08247
(609)368-1211

Open May 15-Oct. 15, Monday thru Saturday, 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sunday, 10AM-4PM; mid-June-Labor Day, also Tuesday thru Thursday, 9:30AM-8PM; Oct. 16-May 14, Tuesday thru Saturday, 9:30AM-4:30PM; closed Dec. 25-Jan. 1
Admission Adults $7, Children 2-11 $5

Environmental center located in Cape May County tidewater area, featuring nature trails, wildlife observation area, aquarium

From Parkway: Exit 10, at traffic light, Northbound, turn right, Southbound, turn left, continue 3 miles on Stone Harbor Blvd.

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