Diversions and Excursions: Fun Activities for Summer

It’s time to get out of the house: summer can be a time to rediscover your passions and bring your family together, but you have to know where to look. Luckily, New Jersey has plenty of hidden treasures that are unique, inexpensive, and fun for the entire family. We’ve got plenty of ideas to get you out of your usual routine!

Back to Nature – The Monmouth County Park System has a wealth of opportunities for day-trips and even weekend excursions that can teach your kids about the world they live in and give you a chance to step away from the fast-paced workplace for a change.

- Check out the Park System’s Activity Directory By Clicking Here for all of the summer classes and tours that are available. Want to observe Bald Eagles, or learn about Native American beading? How about glow-in-the-dark fish? It’s all here!

- A Day on the Water – Even if you don’t own a boat, you can still enjoy the lakes of Monmouth County at Turkey Swamp Park and the Manasquan Reservoir. You can go kayaking on the river or relax on an electric-powered motorboat. If you have a fishing license, you can even catch your dinner fresh from the lake. Click Here For Monmouth County Park Fishing and Boating Information

- The County Fair—Experience a classic county fair (complete with lumberjack show and pig race) this month at East Freehold Park, from July 22-26th. There is something here for almost everyone: whether you want to check out the auto show, look at artwork, or just watch an outdoor concert, the county fair has a schedule chock-full of unique events for all ages.
Click here fore the County Fair Schedule and Information

Craft your Summer! – There is no better morning pick-me-up than drinking coffee out of a mug you painted yourself, and paint-your-own-pottery studios are a fun way to bring everyone together for a relaxing afternoon. Using shards or beads of glass to create your own works of art or jewelry is also becoming the latest trend in summer crafts, and don’t be fooled into thinking this is for kids only. All of the studios below host not only birthday parties but also adult gatherings. Here are just a few locations in our area:

Casa Picasso

http://www.casapicassopottery.com

At the Jersey Shore Arts Center
Main Avenue & Main St. (Rt. 71)
Ocean Grove
732.897.0007
Open 7 days a week 11-6
Pottery painting, glass fusing.

Color me Mine

http://www.freehold.colormemine.com

Freehold Raceway mall
3710 Rt.#9, Freehold
732.780.7811
Mon.-Sat. 10-9:30, Sun. 11-7.
Pottery painting, bridal services.

Git Fired up! A Pottery Playhouse

http://www.gitfireduppottery.com

626 Bay Avenue
Point Pleasant Beach
732.892.PLAY (7529)
Pottery painting, glass fusing. Check website for hours.

Glassworks

http://www.umakeglass.com

151 South Street
Morristown
973.656.0800
Glass fusing, jewelry-beading. Mon-Fri. 12:30-6:30 (Adults Night Wed. 7-10), Sat. 11-4.

A Time to Kiln
www.atimetokiln.com
50 Broad Street
Red Bank
732.450.9525
Pottery painting, glass fusing, mosaics, stuff-a-critter, wedding pottery.

Breweries and Wineries

You don’t need to travel far to try some great-tasting wine or beer, because New Jersey has plenty of its own wineries and breweries that you can tour and taste. So go out there and explore the flavors!

Four JG’s Orchards and Vineyard

http://www.4jgswinery.com

127 Hillsdale Road
Colts Neck
732.817.WINE (9463)
Private tasting events, Cabernet class July 23.

Cream Ridge Winery
www.creamridgewinery.com
145 Rt. 539
Cream Ridge, NJ 08514
609.259.9797
Tasting room, custom labels, indoor and outdoor events.

The Brewer’s Apprentice

http://www.brewapp.com

179 South Street,
Freehold
732.863.9411
Brew your own beer, mead, and wine on the premises!

Thinking about hosting a summer party? Check out some of our summer rosé and red wine picks http://www.currentsnj.com/summerwine

For more entertainment and fun, check out our summer calendar, this has listings of the concerts, outdoor movies, and other great performances that are coming up!