Community Corner
Gaze to the Heavens Without Getting Cold—And Maybe Meet a Dino or Two
You could plan a day for your family around the New Jersey State Museum.
With the difficult winter rolling on unabated, and the snow-puns running thin, the benefits of living in a state with so many indoor activities and curiosities is becoming much more apparent. And even if you can’t handle sitting outside to watch the night sky in the cold, it doesn’t mean you can’t look at the stars.
If your eyes are turned to the heavens but your fingers are turning numb, consider a day trip to the New Jersey State Museum, 205 West State Street, in our state capital, Trenton. At 2 and 4 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday until Feb. 27, you can view Ultimate Universe in the museum's planetarium. At 3 p.m., watch the presentation Stars, all in the comfort offered by an indoor exhibition.
The New Jersey State Museum isn’t just about star-gazing though. You can also delve into various exhibitions devoted to archaeology and ethnology, cultural history, and fine art. And you can do so in a place rich with its own history and importance as the seat of our state’s government.
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That's why we’ve selected the New Jersey State Museum for this installment of Day Tripper, a weekly look at destinations that are out of town but in reach, and worth the drive. Day Tripper runs every Saturday morning (moved recently from Fridays).
DAY TRIPPER DIGEST
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Estimated Travel Time: 25 minutes
Why it’s Worth the Trip: The New Jersey State Museum has a full day’s activities housed under one roof. Aside from the Museum, you can take in the sights, pass by the State House, or just check out the view along the Delaware River. Also: Curator Kenneth Jones recognizes the financial situation of the times and recommends the Museum as a solution families on budgets can use: “Except for a few of the exhibitions and the Planetarium, general admission to the New Jersey State Museum is free, and families need learning opportunities that are fun, so this is a great combination in this economy.”
How to Get There from Here: Detailed driving directions from the South Brunswick Municipal Building.
You’ll Probably Get Hungry: There’s always Applebees on 333 West State, but if you venture a little farther into town, try some Mexican food at the Blue Mountain Café (13 North Willow Street), City Deli II for pizza and subs (9 North Willow), orWoodrow’s (50 West State Street).
While you’re in the Area: Don’t forget the history of the area. Try the Old Barracks Museum (located next to the New Jersey State House, 10 Barrack Street), where Colonial and American history comes to life. Also consider a trip to the William Trent House (15 Market Street), the home of New Jersey’s first resident chief justice in 1723. You could head north, at about 30 minutes’ worth of travel, and visit scenic Lambertville. There, you can check out more museums, folk art, and thePerrault Rago Gallery, a source for furniture and accessories from the American and English arts & crafts movement, owned by Suzanne Perrault and David Rago of PBS’ Antiques Roadshow.
Jones said the museum offers opportunities for real engagement with the subjects covered. You don't just have to be a passive spectator.
“You can explore a variety of exhibitions that illuminate New Jersey's history, bring to life dinosaurs, and broaden your perspectives with fine art," he said. "You can take a break with a planetarium show or a live stage performance. But above all, you can explore, discover, and learn together in a family-friendly environment.”
The museum offers programs including auditorium performances on the second Saturday of each month, a weekly NJN film series, and guided tours of exhibitions, Jones said. For a nominal charge of $3 per person, children can explore exhibition themes through hands-on activities that take place through the Sunday Explorers program on the first and third Sunday of each month.
The Museum also provides many options for school trips. Teachers can coordinate their curriculum to auditorium-style school day performances, arrange Docent tours and even participate in professional development workshops. For more information on that, see here.
To find out more about the New Jersey State Museum, visit: http://www.state.nj.us/state/museum/index.htm.
