Great Day Trips for Spring Break

Not jetting off to Europe or Bali for Spring break? Here are five fun but edifying semi-local jaunts you can take — with or without kids — and not blow your budget:

1. Cape May, N.J: If you haven’t been to this jewel of the Garden State, now’s the time to discover it!  Tour the beautiful streets and marvel at the Victorian homes. Take a walk on The Washington Street Mall where you can browse quaint shops on a picturesque cobblestone street. Take a Whale & Dolphin Cruise or go miniature golfing. And don’t forget to go to the Cape May Zoo and climb to the top of the Historic Cape May Lighthouse. Plus, you’re only minutes away from the Cape May-Lewes Ferry which gives you a scenic 17-mile trip across the Delaware Bay to historic Lewes, Delaware.
2. Crayola Factory, Easton, Pa.: You don’t have to be a kid to appreciate the world of creativity you’ll find at this visitor center (not the actual manufacturing plant) less than two hours away.  Experience more than a dozen hands-on activities plus learn how Crayola Crayons® and Markers are made.  For more info, log onto www.crayola.com.
3. Princeton, N.J.: The Princeton University Art Museum is one of the best cultural resources in New Jersey. Walk around this historical University, browse the many art galleries, visit Albert Einstein’s House, or take a tour of the home of Livingston’s own Governor Chris Christie at Drumthwacket. 
4. West Point, N.Y.: If your kids are curious about all things military, take them on an adventure up to the United States Military Academy to tour the West Point Museum.  There they’ll see what is considered to be the oldest and largest diversified public collection of miltaria in the Western Hemisphere. You can also visit several Revolutionary war battlefields including the New Windsor Cantonment which was the final encampment of George Washington’s Army.  For more information, visit www.westpoint.edu. 
5. Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton, N.J.:  Spring is a great time to discover this amazing museum.  Grounds For Sculpture is a 35-acre outdoor sculpture park and museum.  Some pieces can be touch, others cannot, and my kids had a blast looking for the plaques that told them which was which.  Around every corner something magical awaits.  Bring your camera for shots of your darlings with life-size figures and don’t miss the lovely Water Garden.  Even though kids (and everyone) is told to keep your voices down to preserve the “character” of the park, I heard many cries of delight as magical pieces of art were discovered.  You can learn more about Grounds For Sculpture atwww.groundsforsculpture.org.

And, for those just looking for some funnel cake and a few thrill rides, yes, Six Flags Great Adventurein Jackson, N.J., is open from April 16-24....