New Jersey

Here are 12 ways to beat the summer heat in North Jersey

Published

5 months ago

August 3, 2024

Here are 12 ways to beat the summer heat in North Jersey

We’re in the midst of yet another summer heatwave, and we can all probably agree that it’s been a struggle staying cool. And while we’d probably all like to stay inside our homes with the air conditioner blasting, that’s not a fun way to seize the summer.

Whether you’d prefer to handle the heat by jumping into a body of water and zipping down a water slide, or are looking for some fun activities indoors, there are an abundance of options across North Jersey. And if you have a restless kid out on summer break, there’s many ways to keep them occupied, too.

Here are 12 ways to beat the heat in North Jersey:

Cool off at Van Saun County Park’s splash pad

While the splash pad at Van Saun County Park would have typically opened at the beginning of the summer, it has been closed for months of renovations. But with upgraded safety flooring, fixed water sprinklers and a new control system, the splash pad is officially reopened to the public.

This means that for the remainder of the summer, your family can cool off at one of Bergen County’s most popular parks for free. And while you’re there you can explore the park’s other attractions, which including recently reopened pony rides, playgrounds, a carousal, a miniature train ride and, of course, the Bergen County Zoo.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily until Labor Day.

Go: 216 Forest Ave., Paramus; 201-336-7275, co.bergen.nj.us/parks-recreation-areas/van-saun-county-park.

Swim laps at the Palisades Park Swim Club

While it may be too hot to go for a walk or a run, you can easily get some exercise by swimming laps at the Palisades Park Swim Club instead. Open to the public — daily passes are $15 for Palisades Park residents and $20 for other New Jersey residents — Palisades Park Swim Club features a 25-meter swimming pool with diving boards and a separate kiddie pool area. There are also picnic tables and areas to barbecue available, as well as a snack bar.

Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for members and noon to 7 p.m. for daily pass holders on Saturday and Sunday.

Go: 200 Roosevelt Place, Palisades Park; 201-585-4140, facebook.com/PalisadesParkSwimClub.

Take a dip in the Highlands Natural Pool

If you want to go for a swim, but still want to be among some of New Jersey’s most beautiful natural sites, you can. The Highlands Natural Pool is an Olympic-sized, stream fed pool located along Norvin Green State Forest in Ringwood. With cement walls, a clay bottom and ranging from four to 10 feet deep, the natural pool is a unique option for staying cool.

The pool’s deck area includes chairs and a diving board, as well as a small kiddie area with a sandbox near the pool’s shallow section. There are also several tables available and a snack stand full of food items, drinks and snacks.

The Highlands Natural Pool is open to the general public, and day passes can be purchased at the entrance. Admission is $20 for adults; $15 for seniors, active military and veterans; $10 for children ages three to 17; and free for children ages two and under.

Hours: Noon to 6 p.m. daily until Labor Day.

Go: 180 Snake Den Road, Ringwood; 973-835-4299, highlandsnaturalpool.org.

Splash around at Mountain Creek Water Park

For those looking to cool off while also appeasing their adventurous side, Mountain Creek Water Park is the perfect place to visit. The waterpark has more than a dozen waterslides for adults and young children, including attractions like the Colorado River Rapids, Surf Hill, the High Tide Wave Pool, Legendary Canyon Cliffs and more.

The waterpark also has a variety of food and drink options available to refuel your energy for the fun. Day passes to the waterpark are $49.99, and season passes for $89.99, which include 15% off food and drinks, as well as free parking.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Go: 200 NJ-94, Vernon Township; 973-827-2000, mountaincreek.com.

Sit back and relax at a cool movie theater

Catching one of today’s hottest new movie releases is one of the best ways to sit back, relax and escape the heat. And there’s so much movie theaters throughout North Jersey that it’s nearly impossible to count them all.

You can opt to visit and support one of our area’s local movie theaters, like The Clairidge in Montclair, Landmark Theater in Closter, Hawthorne Theaters in Hawthorne, Township Theatre in Washington Township and Westwood Cinemas in Westwood. But there are also several AMC movie theaters scattered throughout North Jersey, such as in towns like Paramus, Wayne, Clifton, Hackensack, West Orange, Rockaway.

Get energy out at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park

For some, staying cool in high temperatures means simply staying out of the high temperatures altogether. Staying inside during the summer can be just as fun, especially at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. Between climbing hills and walls, the tubes playground, dodgeball, the battle beam, a warrior course, classic trampolines and more, there’s plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained for hours. And the biggest bonus? You can enjoy all of these things in the comfort of air conditioning.

There are three main admission packages available: basic attractions for $25.99, deluxe attractions for $28.99 and ultimate attractions for $33.99. There’s also a $16.99 pass for children five years old and younger.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Go: 69 Wesley St., South Hackensack; 201-212-6454, urbanair.com/new-jersey-south-hackensack.

Putt around at Monster Mini Golf

Nothing quite says summer like battling it out on a mini golf course, and luckily you don’t have to sweat outside to play. At Monster Mini Golf, an indoor course in Paramus, you can putt among a world of flourescent monsters and neon lights while navigating an array of spooky obstacles. And after you play your way through all 18 holes, you can keep the fun going with arcade games and bowling.

Admission to mini golf is $13 for children, $14 for adults and $11 for seniors, members of the military, first responders and college students. Prices vary for the arcade games and bowling, and there are also combination packages available for access to all of the attractions.

Go: 49 E Midland Ave., Paramus; 201-261-0032, monsterminigolf.com/locations/us/nj/paramus.

Play laser tag, ride bumper cars and climb a maze at FunTime Junction

FunTime Junction is another entertainment destination filled with attractions that kids of all ages will enjoy, all while staying out of the heat. Here you can enjoy a climbing maze, laser tag, bumper cars, a giant LiteBrite, a funcade, crane machines and more. Admission is $13.95 for children 10 months to 15 years and $9.99 for adults ages 16 years and up.

Hours: Noon to 5:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Preregistration is required to book an hour and a half timeslot.

Go: 400 Fairfield Road, Fairfield; 973-882-9777, funtimejunction.com.

Learn about the world at Liberty Science Center

Founded in 1993 and located within Liberty State Park, Liberty Science Center is the perfect place to stay cool while also fueling those inquisitive minds. The center consists of 12 museum exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, large aquariums, a 3D theater and the country’s largest planetarium, among other attractions. Exhibitions here are changed regularly, so there’s almost always something new to explore.

For admission, tickets are $30 for adults and $25.99 for children ages 2 to 12 when purchased in advance. Tickets for same-day general admission are $32,99 for adults and $27.99 for children ages 2 to 12. You can also pay an additional $8 for access to the center’s theater shows or premium exhibitions.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Go: 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City; 201-200-1000, lsc.org.

Take in sights at the Montclair Art Museum

If you’re going to stay inside, you might as well do it somewhere filled with unique and eye-catching artwork. The Montclair Art Museum is filled with more than 12,000 works of Native American and American artwork, including paintings, works on paper, ceramics, basketry, sculpture, beadwork and more.

For the remainder of the summer, Montclair Art Museum is offering discounted tickets for all guests. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, and free for children and members.

Hours: Closed Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Go: 3 S Mountain Ave., Montclair; 973-746-5555, montclairartmuseum.org.

Explore the attractions at American Dream Mall

Whether you’re looking to shop, dine, splash at a water park, play mini golf or just about anything else, the American Dream Mall has it all on a hot summer day. In addition to more than 450 stores, the mall has attractions like the DreamWorks Water Park, the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, blacklight and Angry Birds-themed mini golf, the Legoland Discovery Center and more. With so much to do all in one place, you’ll forget all about the heat — except for when it’s time to leave, of course.

Admission to the American Dream Mall is free, but admission to each of the mall’s attractions vary.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Go: 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford; 833-263-7326, americandream.com.

Devour a sweet treat

There’s nothing like devouring a sweet treat on a hot summer day, and thankfully North Jersey is full of places for you to get one.

For ice cream, you can visit local gems like Denville Dairy in Denville, Cliff’s in Ledgewood, Conrad’s in Westwood, Van Dyk’s in Ridgewood and Holsten’s in Bloomfield, among many others. But if you’re all ice creamed out — we don’t think that’s possible, but you never know — you can also opt for an ice cold cup of shaved ice. You can find this at places like Sunshine Ice in Weehawken, Little Bear Poke in Montclair and Caffe Benne in Fort Lee.

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.

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New Jersey

What is digital ID and why doesn’t New Jersey have it?

Published

43 minutes ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

What is digital ID and why doesn’t New Jersey have it?

In the age of digital wallets and contactless convenience, a growing number of states are embracing the option to add driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet.

These digital IDs can be added to iPhone users’ Wallet app alongside digital credit cards, boarding passes and event tickets.

New Jersey, though, isn’t one of them.

What states have Apple Wallet IDs?

As of now, several states have partnered with Apple to enable digital IDs. They can be added directly to Apple Wallet and used in airports, businesses, or government offices.

For instance, TSA checkpoints at several airports, including LaGuardia, JFK and Newark Liberty, already take digital IDs, and more are being added.

But, New Jersey doesn’t yet have digital driver’s licenses.

In early 2024, state lawmakers moved a bill directing the state’s Motor Vehicle Commission to develop digital driver’s licenses. But that measure gives the state six years to make it happen. The bill is winding its way through the legislative process.

Apple, though, continues to expand partnerships with more states to create Wallet-compatible IDs.

Connecticut, for example, was one of the first states to announce a digital ID rollout but hasn’t yet launched it. Lawmakers in West Virginia, New Mexico and Montana have said digital driver’s licenses are a priority.

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New Jersey

Fresh snow coats some North Jersey towns for a white Christmas

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Fresh snow coats some North Jersey towns for a white Christmas

2-minute read

New Jersey experienced a frosty December — and Christmas has proved no exception.

Christmas morning temperatures accross the Garden State dipped into the low to mid-20s in much of the state, and even into the teens in higher elevations, forecasters said. While most towns saw little to no overnight snow accumulation, some lucky areas awoke to a white Christmas.

How much snow did North Jersey see?

Snowfall leading up to Christmas was light but enough to dust parts of the state with festive flurries. Bergenfield reported one of the highest accumulation, measuring 1 inch of snow on Christmas Eve. Nearby, Ramsey recorded 1.1 inches, and Sparta with 1.6 inches of snowfall.

In New Providence, Paramus and Stewartsville, snow totals were less than an inch, with each town reporting between 0.6 and 0.8 inches. Somerset logged an inch, while Wantage received 1.3 inches.

For those dreaming of a white Christmas, Bergenfield, Ramsey, Sparta and Wantage offered picturesque views, with enough snow to blanket the ground in holiday cheer. Meanwhile, other areas in the state settled for a chilly but snow-free holiday.

Whether blanketed in white or simply bundled up, New Jersey residents should brace for continued cold as the year comes to a close.

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New Jersey

A Modest Theory About Those Drones Over New Jersey

Published

21 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

A Modest Theory About Those Drones Over New Jersey

(Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The welter of stories about unidentified drones over New York and New Jersey multiply, as do the myriad speculations. Thus far the narratives fall into three categories: private drones, those deployed by hostile foreign actors, those belonging to US authorities on a shadowy unacknowledged mission. The media has taken up the cause and the story has gone mainstream, with baffled officials furnishing no unified explanation – and President elect Trump weighing in. This installment of the column will add one more theory to the growing noise, but a theory grounded in full context, covering all the known facts and hopefully all the more plausible for that albeit.

To begin with, let us dismiss the private drone scenario quickly. Any private entity causing such panic would soon admit it and apologize for fear of being found out. The authorities via satellite would know whence they came, track them and reveal the facts. Next, the foreign actor theory – again, as Donald Trump says, the military or intelligence people would know. They might stay silent about it for fear of provoking a confrontation with a foreign power. The US is, sadly, prone to such deliberate passivity, the latest example being the Havana Syndrome findings by Congress which rejected the intelligence community’s previous report that the Syndrome doesn’t exist and no foreign power is responsible. The recent ad hoc Congressional Committee officially found that the Havana Syndrome is real and a foreign state is likely behind it.

So, back to the drones: do the authorities know that a foreign power is responsible for the drone outbreak but won’t say so? Timing is everything in such events. The Biden White House, as we have seen with aid spikes to Ukraine and granting permission to hit inside Russia, is not shy of adding last minute foreign policy complications to the incoming administration. Were it a hostile power, we would know all about who unleashed the drones. Which leaves the third and last category, that the drone phenomenon was a government initiative which authorities do not wish to acknowledge, a stealth operation that went public inadvertently. As this column is focused on geostrategic affairs, the possible explanation falls into its bailiwick.

Nobody has quite understood why the US and Germany refused, until recently, to allow Ukraine to use allied weapons to strike inside Russia (Germany still refuses). All manner of theories have swirled but nothing coherent obtained, other than an abiding fear of Russian retaliation. Yet Washington gave the go-ahead for Ukraine to use American weapons across its border in recent months, especially after Trump’s electoral victory. Did the Russian threat to retaliate against the US diminish? Did the US suddenly get safer? And why did it take so long to grant permission? The truth is, any sort of highly visible and attributable strike against the US was never a risk because Moscow would have suffered devastating retaliation. But an anonymous catastrophe in a major US city would work. A kind of secret Samson Option, or hidden nuclear device in Germany or America should Russian soil be bombed by allied weapons. The great efficacy of such a threat lies not in its use but entirely in the threat, the ambiguity. And the restraint or doubt it induces.

Nor should the threat be too visible or public. Anything that detonates massively raises an outcry, puts pressure on the authorities to find a return address, a clear culprit. No foreign power would risk such a big provocation that it would be identifiable and cause retaliation. Witness 9/11. One has to conclude, therefore, that the real version of such a threat would be scary rather than hugely destructive. The device would need to be constructed discreetly and stowed or delivered equally discreetly. And no foreign state actor would take responsibility. So, a small radiation device fits the bill. And this is precisely what New Jersey officials have been saying about the drone activity, namely that it’s our side looking for a small medical isotope gone missing, one that was aboard a container ship and went missing. But a federal agency has just denied the US was flying drones in search of nuclear radiation. All of which is standard procedure for stifling panic.

Finally, there’s this: the foreign actors would not deliver a direct threat. They would retain deniability, as in the Havana Syndrome. If, indeed, it’s a radiation device, nobody knows who was behind it, though the technical sophistication suggests only rival superpowers qualify as suspects. Which brings us back to the Russian dark ops and the inexplicable restraint of the Biden White House over helping Ukraine.

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