We are happy to present our readers with the following trip guide for Chol Hamoed. All attractions are in close proximity (within a half hour drive) to Toms River.
Castle Park
1511 N Bay Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
Really nice play area for kids
Toms River Veterans Recreation Complex
1630 N Bay Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753
Playground
Bike Path
Silverton Farms
1520 Silverton Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755 : (732) 244-2621
Spring/Summer/Fall picking of what they have in season (very small not a whole chol hamoed trip). Most of the time the flowers are in season – you can bring your own clipper/scissor and let the kids pick flowers for Shabbos – they also have a lot of nice picture spots.
A few animals – mainly goats and chickens that you can buy feed for
Smart to call before and see what’s in season
Jakes Branch Nature Center
2448,1100 Double Trouble Rd, Beachwood, NJ 08722 :732.281.2750
Observatory tower – check hours of when its open – usually till 4pm on Sundays, and some weekdays
Hike through the woods with stops along the way to do creative activities and climbing units for kids
Has large playground, basketball courts, fields
The Ocean County Library Sensory Room
101 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753 : (732) 349-6200
Nice Jewish book selection
Childrens play area
The sensory room is a small space that only fits 8 people at time. It has different lights and pillows to relax on/with
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
1256 Indian Head Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755 : (732) 659-9060
Winding River Park
Route 37 & Hospital Road, Toms River, New Jersey 08753
Quiet Park, good for walking, biking (paved path), and fishing
Small playground
Bathrooms open in season
Winding River Ice Skating
1211 Whitesville Rd, Toms River, NJ 08755 : 732-244-0720
Indoor and In-season Outdoor Ice Skating
Cheaper with Toms River License
Has Ice ‘walkers’ (looks like elderly walker piece on ice) to help out beginners
Playdrome Lanes
821 Conifer Street Toms River, NJ 08753 732-349-5345
Bowling – not so many lanes so call before
Has ‘Dragons’ for the kids to slide the bowling ball down
Windward Beach Park
265 Princeton Ave, Brick Township, NJ 08724
Really fun playgrounds for different ages
Great fishing dock
Sandy beach with no swimming this year (covid)
Argos Farm **opens June
1250 Lacey Rd, Forked River, NJ 08731 : (609) 693-3513 : http://www.argosfarm.com
Corn maze, wagon ride, jumbo jumper air pillow, farm animals…
Popcorn Park Zoo
1 Humane Way, Forked River, NJ 08731: (609) 693-1900
Small Local Zoo with a nice number of animals – most times you can buy popcorn and feed the animals
Lions, tigers, Pigs, Horses, Peacocks, Bear, Monkeys, Camel, Cow, and more
Rt 37 Water Sports
3430 Route 37 EAST, Toms River, NJ 08753 (732) 270-0075
Pontoon Rentals for full or half day – off season price (April) $400 for 4 hours, $650 for 8 hours
Barnegat Lighthouse State Park
Closed now – but opening this summer
208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 609-494-2016
When open, You can climb to the top of the lighthouse
Park, fishing, hiking all around
Great Adventures
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527 732-928-2000
Great Adventures Safari
1 Six Flags Blvd, Jackson, NJ 08527 732-928-2000
Drive-thru where you can actually see a large variety of animals
Jenkinson’s Aquarium
300 Ocean Avenue Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 732.892.0600
Small aquarium with a lot to see
Backs to boardwalk, beach and arcades
The Historic Village at Allaire
4263 Atlantic Avenue Farmingdale, NJ 07727 732.919.3500
Interesting Historic Village
check their schedule or call to find out if they have any live demonstrations.
They usually have some demos on Sundays – i.e. blacksmith, wood shop…
You can book a private tour online
Tuckerton Seaport
120 West Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087 732.597.1462
Historic seaport, ferry in the summer
Live demonstrations and museums – call to see if any live demos that day
With much appreciation to Toms River resident, Mrs. Friedman for compiling this list as a service to the community.
