Black River & Western Railroad
Flemington Station:
Rt. 12 & Strangl Rd., Flemington
908-782-6622
Ringoes Station: Rt. 579, Ringoes
Black River & Western Railroad (BRWRR) offers visitors a 70 minute passenger excursion through scenic Hunterdon County. Founded in the late 1950's, BRWRR is the only regularly scheduled, steam powered passenger railroad in New Jersey. Freight is also a major portion of the railroad, which is being moved between NJ and Pennsylvania. In July of each year, visitors can view and participate in their Mixed Freight operation. Each May and September, The Great Train Robbery takes place where kids are encouraged to wear their western gear and bring their cap guns and help the sheriff protect the train from the dreaded Covered Bridge Gang. They are wanted for robbing trains, stealing horses, and just plain smelling bad! Other special events include and Easter Bunny Express, Santa Express, Mother's and Father's Day specials and Halloween trips. Shopping is available at Turntable Junction Village, Liberty Village Premium Outlets and Whistle Stop Nursery. Tours include Historic Ringoes Station, Rail Yard, and Gift Shop. BRWRR also offers visitors the opportunity to charter a Parlor Car (20 people), a Caboose (25 people), a Bishop (40 people) or an entire train! Visitors will board upon the car of their choice on either the 10:45 or 3:15 regularly scheduled train departing Ringoes. After the 70 minute round-trip train ride, visitors will be able to continue their party aboard the car for another hour. Visitors are encouraged to bring party favors, food, and beverages.

Cowtown Rodeo
Route 40
Woodstown
856-769-3200
The only real live weekly rodeo on the East Coast. Featuring bareback bronc riding, calf roping, saddle bronc riding, girls barrel racing, steer wrestling and Brahma bull riding. Refreshment stands and western store on premises. Show lasts 3 - 3 1/2 hours. Coolers are permitted. Open every Saturday night - Memorial Day to Labor Day. Gates open at 6pm and festivities begin at 7:30 (get there early to get a good seat).

Liberty Science Center (Closed, for now!)
Liberty State Park
251 Phillip Street
exit 14B NJ Turnpike
Jersey City
201-200-1000
Liberty Science Center, located in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ, features hundreds of interactive exhibits and the largest IMAXÒ Dome Theater in the country. LSC allows guests to discover the excitement of exploring science and technology at their own pace, through individual discovery.
Touch a live horseshoe crab or pat an exotic insect on the Environment Floor, featuring salt marsh and estuary displays, as well as a Bug Zoo. On the Health Floor, feel your way through a pitch-black, 100-foot long Touch Tunnel. The Invention Floor provides opportunities to play virtual sports or build structures with the aid of a 10-foot-tall electromagnetic crane. Scientific demonstrations are presented throughout the day. Liberty Science Center also hosts touring exhibitions that change about every four months. Food is available in the Laser Lights Cafe.
Allow 3 hours minimum for a visit. Please call (201) 200-1000 for hours of operation and pricing. Owned and operated by Liberty State Park Development Corp., parking in the Liberty Science Center lot is available at $5 per day. Visit Liberty Science Center's web site for driving and public transportation directions.

Lucy the Elephant
Atlantic & Decatur Avenues
Margate
609-823-6473
A National Historic 65 foot tall elephant built in the late 1800s which you can walk through and climb to the top. Guided tours are available and gift shop is located within.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
149 Polito Ave.
Lyndhurst
800-828-2945
201-933-2220
Step back in time with a live medieval tournament and dinner (without utensils!) Set within the walls of a European style castle, the two hour live show recreates a Middle Age tournament of skill and sport, featuring valiant knights and powerful stallions. Jousting, sword fights and more. Dinner includes appetizers, vegetable soup, chicken, spare rib, herb-basted potato, pastry, coffee, Pepsi. Cash alcohol bar is available. FREE parking.

Pequest Trout Hatchery & Natural Education Center
605 Pequest Road
Oxford
908-637-4125
Anyone interested in fishing or wildlife will enjoy a visit to the Pequest Trout Hatchery. Originally founded in 1981, the center offers visitors a look at how 600,000 species of trout are raised each year for the stocking of over 200 lakes, rivers, streams and ponds located in New Jersey. A video shows the trout operation from egg gathering to stocking and a self guided tour allows visitors to see the actual trout being raised. An exhibit hall contains live fish as well as a display of mounted wildlife specimens. They have several educational interactive displays, hiking trails, picnic areas and free literature. Tours are available. Admission is free.

The Statue of Liberty
Liberty State Park
exit 14B on the NJ Turnpike
Jersey City
Ferry Phone: 201-435-9499
Although technically in New York, I consider it a NJ attraction! The Statue of Liberty was a gift of international friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is one of the most universal symbols of political freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886 and was designated a National Monument on October 15, 1924. The Statue was extensively restored in time for her spectacular centennial on July 4, 1986. Open 9:30 to 5:00.

Wild West City
Route 206
Netcong
973-347-8900
Step back in history for the best of the West in the heart of the East at the Western Heritage Theme Park of Wild West City. They feature 22 different live action shows. The opening ceremony starts at 11am and the closing ceremonies take place at 6pm. In between, they have gunslinging, cowboy competitions, bullwhipping, a stagecoach hold up, a Pony Express, Can Can Girls, a Golden Nugget Saloon fight, the Gunfight at O.K. Corral and bank robbery. Learn about Elmer the Easterner, The James Gang, Frontiersman, Skeeter Ford, Texas Red and Katie Fisher. many of the events are audience participation which the children will thoroughly enjoy. In addition to the events and reenactments, they also have pony rides, vintage miniature train rides, a stagecoach ride, a petting zoo and a simulated panning for gold. Along main street you will find numerous shops and museums. When you need to relax and grab a bite to eat, you can hit the Silver Dollar Saloon, Frank's Pizza or Golden Nugget Saloon (where you can also listen to some good ole country music). If you prefer to eat outside, a large picnic grove is available. Throughout the year. they have numerous weekend special events planned in addition to their normal schedule. Wild West City is also unique in that the entire town can be rented out for birthday parties, class trips, company picnics, family reunions or, if you are really into the western theme, a wedding and reception (you could skip a trip to Vegas for a themed wedding!) Group rates and entire city rentals are available. Admission includes entry to the park, museums and shops, access to the petting zoo and use of the picnic groves.

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