May Things To Do: New Jersey Activities and Festivals:
2025 Edition
Top Ten May Things To Do In New Jersey
Welcome to May, that warmly anticipated season of budding adventures in New Jersey.
The rising mercury not only signifies pleasant weather, but also ushers in the unofficial start to a summer overflowing with exciting activities.
Visitors are already poised to flock to the beaches and boardwalk amusement parks at the Jersey Shore by the thousands.
Are you ready to kickstart your summer adventures?
Let's glimpse into the exciting activities, parks, and beaches that New Jersey showcases in May. Water sports, hiking, visiting farms or lighthouses are some of the options to explore.
So, stay tuned for the ultimate summer experience. And remember, this May, the adventure starts with you!
Mother's Day at iPlay America, where moms play FREE all day with a 2-Hour Unlimited Video Game Pass and a $10 Bonus Card – plus, all moms will receive a complimentary carnation flower! Then, treat Mom to a Mother’s Day Brunch at The Bistro featuring a special holiday menu served all day.
1 - Plan a day trip or weekend getaway to one of the Jersey Shore's
top boardwalks with an Amusement park
Bring the kids along and catch the fun at Point Pleasant Beach, Seaside Heights, Ocean City, and Wildwood. With the onset of warmer weather and the unofficial beginning of summer on Memorial Day, this is an excellent time to get out to enjoy the shore before the throngs of vacations descend.
Discover NJ's popular Amusement Parks
2 - Get out an enjoy the outdoors and exercise
with outstanding scenic hiking
NJ is home to some great hiking trips that include hikes over forested trails, waterfalls, ridges, and the Appalachian Trail, with awesome views of the Delaware Water Gap, waterfalls, valleys and the NYC skyline.
Discover the top NJ Hiking Trails
3 - Take a scenic Canoe or Kayak trip
Some of the popular Kayaking and Canoe trips include:
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area - Located in the northwest corner of New Jersey, the park runs along 40 miles of the Delaware River, including where it cuts through a ridge in the Appalachian Mountains to form the famed “gap.” The park is a magnet for kayak enthusiasts.
Washington Crossing - Delaware River and D&R Canal - Paddle where George Washington crossed the river here with his troops, preparing a surprise attack on the Hessian soldiers in Trenton. Paddle up the canal and cross over to the river for a leisurely paddle back with the currents.
Wharton State Forest, Pine Barrens - Paddle past remnants of colonial settlers, towering pitch pines and beaver dams.
Discover the popular New Jersey Kayaking locations
4 - Plan a day trip with the kids to a working farm
Farm markets are not just about New Jersey farm grown fruits and vegetables, the listing has selected farms with are fun and educational for kids with pick your own produce, farm animals, events, and summer camp farms for kids.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
Morris Township, NJ
Experience farm living as it was done over 100 years ago at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. At this New Jersey and National Register Historic Site, you can enjoy many of the daily farm activities that took place in the 1920s. On the farm, visit the farm animals, witness the farmer plowing or planting of the fields using antique machinery, and help perform daily tasks, such as collecting eggs, grinding corn to feed the chickens, and cleaning the harness.
Howell Living History Farm
Titusville, NJ
A popular living history farm for kids, especially on Saturday's when most of the events occur. The farm offer's many activities for kids to get involved. Since the 1730s, just about every type of farming situation has occurred here. The farm has evolved from a grain producing farm to a dairy farm and over the years various crops have been grown, animals raised, products produced, etc.
Fernbrook Farms Education Center
Chesterfield, NJ
A 230-acre working farm with over 60 acres of woods, two streams and two ponds is an educational farm providing hands-on educational experiences for people of all ages by exploring the complex interconnectedness of our natural world. Their purpose is to educate about agriculture, the sources of our food and the importance of nutrition for healthy lifestyles.
5 - Visit an historical New Jersey lighthouse
With 127 miles of coastline, New Jersey Lighthouses have played a significant role in maritime history in aiding the safe navigation of ships since the 1700's.
The two most popular New Jersey lighthouses are:
The Cape May Lighthouse is one of the oldest operating lighthouses in the United States and is located on the southernmost tip of New Jersey. Climb up the winding 199 stairs to the top of the 157 foot-tall structure and from the watch gallery take in a fantastic view the Atlantic ocean, the town of Cape May, Delaware Bay, and Cape May Point State Park.
The Barnegat Lighthouse on the New Jersey shore is the second tallest lighthouse in the United States. The tower light was 165 feet above sea level and It functioned as first-class navigational light until August 1927, when the "Barnegat Lightship " was anchored 8 miles off the coast.
6 - Take a day trip along The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail
The New Jersey Coastal Heritage Trail is not really a trail, it is a route designed to be leisurely seen by auto for the benefit of the public to provide education, understanding, and enjoyment of natural, maritime, and cultural sites of the coastal area of New Jersey. The trail hugs the coastline of New Jersey and runs nearly 300 miles, being divided into regions from Sandy Hook Region along New York Harbor, south to Barnegat Bay Region, the Absecon Cape May Region, and the Delsea Region along Delaware Bay. You will be able to meander along the area east of the Garden State Parkway from the Raritan Bay south to the area north and west of Cape May and south of Route 49 to the vicinity of Deepwater.
7 - Celebrate Mothers Day
Mother's Day is a time of recognizing how special Mom is and for making it a very special day for her. This year Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 11, 2025
Discover ideas and gifts for making it a special occasion for celebrating Mother's Day.
8 - Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day is also the unofficial beginning of summer in New Jersey with the Jersey Shore beach communities coming alive with activities.
Discover the popular events and activities that are being celebrated on Memorial Day this year.
9 - Plan a Visit to Historical Morristown
Morristown is a community rich with Revolutionary War history, cultural heritage, parks, recreation, and a large variety of restaurants.
This is a popular destination for a day trip or weekend getaway.
10 - Plan a visit to Lambertville
Lambertville Is an historic town with plenty to do and see including antique shops, art galleries, specialty stores, bed and breakfasts, a brewery, and plenty of good restaurants.
The curious visitor will find antique shops, art galleries, specialty stores, bed and breakfasts, a brewery and plenty of good restaurants.
The more active visitor will try the canal tow path where bicyclists can enjoy a ride for people of all skill levels.
