Essex County Senior Service

On the third floor of the Van Houten Library at the New Jersey Institute of technology is the Weston Museum, a rare museum devoted to Edward Weston. A contemporary and rival of Thomas Edison’s, Weston was a well-known scientist and inventor of his time, as well as a founding member of the university. View photographs and artifacts from his laboratory in this display.

Do more than just share a bottle of wine with your date–create your own together! Grape Escape allows guests to become part of the winemaking process. First, personalize your unique wine by choosing the region, grape type, barrel type and the amount of aging it will receive. Then, learn about crushing, pressing, racking and bottling. Finish off your romantic experience with a customized label.

All ages are welcome at the Branch Brook Roller Skating Center, a state-run roller-skating rink in the park. Come for a skating lesson, watch the Garden State Rollergirls practice or just enjoy some fun public skating. Perfect for parties and themed events, this skating rink is open seven days a week during the daytime and evenings, as well as several late night events each week just for the adults.

Bring your wild things out to see the really wild things at the Turtle Back Zoo, the #1 zoo in New Jersey. Over 700 animals call this 20-acre zoo home. Discover all sorts of new creatures as you explore, like the Filipino flying foxes. Little ones will love attractions like the train ride, carousel and playground, not to mention the petting zoo, reptile house and aquarium!