Renovations R Us

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.

The young and the young at heart won’t be able to wait to cool down at Land of Make Believe & Pirates Cove. This award winning water park offers guests a great escape from the summertime heat, straight into water recreation. Float along a lazy river, swirl down the Black Hole, get drenched by a giant water cannon, soak in the wading pool and much, much more!

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.

Escape to the Eagle Rock Reservation in Essex County. This forest reserve and park takes up more than 400 acres of land in this densely populated metro area. The park is filled with rolling hills, valleys, streams and an extensive trail system. The rustic view of the great outdoors is not all that will take your breath away, however. The Essex County 911 Memorial provides an unparalleled view the New York City skyline.