Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend your Thanksgiving weekend with your family? Why not take a road trip? South Jersey is a great destination for a Thanksgiving weekend road trip! From admiring the fall foliage and visiting historic sites to shopping for unique gifts and so much more, we have something for everyone. So pack your bags and hit the road for the ultimate Thanksgiving weekend!
Hill Creek Farms
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the store, each department was dripping with Yuletide decor. Sophia was nestled all snug in her bed, while visions of sugar prunes danced in her head. Before traveling to spend the Holidays with their families, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose participate in a golden gift exchange full of hilarious surprises. Just as they get to the airport a winter storm blows in, leaving them trapped! In an unexpected Charles Dickens twist of events, the three grannies must visit their past, present, and future to save Christmas (and find Sophia)…just in time for turkey lurkey.
Battleship New Jersey
Happy Thanksgiving! The Battleship New Jersey will be open for self-guided tours from 10am to 4pm and for guided tours at 12pm on Thanksgiving. At the Battleship New Jersey, the day after Thanksgiving is “Black Dragon Friday.”b During World War II, the USS New Jersey was nicknamed the “Black Dragon” because of her dark hull and when she fired her 16-inch projectiles, she looked like she was spitting fire. On Saturday, students and their parents can experience a guided tour of the Battleship and a classroom-style lesson. For those over the age of 21, experience an “adult-oriented” tour during the evening hours! We will showcase the more mature sailor art created over the years, as well as share some adult stories. Guests can enjoy a cold beer, glass of wine or a soft drink after the tour on the Main Deck!
Walt Whitman House
At our Interpretive Center, visitors can delve deeply into Whitman’s life and poetry through a series of exhibits that allow you to follow through his boyhood on Long Island to his international prominence as one of our country’s greatest visionaries. The exhibits display many portraits of Whitman as well as original letters and manuscripts. Walt’s writing desk that he used as a young teacher on Long Island is also on display. Visitors may hear a recording of Walt Whitman’s voice as recorded by Thomas Edison in 1890. Just across from the Interpretive Center is a beautiful panoramic view of the Birthplace, the Gathering House, and a bronze statue of Whitman.Walt Whitman is one of the most photographed poets of all time. We are closed Thanksgiving day but will be open Friday from 1pm-4pm and Saturday & Sunday from 11am-4pm.
Golden Gays: Thank YULE for Being a Friend – the Musical!
‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the store, each department was dripping with Yuletide decor. Sophia was nestled all snug in her bed, while visions of sugar prunes danced in her head. Before traveling to spend the Holidays with their families, Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose participate in a golden gift exchange full of hilarious surprises. Just as they get to the airport a winter storm blows in, leaving them trapped! In an unexpected Charles Dickens twist of events, the three grannies must visit their past, present, and future to save Christmas (and find Sophia)…just in time for turkey lurkey.
Adventure Aquarium
Experience the Snowtunda! Back by popular demand, our enchanting Snowtunda showers you with magical indoor snow-like flurries and twinkles with a brilliant array of Christmas lights! There’s so much to holiday cheer to explore. While you are exploring a glowing good time, there are over 15,000 other aquatic animals at Adventure Aquarium and one-of-a-kind experiences we love to share with you during every visit.
Woodford Cedar Run
Wildlife Refuge
The Nature Center will be closed on Thanksgiving and have reduced hours for Black Friday, November 25th: Open from 10:00am-1:00pm. The Woodford Nature Center houses hands-on exhibits along with live snakes and turtles in our Reptile Room. Visitors are encouraged to hike the 1/2 mile trail around Cedar Run Lake to visit the Wildlife Housing Area. Alternatively, you can skip the trail and simply cross the bridge over our lake to view our eagles, deer, skunk and more. While the trail through the Wildlife Housing Area is rustic, strollers and wheelchairs can navigate it easily. There are no steps to access the Wildlife Housing Area and special parking may be arranged through our Nature Center upon arrival.
Scotland Run Park
Scotland Run Park is the largest of the county parks, spanning more than 1,300 acres. Eighty-acre Wilson Lake offers passive recreation opportunities including fishing, boating and nature observation. There is also a handicapped accessible fishing pier in the boat launch area. The Nature Center offers a variety of environmental education programs for all ages.
Red Bank Battlefield Park
Red Bank Battlefield park is home to the James and Ann Whitall house. Built in 1748, the Whitall House offers tours and programs throughout the year that focus on the history of the park. The Gloucester County Certified Gardeners maintain our historic gardens. The gardeners are volunteers who actively work to cultivate vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, dyeing flowers, and cutting flowers that are historically representative of the eighteenth century. Learn what herbs Ann Whitall would have used to treat a cough or heal a wound. Observe how flower pigments added color to clothing. Hear about true farm to table families. Tours of the Gloucester County Certified Gardeners Butterfly House are available Thursday-Sunday from 10:00am-12:30pm
Historic Smithville
Welcome to Historic Smithville – a village that takes you back in time! What started as a simple, one-room stagecoach stop has blossomed over the last 50 years into a beloved destination for making memories. As you enter any of our 50 shoppes, you’ll feel the warm embrace of small-town hospitality and the charm of local businesses. Stroll along cobblestone walkways and over foot bridges, and discover a village that seems frozen in time.
Mcmillan’s Bakery
Do you love pie as much as we do? McMillan’s was listed as one of the South Jersey bakeries that will satisfy your pie craving! Our family owned and operated bakery is the pure essence of tradition. Established in 1939 and run by the original family till today, in the fourth generation the traditional artisan habits continue to be passed along.