It’s the time we’ve all been waiting for! Summer has finally arrived and we no longer have to worry about going to classes, doing homework, or studying for exams. While some people may be going on vacation, there are others who are stuck at home and have no idea what to do with their free time. In New Jersey, there are many alternatives to staying indoors all day and scrolling on social media. There are plenty of ways to make this summer both exciting and memorable.
Many people do not know that New Jersey was the first state to have a drive-in movie theater. Drive-in movies have been a tradition here in NJ, especially in South Jersey. In North Jersey, both Montclair and Paramus are hosting movie nights this summer. Montclair will be having their annual free movie nights starting on Saturday, June 20th all the way to Saturday, August 29th begin at sundown. Van Saun County Park in Paramus will also begin their free Summer Movies & Music in the park starting Thursday, July 10 to August 19 beginning at around 8:30 p.m. Watching movies in the park with friends and family this summer will definitely be a fun and memorable experience.
There are many different places for people to visit in NJ that are really cool. Grounds For Sculpture in Hamilton Township is a park and a museum with statues, indoor galleries, botanical gardens, and different events. If you have megalophobia, which is the intense fear of large objects, I would not recommend going to the Grounds For Sculpture since some of the statues are famous giant-sized people. Part of the botanical gardens is a garden that resembles Claude Monet’s Garden at Giverny. There are peacocks, koi fish, and other animals that you don’t see everyday.
Another place to visit is the AriZonaLand in Keasbey which shows Arizona Iced Tea being manufactured, antique vehicles painted in Arizona colors, robotic arms moving and packing Arizona beverages, and lots more. The AriZonaLand tour is completely free and is a fun side quest to do with friends and family.
A beautiful place to visit is the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville. This is the largest Hindu temple in New Jersey and is the second largest Hindu mandir in the world. It took twelve years to build the entire temple and over 12,000 people from all around the world volunteered to help build the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham. Visitors can enjoy traditional Indian vegetarian meals at the food court located near the temple while examining the beautiful architecture and taking a deeper look into Hindu culture. Since this is a place of worship, it is important that visitors follow the dress code and show respect for Hindu traditions.
No matter how students choose to spend their break, summer gives us a chance to relax, discover new interests, and create laying memories. There are countless ways to make this break enjoyable whether it be spending time with friends, family members, or by yourself. As another school year approaches, taking advantage of these opportunities can make this summer one to remember.
