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Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
Everyone from New Jersey knows only tourists go to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, yet everyone from Jersey has been to these places at least once by the time they’re thirteen. School field trips to these national parks are very common; schools love the cultural experience for the kids.
This is truly a “day” trip; make sure you set aside a whole day for this because you won’t want to rush yourself. Make sure you check the Ferry schedule as well, as Ferries only go every 45 minutes from each location.
Ellis Island is a rich historical experience for all ages. It’s the history of the people of the United States. Ellis Island was once the main entry facility for immigrants entering the country from the late 1800’s through the 1900’s. Ellis Island is within the boundaries of New York City and Jersey City, New Jersey, and therefore is within both the states of New Jersey and New York. It is in the possession of the Federal government as a part of Statue of Liberty National Monument, however, and is under the jurisdiction of the US National Park Service.
There are always lots of exhibits, from population demographic displays to actual replicas of bunk beds that immigrants slept in. A newer exhibit on teenage immigrants since September 11, 2001 is fascinating – it includes portraits and quotes.
The Statue of Liberty is huge copper statue given to the United States by France in 1886 commemorating the centennial of the United States and is a gesture of friendship between the two nations. The sculptor was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The statue serves as a welcome to all visitors, immigrants, and returning Americans and a reminder of the freedoms we have as Americans. You can’t climb all the way to the crown anymore, but you can go through the internal museum and up to the platform where you still have a breathtaking view of the New York skyline.
Liberty Science Center
Located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, theLiberty Science Center is an interactive museum which is home to the country’s largest IMAX theater and the original Hoberman sphere. Right now the LSC is going through a $109 million expansion, which will be complete July 2007 and will increase the building size to almost 300,000 square feet, and adding several new exhibits including “Syscraper! Achievement and Impact,” and “Infection Connection”. Also to debut in July will be the Jennifer A. Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching, a 20,000 square-foot space dedicated to educational resources for teachers and students including six labs and a theater. The Liberty Science Center is a great place for scientific field trips or simply a fun and enjoyable museum to explore on the weekend.
Medieval Times
Just outside of the Meadowlands, in Lyndhurst, sits the majestic New Jersey castle of Medieval Times. Both historical and entertaining, shows are set up so as to immerse audience members into the medieval world of knights and chivalry. Spectators sit in an arena and are assigned a color, or team, for which to cheer as they watch jousting, sword fighting, and equestrian competitions. Dinner is eating without utensils in true medieval style, and everyone is served vegetable soup, garlic bread, chicken, and potatoes among other foods. The show is a particularly popular activity for birthday parties.
149 Polito Ave Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 1-888-WE-JOUST
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