The 21 Best Museums in New Jersey [2024]

New Jersey is often overshadowed by its New York neighbor, but this little state has become an East Coast cultural hub in its own right. In particular, the Garden State is gaining a reputation for having a wide variety of museums that suit practically any interest. From family vacations with creative young kids to solo trips to learn more about art, music, and culture, there’s an exhibit worth visiting in New Jersey.

The Best Museums in New Jersey

1. Doo Wop Experience Museum

Though doo-wop music might be one of the focal points of the Doo Wop Experience Museum in Wildwood, this facility celebrates all aspects of pop culture in the U.S. during the 1950s and 1960s.

Inside what was once a thriving local eatery, the museum showcases and preserves a wide variety of vintage memorabilia. These items range from old neon signs and advertisements to bikes, decor, and art. This museum has earned a reputation for its constant evolution. As the museum acquires more items, the Doo Wop Experience changes, so it’s always different, no matter how many times someone visits.

One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is the I-Wall, which lets guests explore Wildwood of the 50s and 60s interactively. This is generally a self-guided experience, but staff is always on hand to answer any questions.

Admission via bus tour is $10 for kids under 13 and $20 for adults. The Doo Wop Experience Museum is open Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. year-round and Thursday and Sunday from 4 to 9:30 p.m. during the summer. The nearest bus stop is the Wildwood Bus Terminal.

• Address: 4500 Ocean Ave., Wildwood, NJ 08260

2. Emlen Physick Estate

Emlen Physick Estate was originally designed by the famous American architect Frank Furness for a prominent East Coast family. Though it was used as a private residence for years, the unique style of the building, featuring oversized features like porch brackets and chimneys, made it a local landmark.

In recent decades, this 18-room mansion has been transformed into a museum to highlight not just the estate’s architecture but the decor and day-to-day life of the New Jersey upper class. As one of the only Victorian Houses open to the public in this part of the state, it gives visitors a unique opportunity to take a look back in time.

This museum can only be visited as part of one of the site’s tours. The Emlen Physick Estate Tour is the most popular of the featured tour experiences. However, there are also themed options like the Historic Haunts House Tour and the seasonal Christmas tour.

Admission is free for children under 3, $15 for kids 3 to 12, and $20 for adults. Emlen Physick Estate is open daily from 9 am. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Cape May Welcome Center and Lafayette Street.

• Address: 1048 Washington St., Cape May, NJ 08204

3. Imagine That!!!

Imagine That!!! is one of New Jersey’s premier children’s museums, dedicated to helping kids learn and play. Most of the exhibits on-site are designed for kids under the age of 10, with preschool visitors often getting the most enrichment from the experience.

Currently, there are over a dozen play areas in the museum that are open to the public. Some of the most popular are the pirate ship set, the Color Wheel, and the arts and crafts area. There’s also a soft play zone for babies under a year old.

It’s possible to rent the space’s party room for private events, and there’s an on-site cafe and dining area for guests to use. Other on-site activities are hosted during the year, too. Keep in mind that the space follows a largely open-concept layout, so it can get quite loud on busy days — good to keep in mind if you’re visiting with kids with sensory concerns.

Admission is free for kids under 12 months, $6.99 for anyone over 11, and $21.99 for kids 10 and under. Imagine That!!! is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Vreeland Road at Hanover Road.

• Address: 4 Vreeland Road, Florham Park, NJ 07932

4. Insectropolis

Called the “Bugseum of New Jersey,” Insectropolis gives visitors a chance to learn about insects in a surprisingly hands-on way. In addition to traditional habitats where visitors can see bugs in their natural environments, the museum offers more interactive experiences, including petting tarantulas, roaches, and scorpions. While touching one of the bugs available to be petted is highly recommended and safe, it’s not a requirement.

Thousands of common and rare insects from around the world, ranging from butterflies to hissing roaches, are kept at the facility. To help encourage learning and decrease the public’s fear and misunderstanding of insects, the site also has games and computer-based exhibits that take visitors into the world of bugs. While the museum is aimed at people of all ages, it’s particularly popular with kids.

Admission is free for kids under 2 and $12 for everyone else. Insectropolis is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. Hours are extended during the months of July and August. The nearest bus stop is US-9 at Silverton Road.

• Address: 1761 US-9, Toms River, NJ 08755

5. Liberty Science Center

When Liberty Science Center first opened its doors, it made a name for itself as the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Though it no longer holds that title, it’s still one of the 4 largest in this part of the world. At the time of its opening, the center was also the first science museum in the state, which has only helped it maintain its popularity over the years.

Liberty Science Center uses a combination of permanent and temporary exhibitions to help teach visitors of all ages about the sciences. Some of the facility’s most famous spaces include the Touch Tunnel, Wild About Animals, and Microbes Rule!

The center’s packed activity schedule makes it so popular among families. Nearly every week, a number of science encounters and events are hosted on-site for visitors to participate in. These include screenings at the museum theater, planetarium shows, and animal meetings.

Admission is free for kids under 2, $31 for kids 2 to 12, and $36 for adults. Discounts of $5 are available for advanced bookings. Liberty Science Center is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but operating hours are subject to change. The nearest light rail station is Liberty State Park.

• Address: 222 Jersey City Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07305

6. Monmouth Museum

Though called a children’s museum, the Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center has exhibits for people of all ages. Known locally for its rotating exhibits in fields ranging from natural science and history to art and culture, the space is one of the most comprehensive learning facilities in this part of the state. To accommodate the different topics covered at Monmouth, the building is divided into several wings. This helps separate the areas dedicated to kids from those that are more geared to grown-ups.

Artists are also welcome to apply for the chance to exhibit their work in a temporary gallery. In particular, the museum is famous for highlighting up-and-coming New Jersey artists, though the space hosts a variety of exhibition opportunities during the year. Though the Monmouth has primarily rotating displays, the Sewing Bird Collection is part of the permanent collection and is regularly on display.

Admission is free for kids under 2, Brookdale staff and employees, and active military personnel, $10 for military veterans and seniors 65 and over, and $14 for everyone from 2 to 64. Monmouth Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Brookdale College.

• Address: 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738

7. Montclair Art Museum

The Montclair Art Museum (MAM) is entirely devoted to art created by Native American and American artists and art forms. Since it first opened in 1914, the space has acquired over 12,000 works of art featuring both famous and lesser-known artists.

Since the collection is so large, only a fraction of the pieces housed at the MAM are displayed at a time. Throughout the year, the space rotates its galleries to showcase different pieces. Some of the highlighted pieces at the MAM include “Mt. Rushmore (Nieces & Nephew)” by Caren King Choi, “The Little Lake” by Joseph Stella, and “Deliverance Disco” by George McNeil.

Notably, the museum doesn’t focus on any particular art style, so it houses a wide array of pieces, including sculptures, paintings, and even baskets. MAM also uplifts aspiring creators by sponsoring classes, lectures, and other events both on-site and in the community.

MAM is free for members and kids under 12, $3 for seniors and students, and $5 for other adults. The Montclair Art Museum is open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Bloomfield Avenue at St. Luke’s Place.

• Address: 3 South Mountain Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042

8. Morris Museum

Not only is the Morris Museum one of New Jersey’s oldest museums, but it’s also the second-largest in the state. As a multidisciplinary museum, the space has exhibits centering on a variety of topics, from wildlife and history to music boxes and model trains. This eclectic nature has long been part of what made the Morris Museum beloved by locals and tourists.

Hundreds of pieces are permanently housed at the museum, though the space routinely collaborates with other collections to showcase temporary exhibitions. Some areas popular among visitors include Digging Dinos, kinetic art galleries, and interactive spaces designed to interest children in learning.

Performances and even film screenings are also routinely part of the Morris Museum’s calendar, alongside other events like workshops, clubs, and lectures. With enough advance notice, the space can also be rented as a private venue.

Morris Museum is free for members, children under 3, and active military personnel and their families, $8 for seniors, students under 25, and children 3 to 17, and $12 for all other adults. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest train station is Morristown about a mile and a half away.

• Address: 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960

9. Morven Museum & Garden

Morven Museum & Garden is one of New Jersey’s most historic buildings. Once used as the governor’s mansion, the space is a national landmark because it once belonged to Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Since 2004, the mansion has been a museum that largely focuses on local and national history. Seven permanent gallery spaces display photos, clothing, furnishings, documents, and other artifacts and recreations of historic items.

Some of the museums most notable exhibits include “The American Spirit of Enterprise,” “Inhabitants of Morven,” and “Forming the New Nation.” Unlike most mansion museums, the Morven Museum is primarily a self-guided space. However, docent-led tours are also available every hour.

The museum also regularly hosts a number of seasonal and educational events, including special exhibitions and lectures. The outdoor garden area is available as a private venue for weddings and other ceremonies.

The Morven Museum & Garden is free for kids under 6 and members, $10 for active military personnel, veterans, children 7 to 18, students, and seniors 60 and over, and $12 for all other adults. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nearest train station is US-206 at Library Place.

• Address: 55 Stockton St., Princeton, NJ 08540

10. Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum

The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is at the Cape May Airport, which was commissioned over 80 years ago. Since being transformed into a museum, it has aimed to showcase naval and aviation history through photos, equipment, and historic aircraft. Though dozens of planes, cars, helicopters, and other vehicles are displayed, some highlights include a Cessna 150, a North American T-28C Trojan, and a Grumman F-14B Tomcat.

There’s also a sizable collection of American 1940s memorabilia, including radios, record players, and vending machines. Most people visit the museum as a self-guided experience. However, guided tours are available for group visits, though reservations must be made ahead of time.

Recently, the museum has also established itself as an event venue for weddings, anniversaries, and other on-site ceremonies. These can be held both inside the hangar and on the facility’s outdoor grounds.

The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is free for members, active military personnel, and children under 3, $12 for kids 3 to 12, $14 for veterans, and $16 for other adults. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The nearest bus stop is Hornet Road at Ranger Road.

• Address: Cape May Airport, 500 Forrestal Road, Cape May, NJ 08204

11. The Newark Museum of Art

The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) is the largest museum in the state, with hundreds of thousands of pieces both on display and in the site archives. Currently, this massive collection is divided into 7 categories: Arts of the Americas, Classical Arts, Decorative Arts, American Art, Arts of Global Africa, Arts of Global Asia, and Science. NMOA’s science collection is its largest, with over 170,000 specimens, ranging from ancient and rare shells and minerals to animal specimens collected around the world.

Some highlighted pieces housed at the Newark Museum of Art include “White Flower on Red Earth No. 1” by Georgia O’Keeffe, “Many Came Back” by El Anatsui, and “Formas Entrelazadas en Fondo Rojo” by Joaquin Torres-Garcia. NMOA also has a full event calendar for visitors to enjoy. Some events are only for members, but many are open to the public and family-friendly.

The Newark Museum of Art is $8 for kids, seniors 65 and over, teachers, and students, and $10 for other adults. It is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest tram stop is Harriet Tubman Square.

• Address: 49 Washington St., Newark, NJ 07102

12. New Jersey Maritime Museum

The coastal New Jersey Maritime Museum teaches visitors about the maritime history of the Eastern Seaboard. Displaying navigation and sailing equipment, documents, photos, and items recovered from shipwrecks off the shore, the museum creates an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. It’s also known for having the biggest and most comprehensive collection of maritime memorabilia in the state.

Currently, the museum has over a dozen exhibits that focus on topics ranging from New Jersey shark attacks to antique equipment. There’s even an extensive on-site library filled with rare and out-of-print books and journals on sailing.

Since the museum has such a large collection of items, it’s often used as a research facility. Be sure to contact the museum if you need special access for that purpose. The museum also hosts a number of lectures and fundraising events every year.

General admission is free. New Jersey Maritime Museum is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and daily during June, July, and August. The nearest bus stop is Beach Haven – Long Beach Island, NJ.

• Address: 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

13. New Jersey State Museum

First opened in 1895, the New Jersey State Museum houses many of the state’s most treasured artifacts. With exhibits ranging in topic from ethnography to fine arts, it’s also considered to be one of the most comprehensive cultural centers in this part of the East Coast. Over the years, the museum has acquired millions of items, most of which are kept in its archives. However, the facility’s galleries rotate throughout the year to refresh the displays.

All items can be broadly divided into 4 categories: Natural History, Fine Art, Cultural History, and Archaeology & Ethnography. However, some of the temporary exhibitions hosted on-site delve into other topics. This museum also has a planetarium, which hosts shows several times a week.

Discovery Den is another popular museum area, especially with kids, since it encourages learning and exploring the sciences and the natural world.

General admission is free for everyone, but ticket purchases are required for planetarium shows. The New Jersey State Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The nearest bus stop is West State Street at Green Place.

• Address: 205 West State St., Trenton, NJ 08608

14. Old Barracks Museum

The Old Barracks Museum was once used to house British soldiers in the 1700s and was where George Washington famously surprised a Hessian garrison, a significant victory that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War. (The painting “Washington Crossing the Delaware” depicts the general and future president on his way to this sneak attack.) This tie to the country’s early history has helped it survive to the present day as a national and state landmark.

Today, the Old Barracks Museum houses over 2,000 artifacts, ranging from art to military items, most of which can be traced back centuries. Some highlights from the museum’s collection include the Pine Tree Flag, James Garthwait’s powder horn, and a collection of fabric featuring intricately hand-done needlework.

The museum has 4 main wings. One of the most popular is the When Women Vote gallery, which examines both the suffrage and antisuffrage movements. There’s also a large gallery dedicated to World War I. The museum hosts a number of special and educational events each year. It’s also a beloved destination for school trips and even virtual field trips.

Admission is free for children under 5 and active military personnel, $8 for students and seniors, and $10 for other adults. The Old Barracks Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is West State Street at Barrack Street.

• Address: 101 Barrack St., Trenton, NJ 08608

15. Princeton University Art Museum

Princeton University Art Museum has been collecting pieces since 1755, though the museum didn’t officially open to the public until over 100 years later. Over the years, it’s amassed a collection of over 110,000 works of art from a variety of cultures and time periods from around the world.

As the number of pieces housed at the museum has grown, the facility has split its collection into 10 categories. This museum even has long-term agreements with other exhibition facilities to lend and exchange works of art for galleries.

Some highlighted pieces held at the Princeton University Art Museum include “To Be Sold” by Titus Kaphar, “Narcissa’s Last Orchid” by Georgia O’Keeffe, and “Green Likes Mauve” by Helen Frankenthaler. As part of the university, the museum consistently hosts educational lectures, artist discussions, tours, and workshops. The space also has a number of fundraising events on its event calendar.

Admission is free for everyone. Princeton University Art Museum’s main space is closed until 2025 for construction. The space has 2 satellite galleries, where special exhibitions are showcased. The nearest bus stop is McCosh Walk on Washington Road.

• Address: Elm Drive, Princeton, NJ 08544

16. Red Mill Museum Village

Originally known as the Clinton Historical Museum, Red Mill Museum Village is an open-air museum that preserves the history of New Jersey’s Hunterdon County. Stretching over 10 acres, the museum contains 12 historical buildings that have managed to survive to the present day.

In addition to the buildings, the museum houses over 40,000 artifacts, most of which were used in agriculture, industry, or day-to-day domestic life. Since this collection is so vast, only a portion of it is displayed in the permanent and rotating exhibits.

Red Mill is the most famous structure on the grounds and serves as the main museum. However, the Quarry Crusher and Screen House and the Bunker Hill School House are also beloved by visitors. To create a truly immersive experience, the site regularly hosts special events, and the space can even be rented as an event venue for weddings and other ceremonies.

Admission is free for kids under 6, members, veterans, and active military personnel and their families, $10 for seniors and kids 6 to 10, and $12 for all other adults. Red Mill Museum Village is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. There are no public transit stops in the museum’s immediate vicinity.

• Address: 56 Main St., Clinton, NJ 08809

17. Space Farms: Zoo & Museum

Though sometimes more well-known for its zoo exhibits, the Space Farms: Zoo & Museum is also a historical museum that houses a variety of antique items. Eleven buildings are specifically designated for museum displays, which has allowed the on-site collection to grow vastly over the years.

Today, it houses over 50 antique vehicles, several antique carriages, colonial-era tools, arrowheads, and artifacts dating back to New Jersey’s Indigenous populations, and over 500 antique dolls. Highlighted items housed at Space Farms include a Ford 1909 Model T, a Studebaker 1923, and a 1918 Harley Davidson.

Each year, the museum hosts 4 to 6 special events in addition to the daily activity schedule, though most of these events take place in the zoo portion of the museum. Since the facility began as a zoo, it has sponsored programs to help endangered species from the U.S. and around the world.

Admission is free for kids under 3, $20 for kids 3 to 12, $23 for seniors 65 and over, and $24 for adults. The Space Farms: Zoo & Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are no public transit stops in the museum’s immediate vicinity.

• Address: 218 County Road 519, Sussex, NJ 07461

18. Sterling Hill Mining Museum

Originally one of the richest zinc deposits in the world, Sterling Hill Mining Museum now commemorates Sussex County’s history of mineral mining.

Mining in this part of New Jersey began in 1630 and continued to be a core part of the local economy until 1986. So, it’s not surprising that just 3 years after the mine was closed, it was transformed into a museum. Since the museum includes exhibits inside the mine, it can only be visited as part of a tour, which takes guests through the exhibit hall and the upper levels of the mineshaft.

However, the tour isn’t the only activity hosted at Sterling Hill. Guests can try sluicing, search for minerals, visit the observatory, or attend one of the museum’s special events (these activities typically require the purchase of a separate ticket). Sterling Hill’s tour is completely wheelchair accessible, and strollers are permitted.

Tours are free for kids under 4, $13 for kids 4 to 12, $14 for seniors 65 and over, and $15 for other adults. Sterling Hill Mining Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., but tour times can vary. There are no public transit stops in the museum’s immediate vicinity.

• Address: 30 Plant St., Ogdensburg, NJ 07439

19. The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms

Opened as a school for arts and crafts, the Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms was transformed into an exhibit space in 1989. Preservation and research are Stickley’s main 2 pillars today, which it achieves through its collection and programs.

As an arts and crafts museum, the space houses mostly objects and artifacts used in day-to-day life rather than works of fine art. In total, the facility preserves 6,000 items, many of which were used by the farm’s original owners. Some pieces highlighted by the museum include a Grueby Potter Co. lamp base, a workshop bench, and a sugar bowl made by Lenox.

The property also houses an extensive library archive of rare books on the arts and crafts movement that swept through the U.S. and Europe. Visitors are welcome to browse the books or conduct research during operating hours.

Admission is free for members and kids under 2. Tickets start at $5 for kids 2 to 11, $7 for students, $10 for seniors 65 and over and adult residents, and $15 for other adults. Tour times and days vary. The nearest bus stop is Route 10 at Manor Lane.

• Address: 2352 NJ-10, Morris Plains, NJ 07950

20. Tuckerton Seaport Museum

As a working maritime village, the Tuckerton Seaport Museum allows visitors to experience New Jersey’s coastal culture in action.

Currently, there are 2 main exhibits in the museum area: The visitors center hosts a small selection of displays that delve into the area’s wildlife and the Barnegat Bay. The New Jersey Surf Museum shows how surfing became a popular sport in the state.

Tuckerton also has 12 historic or replica buildings from the original seaport town. Tucker’s Island Lighthouse is the most famous of these buildings, as it was the symbol of the Tucker’s Island community that was destroyed by storms a century ago. Other structures preserved by the museum include the Hotel DeCrab, the Sunny Brae Salt Box, and the Sea Captain’s House.

To create an even more engaging visit experience, the museum also regularly hosts special events like creek tours, community discussions, exhibitions, and boat rides.

Admission is $5 for everyone. Tuckerton Seaport Museum is open Saturday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nearest bus stop is US-9 At Center Street.

• Address: 120 West Main St., Tuckerton, NJ 08087

21. WheatonArts and Museum of American Glass

WheatonArts, formally known as the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center, helps uplift artists and foster community interest in creativity and the arts. Though the museum celebrates art of all kinds, a particular focus is placed on glasswork, with the Museum of American Glass being one of the center’s largest wings. This particular section of the facility houses over 7,000 works of art and is one of the only permanent exhibits on the property.

WheatonArts’ other exhibitions are typically temporary galleries, many of which feature items made by the artists in residence at the on-property studios.

To achieve its mission of inspiring up-and-coming artists, WheatonArts is famous for its programs. Fellowships in a variety of mediums are offered, which help ensure the space always has works of art to display. There’s also a selection of events for the general public as well, including workshops for teens, young art councils, artist talks, and family days.

Admission is free for kids under 5, $7 for students, $11 for seniors 62 and over, and $12 for other adults. WheatonArts is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are no public transit stops in the museum’s immediate vicinity.

• Address: 1000 Village Drive, Millville, NJ 08332

How To Get Free or Reduced Admission to New Jersey Museums

We’ve indicated with each museum whether or not children, students, or seniors receive free or reduced admission. Several other programs offer similar concessions.

The Museums for All program offers free or reduced admission to museums through the U.S. for those receiving food assistance (SNAP benefits). Participating New Jersey attractions include the Alice Paul Institute, Battleship New Jersey, Duke Farms, Montclair Art Museum, and more.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers cardholders free general admission on the first full weekend of every month to the following New Jersey museums: Hunterdon Art Museum, Liberty Science Center, Montclair Art Museum, Morris Museum, The Newark Museum of Art, and WheatonArts and Museum of American Glass.

Participation is subject to change. Please verify participating museums and entry conditions before your visit.

Final Thoughts

Despite being one of the country’s smallest states, New Jersey has no shortage of museums worth visiting. Whether you’re interested in history, art, or music, there’s an exhibit in this corner of the East Coast that deserves a spot on your travel bucket list.