Wintertime Activities

Even with the holidays behind us, the winter season is still in full swing; thankfully, there are countless seasonal activities available at your fingertips in New Jersey.

Aiming to stay within the Monmouth County area? Well, look no further than Holmdel Park. In the warmer months, Holmdel Park is widely known for its Historic Longstreet Farm where visitors can pet farm animals, but in the winter, you’ll find all the action at the Holmdel Park Sled Hill. So long as conditions are permitting, this massive hill is open to the public every winter season, allowing hours upon hours of fun for the whole family. With park rangers on close standby to assure all sledders are safe, the Holmdel Park Sled Hill is a fantastic choice for thrillseekers of any age.

Staying local, another icy-cool activity can be found in Middletown: year-round public ice-skating! With as little as a $10 admission fee, a day of ice-skating at the Middletown Sports Complex isn’t just fun– it’s wallet-friendly, too! If you’re a bit of a rookie, have no fear; the Middletown Sports Complex offers “Learn to Skate” classes for all ages and levels of skaters. Whether you’re a hockey player looking to practice your shots, a figure skater seeking some new moves, or a total beginner just wanting to have some fun on the rink, these classes have you covered. For the cherry on top, the Middletown Sports Complex also hosts weekly “DJ Skate” nights with live music that’ll have you dancing across the ice until the sun comes up.

If you’ve got the time for a slightly longer trek, why not take the trip up to East Rutherford to visit the world-famous American Dream Mall? If it’s your first time visiting, you’ll immediately learn that American Dream turns the definition of “mall” on its head, featuring the likes of an indoor amusement park, a mini-golf course, an aquarium, a ferris wheel, and an entire wing dedicated to luxury retail. However, when it comes to wintertime activities, one attraction in particular steals the show...

Unveiled in 2019, American Dream’s “Big SNOW” prides itself as North America’s first and only indoor, real-snow, year-round ski and snow resort. What makes Big SNOW particularly exciting is the opportunity to relive the nostalgic joy of a snow day, no matter the weather outside. Similar to Middletown Sports Complex, Big SNOW also offers optional lessons for both snowboarding and skiing, which means that anybody can hit the genuine snow in no time.

Lastly, if high-energy winter sports aren’t exactly your speed, there are tons of Monmouth County parks that offer “winter walks”, where you can hike through the woods as a group and discover nature’s little wonders that arise when exquisite wildlife frosts over. Check out our Events Calendar to discover which local parks in particular will be hosting these special events. Regardless of what route you take for the day, be sure to bundle up, and stay safe and warm on your travels.