Brrrrrring! You get your final yearbook signature and wave goodbye to your last-block teacher. As you step into the hallway, the sounds of lockers slamming, kids shouting, backpacks zipping, and cheerful goodbyes fill the air. You meet up with your friends and talk about all the sleepovers, wiffleball games, beach trips, and vacations you hope to have over the summer. Fast forward a few weeks: you’re sitting on your couch, alone, realizing all your friends are away on vacation. Looking for something to do, you ask your mom and brother if they’d like to go somewhere together. Your brother immediately suggests Plays in the Park or visiting American Revolution sites, since so much history happened nearby about 250 years ago. Your mom thinks for a moment and suggests hiking a portion of the Appalachian Trail, and she agrees that playing in the park sounds fun, too. When she asks what you’d like to do, you say you want to see a Somerset Patriots game. She smiles and says, “Okay, but first, let’s research each of these places and then decide what to do.”
Plays-in-the-Park in Edison
The season starts on June 17 and runs through June 27. It will be showing All Shook Up. Then, from July 8 to July 18, 1776, will be playing. Then lastly, Guys and Dolls will be playing from July 29 to August 8th. This could be a super fun night out because there is no reserved seating, just tickets, and there is a great snack stand with meatball subs, cotton candy, and other foods. There is also a grassy area in the back for silent play, and it just has such a cool vibe. The theater is outdoors, and you get to see so many things out in the open that you normally wouldn’t see. That is the first option for your family to go.
Appalachian Mountains
There are endless opportunities for things to do there. Hiking, bringing your dog, and learning about the wilderness while also living there for a short time. If you are looking to do it near Morristown, a good section of it near you is the New York-New Jersey Highlands. Or, if you just want to look at the scenery, you can go to the Sunrise Mountain Overlook, where you can see a view of the city and the mountains. So if you want to enjoy a quiet, cool summer morning, this would be a great idea.
The Somerset Patriots
The most successful minor league baseball team from 1998 to 2020 was the Somerset Patriots. They had 1,580 wins and 6 championships at that time. Sometimes they dress up as the Zorros or the Jersey Diners. You can often also see celebrities at their games, like most recently, Casey Webb, a famous food critic. The food at the Patriots’ games is good, with stands set up at the first base side, with a station to see how fast you can throw. On select nights, they have fireworks, and almost every game, they have a Chick-Fil-A t-shirt toss. It is always a really fun night. There are also countless opportunities to get on the Jumbotron/screen. It’s not too overwhelming, and it all adds up to a nice experience. I personally recommend either getting the Philly cheesesteak or, for dessert, getting their soft serve.
Whether you’re planning a fun day with your family or seeking a solo adventure, these activities offer something for everyone. From relaxing in the great outdoors to cheering at an exciting baseball game, each choice promises a memorable experience.
Works Cited
“THE 10 BEST Hidden Gems in New Jersey (2026).” Tripadvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g28951-Activities-zft12156-New_Jersey.html. Accessed 6 May 2026.
Amato, Jennifer, et al. “50 Free Things to Do In New Jersey This Summer.” NJ Family, 20 May 2024, https://www.njfamily.com/50-free-things-to-do-in-nj-this-summer/. Accessed 6 May 2026.
“Somerset Patriots, New York Yankees Double-A.” VisitNJ.org, https://visitnj.org/nj-attractions/somerset-patriots-new-york-yankees-double. Accessed 6 May 2026.
Vanover, Monica. “Hidden Gems in New Jersey: Explore the Best-Kept Secrets.” VisitNJ.org, https://visitnj.org/article/hidden-gems-in-new-jersey. Accessed 6 May 2026.
