Museums are a great way for you and the family to have a fun day out and bond while still being in an educational environment. Luckily, there are a number of museums in the Bridgewater area for a day outing. Each museum has a different focus, giving you an array of areas to learn more about, depending on what you and the kids are interested in. If you’re looking to plan a museum outing in the near future, we’ve rounded up a list of some of the best museums to go to in the area. Be sure to check out the list below. 

Experience Art at the Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers

The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University is one of the largest and most distinguished university-based museums across the country. The museum is involved in a number of things, including collecting, preserving, researching, and exhibiting world-class works of art. Its mission is to allow diverse audiences, including the university community and regional, national, and even international audiences, to experience visual arts in a controlled way. There are many platforms and means of consumption that help make the art more digestible for everyone, through exhibitions, publications, and educational programs. 

The Zimmerli is closed on Mondays but is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. It’s located at 71 Hamilton Street and George Street on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers, and the nice thing is that admission is free to all. 

Learn About Golf at the USGA Golf Museum

The USGA Golf Museum is home to the world’s best collection of golf artifacts and memorabilia. Its goal is to foster learning and appreciation of the game of golf, the players, and the association. The museum was founded in 1936 and has been a longstanding exhibit representing the best of the sport. 

There are five rooms dedicated to the golf greats Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Bob Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Mickey Wright. The museum has a Hall of Champions that holds the 13 official USGA championship trophies and honors every single USGA champion and championship dating back to 1895. There is an interactive piece to the museum through the Pynes Putting course. This course replicates the way the game used to be played in St. Andrews, Scotland. The museum is closed on Mondays but is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Explore Natural History at Rutgers Geology Museum

Image via Flickr by watchsmart

Geology meant something more like “natural history” when the Rutgers Geology Museum was founded back in 1872. So when you visit the museum, you’ll find a variety of fields of science represented throughout the exhibits, including anthropology, paleontology, and biology. Be prepared for amazing exhibits, like a 2,400-year-old female Egyptian mummy. Other exhibits include a giant spider crab and a mastodon, affectionately named Manny. The exhibits are so fun you’ll forget that you’re actually learning a lot about history.

During the academic year (September through May), the museum is closed on Sundays and Mondays but opens up at 10 a.m. for the rest of the week. Summer hours do differ slightly, so be sure to check the Rutgers Geology Museum’s website. Admission is free, so it’s a great place to come with the whole family for a fun and educational day out.

See Rotating Exhibits at Cornelius Low House

The Cornelius Low House was named after a wealthy merchant in 1741 and is now listed on the Historic National Registry. This New Jersey home is unique in that it’s one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in New Jersey. The home represents not only historic architecture but also houses rotating exhibits that provide information about New Jersey history. Recent exhibits include a piece on New Jersey diners, as well as a centennial display on the state’s involvement during World War I. 

The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays but is open from Wednesdays to Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for all, and the museum is open year-round except for certain holidays.

Appreciate Local Wildlife at the Briar Bush Nature Center

Just an hour away in Pennsylvania, the Briar Bush Nature Center was founded in 1908 by a Quaker couple, and the property was used for many years to be a refuge for wildlife and to teach people about nature and the environment. The property was bought and preserved to continue its original purpose as an educational center and eventually became the Briar Bush Nature Center. The nature center includes the museum itself, as well as a set of trails and a bird observatory.

The museum is currently closed to visitors and only open for programming, but the trails around the nature center are open to visitors daily from dawn until dusk. The trails are free of charge, so be sure to take the family around to experience the fresh air and observe the wildlife at any time of day. Pets can disrupt wildlife, so if you plan to come, be sure to leave your pets at home. Also, remember to be respectful and not disturb the environment, which means no collecting of the plants or animals in the area.

Children’s Museum of New Jersey

Last but not least is the Children’s Museum of New Jersey. The Children’s Museum of New Jersey is one of a few Children’s Museum locations across the country. The museum fosters learning through fun, interactive rooms and exhibits dedicated to children. The museum also hosts special programs on weekends and other special days. Currently, the museum is open on select days and times, so be sure to check the schedule online to see what is upcoming. 

So there you have it, a list of fun, interactive, and educational museums to check out in the Bridgewater area. At Crème de la Crème of Bridgewater, NJ., we understand the importance of education, and we know there are ways to incorporate learning every day in fun ways. Museums are a great way to do that, and they also allow you to have family time, giving you the best of both worlds.