Things To Do in New Jersey

Originally built to sail around the world, the New Horizons motorsailer now spends its days providing Maine hospitality to its guests while gliding along the scenic Northeastern coast of the United States. After boarding the sailboat, groups can take in the sweeping views of the New York Harbor, the Hudson River, and the Long Island Sound, while sipping drinks and savoring treats such as the classic Maine lobster roll. Seafarers may also embark on special voyages, such as Lobster Day Sail picnics. With its spacious design, semi-private upper deck, and modern sound system, the New Horizons can handle events that range from large family gatherings to old-fashioned ocean-drinking contests.

Even after 10 years in business, a spot on Golf Magazine’s “40 Under 40” list, and multiple features in Entrepreneur magazine, CEO Joshua Jacobs maintains a laserlike focus on what’s important to the health of America’s youngsters. His youth-enrichment program, taught at all TGA franchises, uses the games of golf and tennis as means for communicating positive life values and building confidence in pre-K through 8th-grade students, all while keeping kids active to combat obesity. Born from a team of golf, tennis, and education professionals, the five-level TGA curriculum teaches etiquette, sportsmanship, and the value of physical activity alongside lessons in math, science, history, and English. The trained staff outfits each student with modified equipment for their lesson, including shorter golf clubs, lighter tennis racquets, and reduced-flight golf balls that have had their wings clipped for indoor use. Students also receive a handbook filled with lessons, activities, and challenges to encourage further development.

To cap off its 2011–12 season, J City Theater finds comic relief in the stages of grief with its production of the biting and bittersweet British romp The Memory of Water. The female-led ensemble piece surveys eccentric sisters Mary, Teresa, and Catherine as they quibble in preparation for their mother’s funeral. Quips fly at a machine-gun clip as the estranged siblings circle around childhood memories, strained romances, and the old wounds their mother's death has opened. Trying desperately to hold the trio together with her more-developed sense of responsibility, the unhappily married Teresa finds tightly wound expression in Rosalind Ashford, whose voice and acting chops have graced countless TV programs, audiobooks, and voiceovers. J City artistic director Sandy Cockrell steps into the role of middle child Mary as she struggles with memories of the son she placed for adoption at age 14.

Home to the state's largest freestanding bouldering island, New Jersey Rock Gym houses 12,000 square feet of vertical terrain to climb as well as 41 top roping stations. Armed with either day passes or membership, guests scamper up the gym's synthetic summits, hoping to ask questions of the learned ceiling light sequestered at the top of the mountain. While gear is included with some membership options, guests can opt to bring their own materials or rent the individual shoes ($5), harnesses ($4), or chalk bags ($2) they need from the pro shop. New Jersey Rock Gym offers a collection of educational course work in the vertical arts, teaching belay technique to beginners or advanced skills to adults. Children can also take advantage of youth climbing programs, mini camps, and birthday parties before retiring to private refreshment chambers to absorb bottles of electrolyte-infused refreshment. The nearby pro shop outfits climbers with name-brand gear for purchase, while a WiFi lounge transmits terabytes of data into nearby electronic devices or unsecured cyborg brains.

Like leaves on a tree, Dragonfly Farms changes color with the seasons. Owners Patrick and Judy Lapide transform their show rooms to highlight new plants and flowers, home furnishings, and gardening supplies, applying vivid coats of paint and themed backdrops to complement their wares. In addition to greenery and home decor, they offer winemaking supplies and equipment—rendering fermented sips more easily than stomping on beaded fruit.