Fun in the sun without breaking the bank

New Jersey

High Point State Park, 1480 Route 23, Wantage, 973-875-4800
Things to do: High Point Monument, hiking, swimming, camping, boating and fishing.
(Note: Swimming permitted only if lifeguards are on duty; swimming permitted from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; no swimming Monday and Tuesday.)
Cost: Free

Hopatcong State Park, 260 Lakeside Blvd., Landing, 973-398-7010
Things to do: Swimming, hiking, fishing, picnicking, playground.
(Note: Swimming permitted only if lifeguards are on duty; swimming permitted from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday; no swimming Monday and Tuesday.)
Cost: Free

Kittatinny Valley State Park, 199 Goodale Road, Newton, 973-786-6445
Things to do: Hiking, camping, fishing, boating.
Cost: Free

Long Pond Ironworks State Park, 1334 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Hewitt, 973-962-7031
Things to do: Hiking, boating, fishing.
Cost: Free

Pirate’s Cove Splash Pad, Turkey Brook Park, Budd Lake, 973-691-0900
Things to do: Run around and play in the water
Cost: Free

Skylands Manor, 5 Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ, 973-962-9534
Things to do: Take a tour of the 96 acres of gardens
Cost: Free. (Note: Scheduled tours require tickets; parking fee on weekends.)

Sparta Lanes, 43 Center St., Sparta, 973-729-6135
Things to do: Bowling
Cost: Free for children when you register online at kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=5959

Sterling Hill Mining Museum, 30 Plant St., Ogdensburg, 973-209-7212
Things to do: Learn about the Sterling Hill Mine
Cost: $11 for children ages 4-12; $14 for those age 13 years or older; $13 for seniors age 65 and older

Tomahawk Lake Waterpark, 155 Tomahawk Trail, Sparta, 973-398-7777
Things to do: Swimming, miniature golf, horseshoes, sand volleyball and picnicking.
Cost: $14 for children age 8 and younger on weekdays; $16 for children age 8 and younger on weekends; $16 for those age 9 and older on weekdays; $18 for those age 9 and older on weekends. (Note: Special prices on holidays.)

Wawayanda State Park, 885 Warwick Turnpike, Hewitt, 973-853-4462
Things to do: Hiking, swimming, camping, boating, fishing, bird watching, playground. (Note: Swimming permitted only if lifeguards are on duty.)
Cost: Free

New York

Bear Mountain State Park Pool, 3020 Seven Lakes Drive, Tomkins Cove, 845-786-2701
Things to do: Swimming, hiking, biking, boat rentals, fishing, playgrounds, trailside museum and zoo. (Note: Swimming permitted only if lifeguards are on duty; pool hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekends.)
Cost: $10 vehicle use fee and a $5 per person pool admission fee (cash only).

Glenmere Park, Mayer Hartel Avenue, Florida, 845-615-3830
Things to do: Canoeing, kayaking, boating, picnicking and fishing. No gas motors allowed.
Cost: For town of Warwick and Florida residents, season pass is $5 and boat use is free. Dog permits are $5 per dog. For non-residents, the season pass is $50, boat use is $5 and dog permits are $10 per dog.

Heritage Trail, Orange County
Access points on Ryerson Road, New Hampton; Hartley Road, Goshen; St. James Place, Village of Goshen: Chester Depot Museum, Chester; Airplane Park, Monroe; Park and Ride Lot B, Village of Monroe; River Road, Harriman.
Things to do: Walking, running, biking, rollerblading.
Cost: Free

Lake Tiorati in Harriman State Park, 2300 Seven Lakes Drive, Southfields, 845-429-8257
Things to do: Swimming, hiking, fishing, picnicking and boating. (Note: Swimming permitted only if lifeguards are on duty; swimming permitted from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. weekends.)
Cost: $10 parking

Museum Village, 1010 Route 17M, Monroe, 845-782-8248
Things to do: Explore the 19th-century replica village
Cost: Free for children age 3 and younger; free for active military and veterans; $10 for children ages 4-12; $15 for adults; and $13 for seniors

Pin Street at Warwick, 154 Route 94S, Warwick, 845-986-3565
Things to do: Bowling.
Cost: Free for children when you register online at kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=5817

Pennsylvania

Airport Park Splash Pad, 701 Avenue Q, Matamoras, 570-491-2771
Things to do: Run around and play in the water.
Cost: $2 entry fee.

Dingman Falls, 224 Dingmans Falls Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA, 570-828-2253
Things to do: Hike the Dingmans Creek Trail to Dingmans Falls.
Cost: Free,

Milford Beach, 150 Milford Beach Road, Milford, 570-426-2434
Things to do: Swimming, picnicking, canoeing, fishing, hiking and bicycling. (Note: No lifeguards on duty, swim at your own risk.)
Cost: $7 per vehicle on weekdays, $10 per vehicle on weekends and holidays; and $1 per person for vehicles with eight or more adults

Palmyra Township Public Beach, 2512 Route 6, Hawley, 570-226-9290
Things to do: Swimming, picnicking, grilling and volleyball. (Note: Swimming permitted only if lifeguards are on duty.)
Cost: Free for seniors and infants; $5 for adults; $2 for children age 11 and younger

Don’t forget to check your local library for free passes to museums and upcoming events