Rancocas

State parks are a wonderful place to drive your family in your 2009 Nissan Maxima on a sunny summer afternoon. Whether you enjoy swimming, hiking, sightseeing, or camping, there are plenty of things for you to do in the 42 state parks, 3 recreation areas and 11 forests of the New Jersey State Park system.

One of the best-kept secrets when it comes to New Jersey parks is Rancocas State Park. The Rancocas state park is situated along the Rancocas Creek, and is an ideal setting for casual picnicking, hiking, and the observation of nature. The park encompasses 1,252 acres, and boasts several interesting features, including the Powhatan Indian Museum and the Rancocas Nature Center. Rancocas State Park is located just east of Camden, NJ.

Powhatan Indian Museum

The Powhatan Indians lease a portion of Rancocas State Park. They have constructed a replica of an Indian village from the 15th century at the park. Every year, there is an annual Powhatan Indian festival, which includes performances, music, and traditional crafts. This is called the Juried American Indian Arts Festival. For more information about the Powhatan Indian festival, call (856)261-4747.

Rancocas Nature Center

The New Jersey Audubon Society manages this feature of the Rancocas State Park. The center has a number of different programs throughout the year, featuring wildlife programs as well as nature walks. There are a number of self-guided nature trails maintained by the Nature Center, taking hikers and bird watchers through wetlands, woods and even meadows. There is a book and gift store, a classroom that’s available for parties and presentations. The Center also features Summertime day camps.

Rancocas Nature Center Museum

One feature of the Rancocas Nature Center that you just can’t miss is the museum. The museum includes a variety of live native reptiles, an area where you can view wildlife, a host of educational materials, and even a touch table. For more information about the Museum or the Nature Center in general, call the Rancocas Nature Center at 609-261-2495.

There is plenty of parking for your Nissan cars at the Park. Come check out this hidden gem today.

Plan ahead. Be realistic about what to expect from yourself and your family. Don’t expect that you’re going to be able to drive for 10 to 12 hours each day if you have toddlers. You’re probably not going to be able to get more than 6 hours at a time. If you have a toddler, you should consider making your trip somewhere closer to home, or breaking up your travel over several days.

Pack effectively. You should probably start packing your 2008 Nissan Altima a few days before you leave. At the very least, you should put together a packing list for each member of the family. Work with your kids on the packing process. This helps in a couple of ways. First, you can be sure they get everything packed. Second, when the time comes for them to get something out of their suitcase, they may remember exactly where they packed it.

Bring the right gear. Make sure you’ve got safety equipment. If you’re going to the beach, make sure you’ve got sunscreen, beach chairs, towels and swimsuits. Wherever it is you’re going, make sure you’ve got all of the things that you’re going to need.

Bring something for the kids to do. Car games like “I Spy” can get very old, very fast. Consider bringing some portable or travel games for the family to enjoy during the trip.

Bring snacks and drinks. Buying beverages and food at gas stations can become expensive very quickly. Bring your own snacks and drinks in order to save a few dollars along the way.

When you load up your 2008 Nissan Altima, make sure you’ve got some of these must-have beach items:

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is not only important to have with you when you go to the beach, it’s a necessity. You’ll want a sunscreen that has at least 15 SPF. For children, you should use sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF. You should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, too, about how often to reapply the sunscreen. This is especially true if you or your family are going to be in and out of the water.

Keep in mind, also, that the sun’s rays are at their peak between 10 AM and 4 PM. Also, you’ll want to make sure you cover every part of your body, including the nose, ears and back of the neck. You should even bring protective lip balm, as well.

Sunglasses and Hats

One of the things that can really detract from your ability to enjoy your day at the beach is the constant brightness of the sun. Bring sunglasses, sun hats or even beach umbrellas for everyone.

First Aid Kit

Boo-Boos happen sometimes, and you want to be ready when they do. Make sure that you’ve got some aloe sunburn lotion in your first aid kit, in addition to anything else in the kit.

Beach Toys

From blocks used to make sand castles to squirt guns and floating dinosaurs, your kids will probably want to bring a few toys with them. Pack them into your 2008 Nissan Altima and get ready for a great trip, just make sure those toys are appropriate for beach play.

Something to sit on

Finally, you’ll want your beach chairs or towels. There may be picnic tables at your beach, but if it’s a hot summer day they might all be claimed by the time you pull up. It’s best to be prepared.

1.    Set an appropriate pace. Children, especially the younger ones, have a limited attention span. There is only so much “I spy” you can play before they get bored. A good pattern is two hours of driving your new Nissan car and then a brief stop for gas or snacks.

2.    Many new Nissan minivans have an available entertainment package as an option. Consider having a DVD player installed to keep the kids entertained on long trips.

3.    Make sure to pack some car-friendly activities to keep your kids occupied. Crayons and notebooks are small and easy to pack but can entertain children for hours. Allow your kids some say over what is being packed, but make sure to include a few surpises that will delight them when they get bored with crayons.

4.    New Nissan cars come standard with CD players. Make sure to bring music your kids will enjoy, but make sure to bring some music for yourself as well. You want to keep your kids calm and entertained, but you don’t want to get into an accident because you have listened to “Barney’s Greatest Hits” one too many times.

5.    Be aware when your children are getting tired. Letting your children sleep in the car is a great way to kill some time, but it is difficult to wak them from a deep sleep because you’ve reached your destination.
Wherever you are going, have a great summer and enjoy your vacation.

Trolley

As nice as your new Nissan car is, there are only so many people you can fit in it at a time. If you’re looking for something to fit the whole family and more, consider taking your group for a trolley or boat ride out and about in Atlantic City. From shopping and sightseeing to taking a trip to historic Cape May, there’s something for everyone when it comes to trolley tours.

Shorelines and Shipwrecks

For the water lovers in your group, take a cruise along the shoreline. Listen to the fascinating history of the barrier islands and the indigenous species, tuck into a fresh seafood sampler from one of the local restaurants — although no seafood options are available if you prefer — and then take some time to explore the area. Hear about Widow’s Walk, the rumrunners, the bootleggers, the Grave Yard Inlet and all about the shipwrecks old and new. A must for tourists and residents alike.

Shop Till You Drop

Take the shoppers of your group for a trolley ride to the best bargains in the state. Visit outlet stores for big name brands, dine at exclusive restaurants, and look up in awe at the $7 million light, sound and water extravaganza, The Show.

Splash of Atlantic City Tour and Cape May

If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed — driving around the city all day in your new Nissan car is a pretty exciting endeavour, after all — take a trip back in time to where Atlantic City began. Learn about Miss America, salt water taffy, the history of The Boardwalk and all the other icons that make the City famous. For even more history, visit Victorian Cape May. See Victorian architecture at its finest, stroll down the cobble stone walks, or stay on the trolley to go to the Cape May Winery and Vineyard for tastings and more.

If you'd rather drive than take the trolley, why not check our a new Nissan at your New Jersey Nissan dealerships.

Here’s a list of snacks that are kid and parent approved:

Grapes — Green or purple grapes are a big hit with kids who are old enough not to choke on them. They’re probably the least sticky fruit, meaning the impact to your new Nissan car will be minimal. If you’ve got a cooler, try freezing them for hot days.

Prepackaged Raisins — Raisins are great because they’re a small snack, perfect for tiny hands. As the parent you can rest easy knowing that even if your kids dump the entire package on the floor of your car, all it takes is a quick vacuum to get your new Nissan car back to, well, new!

Natural Juices — Liquids in all capacities are scary for car owners with kids. It seems like there’s so much that can go wrong. The best way to go here is spill-proof sippy cups for the little ones and drink containers with built in spouts for bigger mouths. These limit the amount of spillage onto your upholstery.

Bagels and bagel chips — Probably the least crumbly bread product, bagels are great for car rides. This isn’t the place for peanut butter, though, so find a flavored bagel that tastes good just as it is. Bagel chips are great because you can package them yourself, saving the expense of the pricier packaged varieties from the store.

Granola bars — Like raisins, granola bars are great because even when they make a mess, it’s never anything a vacuum cleaner can’t fix. Granola bars are getting healthier these days, and most come in peanut free varieties to eliminate allergens.

AC

What good is a shiny and new Nissan car if you don’t have anywhere to take it? If you’re looking for a getaway from the everyday this summer, think about heading down to the Trump Taj Mahal to get out of the heat and into something interesting. While the Trump Taj Mahal is generally known for its nightlife, they’ve got exciting new things going on for every member of the family.

Bodies… the Exhibition is a groundbreaking exhibit showing the miraculous make up of the human body. It’s showing at the Xanadu Theater from May until August 22nd, and it’s open from 10 in the morning until 10 at night, seven days a week.

Science geeks of all ages will be fascinated by this presentation of real specimens of the whole human body and each individual organ. You’ll get the chance to see exactly what goes on inside that miraculous body of yours and figure out how the whole thing works.

The Bodies exhibition has been able to sensitively present these real specimens by using a method of preservation using polymer. You can just take a wander around or rent headsets that take you through an audio tour, explaining each part of the exhibit.

The perfect mini excursion for the curious members of the family, Bodies… The Exhibition is a great educational tool for families, school groups, clubs, children’s groups and summer camps. If nothing else, it’s air conditioned, but so is your new Nissan car.

Adult admission prices are $25.00, and it’s $20.00 for kids 12 and under. Senior citizens get in for $25.00. If you’re looking to rent a headset for the audio tutorial, that’s $6.00 extra. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or in person at the Xanadu Theater Box Office.

If you don't yet have a Nissan car or truck, stop by your New Jersey Nissan dealers today!
 

First of all, when you’re planning your trip, make sure you understand the theme park ticket policies. Make sure you know what options are available and which you bought. You’ll also want to keep your kids’ ages in mind. Many theme parks offer a variety of attractions for children (and adults, for that matter) of all ages. Finally, make sure you choose the time of year for your travel carefully. Some times of the year are busier than others, and some may have worse weather than others.

When you travel, make sure to travel safely and comfortably. Take a break every couple of hours to stretch. Consider packing a picnic lunch, rather than buying meals. Bring along some games that the kids can play in the car.

Once you get to the theme park, consider arriving early in the day. This will help you get a good parking spot. It’ll also help you get onto the rides that you want on early in the day. You’ll also want to take a break in the afternoon. If possible, go back to your hotel or resort, and come back to the theme park in the evening. Many theme parks feature fireworks or other special programs and attractions after dark.

Finally, make sure that you keep cool when you’re at the theme park. Wear cool clothes. Use comfortable and cool walking shoes. Bring or purchase plenty of water to avoid dehydration. If the theme park has a water park component, visit it during the 10 AM to 4 PM period, when the sun is at its hottest.

Amusement Park

Sunny days
are ahead in South Jersey, and as the weather gets warmer everyone’s looking
for something to do. Pack the kids in the Nissan and check out some of these
South Jersey delights:

Splash World Water Park and Clementon Amusement Park

With
everything from thrill rides for the big kids and gentle fun for the little
ones, water parks and amusement parks are the go-to fun spot for everyone in
the family. Splash World and Clementon have over 50 kinds of adventure for kids
of all ages. Chill out in the cool water when the temperature starts to rise.

Speed and adrenaline at the raceways and rodeos

If your
family likes speed, a trip to the Atco Raceway or Bridgeport Speedway is a
must. Watch dragsters, roadsters and dirt bikes race at breathtaking speeds
that will make you want to run the Nissan a little faster on the way home. If
you’re into a different kind of horsepower, check out Salem County’s Cowtown
Rodeo. The longest running regularly scheduled Saturday night rodeo in the
nation, this is fun for every horse lover in the family.

Looking for a different kind of wild?

Check out
the area wildlife at the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford. With
hands-on exhibits, gentle walking trails through wetlands and woodland, and the
chance to see bald eagles, foxes, deer and more, the wildlife refuge is a
refuge for you as well. Alternatively, stop in at Palmyra Cove Nature Park
where natural beauty is tucked away from the busyness of Philly. There are
activities for both children and adults and nature trails and environmental
education programs for the nature lover in everyone.

Powhatan Renape Nation’s Rankokus Indian Reservation

For a trip
back in time, take the whole family to the American Indian Heritage Museum. You
can take a trip through an ancestral village, take a self-guided hike through
area nature trails, or check out a slice of the past at the museum. View
historic tools, clothing, weapons and instruments as well as contemporary
Native American art.

Need to tune up the Nissan before all that driving?

If you’re
looking for a new Nissan or need something as simple as an oil change, stop by
our Wilmington
Nissan dealership for everything you need. Check out Classic
Nissan’s website for new inventory and specials and get ready for a summer full
of fun and sun.