Elizabeth · Union County, NJ
Family things to do in Elizabeth
Scout analyzed 61 Elizabeth places and surfaced the ones that actually fit family.
Places analyzed
61
Matches
24
Typical spend
$35
Typical visit
1.4 hr
Scout-verified spots
Food & Drink
Roc's Café
Roc's Cafe is suitable for a casual breakfast or lunch, offering a quick and affordable meal. Expect to spend about 45 minutes and $10-25 per person on food and coffee.
Family
Kids Empire East Brunwick
This is a great spot for families with young children for a 2-3 hour indoor activity, especially on a rainy day. Expect to spend around $20-35 per child for entry, possibly more for snacks.
Nightlife
El Roble "Restaurant & Bar"
El Roble is a good spot for a casual meal of traditional Colombian dishes, potentially paired with a drink. Expect to spend about an hour here and between $15-35 per person.
Food & Drink
Jerkies
Jerkies is a casual Caribbean spot ideal for a quick lunch or dinner. Expect to spend $15-30 per person and plan for about an hour for your meal.
Outdoors
Hawk Rise Sanctuary
Hawk Rise Sanctuary is good for a free, leisurely outdoor walk to observe nature. Plan for about 1.5 hours and be prepared for variable weather conditions.
Outdoors
Mill Creek Point Park
Mill Creek Point Park is suitable for a free hour-long outdoor activity, offering river views and wildlife observation, ideal for a morning or afternoon walk, especially on weekends. It pairs well with other local Secaucus parks or a picnic.
Outdoors
Shark River Park
Shark River Park is a free outdoor space perfect for a family outing or solo adventure, offering hiking trails, fishing, and winter sports across its 946 acres. Expect to spend 2-3 hours exploring the park, making it a good complement to a picnic or as a destination for light recreation.
Sandy Hook
Gateway National Recreation Area
Gateway National Recreation Area is suitable for a half-day to full-day outing for families or solo adventurers, offering beaches, historic sites, and nature. Costs range from free to a few dollars for activities or parking, with various walking opportunities available.
Outdoors
Kellogg Park
Kellogg Park is a free outdoor space suitable for a 1-2 hour visit. It can be paired with a local meal or other errands in the area, costing nothing for entry.
Food & Drink
Tropicana Diner and Bakery
This diner offers reliable, casual fare at any time, making it suitable for an unplanned meal or a quick bite. Expect to spend 45-60 minutes and $15-35 per person for a typical meal.
Nightlife
Rancho Mateo Colombian Steakhouse
Rancho Mateo offers a hearty Colombian steakhouse meal, suitable for an evening out with family or friends. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and $30-70 per person for food and drinks.
Elizabethport
Don Felix Bar & Restaurant
Don Felix is a lively spot for an evening meal with drinks, especially on weekends with a DJ. Expect to spend 1.5-2 hours and around $30-$75 per person for food and a couple of drinks.
Elizabethport
Alkazar Bakery
A stop at Alkazar Bakery is a quick and affordable way to grab baked goods or a small treat, taking about 15 minutes. It can serve as a sweet start to a day or a mid-afternoon snack run.
Outdoors
State Line Lookout, Palisades Interstate Park Commission
This lookout offers scenic views and is suitable for a morning or afternoon outdoors activity, potentially paired with a picnic. Expect to spend little to no money for a 1-2 hour visit.
Nightlife
Portugal Express
This is a good spot for a casual meal of Portuguese food with friends or family, suitable for a relaxed dinner or lunch. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $25-50 per person for a hearty meal.
Elizabethport
DEL PORTO ITALIAN RESTAURANT
DEL PORTO ITALIAN RESTAURANT is a good option for a dinner out, whether for a date night or family celebration. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and around $40-$80 per person on a meal.
Food & Drink
Algarve Restaurant
This is a good spot for a casual Portuguese meal, especially for chicken BBQ, and could be a quick lunch or dinner option. Expect to spend $15-30 per person.
Food & Drink
La Fogata Restaurant
La Fogata is a casual spot for a quick and affordable meal of Colombian and Venezuelan staples. Expect to spend about an hour and $10-25 per person, making it suitable for a relaxed lunch or dinner before or after other local activities.
Food & Drink
Noches de Colombia
This is a casual, family-friendly spot for a hearty Colombian meal, suitable for an hour or so, and likely costing $15-35 per person. It's a good anchor for an outing or a quick stop for lunch or dinner.
Food & Drink
La Roca Restaurant
La Roca Restaurant is a casual dining spot suitable for a relaxed meal with family or a low-key date. Expect to spend around an hour and $15-35 per person for a typical visit.
Nightlife
Minhoto Restaurant
Minhoto is a casual, old-school spot for Portuguese and Brazilian food, ideal for a relaxed meal. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $20-40 per person for a main dish and a drink.
Outdoors
Mattano Park
Mattano Park is suitable for a free, active outing, especially for families with young children using the playground or splash pad. Expect to spend a couple of hours playing sports or relaxing, making it a good daytime activity to combine with a local meal.
Shopping
Brisas Bakery & Restaurant
Visit Brisas for a casual breakfast or lunch with Colombian food and coffee, lasting about 45 minutes for around $10-25 per person. It's a good stop for a quick, affordable meal or to pick up baked goods.
Union
Van Gogh's Ear Cafe
This cafe is good for a relaxed solo outing, a casual date, or a cheap way to spend part of a weekend. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for coffee and a snack, and you might catch some live music or view local art.
Under $35
Cheap dates and low-spend afternoons.
Worth the splurge
When the night needs to land.
Outdoors
Patio, trail, or open-air.
No reservation needed
Walk in tonight.
What Scout found
- 46 of the 61 analyzed Elizabeth places fit family.
- 39% of matches are outdoor or partly outdoor.
- 50% have easy parking.
- Dominant moods: Relaxed, Social, Playful, Adventurous, Scenic, Upscale.
Book ahead
Book tours and tickets in Elizabeth
Lock in the parts of the plan that sell out — tours, tastings and timed-entry tickets across Elizabeth.
See what's bookable in Elizabeth(opens in a new tab)Scout Places may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.
Make it a night out
Staying over in Elizabeth?
Hotels, resorts and vacation rentals across Elizabeth — book the stay and make a full weekend of it.
Find places to stay in Elizabeth(opens in a new tab)Scout Places may earn a commission when you book through links on this page.