Where to Go and What to Do
Some, but not all, venues offer special discounts. Please read through each website carefully.
Please note that most venues will require proof of disability (i.e. a doctor's note) in order for you to qualify for discounts or accommodations.
For additional suggestions for social activities, please see the Resources for Individuals with Autism and Their Caregivers list.
Click here for a printable PDF version of this page.
Education/Recreation
(Planetariums)
Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium → Offers sensory-friendly astronomy and music shows that are appropriate for all ages. Lights remain on, sound is lowered, and doors remain open so that families may come and go.
- Raritan Valley Community College, East Building, 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ 08876
- 908-231-8805
- planet@raritanval.edu
Recreation
(Accessibility Card)
The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards → Offers an Accessibility Card that enables those with disabilities to obtain accommodations at certain attractions. Once registered, you can download an app through Apple's App Store or through Google Play. The Accessibility Card displayed in the app assists those with disabilities in requesting accommodations at certain attractions.
- 4651 Salisbury Road, Suite 340, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- 1-877-717-6543
- customersupport@ibccess.org
Recreation
(Aquarium)
Adventure Aquarium → Has partnered with KultureCity, which enables their staff to receive training in working with those who have sensory processing disorder. They offer the following items for use in the facility: sensory bags (fidget toys and noise-cancelling headphones), and a weighted lap pad. Headphone zones are labeled, and a there is a quiet space for those who are experiencing sensory overload. KultureCity's All-Inclusive App provides a social story to prepare individuals for their visit.
- 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ 08103
- 844-474-3474
Recreation
(Arcade/Restaurant)
Chuck E. Cheese → On the first Sunday of each month, the venue opens two hours early to offer a quieter dining and entertainment experience. It features dimmed lighting, sensory-friendly games, and a trained staff.
- Brick Plaza, 56 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ 08723
- 732-262-9200
Recreation
(Creative Play)
Legoland Discovery Center → Contains various attractions for Lego lovers. Provides free tickets for caregivers (must be arranged in advance). Offers birthday party rooms as quiet spaces (when not in use).
- American Dream Mall, 1 American Dream Way, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
- Contact
Recreation
(Gym)
We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym → Designed for children with sensory processing disorders (but open to all kids!), this gym includes suspended equipment with swings, crash pads, a trampoline, a zip line, a play structure, sensory-based toys, and a crafts area.
- 299 Route 9 # 4, Waretown, NJ 08758 (We Rock the Spectrum has multiple locations)
- 609-622-8285
- info@werockthespectrumwaretown.com
Recreation
(Movies)
AMC Movie Theaters → Offers family-friendly, sensory-friendly films on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, and sensory-friendly films for mature audiences on Wednesday evenings. Lights are dimmed, and the sound is lowered. Guests are free to move around and talk.
- Various locations – 17 Route 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
- AMC New Brunswick 18 – 732-846-2275
- The full list of participating theaters is available on the website.
Regal Cinemas → Called "My Way Matinee," these sensory-friendly showings are the first show of the day on select Saturdays of each month (call your theater for specific dates). Lights remain on and the volume is turned down. Guests are free to move around and talk.
- Various locations – 733 Route 72 East, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
- Regal Manahawkin – 844-462-7342
- The full list of participating theaters is available on the website.
Recreation
(Museum)
Northlandz → According to its website, Northlandz is the "World's Largest Miniature Wonderland." See the largest miniature railroad, a doll museum, miniature landscapes, and more. An outdoor train ride is also offered. Discounted admission is offered to those with autism. Northlandz also provides inclusion halls for individuals with autism.
- 495 Route 202, Flemington, NJ 08822
- 908-782-4022
Recreation
(Music)
New Jersey Symphony → Offers an "Autism Community Program," in which specifically trained musicians provide sensory-friendly concerts.
- Multiple locations
- Ann Kim – 973-735-1737
- akim@njsymphony.org
Recreation
(Parks, Playgrounds, Forests, Historic Sites)
America the Beautiful: National Parks & Federal Lands → Contains more than 2,000 areas. Offers an Access Pass that provides free access to U.S. Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. that have been medically determined to have a permanent disability. Many sites also offer a discount on Expanded Amenity Fees – such as camping, swimming, boat launching, and guided tours.
- U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20192
- 1-888-275-8747
- usgsstore@usgs.gov
New Jersey State Park Service → Contains 43 Parks, Forests, and Recreation Areas; plus 57 Historic Sites. Offers Disability Passes that grant free access to state parks and discounted camping rates.
- NJ State Park Service, P.O. Box 420, Trenton, NJ 08625
- 1-800-843-6420
RWJ Barnabas Health Field of Dreams → Contains all-inclusive playgrounds, a baseball field, basketball and bocce courts, a walking complex, community gardens, a quiet corner, specifically-designed restrooms, and more. Must be a member to visit; membership is free (see website).
- 1511 North Bay Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
- Contact
Recreation
(Performing Arts)
Mayo Performing Arts Center → Offers some sensory-friendly performances that feature lights-up, modified sound, and a quiet room.
- 100 South Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
- 973-539-8008
Paper Mill Playhouse → Has some performances that are "autism-friendly." Features include dimmed lights, lower volume, BYO snacks, drinks, and reinforcements, an onsight support team, a "chill out" zone, and more.
- 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn, NJ 07041
- 973-376-4343
- accessibility@papermill.org
Roxey Ballet → Offers some adaptive performances that include lower sound and light levels, elimination of startling special effects, shorter performances, freedom to move around, allowed use of electronics for therapeutic uses, volunteers to assist caregivers, quiet areas, fidget toys and earplugs, story boards, visits before or after public hours, meet-a-seat program. Must call or email in advance to schedule these options: info@roxeyballet.org, 609-397-7616.
- Performances are held at various locations. Administrative Office is located at – Six 7th Street, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
- 609-397-7616
- info@roxeyballet.org
State Theatre New Jersey → Provides some sensory-friendly performances that include reduced lighting and sound levels, tolerance of movement during the show, trained staff to assist caregivers, and a separate break area with fidget toys. A video social story to prepare individuals for the performance is available on the website.
- 15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
- 732-246-7469
- info@stnj.org
Union County Performing Arts Center at Rahway → Sensory-friendly performances include lowered occupancy, an hour-long show, lights turned on, reduced sound, freedom to move around, a sensory break room, fidget toys to borrow during the performance, and professional autism specialists to provide assistance to caregivers. A social story to prepare individuals for the performance can be downloaded from the website.
- 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, NJ 07065
- 732-499-8226
William Paterson University's Shea Center for the Performing Arts → Offers 2 - 3 sensory-friendly performances per season.
- 300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
- 973-720-2371
Recreation
(Skydiving, Theme Parks, Trampoline Parks, Water Parks)
Big Kahuna's (Water Park) → Designated as a Certified Autism Center, which involves special staff training. A Quiet Room is also available
- 535 Route 73, West Berlin, NJ 08091
- 856-767-7580
- info@bigkahunas.com
iFLY → Has an "All Abilities Night," which offers those with physical or developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in indoor skydiving.
- iFLY Paramus – 211 East Route 4,Paramus, NJ 07652
- 201-733-4359
- The full list of participating locations is available on the website.
Sesame Place → Designated as a Certified Autism Center, which involves special staff training. Contains an online Sensory Guide, Ride Accessibility Guides, a Quiet Room, Noise-Cancelling Headphones, and an Online Autism Travel Guide.
- 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, PA 19047
- 215-702-3566
Six Flags Great Adventure → Designated as a Certified Autism Center, which involves special staff training. Accessibility provided through the IBCCES Accessibility Card.
- 1 Six Flags Boulevard, Jackson, NJ 08527
- Contact
Sky Zone → Sensory hours include a quieter, toned-down trampoline experience. Available at participating locations.
- Lakewood Location – 1001 New Hampshire Ave, Suite A, Lakewood NJ 08701
- Lakewood Location – 609-398-4759
- The full list of participating locations is available on the website.
Recreation
(Sports)
Challenger Leagues → Provides opportunities for those with developmental disabilities to participate in sports year-round. Individuals are paired with neurotypical buddies, who guide them and encourage them as they play.
- Offered in counties throughout NJ
- Alan Goldstein, State Challenger Coordinator
The Prudential Center (home of the New Jersey Devils – Venue also features concerts, comedy acts, and family-friendly shows) → Partnered with Kulture City to offer a sensory-friendly and inclusive environment. Sensory Bags may be obtained at Guest Services Centers at all events.
- 25 Lafayette Street, Newark, NJ 07102
- 973-757-6000
Red Bull Arena (home of the New York Red Bulls – A Professional Soccer Team) → The Red Bull Arena has a Sensory Room, which features dim lights, light-colored walls, visual aids, and fidget toys. Guests can request access to the room from a Fan Services Representative.
- 600 Cape May Street, Harrison, NJ 07029
- 1-877-727-6223
- fanservices@newyorkredbulls.com
Recreation
(Train Excursions)
New Hope Railroad → Offers a 10% discount for individuals with disabilities for rides in coach on the traditional excursion. If booking your excursion online, call the Customer Care Call Center at 215-862-2332 to ensure that your discount is applied.
- 32 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA 18938
- Customer Care Call Center – 215-862-2332
- Chat Support is also available through website.
Restaurants
Ocean Organics Juice Bar & Café → Certified Sensory Inclusive by KultureCity. Staff are trained to recognize sensory overloads, and they have “sensory bags” containing tools such as stress balls.
- 570 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, NJ 08753
- 732-597-0800
Riv's Toms River Hub (Chase's Friend Zone) → “Chase’s Friend Zone” is a sensory-friendly dining area with trained staff. Tables must be reserved 24 hours in advance.
- 1850 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753
- 732-255-6183