Fun Winter Getaways Near New Jersey Without the Long Drive

Cold weather is here, your kids will be off for winter break soon, and you feel like getting out of the house and having some fun, right?

Luckily, this is New Jersey and your options are practically limitless as there are all kinds of cool attractions within an hour or two from where you are right now.

Whether it's fun for kids and/or adults in the Poconos, going face-to-face with killer sharks, or checking out a drive-in movie theater in the middle of December, it's easy to feel like you're on vacation without having to change time zones -- and without spending a small fortune.

We've assembled a list of well over a dozen places that you can visit this winter by simply loading-up the Wagon Queen Family Truckster (you think you hate it now, wait 'til you drive it) and hittin' the road.

Note: many of these attractions have seasonal and/or limited hours, check their website before visiting.

Chris Coleman, a South Jersey native, is the brand manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM and afternoon on-air personality on WPUR Cat Country 107.3 in Atlantic City, NJ. He joined the station in February 1998 and covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey for Townsquare Media. Story tips can be sent to chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com .