Visiting Manalapan this spring, or simply looking to further explore your own community? Manalapan township has more to do than people often realize, especially because it’s just 20 minutes from the Jersey Shore and 45 minutes southwest of New York City. No wonder why it’s consistently ranked as one of the top places to live within New Jersey by Niche.
Here are a few of the ways you can explore Manalapan this spring season and enjoy everything this town has to offer.
Monmouth Battlefield State Park was the site of one of the longest battles of the American Revolutionary War. Not only does it hold a ton of history, but also there is plenty for families to enjoy on a warm spring day!
The 1,500-acre park features fields, rolling hills and trails for biking, horseback riding or picnicking. With over 25-miles of interconnecting trails, you can explore the same paths as the Revolutionary War soldiers once walked on.
There is also abundant wildlife - perfect for photographers! - such as red-tailed hawks, red foxes and songbirds. Every June, an Annual Reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth is held. This year, it takes place on June 17 and 18, 2023.
The Manalapan Recreation Center is a huge venue that offers 162 acres of recreational facilities for running, playing football, shooting hoops and more. You can even enjoy more unique sports like bocce ball, disc golf, sand volleyball and street hockey.
If you have younger kids to bring along, they’ll love the small water park and active tot lot. When it’s time to relax, you can buy snacks at the concession stand and take a break at the picnic area.
Another great place to visit in Manalapan this spring is the Happy Day Farm. Starting in June, you can bring the family to pick raspberries and blueberries, or spend the day wandering through lavender fields and sunflower fields.
With plenty of great photo ops, pictures are highly encouraged! Kids will love feeding the goats and chickens, and you can purchase fresh squeezed lemonade and shaved ice to stay cool.
Looking for a family friendly meal that you can enjoy in between exploring? Stop into La Rosa Chicken and Grill’s Manalapan location. We serve crispy, grilled and rotisserie chicken that’s moist and delicious!
Everything is made fresh using high quality ingredients, so you can feel good serving our food to your family. With convenient family meals, finger foods for the little ones and plenty of fresh sides, you can make everyone happy! And, all chicken meals are affordable, so you don’t have to break the bank!
Last on our list is Knob Hill Country Lanes. This family entertainment center offers bowling for kids and adults. You can showcase your skills by joining one of the bowling leagues, or bowl for fun. There’s even Cosmic Bowling with music and lights to enjoy with your games.
If you live near Manalapan, it’s also great to know that Knob Hill Country Lanes offers birthday parties, holiday parties, fundraising and private and corporate events. Check their website for specials, hours and pricing.
A day in Manalapan can be exciting and adventurous. With fun places to eat, explore and enjoy the great outdoors, this part of NJ is a great place to visit during the spring!