Summer Fun in Union County

As a real estate agent in Union County, I feel that part of my job is to make sure that people know why this is such a fantastic place to live. From the new people in town to the long-time locals, sometimes we all need to be reminded of the fun things to do around here. Summer has arrived and this is a great time of year to get out, explore the area, and have some fun. So without further ado, here is a list of 10 suggestions for fun things to do this summer in Union County:

#1 Fill your Summer Nights with Sweet Sounds: One week it might be a rock band, the next it’s classical. Union County’s Summer Arts weekly series of free outdoor concerts takes you around the world of music. It runs from July through August at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside and Oak Ridge Park in Clark. The season wraps up in September with MusicFest at Oak Ridge Park.

#2 Grab a helmet, and hit the trails: The East Coast Greenway is a 3,000 mile bike route that passes right through Union County on it’s way from Maine to Florida. Whether you’re a serious cyclist or just heading out for a fun-filled day with the family, the Lenape Park section of the Greenway will lead you through parts of Cranford, Kenilworth, Springfield, and Union.

#3 Live on the wild side: Go horseback riding at Watchung Stables! They have riding lessons, horse shows, trail riding through 2,000 acres of beautiful woods, and more. This is the only place to go horseback riding in Union County.  

#4 Get out and cool off with the kids: There are many great parks to take your kids to in Union County. But Ponderosa Farm in Scotch Plains offers a little extra fun this summer. Besides all the fun playground equipment for kids big and small, the park offers a water playground to cool off in the heat! Water shoots up out of the ground at different angles, giving the kids a fun place to have fun and cool off.

#5 Watch a movie in the park: Throughout the Summer, Union County is hosting their annual “Family Fun Flix.” Every Tuesday night the fun begins at 7:30pm and the movie starts at dusk. The movies are family friendly and the first one starts this Tuesday, July 9th at Warinanco Park in Elizabeth with the showing of The Lorax. Click this link to view the entire movie schedule for the summer.          

#6 Take the deserted village tour:   Some say the deserted village is one of Union County’s most interesting historic destinations. The site was once a bustling factory town, and later, a chic resort for city folk. Eventually the town became deserted, but the structures and buildings still stand. If you want to learn a little about Union County history, plan thisdeserted village tour into your summer schedule with the family!

#7 Cool of at the Local Pools: If you don’t have your own pool at home, no worries – Union County offers fantastic public pools for your family to enjoy.  In Cranford, there is the Orange Avenue out-door pool and the Centennial Avenue indoor/outdoor pool complex. The Westfield Memorial Pool Complex is also a fun public pool. No matter where you live, there is a public pool close by! The membership rates are usually very affordable for families.

#8 Shop Until Your Hearts Content: From national chains to small boutiques, Union County offers local shopping choices that will thrill even the most jaded big-city shopper. You’ll find one-of-a-kind artwork, hand-crafted jewelry, fine antiques, and thoughtfully selected merchandise throughout the County. Broad Street in downtown Westfield has many different small businesses with fantastic selections to choose from.

#9 Hit the water: One of the best ways to discover our local parks in the Summer, is to do it on the water! Cranford Canoe club offers canoe rentals or you can grab your own kayak and explore the park’s waters on your own. This is a fun thing to do with family and friends on a warm summer day.

#10 Amusement right here in our back yard: Bowcraft amusement park is located right in Scotch Plains, and it’s all the family fun you need without having to travel far! There are tons of rides for everyone in the family, arcade games, prizes, and great food. If you have young kids, this is one of the best places to spend the day with your family.