Tag Archives: Princeton

#HipNJ Social, Community, Entertainment, Garden State Living, Scene & Heard

#TrainYourBrainDay NJ’s Finest Escape Rooms!

escape room

Today is #TrainYourBrainDay! Looking to put your brain power to the test? An escape room is the perfect way to actively engage in some brain puzzles with your closest friends and family! The concept is simple—you are locked in room and must solve puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategies to escape in under 60 minutes. I’ve had the pleasure of partaking in a few escape rooms with my family. It was a lot of fun—I highly recommend!

The first escape room I did was The Dorm Room at Amazing Escape Room in Princeton, NJ. As a college student, I thought it was really neat being able to do puzzles in a place that felt a lot like my college home! My first experience in an escape room was tough but definitely a great learning experience for future escape rooms. It laid the groundwork for being able to decipher clues and come up with strategic ways to solve the puzzles and riddles. Unfortunately, my group and I fell just short of escaping. We still had a great time!

The next escape room I did was Lost Jewel of Zanzibar at Escape Room Center in my hometown of Bridgewater, NJ. Set in Africa in 1930, the objective is to find a mystical gem from  a powerful warlord before time expires. I really liked the safari-adventure feel to this room. It almost felt like a Disney attraction! With a little more experience under our belts, my family and I were able to escape this room under 60 minutes. Woohoo!

My most recent escape room experience took place in Power Surge at Escape Garden State, minutes down the road from the #HipNJ HQ in Fairfield, NJ. This room takes place in Thomas Edison’s secret office. The goal is to access his secret work before time expires or else it will be gone forever. Personally, I thought this was the most challenging of the three I’ve done. It took a lot of ideas, guessing, and yes some clues from the Game Master, but we were able to escape! It was definitely my family’s most impressive escape yet!

If you’re looking for a new and exciting way to test your puzzle-solving skills, check out any of the locations I mentioned. The staff was very accommodating and the whole experience was seamless, fun, but definitely a challenge!

New Jersey escape rooms can be found in Princeton, Bridgewater, Fairfield, Hoboken, Atlantic City, Cherry Hill, Hackensack, and Freehold.

Garden State Living

July 4th 2018 Recap – Hip New Jersey

Another July 4th has come and gone!  Here is a list of some  unique Independence Day events around the state in #HipNJ! 

50 Star Fire Show Experience, Jersey City

Snoop Dogg was the headline performer for the Fifth Annual Jersey City 4th of July Experience. In addition, the festivity had a carnival, continuous entertainment, beer gardens, and food trucks. The show ended with the world-renowned fireworks company Grucci launching fireworks from multiple barges on the Hudson River.

Pier 13 Freestyle on the Hudson, Hoboken

Pier 13 Hoboken hosted the First Annual Freestyle on the Hudson. This event featured live Performances by TKA and George Lamond along with Musical Guests Anthony D, Anthony Pags and Anthony Dilauri.

Montclair 68th Annual July 4th Parade, Montclair

This year Montclair hosted its 68th annual July 4th parade with exciting performances and live entertainment. There was a parade followed by a Family Picnic in Edgemont Park and a fireworks display in the evening at Yogi Berra Stadium on the campus of Montclair State University.

Oceanfest, Long Branch

It is known as the biggest seasonal event on the Jersey Shore and regarded by some as the biggest in the entire state. Now on its 28th year, Oceanfest celebrated Independence Day with a wide variety of live performances, strolling entertainment and also magic shows. They ended off the night with another fireworks show that they claim is the best in all the Jersey Shore!

Morven Museum & Garden July 4th Jubilee, Princeton

In honor of Independence Day, Morven hosts an event to celebrate our American heritage. This year, the event included a meet and greet with George Washington and Annis Boudinot Stockton as well as demonstrations of early American domestic acts. In addition, people had a chance to create parade flags and pinwheels, listen to live bluegrass music and enjoy a variety of food trucks! 

Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular – State Fair Meadowlands, East Rutherford

The State Fair Meadowlands had their Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at Met Life Stadium. They had a fireworks show visible from anywhere on the State Fair Midway. Live performances included The Steve Bayner Hypnotist show and the Extreme Illusions & Escapes. They also had pig racing, sea lions, a cycle circus, petting zoo and a variety of magic shows.

Summit’s 71st Annual Fourth of July Celebration, Summit

Summit’s Fourth of July celebrated 70 years with traditions including the Children’s Decorated Bicycle Parade and the Grand Fireworks Display. With the coming of another year, the Food Truck Festival was expanded and welcomed a variety of new vendors. Entertainment featured The Infernos on the main stage. Carnival rides and children’s entertainment also occurred into the night along with the opportunity to bounce all night long!

Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular, Wildwood

Wildwood had their annual Fireworks Spectacular yesterday on the Pine Avenue beach. Visible from almost anywhere on the Wildwoods Boardwalk, it was a great time to enjoy the rides, games and stores along the boardwalk in between the special fireworks display!

Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Morristown

Morristown had their annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on the historic Morristown Green. There was also a sing-a-long with Gordon Thomas Ward, a musket salute and guided tours of a Colonial-era graveyard. 

Livingston’s 82nd Annual July 4th Celebration, Livingston

Finally, Livingston’s Celebration took place around Memorial Oval on Robert Harp Drive in Livingston, NJ. It included an Auto Show, Swim Karnival, Pony Rides and CBS-FM Music & Prizes. In addition, there was Pickleball, Cricket Game & Exhibition and KidZone Rides. They also offered family food and live bands in their Beer & Wine Café. They ended the night with their fireworks display.

alzheimer's new jersey
#HipNJ Cares, Fundraiser

#HipNJ Walks to Fight Alzheimer’s

Did you know that over 500,000 people in New Jersey are affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, including 175,000 individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers? This scary fact is why we urge all of our #Hippers to support the Alzheimer’s New Jersey Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s!

This series of four walks throughout the Garden State is the charity’s largest fundraising event. The first Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s raised over $750,000 in 2016, with 100% of walk donations supporting ANJ programs and services such as personal and confidential assistance, guidance, relief from caregiving, emotional support and education, safety awareness, and clinical trial opportunities. 

To get involved, find a Walk to Fight Alzheimer’s® in your community. Click on the walk location for specific event details:

Southern Regional Walk – Arnold & Baltimore Aves., Point Pleasant Beach – Saturday, September 23, 2017

Liberty State Park Regional Walk – Liberty State Park, Jersey City – Saturday, October 7, 2017 

Central Regional Walk – ETS, 660 Rosedale Rd., Princeton – Sunday, October 22, 2017

Northern Regional Walk – Bergen Community College, Paramus – Sunday, October 29, 2017

For more information about Alzheimer’s New Jersey, visit ALZNJ.org.