Jersey Week Family Travel: Where NJ Families Should Go (Besides Orlando)

The author is Andrea Lacotte, family travel advisor and fellow New Jersey parent

Every year, right around the first week of November, my phone lights up with the same message from New Jersey families: "The kids are off?! What do we do now?"

I'm Andrea Lacotte, a family travel advisor serving New Jersey families, and I plan family trips for a living. “Jersey Week” is one of my favorite times of year to travel. Below, I'll walk you through what Jersey Week is, where families usually go, and the places I'd steer you toward if you're ready for something beyond the usual.

Want help planning yours? Say hello here

What Is Jersey Week?

Jersey Week (sometimes called New Jersey Week) is what New Jersey families call the early-November school break around Election Day and the NJEA teachers' convention, hosted by the New Jersey Education Association. Schools close for Election Day and again for the convention later that week, so many NJ kids get about three days off in a row.

It's a bonus break built into the calendar, and it lands at the perfect time.

Why I Love Jersey Week for a Family Trip

October is a blur of Halloween, soccer, and homework. December is a blur of everything else. Jersey Week sits right in the calm middle, and here's why I recommend families use it:

• You get a reset before the holiday rush. You come home rested instead of already behind on shopping and school events.
• Fewer missed school days. Because the kids are already off, you may only need to request a day or two, depending on your district.
• Less crowded destinations. Most schools outside New Jersey are in session this week, so many places feel calmer than they do over a national holiday.

The catch? Every Jersey family has the same idea, so flights and the best family rooms go quickly. Planning early is key.

Orlando: Disney World, Universal, and Why Families Love Them

Let me be clear: if your family wants Disney or Universal, I'm all in. There's a reason Orlando is the Jersey Week favorite. Flights from Newark are easy, the weather in early November is comfortable, and the parks are built for kids. Watching your child meet a favorite character or ride their first big coaster is a memory worth planning around.

There's a lot to get right in Orlando, though: which park days to pair, where to stay, how to avoid the longest lines, and how to keep little ones from melting down at 3 p.m. A good plan makes the difference between a hectic week and a magical one.

And if you've already done the parks, or you want something that feels like a true escape in the middle of fall, keep reading. Two other trips have become my go-to recommendations.

 

My Beach Pick: Aruba (and Why I Love the Hyatt)

If you want sunshine without a weather gamble, I point families to the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao. They sit in the southern Caribbean, outside the main hurricane belt. The Atlantic hurricane season runs through November 30, so that matters in early November.

Of the three, Aruba is the one I recommend most often for families, and my favorite place to stay there is the Hyatt Regency Aruba. It's the kind of resort where parents can relax while the kids are happily busy.

 

A few things I like about Aruba for families:

• Calm, warm water that works for little swimmers.
• Easy travel. English is widely spoken, and getting around is simple and safe.
• Curaçao is colorful and great for snorkeling, and Bonaire is a quiet, nature-focused choice, so there's an island for every family's style.

Not every resort suits every family. A resort that's perfect for toddlers may bore teenagers, and what's right for your neighbor may not be right for you. That's the part I enjoy most, matching the trip to the family.

Curious which island fits yours? Let's talk

My Favorite Surprise: Paris in the Fall

This one makes people raise an eyebrow, and then it becomes the trip they talk about for years.

Early November in Paris is cozy, golden, and wonderfully uncrowded compared with summer. And the moment I'd save for your very first evening is this: after dark, the Eiffel Tower lights up and then sparkles for a few minutes at the top of each hour. Watching your kids' faces when it happens is something no photo quite captures.

 

Why I think it works for families:

• Fewer crowds at major sights, which makes everything easier with kids.
• Easy, kid-friendly days. Carousels, parks, bakeries, and boat rides keep the pace fun.
• Mild-but-cool weather. Pack layers, since it's cooler than summer and rain is possible.

Italy is a close second in my heart, with Rome and Florence offering history your kids can almost touch, plus gelato as a built-in reward.

How to Choose Your Jersey Week Trip

When families ask me where to go, I start with three questions:

1. How much time do you really have? Three or four days points to Orlando or a short flight south. A full week opens up Aruba or Europe.
2. What does your family need right now? Rest, adventure, or culture?
3. How much do you want to plan? If the answer is "as little as possible," you're exactly who I love working with.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jersey Week? Jersey Week, also called New Jersey Week, is the informal name for the early-November break around Election Day and the NJEA teachers' convention, when many New Jersey students have several days off school.

Where should NJ families travel for Jersey Week? Orlando, with Disney World and Universal, is the most popular choice. Families looking for something different often choose the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao) for dependable beach weather, or Paris and Italy for a cooler, quieter European trip.

Are the ABC islands safe from hurricanes in November? They lie south of the main hurricane belt, so they're generally considered a lower-risk choice than much of the Caribbean. No destination is guaranteed, so it's smart to ask about flexible booking and travel protection.

When should I book a Jersey Week trip? As early as you can. So many NJ families travel the same week that flights and family-friendly rooms fill quickly.

Should I use a travel advisor or travel agent for Jersey Week? A travel advisor (also called a travel agent) can match a destination, resort, and schedule to your family, and can help if plans change. Because Jersey Week is so popular with New Jersey families, an advisor can also help you secure flights and rooms before they sell out.

Let's Plan Your Family's Jersey Week

Here's what I've learned from years of planning trips for families like yours: the best vacation isn't the most popular one. It's the one that fits your kids, your budget, and your idea of rest.

Whether you're dreaming of Disney, a quiet beach in Aruba, or the Eiffel Tower sparkling over Paris, I'd love to help you get there, and to take the stress of planning off your plate.

Ready to start? Tell me about your family and your dream vacation here.

 

About Andrea

Hi! I'm Andrea Lacotte, a Travel Advisor with Magic Family Getaways, specializing in family travel for New Jersey families and beyond. From Disney and Universal vacations to cruises and Europe, I help families take the stress out of planning so they can focus on the fun. Every November, I help NJ families make the most of Jersey Week.

I create personalized itineraries, track the best deals, secure hard-to-get reservations, and offer insider tips from firsthand experience. My goal is simple: make every trip easy, magical, and full of memories your family will treasure.

 Magic Family Getaways is a family-run travel agency and award winning travel agency in Essex County, NJ. Magic Family Getaways is licensed, bonded and insured to book travel across the United States with its head office in Montclair, NJ.