Looking for a family outing that’s easy on the wallet, promises indoor fun for a rainy day, and jumpstarts or supports STEAM learning (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math)? It’s time to discover the New Jersey State Museum, an eclectic museum that focuses on surprising finds from near and far away!

The beauty of the New Jersey State Museum is that it offers something for everyone. While the State Museum covers quite a range of topics, its collections center on four areas: archaeology and ethnography, cultural history, fine art, and natural history. In one visit, you and your family can see Native American artifacts, a rare collection of Civil War flags, Paleozoic fossils, 9/11 artifacts and modern art by Georgia O’Keeffe. On top of that, there’s a planetarium with a changing roster of programs and shows that’s well worth the small additional charge. For parents and caregivers with little ones, you’ll also be glad to know that the State Museum opens at 9 a.m., so no one has to miss that sacred p.m. nap! With free parking available, it all adds up to a great, affordable destination for a morning or afternoon outing.

Have a fan of the Ice Age movies (all seven of them!) or a mini paleontologist in the house? Learn about New Jersey’s own prehistoric times in the long-term exhibition Written in the Rocks: Fossil Tales of New Jersey. Showcasing the state’s geology through its oldest fossils, the exhibit also features a few creatures that once roamed the Garden State. See a reconstructed Dryptosaurus, the first known carnivorous dinosaur, and a life-size cast of Mosasaurus maximus, a 50-foot marine mammal discovered in South Jersey. You can also meet New Jersey’s very own state dinosaur, the duck-billed Hadrosaurus foulkii, rendered in full-size (25 feet by 10 feet) glory!

For stargazers and would-be astronomers, the 140-seat Planetarium offers a brilliant break from strolling the collections. For a small extra charge ($7/adults, $5/children 12 and under), you can sit back and soar into space, viewing 360-degree shows that feature both traditional sky and full-spectrum laser programs. During the school year, Planetarium shows are offered to the public on weekends and during school breaks.

If the arts are more your thing, you’ll appreciate the treasures on display in American Perspectives: The Fine Art Collection. Showcasing American art from the 19th through the 21st centuries, this exhibit features works by well-known artists like Calder and Lichtenstein as well as homegrown New Jersey artists. What makes this exhibit even more rewarding is how it weaves the sources of artists’ inspiration into the narrative.

Of course, the State Museum is an homage to New Jersey, and Pretty Big Things: Stories of New Jersey History will generate a pretty big sense of state pride. Discover untold stories, learn about the state’s rich history and see some amazing artifacts (like a hand-carved statue of the tallest American president) as you wander through this long-term exhibition.

The New Jersey State Museum draws from more than 2.4 million artifacts, specimens and objects—ranging from Early Archaic arrowheads to the “Model T” of televisions—to create its meticulously curated and organized exhibits. Located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, just a short stroll from the State House and Old Barracks Museum, the New Jersey State Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (Note that the Museum is closed on Mondays and State holidays.) Free parking is available at the State House garage and on weekends in the adjacent parking lots. Or snag a metered spot in front of the Museum (no charge on weekends). Learn more about current exhibitions and upcoming events.