Family Day Trip: Shopping at The Mills at Jersey Gardens
A relaxed, family-friendly outlet shopping day trip from Midtown Manhattan to The Mills at Jersey Gardens (over 200 stores under one roof). Includes coach transfers, time for bargains, a kid-friendly lunch break, and practical tips for parents traveling with strollers or young children.
In Collaboration with New York Luxury Travel Inc. Updated on February 13, 2026.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with New York Luxury Travel Inc, inspired by the tour Shopping at Jersey Gardens. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Indoor outlet mall with 200+ stores — perfect for all-weather shopping
- Family-friendly facilities: changing rooms, nursing rooms, stroller-friendly layout
- Convenient coach transfer from Midtown Manhattan (meeting point near Times Square)
Explore all itineraries in New York.
Itinerary
Day 1
Morning meet in Midtown, coach transfer to The Mills at Jersey Gardens, shopping session with lunch, and return to Midtown in the afternoon.
Meet-up: 7th Ave at West 53rd Street (Times Square area)
Gather with your group and your guide at the agreed meeting point on 7th Ave at West 53rd Street. Quick check-in and head-count before departure.
Tips from local experts:
- Meet near the southeast corner of the intersection (closer to Broadway) so coaches can pick up without blocking traffic.
- If you have a stroller, fold it briefly during boarding to make loading easier — most coaches have space for folded strollers.
- Have snacks and a small activity (coloring book, tablet with headphones) handy for kids in case boarding is slightly delayed.
Coach transfer to The Mills at Jersey Gardens (Elizabeth, NJ)
Comfortable coach ride from Midtown Manhattan to the indoor outlet mall in Elizabeth, NJ. Restrooms available on board depending on coach type; otherwise short stop on route if needed.
Tips from local experts:
- Request a seat near the front for quicker boarding and easier access if you need to step off quickly with a child.
- Bring a lightweight blanket — buses can be chilly; also pack small trash bags for snack wrappers.
- If anyone uses a car seat for toddlers, bring a travel/car booster seat approved for coach use (check with operator ahead of time).
Morning shopping session — The Mills at Jersey Gardens
Browse family-friendly outlet stores (children's clothing, toys, sneakers) and kid-focused stops. We'll suggest best stores for parents and arrange brief meet-up points inside the mall.
- Monday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Start with the big family-focused stores (e.g., Nike Factory Store, OshKosh/Baby or Carter’s outlet) to secure sizes — these sell out fast during holiday season.
- Locate family restrooms and nursing rooms on arrival (ask mall info desk) — the mall is fully indoor and stroller-friendly with elevators between levels.
- Download the mall directory or ask the Guest Services desk for a printed map — pick a bright, obvious landmark (a store or kiosk) as your group's central meet-up point every hour.
Family lunch at a mall food option (Panda Express at The Mills at Jersey Gardens)
Quick, kid-friendly meal in the mall food court. Plenty of seating and high chairs available in some food court areas; choose a spot near restrooms.
- Monday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Choose child-friendly staples (rice, noodles, chicken) and order slightly earlier than peak lunch (we suggest arriving at opening or just before 12:30) to avoid queues.
- Bring a small cooler bag for any refrigerated baby food or milk; the food court has benches and family seating near the restrooms.
- If a child has allergies, ask staff about ingredients — most chain outlets at the mall can accommodate basic allergy requests if notified at ordering.
Afternoon shopping & playtime — small purchases and quick play
Finish any remaining shopping, pick up souvenirs/toys. Short free play time near kid-friendly seating areas to let little ones move before the return trip.
- Monday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Tuesday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Wednesday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Friday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Sunday11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Use this time for quick stops at toy and shoe outlets — keep a small bag for purchases so kids can carry a light item themselves (fun and practical).
- Look for indoor seating/play spaces or benches near the mall entrances where children can stretch; avoid long queues by saving larger purchases for last.
- If someone needs a quiet feeding or nap, ask Guest Services for the nearest quiet corner or nursing room — the mall staff can point you to family facilities.
Coach transfer back to Midtown Manhattan
Return transfer to the original Midtown meeting point. Use this time for light snacks, checking purchases, and helping kids settle for the short ride.
Tips from local experts:
- Board with all shopping bags consolidated to speed up loading; keep valuables and travel documents in a small carry bag you keep on your person.
- If a child is prone to motion sickness, seat them facing forward and have a small snack before departing.
- Confirm the exact drop-off point on arrival so the group can unpack strollers and children safely without blocking the sidewalk.
Drop-off & wrap-up in Midtown (Times Square area)
Final drop-off and quick debrief. Help families collect purchases and confirm onward plans or transit directions.
Tips from local experts:
- If you used a stroller, re-open and check straps before leaving the coach so children can be placed securely for onward travel.
- Point out nearby subway lines (e.g., 1/2/3, N/Q/R/W, or 7 depending on exact drop-off) and help families pick the easiest route home.
- Exchange contact info with your group leader in case anyone needs assistance locating lost items from the trip.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 3 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Families |
| Transfers | 2 |
| Restaurants | 1 |
| Total Activities | 5 |
| Total Places | 5 |
| Activities Types | Neighborhood, Transfer, Shopping, Meal, Break |
Why this experience
A half-day family shopping trip from Midtown Manhattan to The Mills at Jersey Gardens — an indoor outlet mall with over two hundred stores under one roof in Elizabeth, New Jersey. New York Luxury Travel Inc runs the coach transfer from 7th Avenue near Times Square, giving families about three hours of shopping time plus a food-court lunch before the afternoon return. The mall is fully indoor, stroller-friendly, and has family restrooms and nursing rooms — making it a practical all-weather option when sightseeing with young children needs a break.
The format removes the logistics of getting a family with strollers and shopping bags across the Hudson on public transport. The coach picks up at 9:15 AM, delivers to the mall by 10, and returns everyone to Midtown by early afternoon — leaving the rest of the day open. Key family stores include Nike Factory, Carter's and OshKosh outlets, plus toy and sneaker shops. The food court handles kid-friendly staples with high chairs and seating near restrooms.
Before you go
- Best time: Year-round — the mall is fully indoor. Holiday season means the best sales but also the biggest crowds. Weekdays are quieter. This works as a rainy-day or hot-day alternative to outdoor sightseeing.
- Budget: This is a guided shopping transfer by New York Luxury Travel Inc — check the booking widget for current pricing. The coach transfer to and from the mall is included. All shopping, food, and personal expenses are at your own cost.
- Difficulty: None — the coach handles all transport. The mall is flat, indoor, and stroller-friendly with elevators between levels.
- What to bring: Stroller (foldable for coach boarding), small cooler bag for baby food or milk, snacks and a tablet with headphones for the ride, reusable shopping bags, comfortable shoes. Bring a lightweight blanket — coaches can be chilly.
- Getting there: Meet at 7th Avenue and West 53rd Street (southeast corner, near Broadway) at 9:15 AM. Subway: N/Q/R/W/1/2/3 to Times Square–42nd Street, then a short walk north. Have strollers folded and ready for coach boarding.
- Accessibility: The coach accommodates folded strollers. The mall is fully indoor with elevators, family restrooms, nursing rooms, and wide aisles. Ask Guest Services for a printed map and family facility locations on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
How long do we actually get at the mall?
About three hours of shopping time — two hours in the morning, a forty-five-minute lunch break, and another forty minutes of afternoon browsing before the return coach. Enough time to hit the key family stores without exhausting young children.
What's included in this trip?
This is a shopping transfer by New York Luxury Travel Inc, bookable through the widget on this page. Round-trip coach transport between Midtown Manhattan and The Mills at Jersey Gardens is included. All shopping, food-court meals, and personal expenses are at your own cost.
Is the mall stroller-friendly?
Yes — The Mills at Jersey Gardens is fully indoor on one level with elevators, wide aisles, family restrooms, and nursing rooms. Guest Services can point out the nearest quiet corners and family facilities on arrival.
What time do we get back to Manhattan?
The return coach departs the mall around 1:35 PM and drops off at the same Midtown meeting point by about 2:15 PM. That leaves the rest of the afternoon free for other plans — the drop-off is near Times Square subway connections.
Complete your trip in New York
This trip covers outlet shopping in New Jersey — these itineraries add different family experiences back in Manhattan.
- Central Park Private Family Tour: Spring — Adds four hours of outdoor Central Park exploration with playgrounds, the Boathouse, and guided family storytelling.
- Cupcake Walking Tour: West & Greenwich Village — Adds a sweet afternoon walk with bakery tastings and cupcake decorating for kids.
- Family-Friendly Upper West Side & Central Park: 1 Day — Adds the Natural History Museum and Upper West Side for a full family sightseeing day.
Browse all New York itineraries at TheNextGuide.
Last updated: March 2026
