Mount LaurelUnited States of America

With its parks, forest and trails, the township of Mount Laurel appeals to nature lovers. The small suburban destination is also great for children who can enjoy amusement parks, nature centers and an interactive science museum.

Enjoy the great outdoors at Rancocas State Park. Walk the network of trails that pass through a hardwood forest, wetlands and by the Rancocas Creek. Stop by the village of Rancocas Woods to browse the many arts and crafts stores inside log cabins. You’ll discover a wide range of handmade goods.

Give the children a vacation to remember with Mount Laurel’s family-friendly attractions. Let them have hours of interactive fun at the Garden State Discovery Museum. There are science experiments, arts and crafts and lots of games. Cool off with the slides, whirlpools and fast-paced tube rides at the CoCo Key Water Resort, a large indoor water park. There’s more exciting action over at Funplex, a 25-acre (10-hectare) indoor and outdoor amusement park with rides, go-karts, arcades and other fun attractions.

See geckos, goats, llamas and snakes and amble along the nature trail at Paws Farm Nature Center. Drive about 13 miles (20.9 kilometers) outside of town for the Adventure Aquarium. Walk along its suspended Shark Tunnel for a 360-degree view of more than 25 sharks swimming in an aquarium. Younger children can play in the KidZone with its touch tanks and pop-up viewing pods in some of the tanks.

Relax in the fresh air at Laurel Acres Park, one of the town’s biggest parks. Fish in the lake, stroll along nature trails and cycle on the paved track.

Following a day of sightseeing and outdoor recreation, enjoy steak and potatoes at a grill bar in Mount Laurel. You’ll also find restaurants that serve international dishes.

Come to unwind in a township where you can appreciate the peace and quiet of the countryside. If you start to miss the buzz of a big city, go on a day trip to Philadelphia, which is less than 20 miles (32 kilometers) away.