Over the holidays, here's all your family can do at American Dream — and what it costs

Baby it’s cold outside. 

And you — and the kids — likely have a lot of downtime in the coming days, especially between Christmas and New Year's Day. 

What is there to do? Perhaps you want to go to New York City and check out the Rockefeller Center Tree. 

Or perhaps you’re not up for braving the cold weather, NJ Transit and the crowds. 

In that case, American Dream in our own backyard — the nation’s second largest mall — has a slew of indoor activities. 

You can go skiing, jump on a roller coaster, grab a bite to eat, then go to DreamWorks Water Park and be in 85-degree warmth.

The 3-million-square-foot mall also has a 300-foot Ferris wheel, indoor miniature golf, ice-skating, museums, game rooms, over 200 stores — including flagships for Toys R Us and Babies R Us — and over 50 dining options, including fast casual and sit-down.

Maybe all of this in one day is a bit much, but you’re no doubt itching to get out of the house and do something that doesn’t involve standing outside in the cold. 

Story continues below photo gallery

And while you’re at it, why not get in some shopping? 

What does all that cost for a family of three? Let’s do the math for the Saturday between Christmas and New Year's Day — Dec. 28. 

There are a few options: the mall offers bundle packages for the water park and theme park, meaning you can buy tickets to multiple attractions for a cheaper price. 

The ski slope is operated separately, so there’s no such option for bundle packages including the slope. 

Getting into the mall

There's no way to walk to the mall, so you're most likely driving. First of all, you’ll pay a minimum $5 for parking, plus the state’s 6.625% sales tax, so an extra 33 cents. 

Subtotal: $5.33

DreamWorks Water Park

You want to buy three tickets for your family. A one-day bundle pass is available through Dec. 31 and includes access to Blacklight Mini Golf, the Mirror Maze and TiLT 3D Art Experience.

Those are $109, and three of them brings your total to $327. On top of that is $7.53 for taxes.

We’ll skip the add-ons like $50 for a Turbo Pass, $300 for a five-person cabana, $700 for a private, eight-person skybox bay suite complete with food and beverage service, $26.99 for beach towels or $200 for a two- to four-person daybed.  

Subtotal: $334.53. 

What about the amusement park?

Let’s say you’re opting for some roller coaster action rather than the water park. American Dream boasts the largest indoor theme park in the Western Hemisphere: Nickelodeon Theme Park.  

Like the water park, the amusement park offers a bundle pass, which includes five rides, the 18-hole Blacklight Mini Golf, the Legends of the Hidden Temple Ropes Course Challenge, the Mirror Maze and TiLT 3D Art Experience. 

The tickets are $109 and you’re getting three of them, so that comes out to $327, plus tax, so you’re now set back another $21.66.

Subtotal: $348.66

What about both?

Through the end of next year, American Dream is offering what it calls a “Dream Pass,” which means admission to both the water park and amusement park. Those cost $125 a pop, and you’re getting three of them. 

So $375, plus $24.84 in taxes.

Subtotal: $399.84

Hitting the slopes instead?

American Dream features Big Snow, one of the world’s largest indoor ski slopes. Getting onto the slope is a different matter; a more costly one at that. 

Story continues below photo gallery

The best option is the $109.99 per person SNOW Day package, which includes skis or a snowboard, outerwear, helmet and two hours of access to the ski lift. 

With taxes and fees, you’re forking over an additional $12.09.  

Subtotal: $342.06. 

Checking out New Jersey icons at the Hall of Fame

The New Jersey Hall of Fame has what it calls an “Education and Learning Center” at American Dream, where it pays homage to New Jerseyans who’ve contributed to the arts, science, culture and society at large. 

If you’re from out of New Jersey and under 16 or over 62, it’s $20.99, and $24.99 for everyone else. 

Story continues below photo gallery

For in-state residents, you’re looking at $15.99 for anyone under 16 or over 62, and $19.99 for anyone else. 

With taxes and fees, you’re looking at another 48 cents a ticket. 

Getting in touch with your inner child at Legoland Discovery Center

The mall boasts a Lego center complete with Lego-made cities, cats, ladybugs, squirrels and pyramids.  

Story continues below photo gallery

Tickets are $35.99 for the discovery center plus $5.38 in taxes and fees, or $49.99 plus $6.30 in taxes and fees for the combination discovery center and Sea Life aquarium. 

Grabbing something to eat

The mall has more than 50 dining options, from fast food to sit-down and “fast casual” — the convenience of fast food with the quality of a sit-down restaurant. 

If you’re looking for an upscale dining experience, there are two restaurants at the mall’s high-end corridor called The Avenue. 

There you can spend upwards of $800 on a bottle of Louis Roederer “Cristal” champagne from Carpaccio to pair with your $47 snapper fillet in a lemon white wine sauce. The raw bar would set you back at least $100, and some of the cocktails go for as high as $80. 

But maybe high society isn’t for you and you want something basic. 

Story continues below photo gallery

At the food court on the third floor, fast food restaurant Jollibee charges between $6 and $13 for a chicken sandwich, while a combo plate of entree and sides at Chinese fast food joint King Kong Express will cost you around $12. 

For something a little higher-end (but not as high end as the $800 bottle of champagne option), you’re looking at one of the mall’s sit-down restaurants or fast-casual joints. 

A slice at Best Pizza and a bottle of water will cost you $6.25 and $3.25, respectively. A whole smoked chicken at House of Que or a Pitmaster’s Pick of ribs, sauces, chicken and the sides would set you back $89. 

Meanwhile at The Yard House, the burgers and sandwiches would cost you between $14 and $18. At the H Mart food hall, bubble tea would set you back between $4 and $6, while Korean ramen will cost around $17. 

You need a pick-me-up, so a medium cup of coffee at the mall’s Starbucks is $4.11, or $3.29 at the mall’s Dunkin.' And for the dessert to go with that, milkshakes and sundaes at Haagen-Dazs will cost you $11.50. 

How about some shopping?

The mall boasts a variety of high-end and more inexpensive retail options. 

On the high-end side, you can spend $1,800 for a bag from Gucci, or $795 for a Canada Goose jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue.  

Or you can find men’s and women’s clothing at H&M for between $15 and $30, Levi’s men’s and women’s jeans for between $80 and $100, and Uniqlo sweaters for between $35 and $70. 

Story continues below photo gallery

At Toys R Us, you can spend $27.99 on a Titanic 3D puzzle set, $30 for a Stormtrooper plush, $15 for a Frozen-themed glitter slime set, or $15 for a Care Bear plush toy. 

So is it all worth it?

You’re shelling out a lot of money if you want to spend a day at the mall with your family. 

So is American Dream worth the money?

That's for you to decide.

Daniel Munoz covers business, consumer affairs, labor and the economy for NorthJersey.com and The Record. 

Email: [email protected]; Twitter:@danielmunoz100 and Facebook