Celery Farm: Allendale, NJ

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Tap tap tap. “What’s that sound, Mama?” Tap tap tap. We scanned the trees, searching for the noisy drummer. “Look up! I found a woodpecker. Right over there. Look up! Look up! Do you see it?” My 4.5 year old and 2 year old were delighted to discover a real woodpecker, clothed in a bright red hat, and focused intently on drumming his own little happy beat, making even the dreariest winter morning cheerier.

The barren trees made it easy to see birds of all kinds, and large nests perched carefully atop tall trees made us wonder aloud what kinds of birds called them home. Frozen ponds offered the perfect space to watch birds ice skate, a truly fun experience, and climbing to the top of the observatory tower gave us some additional cardio and an awesome aerial view. A flat and easy 1.2 mile loop, this trail is perfect for littles.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • The parking lot is small and only accommodates about 10 cars. Street parking is also available. Directions here.
  • Parts of the trail become muddy after rainfall, and with all of the loosely packed dirt, your shoes will get quite dirty. Plan to wear waterproof shoes if it has recently rained / shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
  • There are no restrooms. Bring a travel potty.
  • Children can walk right up to the pond edge from the trail. Watch them closely to prevent accidents.

For more information:

Trail Map

Fall at Mill Creek Marsh: Secaucus, NJ

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Mill Creek Marsh is our favorite lazy day escape. We reserve it for days when I’m too tired to drive very far, but still want to get outside and run/walk. There are two short and flat 3/4 mile trails (North Tidal Pool Trail and South Tidal Pool Trail) with educational signage posted throughout describing the wildlife that call Mill Creek Marsh home. We love it because there’s no poison ivy, no cliffs to worry about falling off of, and no tree roots to trip over. It’s perfect for inquisitive toddlers and mamas that want to tote the stroller along.

My 2 year old and 4 year old love finding little sticks or twigs to fashion as walking sticks and then often take breaks to create art or practice their letters with them in the dirt. We write our ABCs, names, and draw pictures, and then rake it all back the way we found it using our favorite tools – sticks.

Wildlife sightings are a part of each visit and we enjoy the thrill of discovering and observing animals in nature. Last weekend, we found a mallard duck family happily swimming and quacking much to my 2 year old’s delight. “Mama, quack quack. Hiiiii, quack quack!” They even showed off and flew for us, a sight new to me. On a mid-October day, my animal loving 4 year old even spotted a beaver hiding out in the bushes! While we were debating whether he was a groundhog or a beaver, he emerged from his hiding place to display his unmistakable wide, flat tail and the debate was solved then and there.

That beaver sighting was so memorable and sparked so many questions that we checked out “Getting to Know Nature’s Children: Chipmunks / Beavers” by Merebeth Switzer from our local library to learn more about their habitat, favorite foods, and behavioral patterns. Who knew they live in lodges under the water stocked with enough food to last the winter? Now, whenever there are sticks, mud, and dirt, my boys pretend they are beavers and build elaborate dams and lodges. So much fun!

Take a stroll around Mill Creek Marsh – you never know what you might find!

The Park Mama Tips:

  • The entrance is beside Bob’s Furniture, and there’s plenty of easy parking on the side.
  • No picnicking allowed here, so plan your visit around a non-meal time.
  • At times, there is a somewhat pungent odor near the water. Avoid this trail if you’re super sensitive to smells.

For more info:

Cedar stumps are visible at low tide and carry an interesting history. Read more here.

Thielke Arboretum: Glen Rock, NJ

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Last weekend, we visited Thielke Arboretum in Glen Rock. It’s super small and carpeted with more leaves than are on the trees now, but it was still fun with virtually no one there. There’s a cute storybook trail about a scarecrow, and there’s an adorable natural play area complete with tree stump stepping stones that my little guys LOVED. They hopped from one stump to another over and over again. They also enjoyed walking across wooden bridges and visiting the pond area, home to the friendliest mallard ducks we’ve seen yet (and no, we weren’t feeding them). Their favorite part though was lifting up the wooden stools in search of bugs. Oh boy, did we find the plumpest worm ever?! Check this guy out. This would be a cool place to visit in the summer to go fishing, and I’m making a mental note to stop by again soon.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • The trail entrance is sandwiched between a playground and an aquatics center. If you’re parked and looking at a soccer field, swimming center, and playground, yes, you’re in the right place.

For more information:

https://www.thielkearboretum.org

Reeves-Reade Arboretum: Summit, NJ

Rating: 5 out of 5.

When we’re not adventuring, you can find us cuddled up with a good book, so when we discovered that the red trail at Reeves-Reede Arboretum was a storybook trail that led to a fun teepee, well, that was just the best of both worlds. There’s a few arboretums across the Garden State that feature storybook trails, and with two little ones in tow, I always appreciate the added intrigue they bring to hiking. This one was especially neat because it educated littles about the trees they were viewing with a timely autumn theme in a lovely rhyming countdown. Here’s a little excerpt: “Six linden leaves in Valentine shapes reflect golden sun in autumn’s landscape…Oval, yellow birch leaves drop two, by two, by two. Natives used birch bark to build their canoes.” With woodland creatures and colorful pictures, this story was the perfect incentive for my little guys to keep moving.

We hiked the short red, green, and orange trails and while many of the trees are barren now, we had fun walking on leaf carpet and made a point to notice the variety of leaf colors, shapes, and sizes – some even larger than my 2 years old’s head! As we rounded a curve on the orange trail, we even came within a few feet of a deer snacking on leaves. So cool!

We walked the wildflower trail, and while they weren’t in bloom, we did see a piece of Revolutionary history, and enjoyed a toddler snack on a park bench in solitude overlooking the gardens. Japanese maples were still clothed in brilliant red and we appreciated the tree tag labels so we could call them by name.

I can only imagine how beautiful this hidden gem is in the Spring, and look forward to many more visits when the daffodils, azaleas, and roses are in full bloom.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • The entrance and exit gates are one-way and open automatically. It appears closed, but if you pull your car up slowly to the gate, the sensor will trigger. You don’t want to know how many times we circled the parking lot trying to figure out how to exit. Lol.
  • The gardens are stroller-friendly and the woodland trails are doable with a stroller, though it may not be the smoothest ride.

For more information:

https://www.reeves-reedarboretum.org

Watchung Reservation Sensory Friendly Trail: Mountainside, NJ

Rating: 5 out of 5.

We visited Watchung Reservation’s Sensory Friendly Trail today with our 2 year old and 4 year old after hearing such wonderful things about it from other local families. Wow, what a cool place! It’s wheelchair accessible, stroller friendly, offers educational signage with audio and Braille, and is a short little 0.3 mile loop just perfect for littles and those with special needs. We learned how to identify poison ivy, why birds sing, and fun facts about chipmunks, eastern box turtles, and other woodland creatures. My little animal lovers ate it up.

With 2 boys, every nature walk inevitably turns into a bug safari, and today was no exception. They left no log unturned, and we happily found the bug treasure trove. Earthworms, ants, centipedes, slugs, and more came out to say hello and my fearless 4 year old graduated from lifting them with sticks and leaves to using gentle bare hands. He was mesmorized by the earthworm’s movements as it tickled his fingers.

If you’re up for ditching the stroller and adventuring a bit more, there’s lots to see at Watchung Reservation. With trails from 0.2 miles to 10 miles in length and varying difficulty, you can find many little kid friendly loops, an historic Revolutionary War trail, a Scout camping area, ball fields, and picnic areas galore. We hiked the short but rocky 0.5 mile red trail and the steeper 0.6 mile orange trail before settling in for a game of tag and a picnic on the grass. We’ll be back for sure, and I’m eyeing the history trail next.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • Parking was a bit confusing for us at first because we just put “Watchung Reservation Historic Trail” in our Google Maps which landed us in a Sheriff’s Office parking lot. You want to go to “Trailside Nature and Science Center” which positions you nicely at the entrance to the Sensory Friendly Trail, several looped hiking trails, as well as the bathrooms which are open and cleanish.
  • Watch out for dog poop in the grass! It’s everywhere. Nothing like cleaning poop out of your 2 year old’s shoes. Yuck.
  • The trails get pretty muddy. If it rained recently, just wear shoes that you don’t mind getting messy.

For more info:

Trail Map

About the Sensory Friendly Trail

Frelinghuysen Arboretum: Morris Township, NJ

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Peaceful. Vibrant. Colorful. Educational. Fun. That’s how I would describe Frelinghuysen Arboretum. We went on a scarecrow scavenger hunt through gardens bursting with fresh produce destined for thoughtful donation to those in need. Woodland trails – both gravel and paved – were drenched in sunlight and, much to our surprise this late in the season, beamed with regal autumn splendor around every corner. Benches scattered throughout the space featured thought-provoking quotes like the ones below, and invited nature lovers to stop for a moment and appreciate their surroundings.

Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.

Chuang Tzu

Would you like to sit and watch the flowers grow? Life is too short not to.

Deborah A. Powell

We discovered a gazebo with a beautifully crafted 6-seater table perfectly positioned to take in the stunning views and happily shared a meal together, feeling incredibly lucky to be dining al fresco in solitude. Picnicker’s will delight at the many tables near the entrance and the wide open grassy field as well. We ran through the field, learned fun facts about trees, jumped in sugar maple leaf piles, and climbed live oak trees. What a perfect fall day in one of New Jersey’s hidden gems!

The Park Mama Tips:

  • Bow hunting is in progress here. While we didn’t see any hunters on our visit, hikers are asked to exercise caution and stay on marked trails.
  • There are no open bathrooms due to COVID. Portajohns are available, but they were not the cleanest during our visit. Bring a travel potty.

For more info:

https://www.arboretumfriends.org

Autumn at The New Jersey Botanical Garden

Rating: 5 out of 5.

We were about a mile into a whimsical nature walk through secret gardens, surrounded by trees dressed for autumn, when dozens of leaves started dancing above us, fluttering gracefully down like rain. Time stood still for a moment as we stood on tip toes and eagerly reached to catch them before they blanketed the cool earth. “Ooh, Mama. I got one! I got two!” As I admired the leaves above and below us, I saw beauty in all sizes, shapes, and colors and was reminded of how God sees beauty in each one of us, too.

Our trek through the woods offered glimpses of interesting creatures. A turquoise and black beetle played peek-a-boo with our toddler, disappearing and reappearing under the leaves, flipping and turning until resting on his back and kicking with all his might to start again. A black squirrel darted across our path. A yellow ladybug tickled our preschooler’s fingertips before taking flight. We counted 1.2.3.4.5.6 koi fish swimming happily in a pond and listened to a chorus of crickets singing in the woods.

The Annual Garden and Perennial Garden offered welcome splashes of color, but the Hosta Garden with its low hanging trees, curvy paths, and rock formations was one of our favorites. We ran through open fields, played “I Spy”, and busily searched for planets and dwarf planets, soaking up fun facts on a scale-model solar system walk.

We’ve now visited the botanical garden 3x since the summer, and each visit teaches us something new. What a neat natural classroom!

After working up an appetite, be sure to stop by Shepherds Lake (2 minute drive) for a lovely picnic.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • Park in Parking Lot A. This positions you closest to the restroom at the carriage house (the only one open on the grounds due to COVID).
  • No picnicking allowed here. Never fear though. Shepherds Lake is a 2 minute drive down the road and you can picnic (with grills) to your heart’s delight. There are also bathrooms there near the “beach”.
  • There’s a paved road (shared with cars) that loops around the park, or you can cut through the grassy areas. The gardens are largely tucked away within the grassy areas.
  • Hiking is toddler-friendly – flat and a little rocky, but well marked and easy to navigate with littles.
  • There’s a shooting range near Shepherds Lake and black bear hunting was permitted during our visit. If the sound of gunfire is a trigger for you, another park may be best.
  • Beware of rattlesnakes. Yes, they live here. No, I haven’t seen any.

For more information:

Self-guided tour brochure

Fall at Cheesequake State Park: Matawan, NJ

Rating: 5 out of 5.

We visited Hooks Creek Lake at Cheesequake State Park in the summer, but didn’t make it past the sand pit with our enthusiastic little diggers, so we were excited to explore more of the park last weekend. Autumn has most certainly arrived here, and the trees are dressed as stoplights, shining brightly in crimson, gold, and avocado. We played tag in an open field, found a lucky double acorn under the shade of a towering oak tree, discovered mossy undergrowth, dug in the sand, picnicked, and hiked the gorgeous 1.5 mile loop around the lake.

Along the trail, geese honked and flew in a “V” formation overhead eliciting joyful squeals and clapping from my 23 month old: “Mama, honk honk. Whoosh.” Scenic lookouts are prevalent throughout and offer nice stopping points to rest tired little legs as well as closer glimpses of still waters and the aquatic wildlife that call them home. While not stroller-friendly, this trail with its tree roots and small climbs offered just the right gym for our 4 year old and 23 month old.

We stopped by Cheesequake Farms (10 mins away) for pumpkin picking after our hike. We found the hayride too crowded for our comfort level, so we chose to purchase mini pumpkins at their cute little farmer’s stand and our little guys were delighted with their orange and white selections.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • Mosquitos live here. Pack bug spray.
  • No entrance fee until Memorial Day.
  • Play “I Spy” or create your own scavenger hunt to keep kids engaged while hiking. Be on the lookout for fall colored leaves, double acorns, and plenty of wildlife (geese, squirrels, chipmunks, etc.).
  • Swimming is closed, but the sand pit is open for digging!
  • Bathrooms are closed at the lake, but are open and clean throughout the picnic and hiking areas.

For more info:

Clarke’s Family Farm: Modena, NY

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Honeycrisp apples are my favorite, and Clarke’s Family Farms in Modena, NY has the best ones I’ve ever eaten. Juicy, delicious, and ripe this weekend, you’ll find Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Macoun, Early Fuji, Gala, and Snap Dragon, Honeycrisp’s crunchier cousin. As a mama of two littles, I appreciate that this 7th generation farm uses low spray and organic farming practices and offers its produce at an affordable price. We are so happy to have stumbled upon this hidden gem on its opening day last Saturday morning.

We were welcomed by the owners and made to feel right at home, enjoyed a private hayride through the grounds, picked perfectly ripe apples to our hearts content, enjoyed a family picnic and freshly baked apple cider donuts (YUM!), and played hide and seek inside the cutest little wooden playhouses.

If you’re looking for delicious apples and an off-the-beaten path experience, Clarke’s Family Farm is well worth the trek. Enjoy!

The Park Mama Tips:

  • Open 10am-5pm weekends through October 18th
  • Masks are required. No reservations or tickets needed.
  • Pricing:
    • Low Spray:
      • Half Bushel: $25
      • Peck: $15
    • Organic:
      • Half Bushel: $40
      • Peck: $25
  • What’s Ripe for Picking This Weekend (9/19-9/20): Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Macoun, Early Fuji, Gala, and Snap Dragon, Honeycrisp’s crunchier cousin
  • What’s Ripe for Picking in October: Empire, Fuji and Cameo (for those who like a little sweet) and Mutsu, Braeburn and Granny Smith (for those who like a tart apple)
  • Porta potties are available.
  • Picnic tables are being cleaned between guests.
  • Cash and cards are accepted.

For more info:

https://clarkesfamilyfarm.com

Tenafly Nature Center: Tenafly, NJ

Rating: 5 out of 5.

A Park Mama reader recommended Tenafly Nature Center as a place that she was very grateful for, especially during the pandemic, so we excitedly made the trek over to check it out. What a cool find! The park greeter recommended 3 short trails for our little family to explore – yellow (0.4 mile), red (0.3 mile), and white (0.4 mile) – all of which are currently one-way and clearly marked for social distancing ease.

My boys were big fans of the hawk and owl aviary at the entrance, and our favorite trail of all was the storybook trail (aka yellow trail). Butterflies fluttered above, crickets chirped merrily, and chipmunks scurried over crumpled leaves below as we meandered down the trail. Every few feet along the path, we discovered a new set of illustrations with a brief caption posted on the trees. My little guys raced to find the next one and the next one and the next one while I read aloud. A page out of a storybook indeed. What a delightful experience!

We visited the day after a heavy rain, so the picnic area on the red trail was muddied, but that didn’t stop our fun. If you ask my 4 year old about his favorite part of the trip, he’ll tell you it was stomping around in the mud. Wooden bridges and a pond added more variety, and before we knew it, we were back at the car. The perfect hike for little legs.

The Park Mama Tips:

  • There’s a nominal admission fee – $2 per person over 2 years old or $10 per family – and payment is contactless with several different options available (cash, card, Venmo).
  • Strollers and bikes are not allowed. Foot traffic only.
  • Composting bathrooms are available beside the parking lot.
  • There are camps in session, including a newly added Forest Preschool for 3.5 – 5 year olds (more about that here), so you should be aware that the parking lot is closed during pick up and drop off times (12:15pm-12:30 pm / 2:30pm – 2:45pm / 3:15pm – 3:30pm / 5:30pm-5:45pm).
  • Mosquitos live here. Bug spray is a must.

For more info: