A beautiful mix of gardens, meadows and forests, Willowwood Arboretum is home to more than 3,500 plant species. We love the variety here – from daffodil fields to bamboo forests, cherry blossoms to towering Norway Spruce, Willowwood Arboretum is breathtakingly beautiful, peaceful, and fun. Adjacent to the parking lot are tons of daffodils just beggingContinue reading “Willowwood Arboretum: Far Hills, NJ”
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Spring at Reeves-Reade Arboretum: Summit, NJ
Spring has sprung at Reeves-Reade Arboretum! We visited earlier this week to take a peek at the daffodil bowl. After reading the featured story on the storybook trail and admiring the hummingbird sculpture, we stumbled upon Peter’s Pond, a tranquil little spot to watch goldfish swim. Tucked behind the pond are a few picnic tablesContinue reading “Spring at Reeves-Reade Arboretum: Summit, NJ”
Verona Park: Verona, NJ
Part of the Essex County Park System, Verona Park offers a little something for everyone. There’s a 1.2 mile paved loop surrounded by weeping willows (this will be especially beautiful in April), a lake with seasonal paddle boating and fishing, a boathouse restaurant, a softball field and bocce courts, a children’s garden, and plenty ofContinue reading “Verona Park: Verona, NJ”
Hemlock Falls: West Orange, NJ
Hemlock Falls is on a 5.8 mile loop in South Mountain Reservation, but there’s a 1.2 mile toddler-friendly shortcut. It was easy enough for my 2.5 year old and 4.5 year old to do (with snack bribes and plenty of stops to throw rocks in the brook along the way). Big plus: It’s in aContinue reading “Hemlock Falls: West Orange, NJ”
Weehawken & Union City Reservoir Park
Weehawken & Union City Reservoir Park is a 3/4 mile flat, gravel track around a wildlife filled reservoir with NYC views. We love this urban oasis so much because there are almost always turtles and ducks swimming, seagulls squawking, and curiously friendly geese. It also has our favorite toys: dirt, sticks, and rocks. Today, weContinue reading “Weehawken & Union City Reservoir Park”
Anderson Park: Montclair, NJ
Anderson Park is the perfect place to teach a child how to ride a bike, scooter, or skateboard. It’s also stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible. There is a small 3/5 mile flat, paved loop with plenty of benches for snacking or resting, and a large field that’s great for picnicking and ballgames. You can even bringContinue reading “Anderson Park: Montclair, NJ”
Van Vleck House & Gardens: Montclair, NJ
“Sap flowing in high volume is called a ___.” Put your maple syrup knowledge to the test on this fun self-guided trivia tour at Van Vleck House & Gardens just 30 minutes away from Hoboken. A dozen or so visits later, Van Vleck House & Gardens remains one of our favorite NJ finds. It’s small.Continue reading “Van Vleck House & Gardens: Montclair, NJ”
Celery Farm: Allendale, NJ
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 brightContinue reading “Celery Farm: Allendale, NJ”
Fall at Mill Creek Marsh: Secaucus, NJ
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 theContinue reading “Fall at Mill Creek Marsh: Secaucus, NJ”
Thielke Arboretum: Glen Rock, NJ
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 thatContinue reading “Thielke Arboretum: Glen Rock, NJ”