15 Enchanting Spots In New Jersey You Never Knew Existed
By Kristen|Published May 19, 2016
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
Airports aside, New Jersey can be a pretty magical place. Our diverse landscape and some incredible architecture make for a truly enchanting experience, if you know where to look. Though I have included some more popular locations, I’ve focused on hidden gems that will make you want to get out and explore.
This beautiful Warren County farm offers one of the largest collections of herbs and perennials in the United States. You'll find nearly 2000 varieties on around 120 picturesque acres. The farm is now open for the season and free to visit. If you're interested in gardening, consider signing up for one of their weekend workshops.
This 560-acre park will enchant you with all it has to offer - a working gristmill, cottage ruins, an environmental center, arboretum, hiking trails and gorgeous riverfront views. You definitely don't want to miss the mill; the 45-minute tours of Cooper's Gristmill allow visitors the opportunity to see the machinery and mechanisms in action.
While the museum alone is worth a visit, the gardens make Morven magical. You'll find a selection of spring bulbs along with a food garden, which produces fresh fruits and veggies for local residents in need.
Leaming's Run offers a series of stunning themed gardens, including a bamboo forest. This beautiful location is also a haven for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Our western coastline, along the Delaware Bay, doesn't get nearly as much love as it should. East Point is a striking sight at night, and the surrounding area abounds with unforgettable scenery.
Two words: Cherry Blossoms. And a few more words: Branch Brook Park has the largest concentration of Cherry Blossom Trees in the United States. It's truly a sight to see in the spring.
The magical Manasquan Reservoir is where you'll want to be at sunrise. You'll find some fantastic hiking trails and an environmental center along with boating opportunities on the water.
There are so many beautiful chapels in the Garden State, though this particular church is unique for several reasons. The interfaith chapel was completed in 1928 and is one of the largest university chapels in the world. The spectacular structure seats 2000 and Martin Luther King Jr. once delivered a sermon here.
Though nearly every New Jerseyan has heard of Wharton State Forest, very few have explored it all. There's always something new to discover, from Batsto Village to Atsion Mansion, the Emilio Carranza Memorial and the BaToNa Trail.
One of America's premier rock gardens, you'll find 33 acres of woodland, streams, rock outcroppings and picturesque walking paths. Free to visit, guided tours can be arranged for a small fee.
I don’t know about you, but the gardens are my favorite. Which of these enchanting New Jersey attractions are you most likely to check out? What others would you add to this list? If you haven’t had your fill of enchantment for the day, take a look at my previous posts on Cape May, New Jersey Castles, Peter’s Valley Crafts Center and Palisades Interstate Park. Thanks to www.njhiking.com for several of the photos used in this article.
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