by Morris County Tourism Bureau Fri., Jun. 7, 2019
Posted on June 7, 2019 by Hunter Hulbert - Community, Sponsored
To make the most of this time of year, the Morris County Tourism Bureau has put together a handy list of 11 places to visit in Morris County that will make you want to welcome the warmer weather and head to the great outdoors.
1. Find a new park — Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area: Pyramid Mountain’s 1,545 acres of rugged trails, fields, forests and wetlands are a cherished local favorite. Roughly 18,000 years ago, the receding Wisconsin Glacier shaped the unusual glacial erratics found here, such as Tripod Rock (a 180-ton boulder balanced on three smaller boulders) and Bear Rock (one of the largest in New Jersey). This wilderness, virtually untouched for decades, is now a significant wildlife sanctuary. The park’s highest point is 934 feet, with a magnificent view of the New York City skyline. The park is located at 472 Boonton Ave., Montville, N.J. 07045. The park is open from dawn to dusk. For more information, call (973) 334-3130.
Tripod Rock, a 180-ton boulder balanced on three smaller boulders, at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area.
2. Take a canal boat ride at Waterloo Village: The 102-mile Morris Canal connected the Delaware River to the Hudson River in a unique transportation system that enabled the development of the northern part of the state from 1829 to 1924. Since 1969, The Canal Society of New Jersey has been restoring, preserving and studying portions of the canal system and the many artifacts they uncover along the way. Visitors can take a canal boat ride, join a walking tour or explore the wonderfully curated museum. For more information on Waterloo Village in Stanhope, call (973) 292-2755.
Since 1969, The Canal Society of New Jersey has been restoring, preserving and studying portions of the Morris Canal system and the many artifacts they uncover along the way.
3. Climb at Revolutionary cannon at Fort Nonsense: Located in National Historical Park New Jersey,Washington’s troops built the fort in the spring of 1777, on what was then called Kinney’s Hill. Its purpose was to protect the main roads leading north and south in order to preserve Morristown as a military storehouse. It includes seven exhibits and a small monument. For more, call (973) 539-2016, ext. 210 or visit www.nps.gov/morr.
The Revolutionary War cannon at Fort Nonsense is a popular stop for visitors.
4. Get fresh garden vegetables at Alstede Farms: Alstede Farms uses sustainable and certified organic farming methods to grow 250 types of specialty fruits and vegetables. Farmer Kurt, a Chester native and first-generation farmer, founded Alstede Farms in 1982 with the mission to grow local, healthy and nutritious food in a responsible way. For more information, call (908) 879-7189.
Farmer Kurt founded Alstede Farms in 1982.
5. Take a boat ride on NJ’s largest lake — Lake Hopatcong: Experience the rich history of Lake Hopatcong while dining in style on the lake’s first-ever dinner cruise boat. The ship, Miss Lotta (named for the famous vaudeville actress Lotta Crabtree, who summered in Lake Hopatcong), is a renovated 57-foot Skipperliner. Choose from historical tours on the lake, lunchtime sailing excursions and elegant dinner cruises. Meals are catered by popular lakeside restaurants Alice’s Restaurant and The Windlass. For more information, visit Lake Hopatcong Cruises LLC at 37 Nolans Point Park Road, Lake Hopatcong, or call (973) 663-5000.
The boat, known as ‘Miss Lotta,’ takes visitors on tours of Lake Hopatcong.
6. Take a bike ride with new wheels from Marty’s Reliable Cycle: Marty’s Reliable Cycles offers a great selection of bicycles and great service. This one-stop shop has everything cyclists might need, including cycling gear, bikes, rentals, lifetime adjustments, a trade-in program, repair pickup and delivery and more. Marty’s also supports area cycling and organizes and sponsors the Garden State Fondo, a family cycling event. Marty’s is located at 173 Speedwell Ave. in Morristown. Closed on Tuesday. For more, call (973) 538-7773.
Marty’s Reliable also supports area cycling and organizes and sponsors the Garden State Fondo, a family cycling event.
7. Stroll in Central Park of Morris County: Central Park of Morris County is a 299-acre multifaceted sports complex. The complex includes two regulation-size in-line skating rinks, a fully accessible Challenger League ball field, two sand volleyball courts, a softball field, four multiuse artificial turf fields with sports lighting, a 5K cross-country course, a 5-acre dog park, an all-access playground, natural amphitheater, disc golf course, tented picnic area and more than 1-mile of paved and natural trails It is the Morris County Park Commission’s first fully accessible outdoor athletic facility. The park is located at 91 Central Ave., Parsippany. For more information, call (973) 326-7600.
Central Park of Morris County is a 299-acre multifaceted sports complex that includes fields for a variety of sports and activities.
8. Smell the roses at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum: The majestic 127-acre Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a regional center for horticultural activities of all kinds. The woodlands, meadows, beautiful rose gardens and distinctive collections of trees make the grounds surrounding the Arboretum’s magnificent Colonial Revival mansion an ideal setting for leisurely strolls. The arboretum is located at 353 E. Hanover Ave., Morris Township. The park is open from dawn to dusk. For more information, call (973) 326-7601.
The 127-acre Frelinghuysen Arboretum is a regional center for horticultural activities of all kinds.
9. Learn some local history — Historic Walking Tours: The Morris County Tourism Bureau invites visitors to “Discover Morris County” and stop by for annual summer walking tours and programs that focus on the rich history of Morris County. This year, seven new tours have been added to the schedule along with the most popular ones returning from 2018. Tours last approximately one hour and involve an easy level of walking. Tickets are $15 per person. For more information, visit morristourism.org or call (973) 631-5151.
The Morris County Tourism Bureau invites visitors to ‘Discover Morris County’ during its annual summer walking tours.
10. Take a train ride — Whippany Railway Museum: The Whippany Railway Museum brings the stories of New Jersey’s railroads to life through its displays of vintage trains and restored rail cars. The museum, which opened in 1965, features the largest collection of American-built standard gauge steam locomotives in New Jersey, and one of the oldest steam locomotives in America — Southern Railway No. 387 (c. 1907).
Railroad fans will enjoy strolling through the elegant Whippany passenger depot and through the railroad yard.
Visit the restored 1904 freight house from the Morristown and Erie Railroad, with its fascinating collection of rail and transportation antiques. Railroad fans will enjoy strolling through the elegant Whippany passenger depot and through the railroad yard. For more information, visit 1 Railroad Plaza, Hanover, N.J. or call (973) 887-8177.
11. Declaration of Independence Reading: On July 4 from noon to 1 p.m. on the Morristown Green in Morristown, families, day trippers and history buffs alike will enjoy an authentic trip back in time to the founding of our nation during the annual Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Co-sponsored by the Morris County Tourism Bureau and Morristown National Historical Park, the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence by costumed interpreters is a free event that will be held rain or shine July 4.
A number of other free “Revolutionary Times” events will lead up to and follow the reading on July 4. Beginning at 11:15 a.m., visitors can participate in a roughly 1-mile march to the Morristown Green from the historic Ford Mansion, a large Georgian-style home built in the 1770s which Gen. George Washington used as his headquarters during the harsh winter of 1779-1780 and which currently houses a museum. At 11:30 a.m., Morris County Tourism Bureau Outreach Leader and local historian Carol Barkin will share opening comments and introduce a musical performance by folk ensemble The Loose Canons. Following a welcome by the MCTB’s Leslie Bensley and an entertaining overview of Revolutionary-era language and practices by Morristown National Historical Park Ranger and educator Eric Olsen, fellow Morristown National Historical Park Ranger and historian Tom Winslow will read the Declaration. Music and a musket salute by Revolutionary War re-enactors will follow.
For more information on the Morris County Tourism Bureau, visit www.morristourism.org.
Download bureau’s Visitor’s Guide by visiting http://www.morristourism.org/.
