Some days off are best spent taking part in athletic activities like hiking, biking, kayaking, and theme park visiting. Others, however, are best spent going for a walk or sitting down in a beautiful setting, especially on a sunny day.
Gardens are among such settings, and New Jersey has plenty to offer to those who want to take a break from thrill-seeking and spend time with plant life of all shapes and sizes. The Garden State didn’t get its nickname for nothing! Here are some of the best sites to visit when it’s not raining.
Photography Tips
If you want to show off the best photos of gardens to everyone back at home, be sure upgrade your phone at any of the AT&T stores in New Jersey before you stop by. And use your new smartphone to download the Visit New Jersey app on your iPhone or Android to find a list of beautiful gardens, entertainment, attractions and historical sites for your vacation photo collage.
And for those photos, the lighting you’ll have will depend on what time of year you visit. The late morning and early afternoon are the best times in the spring, while the evening proves to be a little extra colorful in the fall.
Morven Museum & Garden
When it comes to variety, Morven Museum & Garden is among the most reliable places to go. Visitors will stumble across daffodils and irises, which start to come out of dormancy in April and May. The tulips, elms, and Catalpa trees will definitely add to the green portion of your photo collection.
At the center of the garden is a museum that provides a history lesson on how long these forms of plant life have been in New Jersey. Different exhibitions and events give a little fun in their educational experience. Also, it’s open on weekends!
New Jersey State Botanical Garden
Very few gardens are able to demonstrate the beauty of New Jersey like the New Jersey State Botanical Garden. This spot makes almost 100 acres of botanical gardens available to visitors, who can enjoy lilacs, peonies, crab apple allees, and wildflowers. The magnolia walk will take you from one garden to another, and the 1,000 acres of woodlands allows you to get closer to nature.
Families are sure to have a blast at this garden, since it offers scavenger hunts for the kids to do. Tours are also free on Sundays from May to October, which should help save money for anything else you have planned for the weekend.
Orchid Range at Duke Farms
The Orchid Range at Hillsborough’s Duke Farms lets you either go for a walk through the paths or take a bike tour in case you want to get some exercise while you check out plant life. The Orchid Range uses solar energy to keep its plant life fresh for people to see all year round.
You’ll also probably lucky enough to come across a variety of friendly animals near Duke Farms, including birds, foxes, and squirrels. Additionally, you can participate in workshops and festivals to learn how plants grow. You’ll also learn about the facility’s focus on water conversation.
Grounds For Sculpture
If you want to add as much to your photo collection as possible, then you’ll want to reserve a visit to Grounds For Sculpture. In addition to great views of flora, you’ll be treated to over 200 sculptures, some of which are built near certain gardens to add to the beauty.
The Grounds cover 42 acres and include a walkway lined with trees and a lily pond covered in wildflowers.This spot is also known for being the home of peacocks, which are a can’t-miss for photo ops.
Atlantic Nursery
While Atlantic Nursery is a little smaller than the other gardens on this list, it is known for having the biggest trees and shrubs in the area, which should diversify your photo collection if you only have flowers in it so far.
Atlantic Nursery is also a great option for those who garden or are interested in growing plants. The “We Plant, You Plant” program brings a professional into your own home to assess what you have available to you and to teach you how to grow what you’re interested in.