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Our Visit To Deep Cut Gardens

Deep Cut Gardens is one of those great gems in the state of New Jersey. Located in Middletown NJ it is a fun spot to explore. First of all, it is free to visit. They offer some great programs for the public, especially for the gardeners out there. I especially am amazed by the seed exchange program. What a great idea! I, personally, love that they have a website where they list many species of plants that grow in the garden. You can see everything that is happening, as well as information for your visit here.

What I liked best about this spot is how much it had going on in a relatively small space. It was beautiful and clearly so well loved. The garden is also very accessible. There was about an hour and a half worth of walking about. The walks were easily accessible and can be done with the smallest of kids. Some of the spots are downright magical.

My friend and I were there with our two teens, and they enjoyed themselves. They liked the bonsai tree collection, and the cacti room; the thing they loved the most was the koi fish. In fact that’s where we spent the most time.

After the garden we headed down to Sandy Hook for some beach time.

The garden is free to explore. My advice is before you go, read up on the history of the garden. At some point it belonged to Vito Genovese, and has a cool and long history. Not unlike Duke Farms.

As always, here are a few photos of our visit:

That is it for our visit to Deep Cut Gardens.

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Beautiful Gardens Free Places To Visit Historic Landmarks

Our Visit To Van Vleck Gardens and Kip’s Castle

Our Visit To Van Vleck Gardens and Kip’s Castle

It was early morning on a Saturday that I yanked my husband out of bed and ran to the car before the kids or grandparents woke up. Taking a quick cup of coffee to go with us we dashed for the car.  The plan: to go ‘garden hopping’ first thing in the morning.

We drove to Montclair, and within about 2 hours visited the Presby Memorial Garden, Van Vleck House and Gardens and Kip’s Castle.  All three locations are about within a mile of each other, so it is easy to visit them all in the same trip.   One of the things I liked about these places is that they are so close together, and each one is just big enough to have fun exploring, but small enough to see all of it in one visit. This way, if I brought my grandmother up there, she would still have a great time without getting too tired.

First stop was Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. I have written about Presby Memorial Iris Gardens before. The trick with this place is about going there when the irises are in bloom: late May to early June.  We were there in the first week of June, and it was as beautiful as ever.

Right after the Iris Gardens we drove a few blocks back down the street and visited the Van Vleck Gardens. There is a nature center, and the historical house, which we didn’t stop at. The gardens are a beautiful and magic filled place. There is ample parking, and the grounds themselves are not very big. We walked around there for about 40 minutes, exploring every nook and cranny. The house is beautiful, and fun to explore on the outside. I think late spring was a good time to visit, as azaleas and wisteria were in bloom.  They also have all sorts of programs available to kids and adults. In fact, during our visit, there was a nice group of youngsters enjoying a program. Here are a few photos:

After visiting the Van Vleck house we headed over to Kip’s Castle. It is only about half a mile away by car. I saw a sign that there are tours of the castle Tuesday to Friday, 12 pm to 3 pm. Unfortunately we were there way too early to attend a tour (something I would like to do in the future). The castle itself is a pretty fun thing to see in the middle of New Jersey. The grounds were a nice place to explore and take a walk. Plus the views of NYC are magnificent.

I should mention that all three places were completely free. Presby Iris Gardens and Van Vleck both accept donations.

We enjoyed our garden hopping excursion so much that within the same week I returned. This time with my mom.  We did the same three places. We were greeted by a tiny baby deer that was hiding in the flowers and jumped out right at us. Good thing my camera was on and ready to go!

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Beautiful Gardens Free Places To Visit Hiking Trails

Our Visit To Leonard J Buck Garden

Nestled in the heart of New Jersey is a beautiful little place. Leonard J Buck Garden. It is a lovely garden, filled with paths, ponds, streams and tiny, adorable bridges. At the end of October we made a plan to visit it together with friends.

Our Visit To Leonard J Buck Garden

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Beautiful Gardens

Our Visit To Presby Memorial Iris Gardens

In the beginning of every June, my mom and I always attempt to visit the Presby Memorial Iris Garden in Montclair, NJ. It was a pleasant and an easy ride getting there, and fairly easy to find.

Our Visit To Presby Memorial Iris Gardens

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Beautiful Gardens Hiking Trails

Our Visit To Rutgers Gardens

This is yet another amazing place that we have visited for the first time a few years ago! There are no words to describe how embarrassed I feel about it.  I have gone to Rutgers for five years, and never once has it occurred to me that there are so many wonderful places.  Of course, when I was going there I had a newborn, so it was all work, no play, but still.  I missed Zimmerli, the Geology Museum, and now this.  Rutgers Gardens is one of the most beautiful and amazing places to spend the day! Over the years, we have visited Rutgers Gardens several times, over many seasons, and it is always fantastic.

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Beautiful Gardens Free Places To Visit Hiking Trails Historic Landmarks

Our Visit To Willowwood Arboretum

Again, I wrote this a few years ago. Since then we have gone back on many occasions to Willowwood Arboretum. It is a great spot for a quiet walk, and a bit of a meditative time. It never disappoints. The most recent time was the summer of 2019, it is as lush, green and peaceful as ever. We even managed to find a new hidden nook that we’ve never seen before. Here are a few photos:

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Recently, I have been noticing that our day trip, adventure going dynamic has changed around here.  With my older one going on to becoming a full fledged teenager, and my husband’s job not having days off like he used to, our family trips have been very rare.  During the school year it’s not noticeable: we are busy, and go on many day trips and adventures with our friends.  This is not the school year, it is the middle of summer, and many of our friends are away for the time being. 

This month I sharply felt the lack of adventurous trekking spirit in our lives.  Therefore, I have declared that one day during the weekend should be dedicated to exploring different places together.  Usually, that means that during the week we have to brainstorm and come up with a plan.  It has to be a place that won’t be crowded, and three times out of four it has to be free or inexpensive. 

Without a plan, our day often plops with people complaining about the choice options.  I took on the role of a day trip dictator and came up with a list.  From that list I pick off places to go to.  Sometimes it can be as simple as going hiking in our local forest, or a park with a nice walk around the lake.  Other times it’s a bit more complicated, with a trip to a garden or movies, or beach and a picnic.  It’s more about time together then entertainment, and so far we have had really good few trips, where we got to walk together and enjoy each others’ company.

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Our Visit To Bowman Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bucks County, PA

May 2018

This has been a long time coming!! I’d drive by that place a few times a month, and would always wonder what is there.  Finally we made it!  This time it was just my little one, my husband and I.  The big kid was off on his own adventure.

Our Visit To Bowman Hill Wildflower Preserve

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Beautiful Gardens Historic Landmarks

Our Visit To Longwood Gardens

Kenneth Square, PA

Spring 2018

Longwood Gardens in PA has got to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

I wish I lived closer. I would be there all the time! Most recently we have stopped there on the way to Washington, D.C. It was as beautiful as always with some areas renovated to look even more lovely.

Our Visit To Longwood Gardens

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Beautiful Gardens Hiking Trails Historic Landmarks

Our Visit To Duke Farms

Hillsborough Township, NJ

Several times a year.

We absolutely love Duke Farms, especially now, after the renovations, when you can go on a bike all around the place! It used to be guided tours in the green houses. That was a beautiful place to go, especially in the middle of February, when you walk inside and smell summer in the middle of winter. Now they remade the place, and you can go hiking through the grounds. It is also beautiful.  I love that now it is outdoors and self guided! They kept an orchid green house open for visitors, so you can still walk in in the middle of winter and feel like you’re in a tropical paradise. It is such a wonderful place.

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Beautiful Gardens Hiking Trails Rivers and Lakes State Parks

New Jersey Botanical Garden

Ringwood, NJ

We go there a few times a year!

New Jersey Botanical Garden is located in Ringwood, NJ. It is beautiful, quiet and never crowded place. We love it there. They have many plants, so no matter what season you choose to go there there is something to see. For me, my favorite time of the year to go is in mid May, so that I can catch the lilac tree grove in bloom. Another great time is in August, to see the waterlillies. Of course, early spring is great to, with all the bright spring colors and cherry blossoms.