In a city with a lot of things really out of whack including a lying and corrupt mayor, Cedar Beach…read morePark is truly a gem. Between this park and Trexler Park it's hard to decide which is better because each one offers a lot. At Cedar Beach you're talking four basketball courts, four volleyball courts, a half mile walking trail around Lake Muhlenberg, various picnic pavilions and of course the star of the show; the 1900 square foot destination playground which is one of the finest in the area even if some things after almost six years are starting to show their age like a few of the swings that are currently missing, but I digress. Not everything is what it could be with Cedar Pool being closed all last year due to a leak but at least it's not like in the 80's and 90's when Canadian Geese overran the park and made everything a giant cesspool of goose shit to the point that city would capture hundreds or even thousands of birds a year and truck them to other states. articles.mcall.com/1987-06-23/news/2570803_1_geese-goose-population-migratory-birds But, between the pool, the playground, the sport courts, the variety of trees and the rose garden across the street it's truly a beautiful place.

Nice park, spacious, several basketball courts. Great for leagues and tournaments. Very nice…read moregrounds and easy to get to.

Was looking for someplace to go in the fall and the finger lakes and Lake George were too far away,…read morebut gap was only an hour away! Who would think there a place is beautiful so close to home living in Central New Jersey! What makes a Delaware water gap so special in the fall is that there are some large hills here making the foliage extra special! The beauty of this place is incredible, you might feel like you're out west somewhere in the middle of Montana! There's an incredible hiking or biking trail that runs right alongside the Delaware water gap. There's also many absolutely amazing waterfalls in the area! We stayed two nights over a weekend and I felt like I had a great little vacation! Highly recommended if you're looking for a nearby gorgeous spot for nature anytime of the year! If you're like me and live in Central New Jersey, you don't have to go to upstate New York to get that kind of beauty. You can get it right here in Delaware water gap! They have a welcome center with people there that will help you with all your questions and needs for what you're looking for exclamation

We visited the Delaware Water Gap today, and it was a wonderful experience. This time of year is…read moreperfect for exploring the area. If you haven't been here before, I highly recommend it. There are numerous hiking trails, camping spots, and opportunities for photography and kayaking. Plan to spend a few hours to fully enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer.

"The Way You Think It Is May Not Be the Way It Is At All."…read more This is the beautiful quote that's written out on the park's map that represents what this place truly is. As it states, it is a sanctuary - a sacred place for meditation, quietness and reflection. There are about 90 stones throughout the sanctuary - sourced locally and placed between 1980 and 2005 - that are nearly 3.6 billion (!) years old. Wow. There is a pond area as well, filled with koi fish and other little creatures. Since we've had a long, harsh winter in the North East this year, not much had bloomed and the trees were still bare with lots of anticipating bursts of spring ahead. I did capture a few daffodils and flowers poking their way through some of the brush. The trails are easy, natural and inviting. We arrived fairly early in the AM on a Saturday, and snagged a parking spot. There is limited parking and by the time we were leaving, the spots were all full. I would think the earlier in the day one can come, the better it is all around. Upon leaving a realized there is also a little Resource Center and Gem Shop by the fountains, but we were on our way out and skipped exploring this. Plus I was on my way to (a very clean!) porter-potty (so thankful one was on site.) toilet paper & hand sanitizer, too! Just as an FYI Thoroughly enjoyed coming here and exploring this beautiful, simple space. I love that they're a sanctuary, a non-profit organization committed to preserving nature's beauty and diversity. My heart was happy. Thankful. Inspiring. Would love to possibly create a similar nature sanctuary in the city one day.

Megalith Park is a simple but unique experience to check out if you're (somewhat) in the area. Its…read morea very nice, well maintained park with plenty of Megaliths to admire and take pictures with. Its a relatively small and can be fully explored in 1-2 hours. But you could easily spend more time here on a nice day. Its a bit off the beaten path, but the curvy, mountainous roads make the drive there enjoyable. Its a great place for a date, family outing, or just some alone time. Great photo ops.

This is an easy trail. The upper part is stroller friendly. Beautiful falls can be be observed…read moreboth from above and below. Many steps but, doable. The remains of an old stone building just added to the experience.

Beautiful hike along Dingmans creek with scenic overlooks and bridges, on a well maintained trail…read more There are three waterfalls along a 1.4 mile loop. It's easy to moderate (there are stairs) and well shaded by trees. There's also a historic ruin of what was once a wool mill. There was ample parking, and it was not crowded during a summer week day. I highly recommend. Having visited most of the falls in the area this is in my top few favorites.

Love this place! The whole playground is gated with only 1 entrance so u can let your kid run free…read moreand guard the entrance as needed. The castle itself is huge but quite cramped inside so it was alot of work following my 2.5 yo kid inside. The castle is targetted for 5yo and up. My toddler enjoyed the spiral slides. The rest of the playground is nice and clean as well. There's free parking available and the castle is a short walk from there. I went there on a Friday afternoon/evening in late august and it wasn't too crowded. I would come back again if I was in the area

2 stars solely for greenspace. My opinion is based on driving an hour to meet friends here for a…read moreplay date. If you live locally it may be worthwhile but the drive for me was such a waste of my time for what this was. Ready? It's a: Big Wooden Castle Yep, that's it, folks. A gigantic version of that swingset-clubhouse combo you bought at Costco only to rot in your backyard because spiders and rain made it so unpleasant for kids that they refuse to use it. It's that creepy clubhouse times 30! It's pretty much a regular playground with most kids swarming the swings and other play features with a few venturing into the old wood play structure. They go in once and don't go back in again. My son was cursed at by older boys who appeared beyond the age guidelines (and I was surprised to see them still interested in a playground). In the myopic darkness of the castle, my son banged his head when inside the dank structure there was suddenly an unmarked (unlit) drastic change in ceiling height. Needless to say this experience was a turn off. Most kids really preferred being out in daylight because the castle felt more like a dungeon. It was fun to see friends and we enjoyed the togetherness of the play date but unless I'm in the area and desperate for a kid distraction, I won't be back.

This is the westbound scenic overlook stop. When you turn off the highway, you follow a windy road…read moreand then ascend an incline up to eh overlook. There is ample parking at this stop. You'll see picnic tables on the grassy part, and recycling and trash receptacles. This is a good spot to stop at if you're driving to the Delaware Water Gap.

I have reviewed this place before but it's been moved to another place in NJ. This scenic view is…read morelocated about 8 miles before the Delaware Water Gap heading West on Rt 80. There's a drive up the hill to the view. Plenty of picnic tables and parking. No facilities. But easy to have a picnic here and throw out your garbage after.

Tucked into the southwest corner of Essex County's South Mountain Reservation, this historic…read more28-acre public garden -- with its carefully curated and terraced gardens, fountains, and winding paths -- feels like a trip to another time and place. After spotting a social media post about the garden's Cascade fountain reopening after a 16-month restoration, my walking companion and I decided to check out this hidden gem. Greenwood Gardens was a private family estate until 2003, when it opened to the public under the auspices of a non-profit organization, and you can really feel that rich tapestry of the families' history as you wander through the grounds. The highlight of our visit was the Cascade fountain, which now features water flowing through it for the first time since the early 20th century! If you're looking for a peaceful, historic, and beautiful place to stroll, Greenwood Gardens is absolutely worth the visit. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip #1: Plan on about 75-90 minutes for a self-guided walking tour, buy tickets online in advance ($15 for adults aged 14 to 64; $10 for Seniors aged 65+; $5 for children aged 5 to 13), and wear weather-appropriate attire/walking shoes. Pro Tip #2: Leave your tripod at home. Casual photos on your phone are welcome, but portrait or staged photography (for events, engagements, graduations, etc.) requires prior permission and special facility booking.

A dreamy, charming little escape with tons of greenery, statues, structures, and fountains. Even on…read morea weekend it wasn't crowded, so my fam could take pictures without cropping out strangers. Really friendly staff gave the kids a scavenger hunt page that turned our visit into part garden tour, part treasure hunt. Between the terraces, tile work, grottoes, and gardens, the whole place blends European formality with a whimsical, art nouveau vibe. Plenty of benches invite you to sit and talk, while fenced-in chickens, geese, and beehives bring the grounds to life. The gardens feel peaceful, playful, and magical all at once. The beauty here is truly un-beleaf-able! NOTES/TIPS: **Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and $5 for kids, with free parking close by. **Very limited wheelchair-accessibility: okay for the Main Terrace and some flat areas, but most paths are sloped or uneven, so access is limited. **Restrooms near the entrance.

We hadn't gotten to much snow this year, so when I heard there was a snow fall in the northern…read moreportions of New Jersey near the Delaware Water Gap several weeks ago, Oatie and I headed north for some hiking. I think Oatie enjoys the river and mountains as much as I do. Climbing Mount Tammany, 1,526', is bout a 1-1.5 hour hike from the trailhead which is located on the west bound Rt.80, Dunnfield Creek parking lot. The red trail is much steeper than the blue trail. Most people do the red trail to the summit and come back down on the blue trail which runs along an brook that has numerous small waterfalls. In this area of New Jersey, the Appalachian trail, 2,180 miles and runs from Georgis to Maine cuts through New Jersey. The Deleware River is located on the east bound side of Rt.80. Along the river you will find the Kittatinny Point Visitor Center. The visitor center has Lenni Lenape artifacts, photos, wildlife displays, souvenirs, a ranger information booth and three NPS passport stamps. It was not open the day I visited. There are clean restrooms, boat, kayak and canoe launching sites. In the summer there are numerous people on tubs sailing south on the river. I kayak during the Summer, photograph the kaleidoscope of Fall leaf colors, and hike Spring and Winter.

This is basically a rest stop along Rt. 80 in New Jersey just before you cross over into…read morePennsylvania. There are clean bathrooms open all year round and a small visitor center which has artifacts and photos about the Indians who lived here and the wildlife that is in the area. It looks like it is popular with hikers and I believe the Appalachian trail either runs through here or is pretty close. The views here are awesome.....the Delaware water gap flows through the stop and the views of the mountains especially in the fall are amazing. Being from northeast jersey this is about as deep in the woods that I will venture. If your driving by here stop and take a look.

If you don't mind the terrain - which can be a bit unstable - then this is a hike you'll enjoy!…read more The river runs right next to it. I parked at the "Devils" parking entrance. There's a tiny bridge as well as a very iffy hike alongside. I had my deaf and blind dog along with me so I couldn't do too much as I was afraid he'd fall down the side into the river. I hear that just past this parking area there's a beach? That should be cool. I'm actually on my way back there this morning to check it out. Bring water and bug spray cause I can only imagine the mosquitos, etc., that are there in late Spring and during Summertime. Enjoy!! Happy hiking.

I've camped at Hickory Run a few times and although this time there were some updates, there were…read moresome major downfalls. I stayed in the organized group camping area and loved how the sites that we booked allowed for plenty of tents to spread out within your group. We stayed in J, K and L. Last year there were porter potties and this year there was a bathhouse. Sadly there were no showers, the family bathroom was locked all weekend, and maintence getting to the bathroom was not good. Wehad to walk through a field of knee high grass to get there. During peak tick season, this was not ideal. Lastly, quiet hours apparently do not exist this is area of camping. Groups around us were chanting and singing before 5am and had an intense volleyball match at 6am. Boyscotts camped near us and were up late screaming until 12am. There needs to be more ranger presence, this truly altered our experience. The state park itself has great hiking and swimming area but the organized group sites were very mismanaged.