Such an incredible playground! We went here twice with our young boys while visiting my in laws,…read morethey had a blast. Love the structures, it's fully fenced in, and there are tons if chairs on the sides for parents to sit. My kids could stay here all day if we let them. Wish there was a little more shade, but you can find some spots.

Located at the South Mountain Waterfront, the Essex County Regatta Playground is a nautical-themed…read moreplay area for kids and little ones. Nearby are the swan paddle boats, which can be rented. Also, the public bathrooms are near the Regatta Playground, as well as a picnic area and wooden lawn chairs. Note: The picnic area is sometimes reserved for private events/groups, but is otherwise available most of the time.

Love this little playground! It's the perfect size playground. It's not too big, like some of the…read morenewer playground I have taken my kids to. It is difficult to keep track of your little ones when the playground is wayyyy too big. Both my 2 and 6 year old boys enjoy their time here.

This is an athletic field in the St. Cloud neighborhood of West Orange. There's a small area with…read moresome parking, but it's more ideal for residents in the area within walking distance. They have tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields, and playgrounds for the kiddos. It's down the road from Turtle Back Zoo and the South Mountain Arena, and right by Mama Dag's Seafood & Pasta Bar.

Very nice little park in West Orange. They have baseball and soccer fields, tennis courts, and…read moreplaygrounds.

I love this Waterfront! I discovered it, literally, a week before the pandemic shut down…read moreeverything. As much as I prefer to decompress near water, this spot satisfies that for me. An additional perk is how beneficial it is as a workout. Once around is nearly 2 miles. So it's good for a walk, run, or simply a seat near serenity. There's also an option to do paddle boats if you're into that type of activity. The pavilion is there (with seats) to provide some shade if the sun is beaming too brightly. Just an all around wonderful space snuggled between Turtle back zoo and McLoone's Boathouse restaurant. South Mountain reservation hiking trails are nearby as well. What a great central location! There is plenty of parking across the street from the entrance as well as a playground for kids.

The Waterfront has a nice walking/jogging path around the lake. You can also fish in designated…read moreareas, and rent swan paddle boats here. It's family friendly with a playground for younger kids, and an area with lots of tables under a pavilion for gatherings. The Essex County Park System maintains the Waterfront well. It's a popular destination during the weekends (i.e. can get crowded).

I recently discovered Orchard Park. It's a small park off of Ridgewood Ave in Maplewood, but you…read moreenter from De Hart Road, so it's kind of hidden. There's a playground for 2-5 year olds - with climbing forts, slides, a see-saw, and swings. There's a covered area in sight line of the playground, and tables and some benches to sit. There are also tennis courts and an open field. Cute park!

Orchard park is the overall best local park I have been to. The playground is completely safe and…read moreamazing for kids of all ages. It is great to bring the whole family, there is great seating like picnic tables and benches and built in bathrooms. We go there all the time and is an amazing experience.

5/31/26 (Update) Having been coming to this zoo forever. In…read morethe last 5- 10 years, I've really seen Turtle Back Zoo grow into a first rate zoo! It's not as large as the Bronx Zoo, but it's certainly getting there. -Animals: We saw beautiful, large flamingos, penguins, numerous wildcat species, giraffes, bald eagles, hyenas and more... -Living Conditions: All the animals are protected by high fences. The animals appear to be very healthy. Their living conditions appear to be very clean. -Sea Turtle Recovery Center: Besides the wonderful animals, there's a Sea Turtle Recovery Hospital on the premises. You can visit the "patients". It was an interesting experience. Once the sea turtles have regained their health, they're be released back into their natural habitat. -Food: You'll probably get hungry during your visit. The zoo has several food kiosks and a large indoor and outdoor café called Zanzibar. -Gift Shop: Of course, there's a cool gift shop at the zoo. Lots of adorable stuffed animals for purchase. -Parking: Parking was free this past Sunday. There's several indoor parking garages with clearly marked animal logos. Looking forward to my next visit to Essex County Turtle Back Zoo.

Besides visiting the Turtle Back Zoo a bunch as a child, I only returned a few years ago for their…read morewinter light show and again recently for an afternoon stroll through the park. For a zoo in suburban New Jersey, this one was truly impressive and would surpass most expectations. They had a wide range of creatures across various species and even interactive opportunities, like feeding lettuce to giraffes and riding on a carousel. Their train ride only went through a small part of the animal park, but also took you by a neighboring lake, which was beautiful and part of the larger, surrounding South Mountain Recreation Complex. It was clearly a favorite with children and adults alike, as acted a reprieve from navigating the zoo on foot, which could be exhausting in warmer months (lots of hills and little shade) and brutal in cooler months. There were various food carts and a very nice restaurant on-site, though we did not try any of them. Their membership passes were an affordable option for parents that planned on frequent visits, and the parking was free, so there certainly were economical ways to visit. I would recommend the Turtle Back Zoo for a fun and engaging way to spend a family-friendly afternoon. Watching the monkeys swinging about in their habitat was a particularly amusing highlight.

A nice area for hiking/walking that has some wide paths and not so overgrown. There are plenty of…read moretrails to diverge from. Hemlock Falls seems to be a draw and is very nice to relax around but can get a little crowded. Because there are multiple parking lots with easy accessibility, there's a bit of trash and broken glass here and there which is unfortunate. There were quite a few hikers, trail runners and dogs but it never felt claustrophobic. The hikes aren't that difficult but there are quite a few rocks and protruding tree roots. Montclair is less than 10 minutes if you want a bite to eat afterwards.

Great walk. Nothing like a walk through nature. Taking in the sights and sounds, what a beautiful…read morething!!!

Jenkins Park is a small, local park in the Valley, where you'll find a kiddie playground for 2-5…read moreyear olds and a skatepark for pre-teens and older. I never knew this spot existed in all my years growing up in the area. Jenkins is tucked away behind the West Orange Fire Department HQ. The park entrance is on Rose Terrace off of Valley Road. It's a nice resource if you are in the neighborhood or within walking distance to this part of town. Heads up - parking will be tough, but not it's not impossible to find street parking on another block. The kiddie playground has playsets for children 2-5 year old. There are some benches for parents. Look out for the first responder themed spring riders. I thought these were cute since they are in sightline of real firefighter vehicles and trucks parked behind the WO firehouse headquarters, and little ones may get a kick out of that. The skatepark area was installed in 2017 and is an All Wheel Park concept, a layout for all skaters and BMX riders. There are 4 zones - with a halfpipe, center sets, end ramps, rails, grind boxes, and street features. This part is relatively new, but Jenkins Park is actually much older with a history going back to the early 1900s. Jenkins is the town's first playground and was gifted in 1911 by a resident of Llewellyn Park, which is considered to be the country's first planned residential community. A little bit of history in West Orange. I thought there was an appropriate distance between the skatepark and the kiddie playground, so both can co-exist without sacrificing safety. Also, dogs are not allowed in the park (though I'm not sure how that's enforced) but that ordinance made sense to me for the safety of all - humans and canines (the sound of the ramps and from 280 could spook dogs). In short: Nice local park for young kids and their parents. Small skatepark but with a variety of ramps, rails, and grinds.

Riker Hill is one of my favorite parks in Essex County because of its uniqueness. It's niche…read morebecause it's part artist studios, part Cold War historical site, and part local park for hilly walks/runs. There also is a small community garden, as well as EV charge station at the top of the hill. It's not a destination park - unless you have a specific interest in visiting the studios or in Nike missile sites. However, it's a quaint park if you are local and want a quick fix of nature and views from the highest elevation points in Essex county.

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.