On our random visit, entrances to the Lambert Castle and Tower were closed, but the road was open…read more We were able to admire this lovely structure from outside. Our intention anyway was to go hiking. That was accomplished. From the area of the tower, which sits higher than the castle, some panoramic views can be seen ofthe surrounding cityscape. You can also find other hiking trails that lead you further along the hilltop. A perfectly beautiful day also makes this spot... - lovely for a picnic - picturesque for a photoshoot - ideal for a background in your vlog - an escape from the noise of a busy week - nice for a nap or daydream - sweet for something romantic - zen for meditation

I took a tour of Lambert Castle a couple days prior and felt the need to explore the tower up the…read morehill. It was beautiful! Elegant stone work. A trellis covered in vines. Views of nature all the way to NYC that would've been glorious many decades ago. The valley is a bit over developed now, but still impressive. This tower would've been an extension of the extravagant home below. Just walking around it gives you a sense of power and incorporation into nature on this unique mountain in the middle of a densely populated city. Garret mountain, holds this gem, and many others. Well worth a visit!

A relic from old upper saddle river, this little gem has plenty going on during the year. Some of…read moreour favorite events are Santa in the Barn when our kids were little. It's an unbeatable photo op with a vintage sleigh, a real looking Santa, staged inside of a beautiful kept barn. They also have a bake sale along with demonstrations on spinning wool, and cooking in their outside kitchen. This has been a part of our family tradition, so fortunate to have this in our community!

Came here at night. It was so beautiful and amazing. Truly breathtaking…read more I want to come back and see it during the day.

Growing up in Garfield, I never even knew that we had waterfalls b/c river road wasn't the nicest…read moreroad to drive down. Now, they really changed it. They paved the entire street, added a sidewalk, a playground, and a ramp down to the waterfall. It definitely adds beauty to our town. I now run down there and enjoy the sites. Now this isn't the Niagara Falls by any measure, but its a simple citys gem.. I think its great and i'll be running around here a lot more often... not to mention- they will be opening up a new wawa right around here very shortly!!

At 7pm on a weeknight, the museum was closed but I still had the opportunity to enjoy the outside…read moreand appreciate it for what was written on the historical marker posted in front. "Dutch Colonial farmhouse built in the early 1700's. Both carved date of 1747 found on an old barn beam and the rubble stone construction of the house place it in this early period. Minutes of the East New Jersey Board of Proprietors and existing public records lead to the belief [that the] house was built by a Westervelt, early owners of the land (a part of the much disputed Ramapough tract). According to recently discovered records, the house served as a tavern during the 18th century. Thus came the persistent legend that Aaron Burr stopped here for liquid refreshment en route to the Hermirage. This house is on both the State and National Registers of Historic Places." I'd love to stop by when it's open. [Review 11521 overall, 1301 of 2019.]

A bit of a local treasure, this 1700's farm house was saved from demolition in the 1950's and…read moreturned into a local museum full of antiques. The main floor is furnished with period furniture, the upstairs houses a children's museum full of toys (temporarily closed) as well as a library. They stage events like cider making and St. Nick's Day in December, it's worth stopping by one of the open houses.

Verona/Montclair, NJ - this medieval castle-like mansion was the cozy home of industrialist…read moreFrederic Ellsworth Kip in the early 1900s, and, saved from the ignominious fate of being developed into a row of townhouses during the modern era, the estate is now part of the historic Essex County Park System and thankfully is being preserved as an eventual resource center for the arts & culture. Although the 11-acre grounds of Kip's Castle Park is open from dawn to dusk year-round, the house itself is normally closed to the public except for a brief few days around Christmas, when the home is decorated in vintage holiday splendor and the first floor is open to viewing. The home looks grand but is charmingly intimate inside. It doesn't take long to tour but makes for a lovely little visit if you happen to find yourself in the area over the holidays.

I absolutely love castles! First visit!…read more Kips Castle is a replica of a Medieval Castle! Located in Verona and Montclair New Jersey. The Castle was closed but you can explore the 11 acres of land on the ridge of First Mountain. You have beautiful views of the New York skyline. On our way out, saw the deers!!

If you like historic home tours and museums and would like an easy day trip from NYC or the…read moresurrounding areas, check out Kykuit! It is a beautiful place and also nearby other Hudson River mansions if you want to make a day of it. I did the version of the tour that includes the art collection downstairs and enjoyed it.

While I love history and learning new things, I'll be honest and admit that I'm not generally a fan…read moreof touring historic homes, it just doesn't do much for me, but even with that said, of the 4 old estates I toured this weekend, Kykuit was the least noteworthy. Though the guide's knowledge was great, the house itself... Meh. Age and apathy seem to have settled the house down into a state not quite approaching disrepair but not far off either. What once may have been grandiose is now just old, jaded, faded, and big, but not fancy, while the conservation service running the show seems disinclined to keep up with the grounds on any level other than blowing leaves away from the walkways. Even the cars in the museum have half flat tires. Waste of time and money.

The Glen Rock Rock, is a huge boulder in the middle of Doremus Ave, just off Rock Rd. Parmachapura,…read morethe name of the boulder, means "Stone from Heaven". According to the plaque, it is the "Supposed Indian town council site. Town of Glen Rock took its name from it in 1894." It has a World War I memorial plaque along with flags making the site doubly significant. Worth a visit!

Three major Colonial American homes stand at the bend of the Hackensack River: Steuben House…read more(stone), Demarest House and the Westervelt Barn. General George Washington escaped the English over a draw bridge, while fighting a rear-guard retreat: in whose location now stands a metal-wrought foot bridge! There are military parades in Spring. Major Henry Lee and General 'Mad' Anthony Wayne organized their militias here. In summer Veteran bikers somberly evoke men and great deeds of the Past. Awesome for family lunch. Fast food and Riverside Mall nearby. Tons of parking. Walk in the footsteps of General Washington's Continental Army 1776. Rebel review: 5

Celebrating today on this gorgeous spring-like Sunday, my partner and I came to this historic…read morelocation in Bergen county NJ to celebrate George Washington's 288th Birthday. New Bridge was a prosperous mill hamlet centered around a bridge strategically placed at the narrows of the Hackensack River. It served as a battleground, fort, encampment ground, military headquarters, and intelligence-gathering post in every year of the American Revolutionary War. We arrived a bit early and walked around the grounds which contained three 18th century homes. We met James Smith one of the reenactors gave us some fascinating history about the location. The most famous building is called the Steuben House . It was here that General Washington made the house his headquarters for 10 days in 1780. In 1783 as a thank you, the State of New Jersey presented this confiscated house to Major-General Baron von Steuben. The other buildings on site were Campbell-Christie House and Demarest House. For those Revolutionary War buff in NJ, this place would be worth a visit as they have several events through the year.

Interesting history lesson in the shadows of the Manhattan skyscrapers…read more Excellent presentation by the docent. Both park employees were quite knowledgeable about various topics. The tour covered many different topics of that era. You could see yourself imagining what life was like at that time. Don't miss the portrait painting on the 2nd floor.

Soooo if you happen to live in Northern NJ and happen to have family visiting, and that family…read morehappens to be huuuuge history buffs -- then y'all should probably visit the Dey Mansion, aka George Washington's Headquarters way back in the late 1700's. Full disclosure: it was my mother who looked up the Dey Mansion and requested to go there on a recent-ish visit. It wouldn't have been my first choice of things to do on a sunny Saturday but she's the guest and a total history nerd and it was something to check out. I can't say I didn't enjoy it at least a little bit... while my mom is a history nerd, I'm a design nerd and the house itself, built by the Dey Family, is beauuuuuufitul. The brick, the wide plank wood floors inside, the gorgeous [paint] colors used throughout were just striking on every level. Then the layout and design and function of the house back in the 1700's is so different then how we live in our homes now -- so interesting. The gardens surrounding the property are also so lovely. Here's my one issue with the historical site and tour -- when we inquired we were told it was 'less than an hour for sure' depending on how many people/questions. While the tour guide was nice enough, he was verrrrrrry long winded. There were 6 of us.. and that tour was most definitely longer than an hour. Not sure if that's the case every time but just something to be prepared for should you decide to visit. Cost for the tours was supposed to be $5 but during out visit they had just begun some restorations and certain spaces were closed off... so they didn't insist on guest paying. They still accepted donations though. Parking is also free, fyi. And the mansion is easy to get to from routes 23, 46 and 80.