As someone who has lived in New Jersey my whole life and visited many parks and gardens, I can…read morehonestly say Deep Cut Gardens was one of the most beautiful places I've experienced in the state. We visited on a sunny day in early May around 11:30 AM. Not everything was fully in bloom yet, but the greenery, trees, shrubs, and gardens were absolutely beautiful and created such a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Parking is a bit limited, but we were able to find a spot fairly quickly. The grounds were easy to walk, beautifully maintained, and full of great photo spots. I also loved the maze garden area and the small reading/sunroom space, which added such a charming touch. I even saw people having picnics, and it immediately made me want to come back and do the same. Only small thing to note: we did notice some poison ivy in certain areas, so just be mindful. Overall, easy to get to, peaceful, and absolutely worth visiting. Already looking forward to coming back in June when everything is in full bloom.

You'll like this spot whether you're a plant expert or a casual observer like me who may need to…read moreuse "Shazam for plants" to identify garden croton. There's plenty to see outdoors, including a twisty tree and a koi pond, but when open, the showstopper is the greenhouse, with cacti and much more. And it's free!

Named after the social welfare reformer Geraldine Thompson (who was an influential woman in NJ…read morepolitics and history way back in the day when Republicans actually believed that the government should be proactive in ameliorating social ills), this park features a beautiful restored estate home, beautifully maintained landscaping, and numerous activities for the public. This park is simply elegant and an oasis away from the world. Thompson had a long career of political activism and public service on behalf of prison reform, public health and juvenile justice in New Jersey, and was a generous benefactor of psychiatric services and college scholarships for the needy. Geraldine Thompson was active for many years in the state's Republican Party, and, in 1923, became the first female New Jersey delegate to a Republican National Convention. She shared a great many social welfare interests with her lifelong friend, Eleanor Roosevelt. During her later life she played an influential role in preserving Island Beach as a state park, and promoted the conservation of wildlife habitat. This park is a truly fitting monument to this woman's memory, and it is thankfully a treasure which the public can utilize for recreation and the elevation of everyday life.

Beautiful park! Great for people of all ages and abilities. There are multiple trails for bikers,…read morejoggers, people with strollers, walkers and kiddos. Deeper into the park there is a lake where people bring canoes! I love that this park has so many layers. Even when there are many people there, using the playground, hanging out at the lake, hiking, etc., it feels like you're all alone because there are so many spots for people to be! It never feels crowded like other parks which make me feel like there was no point in going (I go to escape crowds!). It can get a little swampy after the rain, so wear suitable shoes. I slid down a hill once and my shoes saved the day. Lots of winding trails and water views, so bring a camera!

Love this park and it's hiking trails. One of the trails has fitness stations which provide a great…read moreworkout. Plenty of bbq areas with grills and benches. If you want to have a gathering, they have a spot that you can reserve. Bathrooms are very clean and orderly. Playground has been updated with newer equipment.

This is my favorite park in the area, I absolutely love it. There are legitimate hiking trails, an…read moreexercise trail, several playgrounds, tennis courts, clean bathrooms and best of all, farm animals :). You can catch some wildlife as well. When I discovered it I was shocked I didn't find this gem sooner.

Lovely riverside park with lots of fun activities for kids, great spot to watch the boats go by on…read morethe river, and enjoy a sandwich from Brennan's or a cone from Crazees.

Get an ice cream cone at Crazee's and walk along the Navesink River at this park in the center of…read moreRumson. While not a large park it does have a couple of tennis courts and a playground. This park was also the location of a pivot scene in Kevin Smith's Chasing Amy. I remember how excited I got when I watched the movie and recognized the park. I am not sure if the swing set is still there because there is a high probability that the playground has been upgraded.

Gorgeous, hidden, great scenic overview. Ample parking, seconds off RT36. Worth a detour!read more

While it is not a destination, it is surely worth a stop when in the area. For some it has far…read moregreater significance than it does for others. Located right off of highway Route 36 and about a mile from the Historic Twin Lighthouse, Mount Mitchell affords fantastic views of the bay, Atlantic Ocean, Manhattan, Freedom Tower, Verrazano Bridge, Statin Island and Brooklyn. Bring your binoculars or use the coin operated viewing machines. The best photo opportunities require a 500+ mm lens. It's a small park with manicured grounds, paving and a small but nice playground with apparatus to keep the kids entertained. There is a well done 9/11 memorial to those who lost their lives in the twin towers that day. The memorial includes the various towns and the names and ages of those who died that day. There is a time line on the pavers which indicates when the first tower was hit, the second tower, the Pentagon and the plane crash in Pa. .Information plaques can be read concerning the area and Mt. Mitchill. It's only 500 feet off of Route 36 and well worth the 15 minute stop. Locals consider it a romantic spot.

Love the fact that this beach is so quiet, and, relatively clean!…read more I've come to this beach on multiple occasions now, once for a Friday company volunteer clean-up event and on a Saturday just with my family. On the 1st occasion that I came here, I was pleasantly surprised at how clean the beach actually was as we didn't have to do much work to spruce it up. Garbage is rarely found on the beach, BUT there are a lot of broken shells and little rocks laying around. It was very quiet when I arrived at 9 AM for my volunteer event, but activity did begin to immediately pick up around 10:30 - 11:00 AM as families began rolling in to the parking lot. The beach isn't huge and neither is the parking lot, but on the summer Saturday that my family and I visited, it didn't feel all that crowded still. No lifeguards are on duty here and I don't think they ever are here since it's relatively small compared to more popular beaches. The one downside of the beach is that there isn't a whole lot around either as the beach is surrounded by a residential neighborhood and stores and restaurants are far off. BUT, the best thing about this beach is that it's FREE and no fee is required to enter!!

PORT MONMOUTH: Bayshore Waterfront Park is absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and dog friendly!…read more Bring your leashed pup all-year-round to romp on the beach with perfect views of the Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook, and the NYC skyline. There is a long pier to walk out and hear the water lapping by beside you. Enjoy the natural floral and fauna surrounding the beach. There is also a historic building on the property.

Nice spot to hang out and drink some beer. They had a band playing music and some good vibes. The…read morewaterfront is a very nice spot with lots of nice people walking around enjoying the sights, the stores and the food. This is a small town with small town vibes. I love the antique stores and the small shops in the area.

The playground is fenced in, which is great since it's so close to the road. The playground also…read morehas safe flooring which makes a big difference compared to other parks/playgrounds. The favorite part for us was the toddler/baby swing and an adult seat so you can enjoy the excitement together with views of the bay. Everything is in working condition and plenty of things to do.

If you would like a quieter alternative for a morning walk, Cross Farm Park is your place. It's a…read morepretty large park that includes the following: -Paved walking paths -Baseball and soccer fields -Playground areas -Batting cages If you're looking for a more scenic walk in nature, you would probably prefer to go to nearby Holmdel Park. However, due to its popularity, it can be a little more busy. I'm pretty sure the fields are used for sporting events here, so that's when I would expect this park to be a little more busy. Otherwise, it's mostly quiet. And sometimes, that's just what I need.

Just moved to the area and was invited for a Social distancing play date and this was a perfect…read morepark for this.. huge wide open park with tons of soccer fields and I can imagine that when it's the season I'm sure it will be crowded with games and practices but otherwise it is super quiet. There are also walking paths that are paved and easy to follow and you won't get dirty and muddy..

Fun local park, no bathroom, limited benches and unpaved picnic areas…read more This park was recently renovated in both the playground and basketball courts section, offering guests newer amenities and amusement. The playground area is big, with a brand artificial turf ground and is very toddler friendly. I really do love the many options for playtime at this set up, however, the slides closets to the parking lot are a big high in height. There is a baseball/softball field and a large walking and running trial that many people come to use.

Love this park. It's great walking in back trails. And the track in shitty weather so no mud…read more Doggie bags are readily available and most of the dogs I've met seem to be friendly. But it's a great place to hang out in the woods.