If you ever need a timeout and take a break, this is one of the best drives in the state of New…read moreYork. The drive takes you past lakes, the beautiful green scenery etc. If you plan to drive here at night, it is pitch dark, I don't recall seeing a light post. There is a boating dock along the drive. It is close to the Woodbury outlets and bear mountain, so you can make a full day of activities. Restrooms may be hard to come by.

This is a great drive, especially in the fall. In fact, I came here twice in the last 2 weeks (and…read morethis is over an hour away from my place). Fun roads, with minimal traffic (at least early). Lots of great scenery. There are a few cool small roads that intersect it that are really fun. Many hiking options. We did one that was fairly nice, and a little challenging in fact (some minor climbing). I can't remember the name, but the entrance is right by the visitor center. Tip: Storm King Hwy is not far, and is a REALLY fun drive!

It was suggested that I write an Earth Day review of my favorite nature spot in my area, and Twin…read moreLakes easily wins the nod. It is only a dozen minutes from my front door, with easy street parking and good trails. While some parks, such as Belmont Lake, really shine during autumn, Twin Lakes is a joy in spring, with many things blooming and a new crop of water fowl. Walking along the north end of the lake, you come to a spot with a small waterfall that is perfect for keeping things in perspective. Plan ahead, because there are no restrooms here.

Not a huge preserve, I think we did the whole trail under 30 minutes but lots of wild life and the…read moretrail was nice.

Rockefeller Lookout is a small roadside overlook, but the views are really impressive. You get a…read morebeautiful view of the Hudson River, the Palisades cliffs, and even parts of the New York City skyline at a distance. We stopped here for a short break and ended up spending much longer than planned. It's a great place for photography, especially during sunrise or sunset. The parking area is small but convenient for a quick stop. Free for the first 20 mins... The lookout was not that clean, and not sure why people are not using the trash. It wasn't very crowded when we visited. If you're driving along Henry Hudson Drive or exploring the Palisades, this place is definitely worth adding to your trip.

Great little pull off of the palisades parkway that has great views of the cliffs and the city…read moreskyline

Small preserved nature area in Westport. The view is beautiful and the surroundings are tranquil…read more Easy, flat walking area with benches throughout. It is in a residential area, a small oasis. Great place to kayak in this little cove area. Limited parking spaces, no restroom, but free to enjoy.

If you already have a kayak, this is a nice launching point on the Sherwood Mill Pond. If you…read moredon't have a kayak, there's a small parking lot and garden with some educational signage about the preserve. It's easy to miss as you drive by, so go slowly. Dogs not allowed.

Surprise lake camp is great I went there as a child and…read moreteenager. My 3 daughters go there and love it. They are out in nature doing sports, hikes, boating, swimming and more. It fosters independence and builds strong friendships. There are no phones or screens for weeks.

We recently stayed at Suprise Lake Camp for a friend's wedding. We stayed 2 nights in one of the…read moreprivate cabins. The cabin was spacious and had 3 bedrooms with full size beds, 2 bathrooms and a kitchen area. Since its almost autumn, we all brought extra blankets, which we needed because it was chilly! From the moment we arrived, the staff were nice and accommodating. We had a bonfire, that staff lit and kept going throughout the night both nights that we were there. We also had meals provided in the main lodge that were good, fresh and filling. The most fun we had were the activities available. We zip lined and played soccer, kickball and volleyball. We were supposed to rock climb, but rain had us retreating to our cabins. The wedding was beautiful and everyone had a wonderful time. We'd definitely come back for a family reunion or a weekend getaway with friends.

Beautiful place for a quick walk. There is a cute coffee shop across the street. Definitely a must…read morecheckout if you're in the area. I'm

A nice experience in nature yet not being far from civilization. There's something for everyone in…read morethe family to do, fish, play tennis, be on the playground & they have a covered area

So much to do and see. Love that this part of Central Park feels tucked away but so exposed…read more Feeding ducks, watching people sail their boats, watching people paint the landscape, ordering coffee and walking around. Such a vibe. Makes you want to move out here to have access to this environment every day.

As the second largest man-made body of water in the park, I think the Lake is an excellent location…read morefor bird watching. I've spotted swans, ducks, cranes, and many beautiful and chiming birds here, and the reflection of the city landscape is also worth visiting.

James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park 9003 Bergenline…read moreAve. North Bergen, NJ 07047 This 167-acre honors James J. Braddock, a heavyweight boxing champion of the world who was raised in North Bergen. The trail surrounding Woodcliff Lake may not be the largest, but it is thriving with life. Several turtles and freshwater fish swim there. Feel free to walk, jog, or bring your domestic pet on the pathway. Bicycles, roller skating, and e-bikes are not allowed on the paths. If you prefer an alternative route, there is a nature trail that parallels with the lake. It will definitely give you the feel of being in a wilderness. Fishing is permitted in the lake, but a valid NJ freshwater fishing license is required. Visitors may rent a paddle boat or kayak if they wish to sail the lake. Multiple benches are stationed throughout the park. Feel free to grab any available seat. Everyone is also welcome to bring their own lounge chair or blanket if they prefer to have a seat on the grass. If you get hungry, Playa Bowls and Rumba's Cafe are conveniently located near the lake. They are open all year round and have both indoor and outdoor seating. A fairly large playground is on site for younger children. They may play on the jungle gym, swing set, or dual zip line. There is also a water park next to the playground. It is not an actual pool, but a highly advanced splash pad with water arches and animated sprayers. This will come in handy during the warmer seasons. There are a couple parking lots in the park, but a majority of the visitors park on the street. As parking space seems limited, I would highly recommend using public transportation to commute to the park. Overall, this park is pretty decent and it's great to spend a couple of hours on a spring or summer afternoon. #jamesjbraddockpark #northbergennj #hudsoncountypark #jamesjbraddocknorthhudsoncountypark

THE GOOD ----------------…read more+ HUGGGGGE, well-maintained park with lots of space. Probably one of the biggest local, neighborhood county parks in NJ. + Multiple sections to the park include large kids' playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts, handball courts, baseball fields, a soccer field, track and field athletic field, dog park and a BIGGGG lake in the middle. + The kids' playground is one of the biggest I've seen in Northern N.J. rivaling that of Van Saun's playground in Paramus. There are lots of activities for kids in there. + There's a road that goes through the heart of the park, so, YES you can drive through the park. THE NOT SO GOOD ---------------------------- - Parking inside of the park can be a challenge on really nice days, but there are also spaces outside of the park by the surrounding houses too.

This is a nice little park to walk, jog, or just sit quietly. Clean and very serene. You can walk…read morearound the "lake" or extend your distance by going around the field.

This is a great multi-purpose park all year round. It's small but that doesn't take away from it…read more In the summer, it usually gets crowded, even at night, because of local games and groups of kids biking. There is usually a seasonal amusement park festival in July, but it was put off this year because of COVID-19. However, you can still find people doing picnics here, very family-friendly. You also can do some fishing here or simply admire the ducks and turtles by the lake. The circular walking path surrounding the lake is perfect for walking your dog or taking a late-night stroll. It's worth a look!

Fabulous reservoir! Although it was built between 1858 and 1862 it was renamed in 1994 as Jackie O…read moreenjoyed walking and running around it. Fabulous running trail - I might admit!!!

I've been in Central Park so many times, but never to the reservoir it was actually absolutely…read morebeautiful idyllic a nice place to relax, quiet and not a lot of noise in the middle of a busy city. It's a great place for people to run there is a track around the lake, but there's some nice spots to sit and just relax and reflect. I understand why Jackie loved this place so much.