New Jersey has some of the best gardens and nature centers around—and that’s one reason it’s called the Garden State. Our lush state is full of beautiful grounds, landscapes, and nature centers where the entire family can learn about different environments and species and marvel at the beauty around them. Walk among the blooms on the trails at New Jersey State Botanical Gardens in Ringwood, learn about bamboo at Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick, or visit the beautiful roses at the Essex County Rose Garden in Brookdale Park. Read on for the best places to appreciate the beauty of the Garden State. (featured photo credit: New Jersey State Botanical Garden & Skylands Manor)
14 Of The Best Nature Centers And Gardens In New Jersey
Cattus Island County Park’s Cooper Environmental Center
Cattus Island County Park features 530 acres and 7 miles of trails, filled with beautiful paths surrounded by Barnegat Bay. It’s one of the unique gardens of NJ, offering a cool mix of trees and watershed, as well as sand and shore. The Cooper Environmental Center has been recently renovated and includes hands-on activities for kids, like a live osprey cam, habitat tree and tunnel, children’s activity corner, and live reptiles and fish. Also, check out the Butterfly Garden, with native plants and lots of butterflies all around.
1170 Cattus Island Blvd, Toms River, NJ 08753
Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary
Open during daylight hours year-round, the Cora Hartshorn Arboretum & Bird Sanctuary is a fantastic spot to enjoy nature and make new friends with birds. The 16-acre forest was once degraded woodland, so this Arboretum wants to achieve its goal of sustaining a healthy, diverse woodland habitat. Take a peek inside The Stone House while you are there to view animal exhibits, including mounted specimens of birds and mammals and a small collection of live animals. There is also an interactive scavenger hunt you can download on the trails to keep littles busy and learn about nature.
324 Forest Hills Drive South, Short Hills, NJ 07078
Deep Cut Gardens
Deep Cut Gardens is dedicated to the home gardener. There are 54 acres filled with cultivated varieties and native plants and flowers in NJ. You won’t get lost in this location – everything is easy to see and pretty low to the ground. Kids will love exploring the grounds, looking at the hundred-year-old bonsai trees, and observing the small-scale replica of the Italian volcano, Mt. Vesuvius.
152 Red Hill Rd., Middletown, NJ 07748
Duke Farms
You’ll spend a peaceful afternoon at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, home to over 1,000 acres of gorgeous land. Walk or bike through the paths and stop by the Orchid Range for tropical and subtropical species. Take advantage of their bike rental program, see the tiered waterfalls, grab a bite in their farm-to-table cafe, and go geocaching (a treasure hunt using GPS on your phone) with the fam.
1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, NJ 08844
Essex County Rose Garden
The Essex County Rose Garden at Brookdale Park started in 1959 and has grown to 500 bushes of over 150 varieties of roses, including hybrid tea, floribunda, hybrid musk, rugosas, and antique roses. Did you know roses are more than pretty colors and lush fragrances? Learn how they resist disease and more when you stop by to see the hundreds of beautiful roses in bloom. For peak times, check their Facebook page for updates.
Brookdale Park, Montclair, NJ 07043
Greenwood Gardens
A former private estate, Greenwood Gardens will delight kids and adults. The grounds and mansion feel like you’ve stumbled into an enchanted hideaway graced with terraced grounds, woodlands, meadows, caves, fountains, statuaries, and winding paths. The grounds are open from May 2-November 9, 2025, and special events, birder’s walks, plant walks, and guided tours are offered during that time.
274 Old Short Hills Rd., Short Hills, NJ 07078
Grounds For Sculpture
This isn’t a typical garden with over 300 contemporary pieces of larger-than-life art covering 42 landscaped acres, where you can view sculptures such as Walter Dusenbery’s Damascus Gate or Seward Johnson’s Daydream. As you wander through this unique attraction, you’ll see ponds, wildflowers, and architectural reflecting pools in these gardens in New Jersey. Kids will love seeing the unique sculptures and all the hidden spots to view.
80 Sculptors Way, Hamilton, NJ 08619
NJ Audubon Nature Center of Cape May
The NJ Audubon Nature Center of Cape May is worth a stop when you are vacationing at the shore. Kids will love following the nature trail, which showcases a diverse area of habitats and plants. At the Nature Center, your kids can visit the indoor observation lounge and climb the three-story observatory tower to see native bird species and beautiful views.
1600 Delaware Ave., Cape May, NJ 08204
New Jersey State Botanical Garden & Skylands Manor
The New Jersey Botanical Garden and Skylands Manor cover 96 acres of gorgeous gardens and about 1,000 acres of woodlands. It’s a great spot to check out some unique plants from all over the world. You can wander through the beautifully designed formal areas or stroll along the scenic paths, which will delight budding botanists and future gardeners.
Morris Road, Ringwood, NJ 07456
Reeves-Reed Arboretum
Though the Reeves-Reed Arboretum is one of the gardens in NJ that’s famous for its spring Daffodil Bowl (filled with thousands of blooming daffodils), there’s plenty to admire here in when the tulips fade. Take a hike through the trails, explore outdoor sculptures, and relish the history of the grounds and display areas. There are also kid-friendly crafts and events all year.
165 Hobart Ave., Summit, NJ 07901
Rutgers Gardens
Rutgers is one of the unique gardens in NJ that is entirely self-sustainable. The students and workers at Rutgers hope to bring together curious minds and inspirational gardening on these grounds, which include a sun and shade garden, a pollinator garden, a holly collection, herbs, and ponds. They also host farmer markets and other fun events.
130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Sayen House & Gardens
History buffs, nature lovers, and garden enthusiasts will get their fill at the historic Hamilton Square Sayen House and Gardens. Spring is the perfect time to visit their beautiful display of color and beauty with more than 250,000 flowering bulbs and dogwoods, heirloom azaleas, and rhododendrons. Throughout the year, annual and perennial displays are on display, highlighting the walking trails, fish ponds, and pavilions on the grounds.
155 Hughes Drive, Hamilton, NJ 08690
Van Vleck House & Gardens
Van Vleck House & Gardens is a formerly private estate now owned by The Montclair Foundation and is a beautiful spot to visit in all seasons, especially spring and summer. The grounds and walking paths are open to the public 365 days a year (unless a special event is noted on their website), and there are seasonal events, like nature walks, crafts, and plant sales throughout the year. As you take in the beauty of the estate and the villa, you can check out their bloom list to see what flowers are blooming—there are over 60 kinds of trees alongside shrubs, rhododendrons, and perennials.
21 Van Vleck St., Montclair, NJ 07042
Willowwood Arboretum
The Willowwood Arboretum began as a passion project for two brothers interested in horticulture in the late 1800s. There are several formal spots to wander through and informal walking paths to stroll around. You’ll see plants for shade and sun, subtropical plants, bulbs, ferns, and shrubs. Take the Cell Phone Tour, which guides you around using your phone. Check out the events page for all the fun things coming, like the Lilac Party on May 4, 2025.
300 Longview Rd., Far Hills, NJ 07931
More nature centers and gardens in NJ to check out
Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center and Gardens
Barton Arboretum and Nature Preserve
David S. Shaw Arboretum in Holmdel Park
Georgian Court University Gardens and Arboretum
Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Laurelwood Arboretum
Leonard J. Buck Garden
Liberty State Park
Linwood Arboretum
Morven Museum & Garden
Palmyra Cove Nature Park
Presby Memorial Iris Gardens
Prospect Garden
Rudolf W. van der Goot Rose Garden
Smithville Mansion Courtyard Gardens
The Cross Estate Gardens
Want the inside scoop? Sign up for the NJMOM bi-weekly newsletter to get the lowdown on everything for your family in NJ (think of it as the ultimate cheat sheet for NJ Moms). And don’t forget to tag your photos #NJMOM and @njmom for a chance to be featured.
