Looking for a place to take in beautiful flowers and spend time outdoors? Then a visit to the New Jersey Botanical Garden in Ringwood, NJ, should be at the top of your list of things to do. With blossoming trees and wildflower gardens, recently restored historical buildings, and stunning reflection pools nestled among the willowy trees, it’s easy to see why this 96-acre former estate is the official botanical garden of New Jersey. And there’s a lot your family will love here—kids will have a ball learning about plants, smelling exotic blooms, going on nature discovery walks, learning about this garden’s unique and storied history, and attending a family-friendly event. Read on for 7 things to do at NJBG and what to know before you visit, plus check out NJMOM’s guide to nature centers and gardens around New Jersey. (featured photo credit: New Jersey Botanical Garden)
7 Places To Discover In The New Jersey Botanical Garden
Explore the 100-year-old Skylands Manor House
The centerpiece of NJ Botanical Garden is the posh Skylands Manor House, designed in the mid-1920s by distinguished American architect John Russel Pope (he also designed the Jefferson Memorial in DC). When Clarence McKenzie Lewis, an investment banker and trustee of the New York Botanical Gardens, purchased the property in 1922, he envisioned creating a botanical showplace in New Jersey. He promptly tore down the existing structure and built the Tudor Revival-style mansion with stone quarried from the property. The Manor House still stands today and looks centuries old from the exterior. Inside, the fireplaces, antique paneling, and stained glass give the Manor House its distinct historical style, and to see them firsthand, hop on a guided tour led by a docent by reservation only (there are additional fees for the tours).
Take a family-friendly guided hike through the woodlands
New Jersey Botanical Garden hosts several events throughout the month. On the third Sunday of each month, you can bring the whole fam to learn about the plants, geology, and animals unique to the gardens. Join up with a knowledgeable NJBG docent on an easy, kid-friendly hike on the trails in the woodlands, and see the notable parts you might miss if you were on your own. The walk is open to all ages but can be long, so a hiking carrier is a good idea for little ones who tire easily. And good to note—this event is free, but donations are always appreciated.
Find your reflection at the pool of the Azalea Garden
In spring, don’t miss the Azalea Garden, where azaleas and rhododendrons bloom, framing the large reflecting pool filled with gorgeous, pink-flowering lotus and lily pads. You’ll also spot the double-flowering dogwood at the same time, while in autumn, the Japanese maple is not to be missed. Your kids will love seeing their mirrored images in the water below as they view the lily pads and lotus in the reflecting pool.
Take in the aromas of the Lilac Garden in spring at NJBG
This specialty garden hosts over one hundred varieties of lilacs, and most types possess the most beautiful, sweet aroma you can smell as you enter the park. The oldest varieties date to 1923, when Mr. Lewis, the founder, procured them. To get the best photos for the ‘gram, plan to visit the Lilac Garden in mid-May and June to capture these Syringa (lilac’s genus name) in full bloom. And here’s a fun lilac fact to pass on to the kids—lilacs belong to the olive family and are native to Europe and Asia, where they grow into large shrubs and trees.
Visit the Bog Pond at the Wildflower Garden
Surrounding the “Bog Pond,” the Wildflower Garden—with its winding wooded trails and stepping stone bridges—is a picturesque spot. Your little ones will love testing their balance as they jump onto the stepping stones in this shade garden. You’ll see Marsh Marigold, Japanese Primrose, and Bloodroot in this garden, and if you’re looking for insta-worthy photos, make it a point to visit on a sunny day in April or May, which are prime months for the most beautiful blooms.
Take some photos at the Octagonal Garden
Located off the Manor House, the restored Octagonal Garden boasts a large octagonal fountain at its center, filled with white lotus and lily pads, surrounded by rock walls and a collection of plants gathered by the founder, Clarence Lewis. Lewis purchased the Skylands property in 1922 and made it his mission to create a botanical showplace, commissioning prominent landscape architects to develop it. In this garden, you will see a creeping evergreen from Spain, monkshood from the Pyrenees, and yellow-flowered Friogonum flavum from the western United States’ mountains. The Octagonal Garden is part of the more extensive Italianate Gardens, filled with other flowers like magnolia, azalea, and peony. You may even spot a bride or two since this is one of the most popular spots for wedding photos in NJ.
Go on a scavenger hunt at the Crab Apple Allée
In early May, a half-mile of crab apple trees burst into full pink glory, earning the name Crab Apple Allée. This area is great for running around, bringing a picnic blanket, and having a snack while enjoying the scenery. And there are plenty of fun games to do, too—plan a scavenger hunt and see if kids can find the statues of the four continents at the end of the Allée. Or challenge them to find the missing planet signs for NJBG’s Solar System walk. After they complete the task, kids can redeem a prize at the Carriage House gift shop on Sundays. (Hint: the walk is along the eastern edge of the meadow, and it stretches the entire length of the Allée).
For more information about the New Jersey Botanical Garden, check out their website, Facebook, and Instagram.
New Jersey Botanical Garden
26 Morris Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
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