Tucked into the southwest corner of Essex County's South Mountain Reservation, this historic…read more28-acre public garden -- with its carefully curated and terraced gardens, fountains, and winding paths -- feels like a trip to another time and place. After spotting a social media post about the garden's Cascade fountain reopening after a 16-month restoration, my walking companion and I decided to check out this hidden gem. Greenwood Gardens was a private family estate until 2003, when it opened to the public under the auspices of a non-profit organization, and you can really feel that rich tapestry of the families' history as you wander through the grounds. The highlight of our visit was the Cascade fountain, which now features water flowing through it for the first time since the early 20th century! If you're looking for a peaceful, historic, and beautiful place to stroll, Greenwood Gardens is absolutely worth the visit. We'll definitely be back! Pro Tip #1: Plan on about 75-90 minutes for a self-guided walking tour, buy tickets online in advance ($15 for adults aged 14 to 64; $10 for Seniors aged 65+; $5 for children aged 5 to 13), and wear weather-appropriate attire/walking shoes. Pro Tip #2: Leave your tripod at home. Casual photos on your phone are welcome, but portrait or staged photography (for events, engagements, graduations, etc.) requires prior permission and special facility booking.

A dreamy, charming little escape with tons of greenery, statues, structures, and fountains. Even on…read morea weekend it wasn't crowded, so my fam could take pictures without cropping out strangers. Really friendly staff gave the kids a scavenger hunt page that turned our visit into part garden tour, part treasure hunt. Between the terraces, tile work, grottoes, and gardens, the whole place blends European formality with a whimsical, art nouveau vibe. Plenty of benches invite you to sit and talk, while fenced-in chickens, geese, and beehives bring the grounds to life. The gardens feel peaceful, playful, and magical all at once. The beauty here is truly un-beleaf-able! NOTES/TIPS: **Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors/students, and $5 for kids, with free parking close by. **Very limited wheelchair-accessibility: okay for the Main Terrace and some flat areas, but most paths are sloped or uneven, so access is limited. **Restrooms near the entrance.

Stumbled in here during one of the coldest days of the year, primarily just to warm up. Had no…read moreexpectations because, like I said, it was cold, they were the closest place to take shelter and I saw a coffee bar. Anyway, since then I've been back 3 more times; once for breakfast and twice for brunch. And while I'm confessing, the two times for lunch were on subsequent days. Yeah, they're that good. Actually, their chicken salad on a croissant is the best I've ever had and in my advanced years I've had a crapload of chicken salad. The have a nice sized coffee bar, decorated beautifully with some pretty delicious looking pastries. I'm on an anti-sweet phase so I'm basing my opinion on only on appearance. Then there's a seating area when you can eat, served by a friendly attentive staff and an adjacent boutique area where you can purchase housewares, clothing and other cool stuff. I'm not in Maplewood all that often, generally when I'm shopping at the equally awesome City Workshop but when I do, I always make sure to hit up Perch. You should too. 1/2 star deduction because they don't offer fake sugar, just that Stevia crap which is gross.

my recent visit was nice great atmosphere, food was horrid. Bacon tasted microwaved and I'm pretty…read moresure the greens were old 10/10 drinks 2/10 for the food :(

Our family recently celebrated our son's wedding at Crystal Plaza, and we could not have been…read morehappier with our experience. From our very first meeting through the wedding day itself, Max and his entire team were an absolute pleasure to work with. They were professional, organized, responsive, and genuinely cared about making sure every detail was perfect. Planning an orthodox wedding comes with many moving parts, and the Crystal Plaza team was incredibly accommodating every step of the way. No request ever felt like an inconvenience, and they consistently went above and beyond to ensure everything ran smoothly. Their experience, flexibility, and attention to detail gave us complete confidence throughout the planning process. When the weather required us to pivot to an indoor cocktail hour, Max and his team handled the change seamlessly. They were incredibly accommodating and creative in finding the perfect location for the Chassan's Tisch, ensuring that everything flowed beautifully without compromising the experience for our guests. Their ability to adapt quickly while maintaining such a high level of professionalism was truly impressive. On the day of the wedding, everything was executed flawlessly. The venue looked stunning, the service was exceptional, and the staff worked seamlessly behind the scenes to make sure our guests had an outstanding experience. We were able to relax and truly enjoy the celebration because we knew we were in such capable hands. We are so grateful to Max and his entire team for helping make our son's wedding such a beautiful and memorable occasion. We wholeheartedly recommend Crystal Plaza to anyone looking for an elegant venue with outstanding service and a team that truly cares about making your special day perfect.

This was our third event at the Crystal and it was absolutely perfect. We kept returning because…read morethe service and the people are amazing. Not only are you treated like VIP, but everyone is incredibly kind and thoughtful. Max was a pleasure to work with and his attention to details was not only appreciated in the beautiful cake pops at the end of the night, but was paramount for mine and my older daughter's safety since we have food allergies. We were comfortably able to eat everything (and boy did we eat everything!) The penthouse was a great place to feel pampered as we got ready for the Bat Mitzvah and the ballroom was stunning. We've held the cocktail party in both the bar location as well as upstairs. Both are pretty special, but I'm fond of the bar atmosphere. Throughout the whole night, my husband and I didn't think about anything other than having a great time during the party. We will definitely plan our next event at the Crystal Plaza.

I had such a great experience here today, and I have to start by shouting out Jessy, my waiter. He…read morewas warm, personable, and genuinely attentive without hovering -- the kind of service that makes you want to come back, not just tip well. Food-wise, this spot continues to deliver. I ordered the Tropicale Salad, which is always a hit for me and didn't disappoint this time either. Fresh greens, perfectly cooked shrimp, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, shaved cheese, and hearts of palm -- everything was balanced, flavorful, and satisfying without feeling heavy. I also enjoyed a light soup to start, which was comforting and well-seasoned, and the bread on the side was fresh and warm -- simple, but done right. Overall, the food was consistently good, the presentation was clean, and the service really elevated the experience. When you have both solid food and a waiter like Jessy who clearly enjoys what he does, it makes the meal feel effortless and enjoyable. Definitely a place I'll continue coming back to.

A solid choice for a nice, quiet family dinner with plenty of seating. The outdoor area looked very…read morewelcoming as well. Always a plus when you can make a reservation online! Our server was friendly. The menu isn't overly extensive but surely has something for everyone. The cocktail selection was a highlight --Definitely recommend the sangria! Appetizers weren't huge, but were still shareable for our group of 4. My husband enjoyed his steak and it was cooked exactly as ordered. The pizza was classic and tasty. I concluded my meal with a delicious slice of tiramisu. Overall, a good spot for a relaxed dinner.

Such a lovely venue for a party. A large Victorian home. Celebrated a bridal shower here. The main…read moreliving room fit about 8-9 large tables with 10 around them. The dining room was set up with our buffet. It was lovely.

Hey there adventurers! This this is such an amazing place…read moreto have a wedding reception or possibly an anniversary party; though I wouldn't rule out a cute engagement or birthday party. You can play the music pretty loudly overall plus the space creates such intimacy. Not sure who actually catered the reception however phenomenal food palette ! You can take such wonderful photos outside on the front steps or in the small walk in garden. We had an easy load in making the experience much more enjoyable because we were able to interact a lot more easily with them. Hope to book more events here or possibly my own engagement!

We loved it here. This is a spacious park with trails, nice views and gardens…read more They were doing construction in some areas but the gardens were beautiful. I can't wait to come back when there are more flowers.

This was a fun surprise stop as there were a decent amount of daffodils in bloom. Parking is free…read moreas the park is located in a residential neighborhood. Entrance is $10 donation per person which is used to keep up the grounds. It was a nice smaller park you can spend probably a full hour to maybe two tops. We walked the whole property, took photos, and enjoyed the local artist display inside the house. I will say they should cap the amount of people entering because it was extremely crowded with many families with large strollers that took up the narrow pathways. A lot of couples I noticed come and have a picnic here which was such a cute idea for future visits if in the area again.

Back in May, we had our 7 year old daughter's bday party here, about 14 kids and it was great! The…read moreplace is new, clean, owner and staff were so friendly, and best of all there's a private room in the back. The party coordinators were friendly and the party flowed well with a special painting surprise that the group did together. We had a photographer provided who took some great shots and allowed us parents to enjoy the day. Was a great experience, however, the one thing that was missing is they do not offer glazing that other pottery places like Color Me Mine do. However we will be back as it's close by and good selection of pottery to choose from as well as being clean.

From the owner: Award winning Paint-Your-Own Art Studio and Party Place for kids and adults with multiple painting…read moresurfaces such as Canvas, Ceramics, Rocks and Pottery. Come host your kids birthday party, graduation, bridal shower, girls night out, corporate event or other special event at our Creatif studio and have a great time. No appointment needed and no time limit for Walk-In sessions. No studio fee. Our Summer Camps are very popular amongst the families in the community.

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!!