As we enter peak summer, it is time to take advantage of the weather by visiting one of the many…read morebeautiful North Jersey hidden gems. Located on the Saddle River Bike Path between Route 4 & Saddle River Road in Paramus, this structure is made of a stone and wood frame with a wood-shingle, gabled roof built in 1900. Easton Tower is a unique historic site. Originally, used to pump water to irrigate the estate of Edward Easton. Mr. Easton was a founder of the Columbia Phonograph Company, which later became Columbia Records. The scenic tower was a favorite of photographers and appears in many contemporary postcards. People came from miles around to this beautiful spot. It was placed on the State and National Register of Historic Places and in 2008 was completely restored by Bergen County. It can be viewed from the Saddle River Bikeway and visited year-round. A sign on-site instructs on how to access a phone tour that gives its entire history. It's picturesque, but there's really not much to do here but take a peek in the tower and snap a handful of pictures.

This was a very nice historical place. You can go inside, spin the water mill, walk around the…read morepremises, and there's even a sign explaining it's history

Little Dutch brown stone house containing a museum about history of Fair Lawn, built in 1815…read more Interior open on occasional Sunday afternoons and a couple other days a year (see photo) Right next to Fair Lawn's Radburn NJ Transit railway station.. walking distance from downtown Fair Lawn.?

Won a weekend stay via a silent auction. Staff was super…read morekind and accommodating, truly felt like a princess all weekend. Wish we came when it was a bit warmer so we can explore the gardens a bit more

Absolutely beautiful venue, but there were several aspects that are lacking. I stayed here for two…read morenights as part of a bridal party. My friend got married here, and the wedding was gorgeous and memorable! I'll go into more detail on the feedback. Upon arrival, it's very confusing. It's hard to figure out where to park and where to check-in. There's no visible staff and doors were locked so I had to call multiple times to reach someone who could let us in. There's also a strict curfew so you need to get back BEFORE 10pm or else you can't get into the building. This happened to us when we got back at 10pm from dinner and were all locked out. We had to call and text for an hour before we were able to reach someone. The person let us in, but also told us not to text the number we texted (but it was also ironically the only way we actually reached someone...) Food is hit or miss. On the morning of the wedding, we were all shocked that they were serving the bridal party moldy strawberries. I wish I had taken a photo so I can share it here, but we were in such a hectic busy rush that morning, I didn't get the chance to. The strawberries were not slightly moldy. They were literally COVERED in mold. I don't know how this got past the kitchen. They were literally covered in white fuzzy mold. We obviously didn't eat these. During the cocktail hour, there was decent food. However, during the dinner, the steak was terrible. I couldn't even eat half of it. The steak was supposed to be medium rare but it was over well done and extremely chewy and rubbery. Breakfast was basic and some things were not good (stale pastries). My favorite food was probably the soup at dinner and the oysters during cocktail hour. The seafood tasted fresh! The room I stayed in was beautiful though and I loved it! The only complaint I have about the room is the shower. There was only cold water and it was so hard to take a shower... painfully cold.

The Highlands Iron Furnaces driving tour encompasses eight iron furnaces. The furnaces are located…read morein northern New Jersey and southern New York. Pick-up a map and driving instructions at the Long Pond Iron Works Museum located at 1334 Greenwood Lake Tpke, Hewitt, N.J. or visit www.Lomg Pond Ironworks.org.. The driving tour is 68 miles long. The eight furnaces on this tour include: (1) Ringwood Furnace (1742-1936) located formally on Ringwood Manor property, no furnace is visible here (2) Sterling Furnace (1750-1804) furnace is a 1956 reconstruction (3) Clove Furnace (1854-1885) furnace & museum is on site) (4) Southfields Furnace (1804-1887) charging bridge can be seen (5) Noble Furnace (1835-1851) a furnace built of thin shale can be seen (6) Waywaywanda Furnace (1846-1856) furnace is visible (7) Clinton Furnace (1826-1837) furnace is visible on site (8) Pompton Furnace (1750-1855) only part of the charging station can be seen. The Long Pond Ironworks is a nationally significant site of American ironworks. The production of iron at these sites contributed both to the Revolutionary and Civil War efforts. The chain link which was stretched across the Hudson river at West Point to stop British Ships from going north was produced was produced in these furnaces. Cannon balls, cannons. iron shot and various other items were also produced in these furnaces.

Tucked amongst the back roads of West Milford, this historical gem is well worth the extra mile…read more Many original buildings line the walk that is self guided. Helpful brochures, well preserved buildings and artifacts make this a must see.

The Glen Rock Rock, is a huge boulder in the middle of Doremus Ave, just off Rock Rd. Parmachapura,…read morethe name of the boulder, means "Stone from Heaven". According to the plaque, it is the "Supposed Indian town council site. Town of Glen Rock took its name from it in 1894." It has a World War I memorial plaque along with flags making the site doubly significant. Worth a visit!

On 7/18/23, we visited the Paterson Museum for the 2nd time…read more This museum is truly a hidden gem filled with so much history. Outside the museum, you'll see a train at least a century old. In addition, some interesting modern sculptures surround the building. Inside the museum, you'll see the history of the Leni Lenape Indians. The museum has a wonderful display of minerals from NJ. Over a century ago, Paterson was known as t "Silk City of the World". You'l see the old loom machines from yesteryear. One very large display case has many of the old "Colt" revolvers manufactured in the city Paterson. The museum has a section dedicated to John P. Holland. Mr. Holland designed and built the first underwater vessel accepted by the U.S. Navy. On a lighter note, you'll see many pictures of Paterson's own beloved comedian, Lou Costello ("Hey Abbott!" ) of the comedy duo Abbott and Costello. Admission is free. The museum does welcome donations.

It was the vision of Alexander Hamilton that set the course for Paterson, N.J. to become a major…read moreearly industrial Hub. The museum frames that reality in concise and magnificently curated exhibits. The museum covers John Ryle "Father of the American Silk Industry", Thomas Rogers 1871 Locomotive Erecting Shop which built trains that aided in the construction of the Panama Canal (the 299 sits in the front of the museum), and displays of the John P. Holland 181 submarine proto-types which were launched in the nearby Passaic river. Wright Aeronautical Corporation and it's contribution to the plane Charles Lindbergh flew solo from NYC to Paris in 1927 and the spectacular and rare collection of Colt firearms by Norman B. Tomlison Jr. and Paul R. Applegate are both on display at the musem. Also worth mentioning is the exhibit of the Delaware-Lenape culture with many artifacts and a reconstruction of a wig-wam, If you are interested in mineralogy, the museum has first grade quality specimens obtained world wide as well as from local quarries and sites. Lastly, they have exhibits celebrating local greats like Lou Costello, Larry Doby ( the second black athlete in Major league baseball and Hall of Famer), and Hinchcliff Field during the glory days of midget car racing. The old photos in each exhibit are priceless to see. The museum is only a block from the Great Falls. A two dollar donation is accepted for adults and the parking is free. There are plenty of places to eat including Libby's famous hot dogs and chili one of my favorite hot dog joints.. Make a day of it and visit Great Falls (now a National Park), tthe Great Falls Visitor Center and historic district and the Paterson Museum.

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!!

Grew up in Butler, but don't think I've ever been to the Museum... It was built in 1901... If so,…read moreit looks pretty good for being 115 years old. Lot's of people are starting to show up to donate for the 3 Toys for Tots Train.