Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Morris County, NJ

  • Published 2023/06/03

With a buzzing life and gorgeous natural areas, Morris County, New Jersey has a way of stealing anyone’s heart who gets to visit the place.

Its people and the magical tourist destinations filled with rich history and culture are among the things that keep me coming back to the county.

You’ll be impressed by its progressive economy having been the highest county in New Jersey for its per capita personal income in 2015.

Its beautiful tourist spots, exciting outdoor excursions, and world-class hospitality have drawn many people to work and live in the county.

I can see why the county’s population has been growing throughout the years with a total population of 509,285 as of the 2020 census.

So, regardless of the season that you’re visiting here, everything is pretty!

Here’s a round-up list of the best things to do in Morris County, New Jersey.

See the Amazing Exhibits at Morris Museum in Morris

Exterior view of the Morris Museum

Morris Musuem, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nestled among pretty flowers, trees, and bushes, Morris Museum hosts permanent exhibits with a focus on musical boxes, wildlife, automata, and history.

Here, you get to see mechanical toys, musical instruments such as self-playing music boxes, and many more.

And if you have kids with you, they will surely love the model train set demo and the dinosaur exhibit.

I loved the museum’s Native American collection, paintings, sculptures, and minerals exhibit, as well as the fossil exhibit.

Established in 1913, Morris Museum also hosts events such as live arts and shows, as well as special events like weddings.

Catch Live Performances at Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown

Entrance to the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown

Ekem, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When in Morristown, the best place for entertainment is Mayo Performing Arts Center, which hosts plays and live performances.

Established in 1937, the theater can seat up to 1,319 guests and features live comedy, live concerts, lectures, and many more.

During my drive to downtown Morristown, I saw this charming community theater showing Canadian comedian Howie Mandel.

I’m a huge fan, so I didn’t hesitate to buy a ticket and it was a great show.

Mayo Performing Arts Center is well-tended with great acoustics, and if you need to grab a bite, it also features a snack bar with specialty drinks.

Step into the Majestic Grounds of The Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown

Closeup of a tulip at Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown

Andrew Tuttle / Shutterstock.com

See the beauty of the natural world up close at The Frelinghuysen Arboretum.

The 127-acre arboretum features gorgeous flower gardens, woodlands, meadows, and distinct shrubs and trees that surround the Colonial Revival mansion owned by American patent lawyer George Griswold Frelinghuysen.

View of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown

Tomwsulcer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The beautiful botanical garden with gorgeous flowers smells pretty and the open fields are nice and relaxing to sit on.

Don’t miss out on taking scenic strolls on the trails to see more of the arboretum’s unique collections of labeled trees and shrubs, and of course, don’t forget to take photos!

The Frelinghuysen Arboretum opened in 1971.

Stone pathway at Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown

Tomwsulcer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Take the Kids to Imagine That!!! In Florham Park

I’ve heard about Imagine That!!! during my first visit to Morris County, and when I got back here with my family, we took the little ones to this place to enjoy open play in a fun and educational environment.

This children’s play spot offers 16,000 square feet of play structures that my nephews and nieces fell in love with.

They had fun in the sand area, shopper room, craft room, and playscape area for jumping, climbing, running, and sliding, as well as the music room.

It’s a perfect place for the little ones to play and interact with each other, explore, discover, and learn at the same time.

Most of all, it will burn off their energy, and the next thing you’ll know they’re all knocked out early at night, which will give adults more time to enjoy too.

Imagine That!!! also hosts birthday parties.

You only have to choose a theme and they will take care of the rest.

Enjoy Scenic Nature Walks at Loantaka Park in Morristown

Tall trees at Loantaka Park in Morristown

Tomwsulcer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Morris County has amazed me with its breathtaking nature areas that offer a relaxing atmosphere, including Loantaka Park in Loantaka Brook Reservation.

The 883-acre park features about nine miles of trails perfect for scenic nature walks.

This beautiful greenway offers both paved and unpaved trails for hiking, jogging, biking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.

A creek passing through the Loantaka Park in Morristown

Tomwsulcer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

I had a great time taking scenic nature strolls here with gorgeous wildflowers and observing the birds around.

Loantaka Park is a great spot in Morristown to take a short break from the big city’s buzzing life.

Go on a Shopping Spree at Rockaway Townsquare in Rockaway

JC Penny at the Rockaway Townsquare

quiggyt4 / Shutterstock.com

For those who are traveling with deep pockets, Rockaway Townsquare in Rockaway is your place when in Morris County.

This charming shopping mall features popular brands, and you may find your favorite, including Michale Kors, Forever 21, Apple, Garage, and Charlotte Russe, among others.

View of the Rockaway Townsquare

NABFNJ, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

I didn’t go shopping here though, but I enjoyed the mall’s dining options, especially since it also houses my favorite Chipotle Mexican Grill.

There are lots of options to explore at the mall, especially for mall rats who find malls therapeutic.

The two-floor Rockaway Townsquare now has more than 150 stores since its opening in 1977.

Bask in Nature at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Boonton

Here’s another real deal when it comes to natural areas with amazing spots to see nature at its best.

At Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, you’ll get closer to the wonders of nature, including the amazing rock formations that you’ll ask yourself how they formed and how they got there.

The Tripod Rock is popular among visitors, which sits on the top of three smaller boulders.

I didn’t miss taking a photo of that one too!

I took the hike by the reservoir, which was easy and also offers amazing vistas.

The wildlife, waterfalls, streams, and lush forests at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area made my trip to Boonton a great one and closer to nature.

It’s a must-visit spot and a relaxing way to disconnect yourself from your busy life and reconnect with nature.

Experience Farm Life at Ort Farms in Long Valley

Families enjoying their day at Ort Farms

Malgosia S / Shutterstock.com

Fresh produce, hayrides, pumpkin and apple picking, and a corn maze await you at Ort Farms; a 400-acre family-owned farm in Long Valley.

It’s a great spot to visit year-round with lots of family-friendly activities to do.

I dropped by here once in the summer and another time in the spring, and both seasons made me want more time to come back soon.

Wagon at the Ort Farms

Malgosia S / Shutterstock.com

Summertime will get you delicious sweet corn, tomatoes, and other fresh produce while spring offers gorgeous flowers, and I also got to pick strawberries, which was fun!

Also, I heard that it’s fun at Ort Farms in the fall when hayrides are popular with a corn maze to get lost in, and fun pumpkin picking.

In the winter, Christmas is also lively at Ort Farms.

So, regardless of the season you’re traveling to Morris County, you’ll have lots of activities to enjoy.

Truck at the Ort Farms

Malgosia S / Shutterstock.com

Play in the Water at Lewis Morris Park in Morristown

Lake at the Lewis Morris Park in Morristown

Kidzet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Summertime is my favorite season to visit Lewis Morris Park, which offers swimming and paddle boating at Sunrise Lake.

I visited here with my family and we camped out on the beach, which was one of the best memories to be had.

The sunrise here is gorgeous and we got to witness it the next morning after a night of stargazing by the beach.

We had a nice barbecue cookout and swimming was fun.

Lewis Morris Park is also a great spot for mountain bikers and hikers who love to bask in nature.

Also, the wildlife here is amazing, so don’t miss out on exploring around to hear nature’s gentle and relaxing sound.

Spend a Day at Hacklebarney State Park in Long Valley

Whether you’re traveling solo or with your family, taking a trip to Hacklebarney State Park will make a great day closer to nature and relaxation.

Hunting and fishing are among the popular activities at the 1,200-acre park.

But traveling solo here made me explore the park to see the beautiful waterfalls while listening to a hundred species of birds perching on treetops and singing to your ears.

The trails run along the nice creek and are also paved, which makes a good walk with nature.

There are benches or picnic tables in the area where you can sit and take a break to eat a snack or simply listen to the soothing sound of the water flowing down the Black River.

Yes, I did that and it was a calming and relaxing day at Hacklebarney State Park.

Explore the Arts & Crafts Movement at The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms in Parsippany-Troy Hills

Outside view of the The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms in Parsippany

​English Wikipedia user Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

For arts & crafts buffs, The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms will show you the art of woodwork, architecture, decor, and more.

The 33-acre historic home was a 1911 log house built by Gustav Stickley; a furniture manufacturer and designer who lead the American Arts & Crafts Movement.

The guided tour was excellent and the staff was informative about the Stickley backstory.

The collections and exhibits here are impressive, and I loved how this piece of history is tucked away in the beautiful spot in Parsippany.

If you’re into arts, or you’re simply interested to learn more about the Arts & Crafts Movement, The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is a great stop.

In 1989, it entered the National Register of Historic Places.

Shop for Fresh Produce at Alstede Farms in Chester

View of the Alstede Farms in Chester

Pri Ma / Shutterstock.com

I’m always on the lookout for sustainable farms to buy fresh produce whenever I’m traveling, and Morris County is raising the bar in this industry.

Thanks to Alstede Farms in Chester I found lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, which are grown using sustainable production methods.

The farm hosts annual pick-your-own produce, which I loved when I came here in the summer.

I picked my own pint of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, which are all flavors of summer!

I also enjoyed picking the gorgeous sunflowers here and some fresh Jersey tomatoes and eggplants.

It was a fun day at Alstede Farms, and if you’re with your family, the better!

See the Birds up Close at The Raptor Trust in Long Hill

If you love birds, The Raptor Trust is the best place to visit in Long Hill, which is a wild bird rehab center where you can see the unreleasable species of birds up close.

Established in 1983, the center offers free medical care to injured birds, including eagles, hawks, owls, bluejays, and many more.

Most of the birds I’ve seen here at close range are birds of prey, and others are no longer capable to be released in the wild due to their injuries.

There are many species of birds that are outside their cage, and I had fun with many friendly ones.

The Raptor Trust is a great place to visit to learn more about the birds of prey and how they’re well-cared for.

Explore the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris

View of the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris

Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Fosterfields Living Historical Farm offers 213 acres of land, which uses antique tools and equipment that you will see up close.

It was built in 1854 in a Gothic Revival architectural style by Joseph Warren Revere; a U.S. Navy and Army officer.

Information plank at the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris

Zeete, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The farm also features the Ogden House, which is the oldest structure on the property and was built in 1774.

I had fun at the farm’s open-air museum, which portrays farm life in the 1920s.

For its significance in architecture, art, military history, and literature, the Fosterfields Living Historical Farm was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

Get Spooked at the 13th Hour Haunted House in Wharton

Experience a unique and thrilling adventure in Morris County at the 13th Hour Haunted House where you get yourself into a heart-pounding adventure of a lifetime.

Recognized as New Jersey’s original and innovative haunted house spot, it offers two floors of spooky entertainment with eight escape rooms and three haunted houses.

And because I love horror and mysteries, I did try it here and I was never disappointed by how great the actors were, and the special effects are top-rated.

The 13th Hour Haunted House has received numerous awards for a reason!

Check it out, especially when you’re traveling with your friends or family.

Final Thoughts

Morris County is filled with magical outdoor spots and tourist destinations that will keep you entertained and inspired.

I’m sure your visit will be an amazing one.

So, pack your bag, experience Morris County, New Jersey, and make it grand!

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