Location: Morristown
Top Things to do in Morristown
- 1. Morristown National Historical Park, Washington Headquarters and Museum
- 2. Jockey Hollow
- 3. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
- 4. Loantaka Brook Reservation
- 5. Ford Mansion and Museum
- 6. Morris Museum
- 7. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
- 8. Lewis Morris Park
- 9. Macculloch Hall Historic Museum & Gardens
- 10. Historic Speedwell
10 Things to Do in Morristown That You Shouldn't Miss
Morristown is a town and county seat of Morris County, New Jersey, United States. Morristown has been called "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain. Today this history is visible in a variety of locations throughout the town that collectively make up Morristown National Historical Park.
Restaurants in Morristown
1. Morristown National Historical Park, Washington Headquarters and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 148 reviews
Reviewed By Beverly D - Morris Plains, New Jersey
A brand new museum was unveiled at Washington's Headquarters over Presidents Day Weekend. In addition to the Ford Mansion, just a few steps away, there is now a museum which has a film and War Gallery. along with another room containing artifacts, the new Discovery Center focuses on what life was like during the Revolution for people living in NJ. Exhibits cover musket firing, desertions, food scarcity, loyalty oaths, to name a few. Many of the exhibits are interactive, which appeal to kids and adults alike, there are costumes to try on and there is even an authentic door from an 18th century Morristown jail. Add a visit to Jockey Hollow (approximately 3 miles south), site of the winter encampment of 1779-1780, and you can experience the Revolutionary War as never before. Good for school-age children & adults and it's free.
2. Jockey Hollow
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 277 reviews
Part of the Morristown National Historical Park, this recreated campsite was home to the Pennsylvnia troops in the winter of 1779-80.
Reviewed By Hammbrook - New Jersey
Jockey Hollow is a beautiful park, with many walking trails, and a strong interpretive center. The Wick House and grounds/gardens give you the feel of colonial times while the re-creations of the soldiers’ huts (barracks) illustrate the tough conditions the soldiers faced wintering in New Jersey two years after Valley Forge. Dogs on a leash are allowed. Ample parking. A definite stop for history buffs.
3. The Frelinghuysen Arboretum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
This 127-acre preserve, which surrounds a historic Colonial-Revival mansion and its formal gardens, offers self-guided nature trails with all trees and shrubs labeled as reference.
Reviewed By PAhomebody - Quakertown, Pennsylvania
We stopped at Frelinghuysen Arboretum on a journey home from New York. It is conveniently located off of I-287 (although our GPS placed it on the wrong side of Hanover Ave.!). The garden has many "rooms", from small patio-style enclosures to large areas devoted to...MoreWe are so pleased that you enjoyed your experience! It is simply wonderful!
4. Loantaka Brook Reservation
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 81 reviews
Reviewed By Scottbennett
Loantaka has as many recreational options as it does ways to pronounce it. On a nice day you will find people engaged in walking, jogging, biking, skating, horse back riding, frisbee, softball, fishing - and relaxing. There's an area for a picnic, with grills, and a playground for young children. There are 2 sets of restrooms, although one is more seasonal. This is a great park for all to enjoy!
5. Ford Mansion and Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
The grounds comprise a museum as well as the modest mansion where Washington established military headquarters for the winter of 1779-80.
Reviewed By Robert S - Lawrence, Kansas
This site has the house that Washington used as headquarters during the Morristown encampment, and a separate museum.
The museum is a fireproof building that displays furniture, weapons and documents from the era.
The Ford Mansions is a very well renovated building that gives us a nice glimpse at real life during the war. The guide did a great job taking us through the various floors and rooms. Most of the house is original to the era.
This is an important place to visit.
6. Morris Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By r-j-infinity - New Brunswick, New Jersey
If you like Old-Timey stuff, this is the place for you. It's filled with stuff from the far past like huge antique animated musical instruments that play for you, and old costumes to admire, displays of dinosaur parts, collections of rocks and minerals, and American Indian artifacts.
7. Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 49 reviews
A 19th-century working farm complete with a restored Gothic Revival mansion.
Reviewed By RepUSA - Litchfield Park, Arizona
Very good experience. Charge is very reasonable $6 adults, $5 seniors, $4 juniors. A pleasant walk through a pasture. Corn growing to one side. Past a pig enclosure, mother and piglets stayed inside. Chickens and turkeys on display along with a very noisy rooster.
Kids can milk a fake cow. Up to see real cows and sheep up close.
Next a walk through the woods where kids can catch corks in supplied nets
A farm house is filled with period artifacts with a pleasant guide to help.
Kids can then pump water either to water plants or wash clothes on a wash board and then hang the washing on the line.
Barns contain old farm equipment and horse collars and saddles.
Near the entrance is an old FORDSON tractor that kids can play on. There is also a room with a beautifully restored 1923 Model T and a magnificent 1938 Hupmobile.
Have paid way more for much much less.
My only complaint - growing up in the UK so much of the museum exhibits we used everyday. Must be getting old.
Most highly recommended.
We did not tour the Caroline Foster home which is a guided tour at no extra charge!
8. Lewis Morris Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By Wenovo - Morris County, New Jersey
The beautiful park was closed at the end of November for some kind of a construction and we did not return since. Hopefully it will reopen in the spring, better than ever..we are looking forward to it.. Living in Morris County has its privileges ...
9. Macculloch Hall Historic Museum & Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Located in downtown Morristown, N.J., Macculloch Hall has been part of the local community for over 200 years, first as the home to community-minded residents, George and Louisa Macculloch (1775-1858, 1785-1863), and since 1950, as a not-for-profit museum and garden. Founder W. Parsons Todd (1877-1976) endowed MHHM as a resource for all Morristown and Morris County residents. A Federal brick mansion, Macculloch Hall was built in 1810 by George Perrott Macculloch (1775-1858), the "Father of the Morris Canal." Today this historic house and decorative arts museum comprises nine period rooms, two exhibition galleries, a dedicated classroom, and an expansive formal garden, which is open to the public free of charge.
Reviewed By duck8to - Montville, New Jersey
Filled with Christmas spirit, this 1810 home is sure to brighten your holiday and satisfy your intellectual soul. Holiday décor including numerous decorated trees brighten the nine period rooms. Featured are 19th and early twentieth century ornaments and toys. The 18th century basement which is original to the property displays the kitchen of it's time with a fireplace furniture and artifacts from the period. A clock from the 1600 is also present. The main floor has an impressive entrance foyer with hanging chandelier and staircase. The dining area has White House porcelain from five presidents including Abraham Lincoln. Living areas are fully furnished some with original pieces and Chippendale furniture. Upstairs houses the largest collection of original art by political cartoonist Thomas Nast (1840-1902). Titled "Visions of Santa Claus: Iconic Christmas Illustrations by Thomas Nast and "The Civil War through the eyes of Thomas Nast" are a treasure. The gardens in the back of the home are dormant at this time but radiate with 65 heirloom roses pre=1920'a in the summer. A wisteria off the back porch was a gift of Commodore Perry to Mrs. Miller in 1857 and speaks to the importance of the family.
Macculloch Hall is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sunday from 1-3pm. Adults $8, seniors and students under 12 years $6. NARM members are free. It is a fantastic collection well worth seeing and enriched by very knowledge and passionate tour-guides.
10. Historic Speedwell
Overall Ratings
4 based on 29 reviews
Experience life during the early years of the Industrial Revolution at Historic Speedwell. This National Historic Landmark site preserves the restored estate of Stephen Vail, proprietor of the Speedwell Ironworks, located nearby through exhibits and iron working artifacts. The most significant of the eight historic structures on the site is the completely restored Factory, where Stephen's son, Alfred Vail, worked with Samuel F. B. Morse to perfect the telegraph. It was here on January 11, 1838, where the first successful demonstration of the electromagnetic telegraph changed the course of modern telecommunications. A new hands-on, interactive exhibit experience awaits visitors to the Factory Building. Visitors receive guided tours of the Vail House and the Factory. The Wheelhouse, adjacent to the Factory, houses a restored 24-foot overshoot waterwheel, which still works today!
Reviewed By DianneWheatley - Dunedin, Florida
Several late 19th and early 20th c structures open for views plus periodically docents demonstrate vintage trades. Plus a water powered mill and sluice. Imagine you are off the west end of Morristown so no need to travel far to tour often.
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