Grand estates. Ethnic neighborhoods. Sites of historic Revolutionary War significance. Miles of beaches. Nostalgic Atlantic City. And of course, gardens. New Jersey abounds with images of cultural, historical and natural treasures. The farther you go from the New Jersey Turnpike, the closer you come to the essence of the place aptly nicknamed the Garden State. Flowering trees, shrubs and other botanical displays brighten Chatfield Garden in Elizabeth, The Gardens at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, Leaming's Run Gardens in Cape May Court House, Leonard J. Buck Garden in Far Hills, New Jersey Botanical Garden in Ringwood and Rutgers Gardens near East Brunswick.
Things to do in East Brunswick
Rutgers Gardens
Dating to 1927, the 50-acre gardens feature a diverse series of botanical collections, including flowers and vegetables, rhododendrons and azaleas, American hollies, evergreens, ornamental and shade trees, a terrace garden and a bamboo forest. The Frank G. Helyar Woods is a 41-acre old-growth forest with a marked trail. Call (732) 932-8451 for more information.
112 Ryders Lane, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Rutgers Geology Museum
Minerals, vertebrate fossils, American Indian artifacts and an Egyptian mummy are displayed on the College Avenue Campus of Rutgers University. . Call (732) 932-7243 for more information.
85 Somerset St., East Brunswick, NJ 08816
The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum
The Zimmerli Art Museum's collections comprise a number of areas of focus and total 50,000 works of art. Particular strengths exist in Russian and Soviet art, French nineteenth-century art and American nineteenth- and twentieth-century art with a concentration on early-twentieth-century and contemporary prints. In addition, the museum houses a research library of rare books, journals and other documents that support the French collection which can be searched from this site. Call (732) 932-7237 for more information.
71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
The Plainsboro Preserve
Visitors can view various plants, some of which are rare or endangered, and more than 150 species of birds. More than 5 miles of trails offer beech woods, wet meadows and the McCormack Lake shoreline. The Education Center features interactive displays, an observation deck and a resource library. Call (609) 897-9400 for more information.
80 Scotts Corner Rd, Cranbury, NJ 08512
Thomas Alva Edison Menlo Park Museum and Tower
On the site of Edison's laboratory is Edison Memorial Tower, designed to incorporate the devices pioneered by the inventor. The museum, known as the birthplace of recorded sound, contains some of Edison's early inventions and memorabilia. Call (732) 549-3299 for more information.
37 Christie St., Menlo Park, NJ 08820