Historic Speedwell Village

Where: Historic Speedwell, Morristown
More Info: Admission fees apply. Season: April - October.
Hours of operation: April-June: Wed to Sat 10am-5pm
July-October: Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm.
Last tour begins at 3:30pm. Guided tours are available of the Vail Home, Factory Building and the Wheelhouse.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $$
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

Historic Speedwell is a National Historic Landmark and also the birthplace of the telegraph. The village is located on Speedwell Avenue (U.S. Route 202) north of Morristown. Part of the site was formerly an ironworks which came under the ownership of Stephen Vale in 1815. He expanded the works and produced machinery for agricultural and industrial needs. The ironworks closed in 1873.

Vale purchased the adjacent lot which contains nine buildings, including the Vail Homestead, a granary and a carriage house. The buildings are furnished to resemble 19th century decor. The Vale House contains original furniture and artifacts owned by the family. For more information on the village click here.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the village is the Old Factory building where Stephen Vale and Samuel Morse developed the first electric telegraph. This profound invention revolutionized the speed of communication and was demonstrated to an excited public on January 11, 1838. The telegraph had a range of two miles without the use of a repeater. Inside the Factory Building is a new exhibit which tells the story of the development of the telegraph. Various telegraph models are on display. To learn more about Samuel Morse and the story of the telegraph, visit the official website.

The official website offers visitors the opportunity to "experience life during the early years of the Industrial Revolution and dawn of a new era in communications during the mid 19th century through guided tours, special events, programs, and exhibits."

Why not take your family to Historic Speedwell?

Directions:

333 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960

Take Route 80 West to Rt. 202 South into Morristown. Historic Speedwell is on Route 202, pay attention to the signs.

Norvin Green State Forest

Where: Norvin Green State Forest, Bloomingdale
More Info: Admission is FREE. Open daily sunrise to sunset.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

Norvin Green forest is located near the Wanaque Reservoir in Bloomingdale. There are many trails, of varying difficulty, built from former logging roads and constructed by volunteers. Some of the trails lead to the Weis Ecology Center. At the highest elevation of 1,300 feet, hikers are treated with scenic vistas of the NYC skyline and Lake Sonoma.

Directions:

Take Route 287 to exit 57, follow Skyline Drive to Greenwood Lake Turnpike to West Brook Road to Snake Den Road. Follow signs to Weis Ecology Center. Parking is available at Weis Ecology Center or along Burnt Meadow Road and Glen Wild Road.

Trails:

Norvin Green State Forest has a number of trails of varying length and difficulty which are listed on the official website. A map of the forest can be found here.

TRAILS:	LENGTH (miles)	RATING
Caris Hill (Yellow blazes)	1.0 miles	Difficult
Hewitt-Butler (Blue blazes)	5.5 miles	Difficult
Lower (White blazes)	1.5 miles	Medium
Macopin (White blazes)	1.0 miles	Easy
Mine (Yellow blazes)	1.0 miles	Difficult
Otter Hole (Green blazes)	1.5 miles	Medium
Post Brook (White blazes)	1.0 miles	Medium
Torne (Red blazes)	1.0 miles	Difficult
Wyanokie Circular (Red blazes)	4.0 miles	Difficult
Wyanokie Crest (Yellow blazes)	5.0 miles	Difficult

Grover Cleveland House and Grove Cleveland Park

Where: Grover Cleveland Birthplace, Caldwell
More Info: Admission is FREE. The museum is open from Wednesday - Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥
===========================================

President Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey, on March 18, 1837 to Richard Falley Cleveland, a Presbyterian Minister and Ann Neal Cleveland. The house where Grover Cleveland was born was built in 1832 and served as a parsonage for the Cleveland family while Grover's father was pastor of the local church. Much of the house looks the way it did in 1837. Some of the artifacts displayed include original family portraits and Grover Cleveland's cradle.

According to the official website, it is "the only house museum in the country dedicated to the interpretation of President Cleveland’s life. It is the nation’s leading repository of Cleveland artifacts and political memorabilia." Grover Cleveland was the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms and was the 22nd and 24th U.S. President.

About a block away from the historic birthplace is Grover Cleveland Park which was designed by landscapers John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1914 and completed in 1916 The park is named in honor of President Cleveland. It is located on Brookside Ave and Runnymede Road. The 41 acre park is heavily wooded. Pine Brook Creek traverses through the park and leads into pond at the lower end. Facilities include a playground with nearby restrooms, tennis courts, a baseball field and walkways. For a complete list of facilities and to learn more about the park, visit the official website here.


Directions to Grover Cleveland Birthplace

207 Bloomfield Avenue, Caldwell, NJ 07006

From the Northeast

I. Garden State Pkwy. S to Exit 159, Rt. 80 W. Travel 7.3 miles to Exit 53, Rt. 23S.
(Go to Roman Numeral II, Rt. 23 S., below)
Rt. 80 W to Exit 53, Rt. 23S. (Go to Roman Numeral II, below)

II. Take Rt. 23 S. through Rts. 80 and 46 intersections. Then proceed 1.5 miles to the fifth traffic light. Turn right at light onto Lindsley Rd. then immediately fork left onto Mountain Ave. Travel south 3.3 miles to the end. Turn right onto Bloomfield Ave., [aka Rt. 506]. The Birthplace is 1/10 mile on the right, across from a Dunkin' Donuts. House is tan w/ green shutters. Parking lot is at end of gravel driveway, near our brown barn.

From the Northwest
Take Rt. 23 S. Use the directions listed above, starting at Roman Numeral II, Rt. 23 S.
OR Take Rt. 287 S. to 80 E. then use the bottom set of directions, coming "From the West".

From the Southeast
Garden State Parkway N. to Exit 145. Follow signs for Rt. 280W. Travel 4.4 miles on 280W to Exit 7. Stay right on ramp and follow signs to Verona. (You are now on Pleasant Valley Way. The road's name will change to Lakeside Ave.) Continue north 2.4 miles on Pleasant Valley Way/Lakeside Ave. to the end. Turn left onto Bloomfield Ave., [aka Rt. 506]. Travel 1.5 miles west on Bloomfield Ave. The Birthplace is on the right across from a Dunkin' Donuts. The house is tan with dark green shutters. Parking lot is at end of gravel driveway, near our brown barn.

From the Southwest
New Jersey Turnpike N to Garden State Parkway N. then use directions above coming "From the Southeast".
OR Rt. 287 N. to Rt. 80 E. then use the bottom set of directions coming "From the West".

From the East
Take Rt. 80W to exit 53, then use directions "From the Northeast, Roman Numeral I, Rt. 80 W", at top of page.
OR take Rt. 46 W. to 23 S. then use directions "From the Northeast, Roman Numeral II, Rt. 23 S.", at top of page.

From the West
Rt. 80 E. to Exit 47 B., Rt. 46 E. Drive 2 miles on 46 E. to right hand fork, [Bloomfield Ave. aka Rt. 506] following signs to "Bloomfield Ave. The Caldwells". Travel east 3 miles on Bloomfield Ave. [aka Rt. 506], passing through West Caldwell, and the business district of Caldwell. The Birthplace will be on the left across from a Dunkin' Donuts. House is tan w/ grn. shutters. Parking lot is at end of gravel driveway, near our brown barn.


Directions to Glover Cleveland Park

From New Jersey: Take Route 280 West to Exit 6B/Laurel Avenue. Turn left onto Eagle Rock Avenue. Bear right at the fork in the road to Harrison Avenue. Turn right onto Roseland Avenue. Turn left onto Runnymede Road. Turn right onto Brookside Avenue. Park is on the right.

From New York: George Washington Bridge or Lincoln Tunnel to New Jersey Turnpike South. Take Exit 15W for Route 280 West. Follow above directions.

Use the intersection of “Runnymede Road and Brookside Avenue” when obtaining driving directions from the Internet.

Click here to view a map of the park.

Great Falls of Paterson

Where: Great Falls of Paterson, Paterson
More Info: Admission is FREE. The Falls are open all year round. For information about the Great Falls Visitor Center and opening hours, call 973-279-9587.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

The Great Falls of Paterson is the second largest waterfall in North East America after the Niagara Falls. The Falls are an amazing sight to behold. The waters of the Passaic River plunge 77 feet over a basalt shelf cascading to the waters below. The Falls played a significant role in the industrial revolution by powering factories and mills. In 2009 Congress authorized the park as a designated National Historic Park. The Great Falls Visitor Center is located across from the Great Falls at 65 McBride Avenue Extension. Educational programs and guided walks are offered. Click here to learn more.

Directions to the Great Falls Visitors Center

GREAT FALLS VISITOR CENTER
65 MCBRIDE AVENUE EXTENSION
PATERSON, NJ 07501-1715
(973) 279-9587

Garden State Parkway North:

Exit 155P, continue straight ahead onto Route 19 North following signs for "Downtown Paterson." Make the 1st left onto Cianci Street. Go one light to Market Street and turn left. Market Street ends at Spruce Street (Paterson Museum is on your left.) Turn right onto Spruce Street. Go one block to McBride Avenue Extension and turn right. Visitor center is on the corner, directly across from the Great Falls parking area.

Garden State Parkway South:

Exit 159 (Saddlebrook) onto Route 80 West. Follow directions for Route 80 West below.

Route 80 West: Exit 57 B-A. Follow signs for "Downtown Paterson" and make the 1st left onto Cianci Street. Go one light to Market Street and turn left. Market Street ends at Spruce Street (Paterson Museum is on your left.) Turn right onto Spruce Street. Go one block to McBride Avenue Extension and turn right.Visitor center is on the corner, directly across from the Great Falls parking area.

Route 80 East: Exit 57B, circle around to "Grand Street" exit and turn left.Go to 2nd light, Spruce Street and turn right.Go three blocks (Paterson Museum will be on your right) to McBride Avenue Extension and turn right. Visitor Center is on the corner directly across from the Great Falls parking area.

Route 46 East or West & Route 3: Exit onto "Valley Road = Paterson" and continue through to Route 19 North (just past Lambert Castle.) Turn left onto Route 19 and follow the signs for "Downtown Paterson." Make the 1st left onto Cianci Street. Go one light to Market Street and turn left. Market Street ends at Spruce Street (Paterson Museum is on your left.)Turn right onto Spruce Street. Go one block to McBride Avenue Extension and turn right.Visitor center is on the corner, directly across from the Great Falls parking area.

Click here for directions from other routes.

McFaul Environmental Center

Where: James McFaul Environmental Center, Bergen County
More Info: Open all year round. Admission is free.
Trip Assessment:
Ease ✮✮✮
Expense $
Family Fun ♥♥♥
===========================================

FrugalNJ recently visited the James McFaul Environmental Center, located in Wyckoff. The nature center is set in 81 acres of scenic surroundings. The center contains many interesting exhibits, including snakes and turtles and offers educational programs throughout the year. There is a man made waterfowl pond which opened in 1966. We saw swans, birds and ducks during our visit. Just outside the nature center are animal shelters containing eagles, hawks, red foxes and other animals. Those who enjoy hiking can explore the different trails. The trail we went on winds around the pond and along the way is a lookout post that offers scenic views. The 81 acre property was purchased in 1962 and opened in 1967.

More information about the center can be found here.

Directions:

150 Crescent Avenue, Wyckoff

From Route 17 North: Take the Hollywood Avenue/HoHoKus Exit. Turn left onto Hollywood Avenue. Follow the signs for Bergen Co. Route 502 west. Go straight at the traffic light and up a hill to a stop sign. Turn right onto Franklin Turnpike. At the first light, turn left onto Wyckoff Avenue. Stay on Wyckoff Avenue through three lights. Look for Environmental Center sign on the left. Turn left onto Crescent Avenue. The park is on the left at the bend in the road (about ¼ mile).

From Route 4 West to Route 208 North: From Route 208 North take the 1st Goffle Road Exit to Midland Park/Ridgewood. Follow Goffle Road all the way to the end. At the light, make a left onto Godwin Avenue and go approximately 1.8 miles. Look for the Environmental Center sign indicating a right turn. Turn right onto Crescent Avenue (by the Brick House Restaurant). The park is on the right at the bend in the road.

From Interstate 287 North or South to Route 208 South: From 208 South take the Ewing Avenue Exit. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp. At light turn right onto Franklin Avenue. Go through two traffic lights. Take third right turn between guard rails onto Crescent Avenue. Park is on the left at the bend in the road.

From the Garden State Parkway North or South: Take Exit 165 for Ridgewood Avenue West (going toward Ridgewood). Follow Ridgewood Avenue until you enter the village of Ridgewood. Go to the top of the hill to the R.R. station. Turn right onto Broad Street. Turn left at the light and go under R. R. trestle. Stay to the left and go straight through the next light. This becomes Godwin Avenue. Follow Godwin for approximately two miles. Look for Environmental Center sign indicating a right turn. Turn right: onto Crescent Avenue. Park is on the right at the bend in the road.

A full list of directions can be found here.