Local Guides World
Historic estate offering undeveloped natural habitats, gardens, outdoor activities & workshops.
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Reviews — 8
An absolute outdoor TREASURE in New Jersey! We easily spent 2-3hrs here just biking around, before picking up some food at the cafe and bird watching for another hour.
Main Things to Know:
Admission and parking are free (though free reservations are required on saturdays). There are bathrooms, water stations, and a cafe on site. Paths are well-marked. The area doesn't feel crowded, especially on weekdays. The grounds are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
My Favorite Sites:
- Birding Platform (far right of the visitor's center)
- Great Falls (picnic spot; flows on a timed schedule)
- Mermaid Pool (picnic spot; by Great Falls)
Biking:
BYOB (bring your own bike + helmet)
2hr rental for $8 / bike + helmet (discounted $5 for children)
wide variety of bikes, easy to use
I highly recommend bringing your own bike if it's possible. The bike rental tent is a walk away from the parking lot and the visitor's center, so bringing your own bike means you aren't limited to the main grounds or the 2hr rental. Some bikes have bells. Most seem to have a water bottle holder and kickstand. We had issues with the brakes on our bikes, but the staff switched out our bikes and had us back on the road in no time.
Bike racks are conveniently available at most main attractions like the meditation garden, orchid range, and great falls.
Something to keep in mind while visiting: while bathrooms are located throughout the grounds, water fountains are not as plentiful, so fill up your water bottles before heading out!
Main Things to Know:
Admission and parking are free (though free reservations are required on saturdays). There are bathrooms, water stations, and a cafe on site. Paths are well-marked. The area doesn't feel crowded, especially on weekdays. The grounds are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
My Favorite Sites:
- Birding Platform (far right of the visitor's center)
- Great Falls (picnic spot; flows on a timed schedule)
- Mermaid Pool (picnic spot; by Great Falls)
Biking:
BYOB (bring your own bike + helmet)
2hr rental for $8 / bike + helmet (discounted $5 for children)
wide variety of bikes, easy to use
I highly recommend bringing your own bike if it's possible. The bike rental tent is a walk away from the parking lot and the visitor's center, so bringing your own bike means you aren't limited to the main grounds or the 2hr rental. Some bikes have bells. Most seem to have a water bottle holder and kickstand. We had issues with the brakes on our bikes, but the staff switched out our bikes and had us back on the road in no time.
Bike racks are conveniently available at most main attractions like the meditation garden, orchid range, and great falls.
Something to keep in mind while visiting: while bathrooms are located throughout the grounds, water fountains are not as plentiful, so fill up your water bottles before heading out!
Such an amazing time. We plan on making this place a weekly stop! Today we walked to the Orchid Greenhouse it was simply stunning. The breakfast was legendary! With kind and attentive staff! (For the most part) Bring you own bike if you can! Trikes are reserved 24hrs in advance heads up! And we cant wait to return back for more exploring we barely scratched the surface of what this farm has to offer!
Perfect place to spend with the family! We rented bikes for $8, had some food at the local cafe, visited beautiful orchids, watched waterfalls. You must reserve car parking spot in advance, it is free via Eventbrite. There is no availability the same day in summer. We did a week in advance, but at least 1 day in advance is fine.
What a beautiful park! Any staff we encountered with, was very helpful. One thing I will say is, bring deep woods tick spray with you and also carry PLENTY of water. There weren’t any water stations. We were told there would be some around the park & I didn’t notice any. I had to share my water with my group of children. We were there on a school trip but I have also been here with my own family. There is plenty of parking and so so much beauty in nature to see! I absolutely love walking around with my map & absorbing all of the information posted throughout the park. If you’re in the area, please stop in. You will not be disappointed. It’s so beautiful!
Embrace the beauty of nature at Duke Farms - the perfect escapade for an unforgettable family or friend gathering! Head over to their website, and with no parking fee, register for a pass to explore the vast, paved trails that span through the farm. Whether you're in the mood for a leisurely stroll or a cycling adventure, Duke Farms has got you covered. Take a break under the shade of magnificent trees, and marvel at the exquisite orchid nursery. The blooming flowers are truly a sight to behold! Spend an entire day bonding with loved ones while exercising and treating yourself to a relaxing, wide open space with beautiful scenery. If you like, you can bring your own snacks and refreshments. We got to the barn cafe at 2:45pm on a Saturday and they already stopped serving meals but the deli is still open for snacks and hot/cold beverages. The deli is quite pricey. They have indoor and outdoor seating. All in all, Duke Farms offers a remarkable experience with excellent customer service that will leave you with unforgettable memories.
Beautiful day to ride a rental bike ($8) thru park. Most beautiful and amazing variety of orchids. "Great Falls", not really great, but engineering feat for 1905!
Great place to spend an entire day with friends or family. Bike rentals are available at reasonable charges and is a must to explore as much as one can of the 1000acres of land. We were visiting a temple nearby and then decided to explore this farm. Lovely place for picnic and a day out with kids. We covered Orchid Range and Hay Barn which was beautiful. Definitely coming back to explore more of the grounds.
