What to Do in Morristown, New Jersey

Morristown, New Jersey, comes with a few names. Known as the Skylands Region, the Capital of the American Revolution and part of the state’s Crossroads of the American Revolution region, this area of New Jersey is packed full of history — but even if you don’t care for historical attractions, you’ll still find lots to love here in terms of entertainment, shopping and restaurants.

So — what are the best things to do and see when you're in the area? Here are the top four can’t-miss activities in Morristown.

1. See Morristown’s revolutionary past.

Inarguably, the most historically significant part of Morristown is found at the Morristown National Historical Park. This is the spot where George Washington and the Continental Army spent their notoriously difficult winters during the Revolutionary War. The historical park is actually the very first national historical park in the country and features George Washington’s winter headquarters, the Ford Mansion, the site of a Revolutionary War encampment and fortification, reconstructed soldier huts and a 1700s farm. Beyond the historical appeal, though, the park is also home to a three-mile tour road and 24 miles of hiking trails.

Photo courtesy of https://www.nps.gov/morr/learn/kidsyouth/parkfun.h...

2. Fast-forward to another point in history.

If, though, you’d like to get a glimpse of New Jersey history that’s not quite as old, you can visit Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, which was in operation from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. One of the farm’s highlights is a Gothic Revival mansion built in 1854 by Paul Revere’s grandson. Book a tour and discover all the interesting facets of historical farm life that this living history site has to offer.

Photo courtesy of https://www.morrisparks.net/index.php/parks/foster...

3. Stroll through a museum.

But there’s no need to visit a farm or park to see Morristown’s history. You can stay indoors when you stop in the Morris Museum for lots of fun programming and exhibits. The programming touches on a wide swathe of the arts, so there’s entertainment available for everyone in your traveling party. If you’re not stopping by for a special event and just want to see the exhibits, you can expect a mammoth display of mechanical musical instruments, as well as other exhibits that explore the arts, sciences and humanities, all set within a Georgian-style mansion.

Photo courtesy of https://visitnj.org/nj-family-fun/morris-museum

4. Check out New Jersey’s largest horticultural park.

For a mix of nature, history and family fun, visit Frelinghuysen Arboretum, the state’s largest horticultural park with its 127 acres. While the historical aspect depicts the Victorian era, the informal gardens are hardly old-fashioned. You’ll find lots of modern amenities and active adventures here, from cell phone tours to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, hiking trails to educational programming. The best part? Entry is always free.

Photo courtesy of https://visitnj.org/nj-arboretums-gardens/frelingh...

Need More?

Need more tips for what to do and where to go when visiting the Morristown, New Jersey, region? Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Morristown, New Jersey, Discovery Map guide and, in the meantime, check out all the cool Discovery Map guides for New Jersey, with guides available for Asbury Park, Long Beach Island, Point Pleasant and other top destinations around the state.