Sunday was my birthday and my husband was working all day. I didn't feel like sitting home waiting all day long, so I wanted to get out and do something different. I ended up heading to the New Jersey State Botanical Garden in Ringwood, NJ. It's only 15-20 minutes away from me and yet I'd never visited before. I don't even know why I've never been there. I always said I'd go one day and so finally on my birthday I did go.
The place is gorgeous and huge! I don't know what I was expecting, but man, it was definitely bigger than I thought it would be. I'm going to have to go back another day because I barely saw even one corner of the gardens. Plus at different times of year, I'd love to see different flowers in bloom. I could kick myself for not going earlier in May to fully enjoy the lilacs. Some were still in bloom, but not to the extent they probably were a month ago. Also the crab abble trees must be gorgeous when they bloom in early spring. Well, I missed those and so I'll have to put it on my schedule for next year and I'll have to go again during summer and fall months.
I took plenty of photos, but I must admit that I'm disappointed in many of them. I guess I was too busy looking around to focus properly on taking pictures. Never fear though, I still have plenty to share. I shall break it down into a few photo essays over the course of a couple days so that I don't overwhelm.
This first two pictures are of a building on the property. I don't remember what it is or what it once was used for. I just thought it looked neat.
From another angle:
The next building is the visitor's center, gift shop and also is where the restrooms are located. I didn't go inside, but I liked the view of he building from the outside.
Entering the gardens I saw this view...
Here's a couple of close ups of the planter:
Another building on the property:
The Crabapple Vista was very impressive. (Sign below explains what it is).
Here's a couple photos of it:
While I wandered around I saw some wildlife. I was hoping to see swans in the swan pond, but I never quite found the swan pond, I don't think. So much to see! But I did see a cute little chipmunk.
And his friend Mr. Squirrel:
He let me get pretty close before he bounced off.
I think there was a wedding that afternoon because I saw a ton of people all dressed to the nines and this limo:
... followed by this car...
Of course I also saw plenty of flowers.
I walked around for only about an hour and a half because I had to get back home. But it was well worth the $5 it cost to park.
I can't wait to go back again. More photos to come tomorrow or one day soon...
My photos can't even begin to convey how pretty the garden is, or how big it is, but I hope that you enjoy sharing my trip with me.
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Comments: 49
I love Botanical Gardens! I can't wait to see more pics. That Apple Alley looks so awesome!
Botanical gardens are awesome. They're so relaxing and beautiful!
beautiful photos. it looks like a nice place.
Thank you, Sandy. It sure is!
Great place to spend a day or many days.
I agree, Mary. I could probably spend many days there. :)
Happy Birthday, Vikki. Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Has that been there for many, many years? I am originally from NJ, and I know I went to one when I was young, but not sure where it was exactly! (this would be back in the 50's or early 60's.) Just wondering if maybe it was the same one. :)
Thanks, Susan! It could be the same one I think. I know it was used as a college campus for awhile and then in the 60s the state of NJ bought it from the college. In the 80s it became the official state botanical garden.
Wow!!! These shots are awsome!
Thanks so much, Leah!
Beautiful gardens, I enjoyed all the beautiful photos
Thank you, Rebecca!
Beautiful pictures. And belated Happy Birthday!
Thank you, thank you, Brenda!
Looks like a beautiful place to visit!
Thanks muchly, Christine!
This looks like a beautiful place. I love that first building you posted in the essay. The peonies were lovely too!
Thanks, Priscilla! For some reason I really like that first building too. It's just cute, I guess. :)
Beautiful photos. I would love to visit there
Thank you, Mary!
What a pretty place and your photos are so beautiful. I fell in love with the first building.
Thankies, Katherine. I fell in love with that first building too! Wish I could have gone inside.
I live in northern NJ. It doesn't look that far from me. I would love to see it, but I don't think the kids would! lol Happy belated birthday!
If you ever get a chance to go, I'd suggest you do. :) I saw lots of families with their kids. There's lots of space for the kiddos to run around.
Oh, maybe we'll check it out then! They sure do love to run!
You can have them race from one end of the apple alley to the other. That should wear them down a bit. hehe
Looks like a beautiful place to explore
It sure is, Kay!
Thanks! It was definitely a nice day!
hope you enjoyed your day
Thanks, Glenda! I did. :)
Happy Birthday Vickki this is a lovely photo essay!
Thank you very much, Debra!
Beautiful photo essay!
Mucho thanks, DN!
a lovely place! great photo essay!
Thank you, Sassy!
That is just gorgeous!
Much thanks, Sandra!
I can't wait to go to B'ham when I get new tires on my car! I love,love,love that first building..I want one ;)
I want one too, Lisa! Wish I could just show the pictures of it to an architect and say "build this for me." hehe
Absolutely, can't you just see it nestled among your own private rose garden? Of course, I'd need a house, some property, and a good gardener first but you can bet the architect would be the next one I'd call ;)
LOL! I have a house, but not a nice enough property to do justice to such a cool building. If I win the lottery though, that will change! Of course, I don't play the lottery so my chances of winning are slim to none. haha
The place is just amazing. Love that first building, it has tons of character. Makes me curious what it was built to be.
I'm curious too as to what it was built to be. It's so small-ish that I can't imagine anything but hobbits living there the way it goes way down in the back.
I have never been to a botanical garden. This one looks so very pretty.
I never had been to one either until I went to this one. It's so beautiful there.
Had to check out this one too-all your photos are picture perfect!!
Thanks kindly, Mari!