Skylands

The Skylands Region rests in the northwest corner of the state amid rolling hills, keeping its colonial atmosphere and pace. History abounds here with restored villages and historic sites. For adventure seekers there are geologic gorges and waterfalls, hiking, climbing, 70 miles of the Appalachian Trail to trek, an underground mineral mine to explore, and in the winter, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling. For the more leisurely visitors there are old-fashioned streets and walkways, antique shops, museums and galleries, fairs and festivals and in July, the annual New Jersey Festival of Ballooning where hundreds of multicolored hot-air balloons saturate the sky. There are many family-oriented attractions and parks. There is much to do and see in the Skylands, so come inland to the hills, fields and forests for a special visit you will long remember. Things to See and Do Attractions Hunterdon Ballooning, Inc. in Flemington - Enjoy the foliage from a different vantage point ... in a hot air balloon over Hunterdon County, New Jersey. Land of Make Believe in Hope - A family-oriented amusement and water park with rides, shows, games, younger children's play area, carousel, Christmas Village and Old McDonald's Farm. Northlandz in Flemington - A 16-acre complex showcasing the largest model railroad display in the world (some 115 trains with 10,000 freight cars and eight miles of tracks, 35-foot mountains, town and city models). A 94-room doll house, doll museum and a 2000-pipe organ. Wild West City in Byram Township - Brings the old west alive with continuous live action of the 1880's. Pan for gold, ride a train, stagecoach or ponies. Petting zoo, picnic area, concessions and gift shop. Covered Bridges Green Sergeant's Bridge is located in Flemington, NJ (Hunterdon County). Built in 1866, this bridge spans the Wickecheoke Creek. Historic Sites Cooper Gristmill in Chester - Dates back to the 1760's, restored in 1826, continuously ground flour until its closing in 1913. Still powered by a 6-ton waterwheel, demonstrations of milling and tours are offered. Historic Speedwell in Morristown - A 19th-century estate. Exhibits contain displays of the development of modern communications. Reputed as the birthplace of the telegraph. Jockey Hollow in Morristown - Locale of Washington's army's winter and spring encampments of 1777 and 1779-1780. The 1200-acre site is a wildlife sanctuary and has hiking trails, visitor center, tours. Located in the Morristown National Historical Park. Rockingham Historic Site in Kingston - Restored site of Washington's last wartime headquarters with artifacts of the period. The Historic Waterloo Village in Stanhope had its beginnings in the 1740's and was a major supplier of armaments to the Continental Army. Includes 28 restored buildings. Costumed guides explain the history of the village. The Middlebrook Winter Encampment of Washington's Army in Bridgewater - The locale of the Continental Army's two Revolutionary War camp sites where the official 13-star flag was first unfurled and flown. Museums Museum of Early Trades and Crafts in Madison - Displays the tools and techniques used by trade and craft personnel, and farmers in the 18th- and 19th-century before industrialization took place. Red Mill Museum Village in Clinton - Ten-acre site containing restored buildings including the 1810 Red Mill with four floors of exhibits depicting early regional life. Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg - Offers an underground learning tour on mine operations. Museum exhibits mining tools, equipment, and minerals. The Morris Museum in Morristown - Contains about 40,000 items of fine art, natural science, minerals, dinosaur, anthropology, antique doll and toy collection and children's furniture. The Old Millstone Forge Museum in Millstone - One of the oldest working blacksmith shops in the country. Blacksmith and forge tools dating back to the 1700's. Parks & Trails Colonial Park Gardens in East Millstone - A 144-acre arboretum with flowering and shade trees and shrubs, perennial garden, and rose garden. Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park in Somerset - An 80-mile park along the Raritan River with observation points, picnic areas, hiking, biking trails, canoeing, kayaking, fishing. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Delaware - Part of the 70,000 acre park in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 25-miles of the Appalachian Trail along the Kittatiny Ridge. Hiking and nature trails, camping, cross-country skiing. George Griswold Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown - A 127-acre preserve with formal gardens, labeled trees and shrubs, two self-guided trails and a Braille nature trail. Morristown National Historical Park in Morristown - America's first national historical park. Site of Washington's 1777 and 1779-80 winter encampments. A 3-mile tour road and 25-miles of hiking trails for nature enthusiasts. Visitor Center. Voorhees State Park in Glen Gardner - Has 626-acres of hiking, biking trails, observation points, picnic area with pavilion and playground. Location of Paul H. Robinson Observatory run by the NJ Astronomical Association Science & Nature Related Space Farms Zoo & Museum in Beemerville -A 100-acre preserve for over 500 species of North American wildlife, exotic animals, birds and reptiles. Museum displays antique autos, wagons, and carriages. Picnic area and concessions.

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