Watchung Reservation brings together diverse landscapes and themed trails. The 2,142-acre park in Union County includes forests, fields, lakes and streams, as well as picnic areas, a nature center, stables, a historic village, and horseback riding and hiking trails. It lies along the First and Second Watchung Mountains, with Blue Brook Valley between them. Two named mountain ranges and the valley give the landscape a clear spatial structure.
Trails through history and natural science
The trails also offer different points of focus. The six-mile Watchung Reservation History Trail features historic landmarks in the Reservation. The Solar System Walk focuses on natural science: four audio guides cover the solar system, the atmosphere and the structure of the Earth. The Walk is open daily from dawn to dusk. You can choose between a route with historic stops and a walk featuring scientific audio guides.
Also located in Watchung Reservation is the Trailside Nature & Science Center, Union County’s environmental education center. It houses 4,500 square feet of interactive exhibits, including a 34-foot-tall exhibit about an American beech tree. Other facilities include a library, a discovery room for children and a 250-seat auditorium. In addition to the trails, the exhibits and spaces offer a dedicated focus on environmental education.
Watchung Stable offers the chance to learn to ride and improve equestrian skills. Its riding trails extend for 26 miles through the 2,000-acre forest preserve of Watchung Reservation. Visitors can explore the Stable grounds on their own during regular business hours. Scheduled tours and programs are available for scout groups, preschoolers, seniors and organizations serving people with disabilities. Check the latest operating details before your visit.
Reeves-Reed Arboretum offers a different way to enjoy green spaces: it is a 13.5-acre public garden listed on the national and state registers of historic places. Visitors can explore the grounds for free. Unlike the Reservation’s extensive riding and hiking trails, the public garden itself is the main attraction here.
Historic collections and cultural venues
Liberty Hall Museum in Union was built in 1772 by William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey. Its collection includes furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys and tools owned by seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. Public tours are held Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting on the hour. Check the seasonal schedule before your visit. Union County also offers another occasion to visit historic sites with Four Centuries in a Weekend: the event takes place every year on the third weekend in October, when the historic sites are open.
The Union County Performing Arts Center has three performance spaces: the UCPAC Main Stage, the Hamilton Stage at UCPAC and The Fazioli Room. Its seasonal program includes concerts, among other events. The historic Rahway Theatre is preserved as an architectural and cultural landmark and remains listed on the state and national registers of historic places. Local farmers, producers, artisans and craftspeople come together at The Market at Union, a lively gathering place.
Parks and sports facilities also showcase different aspects of the region’s recreational offerings. Warinanco Park encompasses 205 acres of developed parkland and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm. The Warinanco Sports Center was transformed into a year-round facility for ice skating, baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Cranford, Union City, Rahway, Clark, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Summit, New Providence, Berkeley Heights.
For the higher-level travel overview: New Jersey.
