When beautiful flowers sprout from the trees, daffodils sprout, and baby animals start running around the farms, it’s time to get outside and enjoy spring.
Our spring to-do list will ensure you don’t miss out on anything the season has to offer in North Jersey. Here’s our guide to a fun spring.
Pass through the daffodils
Reeves-Reed Arboretum will host its annual Daffodil Day on April 10. Guests will be able to stroll among more than 50,000 blooming daffodils – the largest collection of daffodils in New Jersey. Games, crafts and shows will take place throughout the day. Additionally, food trucks, vendors, and art exhibits will also be set up. Admission times are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. You can register online now. RRA members and children under 3 enter free. For everyone else, admission is $10 per person.
Goes: 165 Hobart Avenue, Summit; 908-273-8787, reeves-reedarboretum.org.
Go picnic
Soak up the sun by packing a lunch (or ordering takeout from a local restaurant) and heading to the park for a picnic. Some of our favorite green spaces include Liberty State Park in Jersey City, The Morristown Green in Morristown, Saddle River County Park in Saddle Brook and Lake Hopatcong State Park in Roxbury Township.
See the cherry blossoms
The largest collection of cherry blossoms in the United States is not in Washington DC. It’s here at Branch Brook Park, which runs through Belleville and Newark. This year, the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival runs from April 2-10 and includes a bike race and a 10k run. Take part in one of the events or just stop by to see the flowers. Cherry blossoms are temperamental and only peak for about a week. At present, it is estimated that the flowers will peak in the first week of April.
Go to visitnj.org/article/cherry-blossom-festival-branch-brook-park for more information.
Discover a new brewery
Lazing around with a cold beer on an outdoor picnic table is a good idea whenever the weather is hot. Why not take the time this spring to explore new breweries? Several have opened in recent years, including Newark Local Beer in Newark, Glenbrook Brewery in Morristown and Lions Roar Brewing Co. in Westfield.
Go to local Newark beer: 538 Broad St., Newark; 973-856-2234, newarklocalbeer.com.
Go to Glenbrook Brewery: 95 Morris Street, Morristown; 973-206-1712, glenbrookbrewery.com.
Go to Lions Roar: 517-519 S. Ave. W., Westfield; 908-591-6344, www.lionsroarbrewing.com.
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Attend a New Jersey Jackals game
The minor league baseball team, the Jackals, will play their home opener on May 20 at Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair. Even people who aren’t big baseball fans can enjoy the stadium’s lively atmosphere. Plus, a hot dog and a soft pretzel never hurt!
Visit njjackals.pointstreaksites.com/view/njjackals for more information.
Road trip on a hot weekend
Gasoline prices are high, making any long road trip tedious. But, there are plenty of great places to drive around the state for a mini vacation. Some of the best restaurants in the state are less than two hours away and will show you some of Jersey’s natural beauty. They include Canal House Station in Milford (by the river), Steve and Cookie’s By the Bay in Margate City (by the beach), Hot Dog Johnny’s in Buttzville (in the mountains) and The Circle in Fredon (among the land agriculture). Click here for more road trip worthy restaurants.
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party on the lake
The Lake Hopatcong Block Party at Hopatcong State Park begins at 10 a.m. on May 21 and ends at 4 p.m. The laid-back festival includes vendors and artisans of all kinds. Food vendors will also be set up in the park. Expect raffles, giveaways and a scavenger hunt for the kids.
Visit lakehopatcongfoundation.org/lake-hopatcong-block-party for more information.
Explore a farm
Cooing in front of baby lambs on a balmy day is our idea of springtime perfection. Head to Alstede Farm in Chester to achieve this seasonal nirvana. Every weekend and some weekdays from April to May 15, the farm will host its Easter and Spring Festival. An admission ticket includes a hay ride around the farm, visits with the baby farm animals, an Easter egg hunt, a visit with the Easter bunny and more. For adults, the Tomasello Winery Outdoor Patio will be open. Ticket prices start at $19.99 (extras such as pony rides are available).
Goes: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.
Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please register today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @rebeccakingnj
Instagram: @northjerseyeats
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