# North West New Jersey in September, what else to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** vacation-travel\ **Created:** [July 17, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175 "2023-07-17T19:14:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/1 "2023-07-17T19:14:19Z")
We’re going to spend a few days in Sussex & Morris Counties; staying at a nice but reasonable B&B. I’ve got a fairly lengthy list of places but I’m wondering what I’m missing. We’ll being doing the Morris County stuff either on the way up or the way home. Not sure yet. Anyone know which is more interesting, **Waterloo Village or Lusscroft Farm?** **Any great places to eat?** Even a really good diner works for us. * * * * * * - Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd, Morristown, NJ 07960 - Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, 9 Main St, Madison, NJ 07940 - Sterling Hill Mining Museum, 30 Plant St, Ogdensburg, NJ 07439 - Franklin Mineral Museum Inc, 32 Evans St, Franklin, NJ 07416 - **Space Farms: Zoo & Museum** , 218 County Road 519, Sussex, NJ 07461 - High Point Monument, Montague, NJ 07827 **(Should we climb the tower?)** - Friar Mountain Model Railroad Museum, 240 Demarest Rd, Sparta Township, NJ 07871 - Luna Parc, 22 Degroat Rd, Sandyston, NJ 07827 _if they’re open which seems unlikely._ - Waterloo Village Historic Site, Waterloo Rd, Stanhope, NJ 07874 - Lusscroft Farm, 50 Neilson Rd, Wantage, NJ 07461 **Eat & Drink** options Angry Erik Brewing, LLC, 2 Camre Dr, Newton, NJ 07860 Man Skirt Brewing, 144 Main St, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 Buck Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 45 NJ-94, Blairstown, NJ 07825 * * * * * * We went to Space Farms many years ago when the kids were still kids. This time it will just be my wife and I. We’ve been to the Morris Museum several times. We always enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/2 "2023-07-17T19:25:13Z")
Milford, PA is just across from uppermost Sussex County, and has a fair amount of touristy stuff going on all summer long. Worth it to drive up for the day. There are enough restaurants and interesting shops to keep you busy. There’s [Grey Towers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_Towers_National_Historic_Site) there in Milford, which is a nice historic site with beautiful grounds and house to tour. There are also a variety of hiking trails, Dingmans Falls, Bushkill Falls and Raymondskill Falls, if you’re into that sort of thing. I’ve done my part stumping for Milford, and will now listen to other ideas that maybe I can do this summer. I did hike up to High Point with the Cub Scouts back in the day, it’s nice, but I was too tired to appreciate the monument, and the wind was so aggressive on that day we had to work to avoid being blown over. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/3 "2023-07-17T19:54:11Z")
Cool, Thanks. I’ll add Milford & Grey Towers to my list. Though I’ll be passing on the hiking. I prefer walking around towns and villages. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/96bed5/32.png) [@Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/4 "2023-07-17T20:15:32Z")
Another two suggestions that aren’t quite in Sussex County but aren’t far - Warwick NY isn’t too far from Sussex; and is a nice little town to walk around in and shop. Many good dining options there. Similar to Milford but a bit smaller. Skylands - the New Jersey Botanical Gardens - is fantastic if that kind if thing is up your alley. Does require some walking. It’s further from Sussex though. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/5 "2023-07-17T20:23:39Z")
Warwick NY is off in the wrong direction. Milford is barely off route coming back down from High Point. So I’ll pass on Warwick. **Skylands** , I will get to eventually, but that is really out of the way. That is why I narrowed this to **Sussex & Morris Counties**. More time doing stuff and less time driving. * * * * * * I’ve been to NY Botanic Garden many times and others. Those I like, I don’t consider that hiking. It is more like a plant museum. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/6 "2023-07-17T20:45:54Z")
The counties of my people (both sides of my family)!! Add Bergen County and you’d have the trifecta. 😉 I was actually just in Sussex County two weeks ago, and Morris County three months ago. I was also going to recommend a trip to Warwick…at first. 😁 When I’m up there I’m generally hanging out with family, so unfortunately I have no “things to do” suggestions (other than skiing, in season). But I can recommend [Brother’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant](https://www.brotherspizzawantage.com/) in Wantage: super casual, with a bunch of different types of pizza (including some with pasta on it!) and other Italian stuff, and everything is _very_ yummy. Which county is your B&B in? Is it someplace you’ve stayed before? I’ve stayed at a couple in Sussex County, and if there’s another one around there (in either Sussex or Morris) that you recommend I’d love to know about it. I’ll be going to Sussex and Somerset counties in September for a family wedding, and I’m thinking about doing the Airbnb thing. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/7 "2023-07-17T21:13:07Z")
I’ll report back on the B&B. We’ve never stayed there before. It’s in Suffolk not far from most of the places on my list. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/8 "2023-07-17T21:27:01Z")
Thanks! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [July 17, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/9 "2023-07-17T21:28:19Z")
Not exactly a restaurant, but there is ice cream (they used to have deep fried hotdogs and really good waffle fries, but it seems they only do ice cream now): > **[Morris County Ice Cream Shop Named Among Best In America](https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/morris/lifestyle/morris-county-ice-cream-shop-named-among-best-in-america/791068/)** > > A Morris County ice cream shop was named among the best in America.Cliff's Homemade Ice Cream in Ledgewood is representing New Jersey on a list of the best ice cream spots in every state by the Daily Meal on Sunday -- National Ice Cre… George Washington slept everywhere: > **[Jockey Hollow](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jockey_Hollow)** > > Jockey Hollow is the name for an area in southern Morris County, New Jersey farmed in the 18th century by the Wick, Guerin and Kemble families. The origin of the name is still uncertain, but was used as such at the time of the American Revolution. For most of the Revolutionary War, it was used by portions of Continental Army as a winter camp site, and it housed the main Continental Army during the "Hard Winter" of 1779–80, believed to be the harshest winter in recorded history. > It is locate... Haven’t been here for a while, but it was often a favorite for something a bit nicer: > **[The Black Horse Tavern & Pub | New Jersey | Classic American Cuisine](https://www.blackhorsenj.com/)** > > Offering a unique experience featuring contemporary farm to table menus, catering and private dining options in a relaxing environment; at one of New Jerseys oldest restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2023, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/10 "2023-07-18T11:48:38Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > [https://www.blackhorsenj.com/](https://www.blackhorsenj.com/) That looks good. Seems vaguely familiar. I wonder if there was a renaissance fair nearby in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/11 "2023-07-19T02:07:36Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > That looks good. Seems vaguely familiar. I wonder if there was a renaissance fair nearby in the past. Yes. [NY Ren Fair](https://renfair.com/ny/) - Drive Hawk’s Nest - though not too fast as the cops like to sit there. - Lakota Wolf Preserve - Walpack Inn - Hiking the Water Gap Jersey Girl Brewing, Hackettstown. Haven’t been there myself but a friend says it’s good ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/12 "2023-07-19T04:14:15Z")
I haven’t been in a few years but I always liked the Long Valley Pub and Brewery. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/13 "2023-07-19T12:28:45Z")
**[Lakota Wolf Preserve](https://lakotawolf.com/)** looks very interesting. I’ll have to add that as a possible. Looks like booking the tour might be an issue though. Bonus, it is right by **[Brook Hollow Winery](https://www.brookhollowwinery.com/)**. If we did go, we could visit the Winery after. Another place out that way: **[Hope Museum](https://www.hopenjhistory.com/about)** is open on Sundays from 1-3pm June through October. Which would lead back to **[Waterloo Village](https://nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/historic/waterloovillage.html)** I mentioned above. So this could be a Sunday itinerary. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2023, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/14 "2023-07-19T14:55:08Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > I haven’t been in a few years but I always liked the Long Valley Pub and Brewery. I was going to mention them, but forgot. We went there a lot when they first opened as my husband had a coworker living in Long Valley, and rounded up Guinea pigs. One of their specialties, which has since fallen by the wayside, was a different Creme brûlée every day. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/15 "2023-07-27T03:35:39Z")
Our summer “vacation home” is near the Delaware Water Gap on the NJ side. So I can opine on some of the spots mentioned. **Buck Hill Brewery** has pretty good eatin’s and drinkins. Just expect a bit of a long meal as the service tends to be slow. **Space Farms** felt like Auschwitz for Animals. Worst…Zoo…Ever **Lakota Wolf Preserve** is really cool My wife and I really enjoy **Walpack Inn**. The only downside is that to get there it’s a terrifying drive up a poorly maintained mountain road in the dark of night. **Sparta** has an interesting boardwalk area on Lake Mohawk **Mackey’s Ice Cream** **Hot Dog Johnny’s** Our family did the **[Delaware River Excursions](https://www.877trainride.com/)** train ride out of Phillipsburg PA a week or so ago. Man that sucked. Big time. Ostensibly you take a “historic train ride” along the Delaware River. Then the kids can get out and dig for pretend gems at a mine exhibit or some shit. The mine part was cancelled due to thunderstorms so it was mostly sitting in a bunch of crappy old passenger cars with no AC in 100 degree heat being towed by an old ALCO diesel locomotive for what seemed like hours. Like if I wanted to sit on a train and look at nothing for an hour I could have hopped an NJ Transit train back to New York. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/16 "2023-07-27T13:39:03Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > My wife and I really enjoy **Walpack Inn**. The only downside is that to get there it’s a terrifying drive up a poorly maintained mountain road in the dark of night. > **Hot Dog Johnny’s** Admittedly, you’re not driving as fast as at Indy or Daytona (or Poconos) raceways but it’s not _that_ bad of a ride; don’t worry about swerving into the other lane to avoid the potholes; there’s hardly anyone up there. Speaking of Poconos Raceway, [you can drive a stock car](https://877stockcar.com/) there, not cheap but fun. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/17 "2023-07-27T13:52:14Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > **Space Farms** felt like Auschwitz for Animals. Worst…Zoo…Ever > > **Lakota Wolf Preserve** is really cool > > My wife and I really enjoy **Walpack Inn**. The only downside is that to get there it’s a terrifying drive up a poorly maintained mountain road in the dark of night. Ironically **Space Farms** is the centerpiece of this trip. We were there over 10 years ago and had to rush through it more than we liked because of the kids. Besides the animals, there is the series of barn museums. I’m passing on **Lakota Wolf Preserve** , though with some regrets. I’ll pass on **Walpack Inn** , I can live without such a ride and Angry Erik Brewing is the only eatery I’m planning on so far. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/18 "2023-07-27T14:52:52Z")
I was at High Point Memorial Day weekend, the first day the tower was opened. I would highly recommend the hike from the Lake Marcia area up to the summit, but I see you’ve already ruled that out (but for anyone else who is reading this, it’s a really pleasant jaunt through the woods, and even though there isn’t all that much elevation added you do feel like you’ve accomplished something when you reach the top). When I got to the summit I did go up the tower, all 290 or so steps. It was worth it to me just to say I’d done it, but to be honest it’s not all that impressive: the windows are thick and small and the view from up there isn’t any more interesting or expansive than it is from the tower’s base. Also, this wasn’t an issue in late May, and might not be in September, but they warn you about heat being trapped in the stairwell; I can imagine it could be very uncomfortable in there this time of year. Anyway, if you decide to visit the park (which is free of charge this summer) going up wouldn’t cost you much time, so you could make your decision on the spot. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/19 "2023-07-27T15:41:17Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > > [@msmith537](#): > > > > My wife and I really enjoy **Walpack Inn**. The only downside is that to get there it’s a terrifying drive up a poorly maintained mountain road in the dark of night. > > **Hot Dog Johnny’s** > > Admittedly, you’re not driving as fast as at Indy or Daytona (or Poconos) raceways but it’s not _that_ bad of a ride; don’t worry about swerving into the other lane to avoid the potholes; there’s hardly anyone up there. Speaking of Poconos Raceway, [you can drive a stock car](https://877stockcar.com/) there, not cheap but fun. The other lane has potholes too. And it always feels like a different route, depending on which road is blocked by a landslide or fallen tree. Also “hardly anyone” is worse than “no one”. Like do I want to actually meet the sort of person I might encounter wandering through bear-infested woods in the early evening? ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2023, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175/20 "2023-07-27T17:29:38Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > The other lane has potholes too. Slalom! > [@msmith537](#): > > Also “hardly anyone” is worse than “no one”. Like do I want to actually meet the sort of person I might encounter wandering through bear-infested woods in the early evening? **Reported** for personal insults The people up there are nice & friendly & [check up](https://www.flickr.com/photos/74663312@N08/53074723537/) on their neighbors. (Taken just up the road from the Walpack) Yes, that’s me being checked on [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/north-west-new-jersey-in-september-what-else-to-do/987175.md?page=2)