Friday Hike at Skylands Manor and the NJ Botanical Gardens!

Come join us for an easy slow/ mod. paced hike and see whats blooming at Skylands Manor & the NJ Botanical Gardens! End the week at this tranquil setting to be filled with music after the hike. It's a party for the senses!

MEETUP in Lot A on your left immediately after going thru the toll booth. Don't forget to bring a chair for the concert after.

This will be about a 2 1/2 hour walk / hike covering approx. 2-3 miles with many stops to take it all in. We will be walking on grassy lawns, paved roads and some woods trails. Most of the walk is on fairly level trails with some gentle ups and downs.

The Rest Rooms are located near Lot A and across from the manor. Maps can be found in the rest area building.

After the hike we will set up our chairs for Moss Henry & the Bryophytes concert from 6:30-7:45 on the grounds behind the restroom building, while enjoying a light, low key dinner as picnicking is technically not allowed. The staff said be discreet.

Parking is Free Weekdays.

Bring Water(mandatory), snacks, Bugspray(tis the season!), Sunprotection, binoculars, cameras of course(this place is a photographers dream!) and Weather resistant/WATER PROOF Hiking Boots or shoes are strongly recommended with pants tucked in to your socks as it is TICK SEASON. Make sure to spray around your ankles and socks with bugspray. Bring a Chair and light dinner if interested, to be left in a cooler in your car for after the walk.

Scroll down for directions and a little history

SCROLL DOWN FOR SOME HISTORY AND DIRECTIONS to Skylands Manor & Botanical Gardens:

A little history:

Skylands Manor

Designed in the mid-1920's by the distinguished American architect John Russell Pope, whose works include the National Archives and the National Gallery of Art, this lovely Tudor Revival Mansion was intentionally made to appear centuries old.

The Manor's weathered stone facade, the sags and ripples in the slate roof, and the classic ironwork combine to transport you through the centuries. Inside, the ground floor includes exquisite antique panelling, fireplaces, and stained glass collected from estates and castles throughout Europe.

Always check the Meetup site the day of an event for any changes. Inclement weather cancels. PLEASE GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME AND DO SOME RESEARCH WHEN FINDING A NEW PLACE.

NOTE:You Must use the Morris Rd. Entance.

Directions from the Doubletree Hotel in Mahwah: Takes about 20 minutes...take Rt 17 North to the NY Thrwy/Albany...take exit 15A to Sloatsburg/17 North...make a left at end of exit at the light...go a few miles to exit on right which reads Ringwood 8 miles...follow this road for about 5 miles until you come to a sign which says NJ State Bot.Gardens, make a left onto Morris Rd. and drive thru the Stone Eagles entrance to Skylands Manor and the Bot. Gardens and park in Lot A immediately on your left after going thru the toll booth. If full, park in Lots; B or C further down and walk back to A to Meetup.

MORE DIRECTIONS:

Via I-287 North or South

Follow I-287 North or South and exit at Exit 57. Follow signs to Skyline Dr. & take Skyline Dr. up the mountain and back down about 4.8 miles. At the first stop sign (Erskine Road) go straight then turn right at the 2nd stop sign onto CR-511 or Greenwood Lake Trnpk. Go about 1.5 miles and take the 2nd right on Sloatsburg Rd. Go about 2 miles past Hewitt Sch., Carletondale Rd.& Margaret King Dr. Turn right onto Morris Road; Skylands is 1.5 miles up Morris Rd. at the top of the hill.

From NYC (NJ-4 and NJ-208)

Take the GW Bridge to NJ-4 west and follow NJ-4 8 miles thru Paramus. Then, take NJ-208 ten miles to I-287 South to exit 57 and follow the directions above.

Via 511 from Pompton Lakes

With the Wanaque Reservoir on your left, you will pass Skyline Dr. on your right and then take the 2nd right onto Sloatsburg Road. Pass Hewitt Sch. and Carletondale Rd. and turn right on Morris Road. Skylands is 1.5 miles up Morris Rd. at top of the hill.

Via N.Y. Thruway (I-87/287) & Route 17

N.Y. Thrwy to Exit 15A (NY Rt 17). Follow NY-17 north to Rockland CR-72 West, which becomes Sloatsburg Rd. in New Jersey. Take Sloatsburg Rd. past Ringwood Manor. Make the next left onto Morris Rd. Skylands is 1.5 miles up Morris Rd. at top of the hill. GO thru Stone Eagles and immediately turn left into Lot A to park. If full park in Lots' B or C further down and walk back to A to meetup.