Visit: Laurelwood Arboretum, Wayne, New Jersey

A quiet little oasis tucked away in Wayne, New Jersey, let’s visit the Laurelwood Arboretum.

Since the Coronavirus pandemic hit, and we’ve been quarantined, I’ve made an effort to get my kids out of the house for an hour or two of family time in the fresh air and sunshine. While the rest of the time they have been largely sequestered at home, I feel the shot of fresh air and sunshine is much needed for positive mental health. They don’t necessarily agree, but they humor me and we compromise and stick to destinations that are within a twenty minute drive and largely isolated, to keep everyone safe.

And that’s how we ended up at the Laurelwood Arboretum. I am a sucker for a peaceful place where I can listen to the water trickle in a stream and take a slew of floral and fauna photos, so you know this checked all my boxes.

We found it easily, and pulled into the small parking lot. Since the state is still largely on lockdown, the Visitor’s Center is closed (along with the restrooms), so if you visit before things open up, keep that in mind.

We wandered aimlessly, following the trails in a large loop, and the place is such a meditative and reflective spot, I could have happily stayed for hours. It’s quiet, with little benches and bursts of flowers tucked in here and there, along with a few sculptures, and babbling streams. I stopped at every one, as my kids made fun of me, because trickling water or the sounds of the beach are legit my favorite sounds ever.

If you’re in the area, and looking for a nature-based place to visit (or even picnic), this is a good one to add to your list.

Hungry for more tranquil places to visit in New Jersey?
The Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit is another favorite.
The Grounds for Sculpture property is a great place to spend a few hours, and the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else.
An old friend introduced me to the Van Vleck House & Garden and I can’t wait to go back.
The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is another local favorite.
And for more day trips and fun places to visit, check out this Pinterest board.