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November 2023 by Bill B.
Strict rules and climate activists have trashed what was once a glorious estate. Nice flat hiking and biking trails, however, prefer the sourland mountains for a real hiking experience. Duke Farms is a good place for city people.
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November 2023 by Cynthia A.
Such a beautiful and picturesque place. Went for the first time today and I was in awe at how large the place was. I didn't have a map but decided to just follow along the signs and it was pretty self explanatory to follow to the main areas. If you're looking for somewhere to just get a way to go for a walk, ride your bike or read then this is the perfect place. It's so large that you can easily feel like you're there by yourself. It was a bit hard to find the meditation garden as there wasn't a direct path leading up to it but the landmark is the red bridge. All in all I all I will definitely be back in the spring to explore more of the grounds. Bonus points for this place being Free and there's parking !!!
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October 2023 by Claudia S.
VERY Beautiful grounds .. I suggest renting bikes so you really can see it all but you can walk it. We took our own and it's FREE to go in. If you go over to the the Great Falls check the times it only flows every 2 hours. The greenhouse with all the orchids was so pretty. We loved it !! They also do have a cafe if you want to grab a bite to eat. Go and enjoy the day
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October 2023 by Suzanne M.
Total beautiful most nice scenery. We rented bikes, no great bike ride ride to the falls. They come on at certain times definitely a day you can bring lunch. You can bring water. They do have a café. I am so glad we found this place today we get out about that and do some beautiful scenic tours in your home state of New Jersey same thing with Joe enjoy life and smile you roll
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September 2023 by Katarina L.
The words "hidden gem" must have been invented to describe the incredibleness of Duke Farms. Literally nestled and tucked away off of a highway, down a very long path and entirely out of the way. There is so much insane beauty here... and it is free to the public?! It just doesn't make sense in the best way. My tips for visiting Duke Farms: -Go during the week (if you can, of course) to avoid the crowds. And have hassle free parking. -Rent a bike unless you want a very leisurely experience and don't care about not seeing everything. -Don't worry about not seeing everything! It's a huge space and you'll want to just make a relaxing day of it. -Don't have all day? I recommend the orchid room. It's a magnificent greenhouse filled with so many different types of orchids (so many plants I never realized were categorized as orchids) as well as other beautiful plants. It's incredible and I could have spent all day there. -Get a map or download the app! It became crucial to finding my way in and out. -Wear comfy shoes because this is A BIG space and walk or bike you'll be moving quite a bit. They have a cafe if you need a bite or drink but I recommend bringing food for a little picnic somewhere on the grounds. It's 100% worth the trip if you aren't from the are. Definitely one of Jersey's hidden gems.
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September 2023 by Jose P.
Duke Farms is a sprawling site that I wanted to love, but I didn't. If you're looking for a place to accrue 10,000+ steps on your pedometer, come here. If you don't want to walk, and prefer to rent a bike, you can do that.There is no entrance fee and they have large maps, in order to guide you through the 1,000 acres. Duke Farms does have a nice eatery, which you will see as soon as you enter the property. I ordered melon slices, and an Iced Cafe Latte, and they were good starters before trekking out into the wild. The farm has a nice structure called, the Hay Barn. It is nicely adorned with beautiful statues and landscaping. As you work your way through the farm, you'll come upon the Orchid Range. There, you will walk inside a green house that is full of orchids. It is very nice and a welcomed moment out of the sun. The Arboretum section of the farm is very nice, as well. You'll see a tranquil Meditation Garden, which you will traverse a beautiful Japanese bridge, in order to reach. Overall, Duke Farms is a nice place to check off your list and enjoy the long stroll through the many acres.
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September 2023 by Jenny Lau
An absolute outdoor TREASURE in New Jersey! We easily spent 2-3hrs here just biking around, before picking up some food at the cafe and bird watching for another hour.Main Things to Know:Admission and parking are free (though free reservations are required on saturdays). There are bathrooms, water stations, and a cafe on site. Paths are well-marked. The area doesn't feel crowded, especially on weekdays. The grounds are closed on Sundays and Mondays.My Favorite Sites:- Birding Platform (far right of the visitor's center)- Great Falls (picnic spot; flows on a timed schedule)- Mermaid Pool (picnic spot; by Great Falls)Biking:BYOB (bring your own bike + helmet)2hr rental for $8 / bike + helmet (discounted $5 for children)wide variety of bikes, easy to useI highly recommend bringing your own bike if it's possible. The bike rental tent is a walk away from the parking lot and the visitor's center, so bringing your own bike means you aren't limited to the main grounds or the 2hr rental. Some bikes have bells. Most seem to have a water bottle holder and kickstand. We had issues with the brakes on our bikes, but the staff switched out our bikes and had us back on the road in no time.Bike racks are conveniently available at most main attractions like the meditation garden, orchid range, and great falls.Something to keep in mind while visiting: while bathrooms are located throughout the grounds, water fountains are not as plentiful, so fill up your water bottles before heading out!
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August 2023 by Alonzo Torres
Such an amazing time. We plan on making this place a weekly stop! Today we walked to the Orchid Greenhouse it was simply stunning. The breakfast was legendary! With kind and attentive staff! (For the most part) Bring you own bike if you can! Trikes are reserved 24hrs in advance heads up! And we cant wait to return back for more exploring we barely scratched the surface of what this farm has to offer!
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August 2023 by Toma M
Perfect place to spend with the family! We rented bikes for $8, had some food at the local cafe, visited beautiful orchids, watched waterfalls. You must reserve car parking spot in advance, it is free via Eventbrite. There is no availability the same day in summer. We did a week in advance, but at least 1 day in advance is fine.
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August 2023 by Ana S.
A nice place to visit when in New Jersey. Free parking and entrance. This place is well maintained. NO PETS allowed. Great hiking spot. They have a beautiful orchid garden. They also have a good biking trail.
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August 2023 by Whitney M.
My husband and I were in town for business and had a morning free to explore. We found Duke Farms and had a blast. The property is beautiful! We rented bicycles for less than $10/person and rode around for 2 hours. If you can, I'd recommend to go by bike, so you can see more and get a great exercise. We went in July, so being on a bike and getting a breeze helped keep us cool. The grounds are impeccable! There was a cute cafe, but we were out of time, otherwise we would have ordered something from their menu. They had several seasonal choices and beverages to choose from.
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August 2023 by Food C.
Like the Duke's farmer's market, because they carry my favorite popcorn stand, local flower stand, popsicle, wine, vegetable... and more. It's easy to get to, especially you just want to pick up what you need and go on with your Sunday. The only star I take away is the lack of shade. In a hot summer day, it's very difficult to stand in line with the sun beaming on you. Other time you wish to spend some time pick n choose what you would purchase, while the sun is burning you down.After you get what you need, there are shades on the other side where you can lay a blanket. He Duke's farm trailer is also amazing to just walk or bike through. They have very friendly staffs to guide and sometime educational booth for all.
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July 2023 by Mike Z
Amazing man-made park with lakes, woods and meadows. Variety of trails and paved paths. My favorite places are arboretum, meditation garden and great lawn meadow.
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June 2023 by Sudheesh Surendran
Duke Farms in NJ is a massive park that has stolen my heart. Every week, I look forward to biking through its stunning landscapes and immersing myself in the beauty of nature. The park offers a peaceful haven where you can walk, run, or bike amidst breathtaking scenery. The well-maintained trails, abundant wildlife, and friendly staff make each visit a delight. Duke Farms is the perfect getaway to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and reconnect with nature's serenity. Highly recommended for outdoor enthusiasts!
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June 2023 by vikky mendonca
Duke Farms is pretty scenic, you can actually rent a bike for $8 a adult for 2 hours & you can actually utilize the whole 3 hours, you can walk as well but it’s gonna be to much walking. I would recommend a bike instead.
