• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
May 28, 2013

A Walk Through History at Duke Farms, NJ

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

Oh, New Jersey. You never cease to amaze me. We’ve enjoyed finding more and more ways to spend time outdoors, in nature. But most of all, we’ve been able to enjoy it all at minimal cost, if not free. We’ve such enjoyed these awesome finds that when we aren’t traveling or running around doing errands, we delight in the opportunity to discover something new.

This past weekend was no exception and our newest discovery led us to Duke Farms in Hillsborough, NJ. Duke Farms is 2,740 acres of diverse, protected, and beautifully preserved habitats, and is one of largest privately owned parcels of undeveloped land in the state, owned and managed by The Duke Farms Foundation.

Start your visit at the Orientation Center which is housed in the Farm Barn, what used to be the main house of this historic farm. There visitors can learn about the area’s wildlife and plants through interactive exhibits and literature. This is also where community events are held, such as educational programs and short film showings. And it is where the cafe is located as well.

Duke Farms_GirlGoneTravel

The area provides 18 miles of paved, wood-chipped, and grass and pathways for hiking, all easy to navigate, with beautiful finds and scenery along the way. Preferably however, and to better see it all, I would recommend biking the grounds – something which a lot of guests really enjoy doing. For those walking, there are shuttles that stop at designated pick up points and leave guests where they wish to get off along the way (though the wait can be long if there are not seats on the shuttle and you have to wait for the next one).

Duke Farms_GirlGoneTravel

There are different activities to take on as a group or family, such as scavenger hunts and geocatching, and tons to see, such as the Orchid Range and Hay Barn.

Duke Farms_GirlGoneTravel

Duke Farms_GirlGoneTravel

For me, the most interesting spot on the property is the Old Foundation, which consists of remnants of an old foundation, with its basement entries and windows, slowing being taken over by trees and other greenery as it lays abandoned. In 1913 J.B. Duke started construction for a lavish mansion there, but soon decided against it and the site was left non-completed. The reasons for why he left are unclear, but the view of the site is eery and interesting, an unfinished skeleton of what was without a doubt going to be something grand.

Duke Farms_GirlGoneTravel

I absolutely loved this latest find and the day to take it all in couldn’t have been more perfect. Next time however, we will bring our bikes, as there was a lot more left to be explored.

Admission to the site is free, as is parking. For more information, please visit www.dukefarms.org.

All photography is property of GirlGoneTravel.com and may not be used without consent of the publisher.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, close to home or farther away. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and CEO of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications management, and brand development agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She splits her time between her homes in New Jersey and Finger Lakes.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
8 Comments
  • Ally
    May 29, 2013

    Duke Farms allows you to rent a bike and helmet free of charge dukefarms.org/en/Visit/Plan-Your-Visit/Free-Ride-Bikeshare/

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Ally
      May 29, 2013

      Awesome! We totally missed that. Thanks Ally!

      Reply
  • Tara
    May 29, 2013

    Duke Farms is quite the treasure! So glad you were able to visit. I run there quite a bit and I always feel like I’m back in time. Beautiful place to unwind. Wonderful article!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Tara
      May 29, 2013

      Thank you, Tara! I can't wait to return : )

      Reply
  • mithriluna
    May 29, 2013

    Very nice! We were just there last weekend.

    My recent post Poppies at Duke Farms

    Reply
    • caincarol
      mithriluna
      May 29, 2013

      Very cool! Going to read your post right now!

      Reply
  • Anna
    May 31, 2013

    Definitely adding this to the list of summer spots to go to – thanks for sharing this great find!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Anna
      May 31, 2013

      My pleasure, Anna! Hope you get out there soon! Enjoy it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Eating & Hiking in Austin, TX
Next Post
Eating Your Way Through Richmond, VA

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am a communications professional, an award-winning travel blogger, a public speaker, CEO of a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency, a wife, and a mom of 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America313 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Also seen in:

Follow @girlgonetravel

Some times, more than others, you need to hold on Some times, more than others, you need to hold on to moments of joy tighter than ever.

For me, this week, it has been found during long drives through country roads and wintery scenes in wine country. Or with a good movie or TV show (Sylvie’s Love was my latest, along with Netflix’s special “Pretend It’s A City” with Fran Lebowitz). Or with loving conversations with dear friends.

The point is, as a society, there is much to do, but our heart and mind and soul are sacred. Care for them. Love them. Feed them joy, however and wherever you may find it. We may live to fight another day...but we don’t have to live to fight every day.♥️
Of all the places in all the world, here lives a p Of all the places in all the world, here lives a piece of my heart.
.
.
.
#fingerlakes #myflx #keukalake #citygirlgonecountry #lakelife #upstateny #flxwinter #countrylife @flxwinecountry
Feeling so in tune with what brings me joy and foc Feeling so in tune with what brings me joy and focusing all my energy on that as much as I can, in all the ways possible. Like spending cold afternoons getting mud on my boots in places like these with people I love.
.
.
.
@visitithaca #winterhike #waterfalls #snowyviews #pictureperfect #flxwinter #fingerlakes @flxwinecountry
Snuggled up in @theflxcottage, cozy and warm, read Snuggled up in @theflxcottage, cozy and warm, ready to greet this new year.
.
.
.
#myflx #theflxcottage #fingerlakes #newyear #newyork #keukalake
Looking back at this year in photos and I have to Looking back at this year in photos and I have to laugh at how very little it all says about this year. My health scare definitely impacted me but it by no means defined this year for me. It was a year of centering. 

I am grateful for so much. The health and safety of my family. Our ability to continue to work and have jobs. The honest, safe, strong, and loving relationship with my husband whom I really, really enjoy spending time with. The closeness, support, and love of my closest friends - all the tears, laughter, raw conversations and uplifting we shared with each other. The incredible weight lifted from letting go of the people and things that don’t matter. The clarity in what I want. The incredible peace in having all I need. 

I have no resolutions for this coming year other than to hold on to what I already have and to give more to those who aren’t so lucky, which I have found so gratifying.

This year showed me what a lot of other people value and how they define what’s most important to them and in many ways, I needed to see it. It helped me make better choices in what I call friendships and where I focus my attention and time, of which we all increasingly have so little.

So despite all that 2020 took from us, I feel crazy fortunate to still feel I am walking away with such important lessons and tremendous growth. And after all, isn’t that a sign of a year well lived?

Happy New Year. My heart to all who’ve lost so much, who need help and continue to struggle through, and to the many great souls who continue to give to so many.
.
.
.
#newyear #bye2020 #bestofnine
Headed to #HobokenNJ to pick up the most special p Headed to #HobokenNJ to pick up the most special package to complete my holiday bliss, our oldest son.

There exists nothing I wanted more than my family, together, happy, and healthy. It’s always been something I have appreciated but this year served as an important reminder of how precious that is.

A reminder too that family is what you make it. And we can make joy anywhere. This holiday season I want to say thank you to all those taking the steps to take care of themselves and others. Thank you to all those who fight for we, the people daily. To the activists who have shaped this year in more ways than one. Thank you for the kindness of strangers and friends, old and new. And expressed gratitude for the reminder that true peace and joy is not in things, likes, clicks, or paid-for content - it is in people and moments, many of which never even make it onto the gram but are everything that makes life worth living. Hold on to those the tightest.

Happy Everything.

Copyright © 2021 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice