Union: Discover Nature, History, and Culture

Watchung Reservation is a 2,142-acre park in Union County. Its landscape is shaped by forests, fields, lakes, and streams; its amenities and offerings include picnic areas, a nature center, stables, a historic village, and horseback riding and hiking trails. The park lies along the First and Second Watchung Mountains; the Blue Brook Valley lies between the two ridges.

Landscapes and trails at Watchung Reservation

Two trails offer different thematic focuses: the six-mile Watchung Reservation History Trail points out historic sites in the park. The Solar System Walk is open daily from dawn to dusk. Four audio guides cover the solar system, the atmosphere, and the structure of the Earth. This places historical landmarks and scientific topics alongside one another as distinct areas of focus.

Horseback riding is also among the park’s offerings. Watchung Stable offers the opportunity to learn to ride and improve riding skills. Its riding trails extend for 26 miles through Watchung Reservation’s 2,000-acre forest preserve. Visitors can explore the grounds independently during regular business hours. Scheduled tours and programs are available for scout groups, preschoolers, seniors, and organizations serving people with disabilities. Check current operating details before your visit.

Discover and understand nature

Trailside Nature & Science Center is Union County’s environmental education center at Watchung Reservation. It houses 4,500 square feet of interactive exhibits, including a 34-foot-tall exhibit centered around an American beech tree. The facility also includes a library, a discovery room for children, and a 250-seat auditorium. The exhibit space, library, and room for young explorers each give the nature center a distinct focus.

A different scale awaits at Reeves-Reed Arboretum: the public garden covers 13.5 acres and is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places. This makes it considerably smaller than the 2,142-acre Watchung Reservation. Visitors can explore the arboretum grounds free of charge. Warinanco Park, meanwhile, covers 205 acres of developed parkland and was originally designed by the Olmsted Firm.

History and culture in Union and Union County

Liberty Hall Museum in Union was built in 1772 by William Livingston, the first governor of New Jersey. Its collection includes furniture, ceramics, textiles, toys, and tools belonging to seven generations of the Livingston and Kean families. Public tours take place Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and begin on the hour. Check the seasonal schedule before traveling.

A recurring event for history enthusiasts is Four Centuries in a Weekend: Union County holds the event every year on the third weekend in October, when historic sites are open. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the dates for the relevant year.

The Union County Performing Arts Center has three event spaces: the UCPAC Main Stage, the Hamilton Stage at UCPAC, and The Fazioli Room. Its seasonal program includes concerts, among other events. The historic Rahway Theatre is preserved as an architectural and cultural landmark; its state and national register recognition remains in place. The Market at Union offers another local perspective as a meeting place for farmers, producers, artisans, and craftspeople.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Summit, New Providence, Elizabeth, Kenilworth, Linden, Cranford, Union City, Rahway, Clark, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Berkeley Heights

For the broader travel overview: New Jersey.