5 outdoor places to go with family while they're in town for move-in
- Campus Light College Church
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Livi Preserve
If you’re looking for a nice walk through nature that is close to campus and requires minimal effort, look no further. The Livi Preserve is on—you guessed it!—Livingston campus. If you still have energy after moving in, go ahead and take a nice, relaxing stroll. It’s still considered as exploring “campus”! By the way, it’s really beautiful in the autumn when there’s fall foliage.
Johnson Park
This place is huge! The park features massive lawns perfect for sports, grilling, and picnics. There are also several tennis courts and running trails available. And did you know there used to be a mini zoo? Unfortunately the zoo shuttered in 2022, but Johnson Park is still alluring for those who are looking for open spaces to do sports and hang out.
Highland Park Farmer’s Market
Open every Friday in the summer and early fall from 11 AM to 5 PM, the open-air farmer’s market at Highland Park is just a few minutes’ drive from College Ave campus. While you grab some farm-fresh groceries, you can also check out the food trucks, live musicians, and craft-making stations. This is also a great chance to learn about community offerings, like the Piscataway Public Library and other organizations. You can check out their website and upcoming events at: https://www.mainstreethp.org/hpfmabout
Duke Farms
Founded by the Doris Duke Foundation, this 2,700 acre campus features large greenhouses (with orchids, fruit trees, and more) and beautiful walking/biking trails. Learn about conservation, engage in birdwatching, view the water falls, and try some renowned Bent Spoon ice cream at the Farm Barn café. Plus, you can rent bikes and helmets for under $10 and ride around in nature for hours. It's fun for the whole family! And did we mention it’s free to enter? Yes, it really is. Another bonus: Rutgers University is one of Duke Farm’s partners!
Institute Woods
Located in Princeton, NJ, these 589-acre woods are where Albert Einstein strolled when he worked at Princeton University’s Institute for Advanced Study. So if you want a nice, serene walk through the woods with clearly marked paths and some historical significance, head on over!
The author of this post is Dr. Aurora Sun. She is currently a researcher at Princeton University and recently graduated from Princeton with her PhD in Politics (International Relations). She loves to talk about Jesus, human rights, and how the gospel changed her life.
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