Spring bucket list guide: 9 fun things to do right now in North Jersey – NorthJersey.com

When gorgeous blossoms burst from the trees, daffodils shoot up and baby animals start scuttling around farms, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the spring.

Our spring bucket list will ensure you don’t miss out on what the season has to offer in North Jersey. Here’s our guide to a fun-filled spring.

Skip through daffodils

Reeves-Reed Arboretum will host its annual Daffodil Day on April 10. Guests will get to wander through more than 50,000 daffodils in bloom — the largest collection of daffodils in New Jersey. Games, crafts and performances will take place throughout the day. Plus, food trucks, vendors and art exhibits will also be set up. Entry times are at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. You can register online now. RRA Members and children under 3 get in for free. For everyone else, entry is $10 per person.

Go: 165 Hobart Ave., Summit; 908-273-8787, reeves-reedarboretum.org.

People lounge along the Lake Hopatcong waterfront on a sunny day.

Go on a picnic

Soak in the sun by packing a lunch (or ordering takeout from a local restaurant) and heading to the park for a picnic. Some of our favorite patches of green include Liberty State Park in Jersey City, The Morristown Green in Morristown, Saddle River County Park in Saddle Brook and Lake Hopatcong State Park in Roxbury Township.

A nanny who declined to give her name, holds the hands of two toddlers as they walk around Wild Duck Pond Area of Saddle River County Park in Ridgewood on 06/15/21.

See the cherry blossoms

The largest collection of cherry blossoms in the United States isn’t in Washington D.C. It’s right here, in Branch Brook Park, which rambles through Belleville and Newark. This year, the Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival runs from April 2 to 10 and includes a bike race and a 10K run. Join in one of the events, or simply stop by to see the blooms. Cherry blossoms are fickle and are at their most gorgeous for only about a week. Right now, it’s estimated the blossoms will reach their peak the first week of April.

Go to visitnj.org/article/cherry-blossom-festival-branch-brook-park for more information.

Sacred Heart Cathedral is seen through cherry blossom trees in Branch Brook Park, Newark on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

Discover a new brewery

Lazing about with a cold beer on an outdoor picnic table is a good idea any time the weather is warm. Why not take some time this spring to explore new breweries? Several have opened in the past few years, including Newark Local Beer in Newark, Glenbrook Brewery in Morristown and Lions Roar Brewing Co. in Westfield.

Go to Newark Local Beer: 538 Broad St., Newark; 973-856-2234, newarklocalbeer.com.

Go to Glenbrook Brewery: 95 Morris St., Morristown; 973-206-1712, glenbrookbrewery.com.

Go to Lions Roar: 517-519 S. Ave. W., Westfield; 908-591-6344, lionsroarbrewing.com.

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Attend a New Jersey Jackals game

Minor League baseball team the Jackals has their opening game on May 20 at Yogi Berra Stadium in Montclair. Even folks who aren’t big fans of baseball can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the stadium. Plus, a hot dog and a soft pretzel never hurt!

Go to njjackals.pointstreaksites.com/view/njjackals for more information.

The New Jersey Jackals and Sussex County Miners are playing in the Can Am League championship series. New Jersey Jackals # 12 Santiago Cirino

Road trip on a warm weekend

Gas prices are high, making any long road trip burdensome. But, there are plenty of great places to drive in-state for a mini-vacation. Some of the state’s best restaurants are within a two-hour drive and will show off some of Jersey’s natural beauty. They include Canal House Station in Milford (riverside), Steve and Cookie’s By the Bay in Margate City (near the beach), Hot Dog Johnny’s in Buttzville (in the mountains) and The Circle in Fredon (amongst the farmland). Click here for more road-trip-worthy restaurants.

More:These 13 New Jersey restaurants are worth a road trip

Party on the lake

The Lake Hopatcong Block Party at Hopatcong State Park kicks off at 10 a.m. on May 21 and runs through 4 p.m. The laid-back festival includes vendors and crafters of all sorts. Food vendors will be set up at the park, as well. Expect raffles, giveaways and a children’s scavenger hunt.

Go to lakehopatcongfoundation.org/lake-hopatcong-block-party for more information.

Roam a farm

Cooing at baby lambs on a mild day is our idea of spring perfection. Head to Alstede Farm in Chester to achieve this seasonal nirvana. Every weekend and select weekdays in April through May 15, the farm will host its Easter & Springtime Festival. An admission ticket includes a hayride around the farm, visits with the baby farm animals, an Easter egg hunt, a visit with the Easter Bunny and more. For adults, the Tomasello Winery Outdoor Patio will be open. Ticket prices start at $19.99 (add ons such as pony rides are available).

Go: 1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester; 908-879-7189, alstedefarms.com.

Visitors of Alstede Farms can feed farm animals.

Picnic at Washington’s headquarters

The Dey Mansion in Wayne used to be the site of George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War. From noon to 3 p.m. on April 9, the grounds will be open for a picnic on the lawn. Food trucks, music from Bach to Rock (a music school in Wayne) and spring-themed environmental activities will liven up the day. This event is free and part of Wayne’s ongoing 175th birthday celebration.

Go to deymansion.org for more information.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, please subscribe today and sign up for our North Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email: kingr@northjersey.com

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