The Secret Garden In New Jersey You’re Guaranteed To Love

New Jersey is home to a significant amount of greenery, from our farm fields to the evergreens in our Pinelands. We're called The Garden State for good reason! But perhaps the prettiest greenery of all can be found in the gorgeous botanical gardens and peaceful nature areas that are scattered around our state. We have several stunners, but one stands out for its fascinating history. Deep Cut Gardens in Middletown, New Jersey, isn't your traditional botanical garden - it's unique, wild, and absolutely perfect for a day trip!

Deep Cut Gardens is a county park in Middletown.

The beautiful garden spans 54 acres and is open daily, year-round.

Designed to appeal to the home gardener (but incredible whether you garden or not), you'll find a wide range of plants, flowers, trees and shrubs to serve as inspiration.

Unlike a traditional botanical garden, the landscapes here are a little more wild and free. But that just adds to its appeal as one of the best gardens in New Jersey!

The colors are gorgeous, and the plant life is incredibly diverse.

Filled with tropical plants and cacti, the greenhouses are a favorite destination within the park, as are the ponds.

You'll find over 50 different varieties of roses and more than 180 bushes in its renovated Parterre (a typically symmetrical planned garden with walking paths).

Monarch Butterflies and honey bees are also big fans of the gardens.

You'll probably make some new friends while you're here!

Visit for a day trip from anywhere in the state. It's worth the drive and you can spend hours exploring.

There are plenty of places to sit, think, relax, meditate, or just enjoy the beauty of the gardens. Bring your camera or a sketchbook!

There's also plenty of history to uncover.

A fun fact about the garden? It's the former estate of mobster Vito Genovese. There was once a home on the property, but it burned down under mysterious circumstances after he fled to Naples, Italy to avoid criminal charges.

Today, the gardens are mobster-free and admission-free. Visiting is a budget-friendly adventure and you'll often find special events and programs.

And with so much to see and discover here, you'll quickly see why we think it's one of the prettiest gardens to visit in New Jersey!

Families visiting with kiddos will love the "Garden Safari Backpacks" available at Deep Cut. Each bag includes supplies to help you discover new ways of seeing the living and non-living features of the gardens. They are free to use, you’ll just need to leave your license with the docent.

Deep Cut Gardens in New Jersey also has some great events including Bonsai Day in September. Check out the Monmouth County Parks System website for more info on special events and to grab a park map.

After your nature-filled stroll through this secret garden in New Jersey, how about a delicious evening meal at this garden restaurant in New Brunswick? And if you need a place to stay overnight, keep the theme going! This gorgeous hotel and spa boasts a green space for you to enjoy over your morning coffee.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-jersey/work-of-art-restaurant-nj/