The county of Morris is located in New Jersey, about 30 miles west of New York City. In the 2020 census, its population was 509,285 (up 17.009 from the 2010 census). It is the tenth-most populous county in the state. Despite its small size, the county has many things to offer visitors.
Will G. Stratton State Park
If you want to experience the outdoors and enjoy the great outdoors in Morris, Illinois, you will want to visit William G. Stratton State Park. This state park is located in Morris, Grundy County, and was developed in 1959 to provide public boating access to the Illinois River.
The park offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can spend their days fishing or taking a boat ride on the scenic Illinois River. There are also picnic areas and pavilions for visitors to enjoy. The park also features several trails and local wildlife.
Visitors can also visit a museum that features local history. The Grundy County Historical Society, a non-profit organization, collects artifacts from the area’s past. Their displays include antiques, maps, and old trendy items. There are also local yearbooks and newspaper films for viewing.
Stratton Park is named after former Illinois Governor William G. Stratton and was developed in 1959. Visitors can access the Illinois River from four public boat launching ramps. Jet skis are also available for use at the park. Stratton Park is a beautiful place to visit when visiting Morris, Illinois. It’s located at Illinois Ave. and Griggs St.
The park also has several hiking trails and a picnic area. The Hickory trees and Cottonwood trees provide shade and coolness in summer. The area is home to a variety of songbirds. Visitors to the park can also enjoy the beautiful spring flowers and fall foliage.
Macculloch Hall Historical Museum
The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is a beautiful 1810 house in Morris that includes exhibit galleries and a historical garden. Its mission is to preserve the history of the Macculloch-Miller family and the community of Morris. The museum is also dedicated to preserving the legacy of W. Parsons Todd, a famous Morris resident who created many famous paintings.
The museum is located in a historic Federal-style mansion, with exquisitely furnished period rooms and furniture from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also features a permanent exhibition of Thomas Nast, who famously created the image of Santa Claus. The grounds also include 45 varieties of roses, and a garden where the first Jersey tomato was grown.
The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is located in Morristown’s National Historic District and features a variety of exhibit galleries and period rooms. The museum houses the largest collection of original Thomas Nast art in America. Nast was the man who popularized the images of Santa Claus and the Republican Elephant. The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum also offers public programs, group tours, and nature programs for children.
In addition to its collections, visitors are encouraged to wander the gardens of Macculloch Hall Historical Museum, which were once a 26-acre working farm. The grounds are beautiful, and visitors can enjoy the gardens every day. One of the highlights is the wisteria, which was a gift from Commodore Matthew Perry in 1857. The museum also features the second-oldest sassafras tree in New Jersey.
The Macculloch Hall Historical Museum is one of Morris’s most popular attractions. This museum offers a great collection of paintings, photographs, and other artifacts from Morris’ history. Admission is free. For children and adults alike, this museum is a great way to learn about the history of Morristown.
Letty Mae’s Tea Room
Letty Mae’s Tea Room is a quaint, vintage-themed restaurant in downtown Morris. The tea room features mismatched patterned teacups and other vintage decor. The tea room offers a savory menu and a nice selection of sweets. It’s also known for its great service and reasonable prices. It is the perfect place for families, couples, and individuals to enjoy a great meal.
Letty Mae’s is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and starting June 4, it will be open on Saturdays. The tea room also offers homemade pastries. If you’re looking for something a little different than the usual afternoon tea, Letty Mae’s Tea Room is one of the best places to visit in Morris.
The town has a wide range of restaurants and shops. The nearby Weitz Cafe has been in business for 50 years. There are also several new boutiques in town, including Whimsy Fancy Goods. The city also hosts a variety of community events.
For those who enjoy shopping, Morris also offers several markets. The 3 French Hens Country Market has over 200 vendors selling handcrafted items and seasonal goods. With a beautiful view of the I&M Canal, this market is a great place to buy artisan items.
Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area
If you want to spend some time outdoors in the countryside near Chicago, you might want to check out Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area. This 2,537-acre state park and listed state nature preserve is made up of more than half tallgrass prairie. It’s located in Grundy County, about 50 miles southwest of Chicago.
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, muskrat, badger, and red fox. You can also view birds of prey, such as marsh hawks and barred owls. The site also boasts a large population of waterfowl, including Canada geese and wood ducks.
Another wonderful place to visit in Morris is Gebhard Woods State Park. The park is surrounded by the Illinois & Michigan Canal and Nettle Creek. This park is ideal for a family getaway. There are trails for hiking and biking that meander through the woods.
This state park is home to a variety of animals, including elk. You may see a fox and a coyote. The area also houses a peregrine falcon. The park is also home to many owls, foxes, and raccoons.
Located near a lake, Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area is similar to the prairie that existed 150 years ago. The tallest prairie grasses, like prairie cordgrass, can reach heights of 8 to 12 feet. The northern prairie dropseed is another species that can grow to about 2 feet. Its seeds smell like popcorn.
The area was once home to a small settlement called Goose Lake. In the 1820s, settlers settled this area and built a log cabin for travelers. This cabin was inhabited by as many as 30 people per night. Later, the area became wet pasture and farmland. In the 1980s, the cabin was reconstructed ten miles from its original location, and the Craggs used the same tools as they did in the past.
Fort Nonsense
Fort Nonsense is one of the four key sites of the American Revolutionary War in Morristown National Historical Park. The site is located on a high hill overlooking Morristown and is thought to have served as a place where smoke signals were sent during the war. It was constructed in 1777 by General George Washington and included a guardhouse that could house 30 men. Today, Fort Nonsense is only a stone marker, but it is well worth a visit for the amazing views it offers.
For visitors who are interested in the Revolutionary War, a visit to Fort Nonsense is a must. It sits on a hill overlooking the town and is a small earthwork fortification that was built by Washington’s troops in 1977 to protect the town’s main roads and military storehouses. The fort features seven wayside exhibits and a small monument. In addition, the park also features the historic Ford Mansion, which once served as George Washington’s quarters in the Continental Army. Visitors can also view this historic site, which includes a museum dedicated to Washington.
Morristown National Historical Park consists of four distinct areas with unique buildings and attractions. The northern section includes Fort Nonsense, the Ford Mansion, and Jockey Hollow. Visitors can take guided tours of the historic sites. The tours take about 30 minutes and include a walk through the historic mansion, where General Washington lived during the winter of 1779-1780. The park also features over 24 miles of hiking trails, and special events and reenactments from the American Revolution.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center also features permanent and rotating exhibits. The center’s mission is to entertain and educate the public, while also promoting the rich history of Morris County. The Center also hosts over 200 events throughout the year, including classical music, modern dance, and theater.
