When you’re looking for interesting places to visit in Morristown, New Jersey, you’ll find plenty of choices. Check out the following places: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen, Madame Thai Cuisine, and Historic Speedwell. All of them are worth a visit.
Fosterfields Living Historical Farm
Fosterfields is a 213.4 acre farm and open-air museum in Morris Township, New Jersey. The Ogden House was built in 1774. The farm is a must-see for history buffs. Visitors can get a glimpse of the past and explore the lives of generations past.
A National Register Historic Site, Fosterfields Living Historical Farm showcases daily farm activities in the 1920s. There are farm animals, antique farm machinery, and staff dressed in period clothing. Guests can also see and touch vintage automobiles. The farm has been a working farm since 1760. It was a home for the elite Foster family. There are many living history exhibits that educate visitors about the farm’s past.
Visitors can also learn about the history of the area and see the farm’s working orchard. During the season, visitors can take part in the farm’s harvesting, planting, and cultivation. The program changes according to the soil conditions. If you are a history buff, you can take a guided tour through the farm and learn about its history.
Visitors can learn about the lives of early American settlers, and get a glimpse into the lives of those pioneers. One of the houses was built by Paul Revere’s grandson. The home was later owned by Charles Foster, a New York broker, and his daughter Caroline ran the farm after his death. The Foster family donated the property to the Morris County Park Commission, which now maintains it as a museum and living historical farm.
Visitors can enjoy the farm’s many events and special weekend events, including carriage drives and draft horses. There is also a museum gallery, where visitors can see early farm implements and learn about the Foster family. The Farm is a New Jersey State and National Register Historic Site. It is open to the public and free of charge.
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen
A majority owner, Chris Cannon, put together a team of skilled professionals to create a unique dining experience. The bar is stocked with more than 200 different spirits and a seasonal cocktail menu. The chef, Kevin Sippel, focuses on a four-course prix fixe menu that consists of three savory courses and one sweet course. The restaurant also offers a six-course seasonal tasting menu for $98.
Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen is located inside the historic Vail Mansion. This former residence was the former home of the first president of AT&T. The company Roseland, which is a subsidiary of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation and Woodmont Properties, restored the mansion to its original look. It opened its doors to the public on Oct. 21, 2014. The establishment has four restaurants and a cocktail lounge.
The restaurant’s cuisine and wine list have earned praise from critics and customers alike. The restaurant was named one of New Jersey Monthly’s top 20 restaurants, and Esquire Magazine’s top 100 restaurants in 2015. Wine Enthusiast, another industry publication, cited Jockey Hollow as one of the 100 best wine restaurants in America.
Located in Morristown’s historic Vail Mansion, Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen offers four unique dining experiences. The menu features a raw bar and oyster bar, small plates, and farm-to-table entrees. The restaurant also offers a 450-bottle wine list. Reservations are recommended up to a month in advance.
The restaurant is decorated with beautiful marble staircases and cathedral ceilings. The restaurant serves upscale, sustainable fare with a palazzo-style setting. The atmosphere is upmarket, trendy, and lively. Budget-conscious diners should steer clear. But those with a taste for authentic Italian wines will love this restaurant.
Madame Thai Cuisine
If you’re looking for traditional Thai cuisine in Morristown, New Jersey, Madame Thai Cuisine is a must-try! Located just a short walk from the town’s green, this authentic Thai eatery is known for its fiery drunken noodles. It’s also located in a historic building from 1917, once a Revolutionary War encampment. The restaurant also boasts a raw bar and a beer hall!
Historic Speedwell
Historic Speedwell in Morristown was established in 1966 as a non-profit educational historic site. In addition to the historic Speedwell house, the historic site features eight other buildings. Several of these buildings are open to the public. Tours are guided and are $5. You can explore the large Vail house, the smaller factory, and the wheel house. The tour includes detailed pictures and explanations of the objects on display.
The Historic Speedwell in Morristown is open on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. Its Civil War Holiday Experience features displays and performances of re-enactors in their period attire. During the Civil War Holiday Experience, visitors will witness the daily lives of soldiers and learn about the war’s era. The event also includes demonstrations of cannon firings, musket drills, and bayonet drills. Afterward, they can experience the period-inspired Christmas decorations and buy unique stocking stuffers.
Another fascinating attraction is the ‘Factory Building,’ a National Historic Landmark. This was where Samuel F.B. Morse first demonstrated the electromagnetic telegraph. Today, the Factory Building houses an interactive telecommunications museum. It is also attached to a restored 24-foot overshot water wheel.
A National Historic Landmark, Historic Speedwell in Morristown preserves the restored estate of Stephen Vail, the owner of Speedwell Ironworks in the early to mid-800s. The Park Commission acquired the property in 2002 and opened it to the public. The restored factory building was reopened in 2008 with the help of federal grants from the Save America’s Treasures program. The site has also received an Historic/Cultural Award of Excellence. Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday. Last tours start at 3:30 p.m.
