South Bound Brook New JerseyATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near South Bound Brook, New Jersey.
1. Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
HISTORIC WATERWAY TRAIL
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park forms the northern and eastern boundaries of South Bound Brook and serves as a main attraction in the town. The canal offers scenic paths for walking, biking, and enjoying nature along the historic waterway. Visitors can experience peaceful stretches of water, lush greenery, and opportunities for outdoor recreation throughout the seasons.
2. Abraham Staats House
REVOLUTIONARY WAR LANDMARK
The Abraham Staats House was built around 1740 and served as headquarters for General Baron von Steuben during the American Revolutionary War's second Middlebrook encampment in 1779. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2002, representing one of the finest remaining buildings from the second phase of Dutch immigration in the Raritan Valley. The house stands as an important cultural landmark showcasing the area's rich colonial history.
3. St. Andrew Memorial Church
UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX HERITAGE
St. Andrew Memorial Church was built as a memorial honoring victims of the Holodomor and serves as the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The church features distinctive Ukrainian architecture and houses important cultural artifacts. Visitors can also explore the large Ukrainian Orthodox cemetery located behind the church, where graves of many politicians from the Ukrainian People's Republic era can be visited.
4. St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CENTER
St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary is located in South Bound Brook as part of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church complex. The seminary serves as an important educational institution for training clergy and religious scholars in the Ukrainian Orthodox tradition. Visitors interested in religious history and education can explore the seminary grounds and learn about Ukrainian Orthodox heritage and practices.
5. Moon Massage Spa
RELAXATION AND WELLNESS
Moon Massage Spa is mentioned as one of the popular attractions in South Bound Brook, offering wellness and relaxation services. The spa provides various massage therapies and treatments designed to reduce stress and promote well-being. Visitors looking for relaxation during their time in South Bound Brook can enjoy professional massage services in a comfortable setting.
6. Bound Brook Museum
LOCAL HISTORY COLLECTION
The Bound Brook Museum, located in neighboring Bound Brook, showcases the rich history of the Raritan Valley region. The museum houses artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the area's development from colonial times through the industrial era. Visitors can learn about significant local events, including the Battle of Bound Brook during the Revolutionary War and the impact of major floods on the community.
7. Monmouth Battlefield State Park
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITE
Monmouth Battlefield State Park preserves the site of one of the largest battles of the American Revolutionary War, fought on June 28, 1778. The park features a restored Revolutionary War farmhouse, interpretive exhibits, and miles of hiking trails across the historic battlefield. Visitors can participate in guided tours, witness battle reenactments during special events, and explore the visitor center to learn about this pivotal moment in American history.
8. Princeton Battlefield State Park
HISTORIC BATTLE GROUNDS
Princeton Battlefield State Park marks the ground where George Washington's troops defeated British forces on January 3, 1777, in a victory that proved American troops could stand against professional British soldiers. The park features the historic Clarke House, which served as a hospital during the battle, along with monuments and interpretive displays explaining the battle's significance. Visitors can walk the grounds where this important Revolutionary War battle took place and enjoy the peaceful setting that now commemorates this historic event.
9. Old Barracks Museum
COLONIAL MILITARY HISTORY
The Old Barracks Museum in Trenton is the only remaining colonial barracks in New Jersey and one of the most important historical sites from the American Revolution. Built in 1758 during the French and Indian War, the barracks later played a crucial role in the Battle of Trenton, a turning point in the Revolutionary War. Today, the museum offers living history programs, exhibits of colonial and Revolutionary War artifacts, and interpretive tours that bring this period of American history to life.
10. Morven Museum & Garden
HISTORIC GOVERNOR'S MANSION
Morven Museum & Garden is a National Historic Landmark that served as the New Jersey Governor's Mansion for nearly four decades and was once home to Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The 18th-century house has been transformed into a museum showcasing the cultural heritage of New Jersey through changing exhibitions and permanent collections. Visitors can explore the beautifully restored historic house and stroll through the meticulously maintained period gardens that surround the property.
11. Liberty Hall Museum
HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL HOME
Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University is a historic house built in 1772 that was home to William Livingston, New Jersey's first elected governor and a signer of the Constitution. The museum showcases over 200 years of American history with original furnishings, clothing, and artifacts from the colonial era through the Victorian period. Visitors can tour the 50-room mansion and explore the formal gardens, which include ancient trees and plants dating back to the 18th century.
12. Lucy the Elephant
ICONIC ARCHITECTURAL WONDER
Lucy the Elephant is a six-story elephant-shaped building constructed in 1881 that stands as the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. This unique structure has served various purposes throughout history, including as a restaurant, business office, cottage, and tavern. Visitors can climb up into Lucy's howdah (the carriage on her back) for spectacular views of the Atlantic City skyline and the Atlantic Ocean.
13. Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms
ARTS AND CRAFTS LANDMARK
The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is the former home of Gustav Stickley, a major figure in the American Arts and Crafts movement. The 30-acre property features Stickley's log house, designed as a clubhouse for a planned utopian community, which now serves as a museum showcasing his furniture designs and philosophy. Visitors can tour the meticulously preserved home with its original Craftsman furniture and explore the grounds that reflect Stickley's vision of a simpler, more harmonious way of living.
14. Whippany Railway Museum
HISTORIC RAILROAD EXHIBITS
The Whippany Railway Museum preserves the heritage of New Jersey's railroads through a collection of vintage trains, equipment, photographs, and artifacts. The museum features restored rail cars and locomotives that visitors can explore, including a 1904 steam locomotive and a 1906 club car. Train enthusiasts can enjoy excursion rides on historic trains during special events throughout the year, offering a glimpse into the golden age of rail travel.
15. Reeves-Reed Arboretum
HISTORIC GARDENS SANCTUARY
Reeves-Reed Arboretum is a 13.5-acre public garden and education resource featuring historic gardens, woodland trails, and plant collections. The property includes formal gardens designed by notable landscape architects of the early 20th century, including Calvert Vaux, who co-designed New York's Central Park. Visitors can enjoy seasonal blooms like daffodils in spring, roses in summer, and vibrant fall foliage, while participating in educational programs, art exhibitions, and community events throughout the year.