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town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States
North America > United States of America > Mid-Atlantic > New Jersey > Skylands > Morris County (New Jersey) > Morristown

Not to be confused with Morrisville, a town in Vermont, or Morristown, a former village in New York State.
Villa Fontana, the home of editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast

Morristown is a town of 19,000 people (2019) in Morris County, New Jersey. Morristown has been called "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the war for independence from Great Britain. This history is visible in a variety of locations throughout the town that collectively make up Morristown National Historical Park.

Get in

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There is a small Morristown airport, but it services private jets only.

Car is a good bet and generally the parking isn't especially miserable though on-street parking is often metered. Navigating the green can be a bit of a headache at times and depending on where you want to go, but it's nothing to lose sleep over. A range of exits off Highway 287 allow quick and easy access to different parts of the city.

The Morristown train station is generally well served by NJ Transit, where you can commute between New York City Penn Station in about an hour.

  • 1 Morristown railway station, 122 Morris St. Morristown (Q6914115) on Wikidata Morristown station on Wikipedia (updated Oct 2020)

Get around

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Map
Map of Morristown

Most places in the heart of the city (the green) are easily accessible by walking. NJ Transit offers service on the #871/872/873/874/875/880 bus routes to the surrounding areas, but the frequency is rather poor. Walking will serve you well otherwise. You can call ahead for a taxi ☏ +1 973-539-2500 or for a car service[dead link].

Parking can be tricky:

The Morristown Parking Authority manages more than 3,200 public parking spaces. For day rates and permit information call ☏ +1 973 539-4810.

The Headquarters Plaza Parking Lot has more than 2000 spaces available and can be accessible from the streets as indicated on the map. The lot is managed by Central Parking System.

The Epstein's Parking Lots are available for public parking. The three lots are accessible as indicated on the map.[dead link]

Main entrance of the Frelinghuysen Arboretum
  • 1 Acorn Hall, 68 Morris Ave, ☏ +1 973 267-3465. This Historic House Museum is also the headquarters of the Morris County Historical Society. The house was built for the Schermerhorn family in 1853. The house contains most of the original interior and furnishing. The house is named for the over 200-year-old red oak that stood on the property. Acorn Hall (Q4674550) on Wikidata Acorn Hall on Wikipedia (updated Oct 2020)
  • 2 Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Rd, ☏ +1 979 971-3700. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM (Th until 8PM), Su 1-5PM. Closed Mondays and holidays. Second largest museum in New Jersey. There are several permanent exhibits, with collections focusing on local wildlife, musical boxes, automata and history Morris Museum (Q14705764) on Wikidata Morris Museum on Wikipedia (updated Oct 2020)
  • 3 Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 353 E Hanover Ave, ☏ +1 973-326-7603. 127-acre grounds include a number of stunning theme gardens as well as specialized collections of shrubs and trees surrounding a magnificent Colonial Revival mansion. Frelinghuysen Arboretum (Q5501450) on Wikidata Frelinghuysen Arboretum on Wikipedia (updated Oct 2020)
  • Alstede's Farm: Stop in for fresh produce, visit the friendly farm animals or simply seek quiet solace and escape from the rat race by visiting the farm; they are dedicated to running a business that contributes to your quality of life
  • Catholic Church of the Assumption: was formed by Irish immigrants. For many years this church marked the heart of the "Little Dublin" neighborhood. This edifice is now the oldest church building in Morristown.
  • First Baptist Church: was the second church founded in Morristown in 1752 by a gathering of 17 people.
  • First Presbyterian Church: is one of Morristown's oldest establishments. George Washington reportedly worshiped and took communion here. During the American Revolution, the church became a hospital for soldiers. This is the fourth Methodist Church structure built in Morristown. The congregation outgrew the first two churches. The third church was dedicated in 1870. The building was destroyed in an enormous fire in 1972. This fourth Methodist church was reconstructed using stone from the tower and front wall of the third church.
  • Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. Explore a working farm and experience the chores of 19th-century farm life by helping churn butter, crack corn and tend the garden.
  • Historic Speedwell (Speedwell Village), 333 Speedwell Ave. An area of restored buildings depicting life in the early 19th century including The Factory where Alfred Vail and Samuel Morse developed Morse Code and gave the first public demonstration of the telegraph. (updated Jun 2017)
  • Jockey Hollow Encampment Area: Home to 10,000 soldiers. Here you will see how simple huts housed as many as 12 men.
  • Macculloch Hall: boasts the oldest garden in Morris County. Incorporating original plants and landscape features, the garden displays includes 40 varieties of heirloom roses that have become a favorite of local artists. Lunch is served on the enclosed porch!
  • Schuyler-Hamilton House: Where Washington's aide, Colonel Alexander Hamilton, courted houseguest, Betsy Schuyler. The house-museum is now owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
  • Town Green: Used in the early 1700s as a pasture for animals and as a training ground for the local militia. Arnold's Tavern once stood on the west side and served as General Washington's headquarters during the winter encampment of 1777. A monument now stands at a corner of the Green entitled "Soldier at Rest" honors the men who lost their lives in the Civil War. Now shoppers enjoy downtown Morristown, as will you!
  • Wick House: Henry Wick and his family were prosperous and lived in a quite comfortable house whose style reflected their New England origins. In 1779-80 General Arthur St. Clair used the Wick House for his headquarters.
Some trees in the Arboretum

Morristown National Historical Park

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For two critical winters of the American Revolution, 1777 and 1779–80, General George Washington chose the Morristown, New Jersey area as the main Continental Army's winter encampment. Because of its strategic location, the area continually served as the military capital throughout the war. During the 1779-1780 Jockey Hollow encampment, over 10,000 soldiers endured the war's most severe winter.

Morristown National Historical Park was established in 1933 to preserve and commemorate the story of the Continental Army struggling to survive during the American Revolution. The park consists of four non-contiguous units including the Washington's Headquarters unit, Fort Nonsense, Jockey Hollow, and the New Jersey Brigade area. The park features two original structures, Washington's Headquarters at the Ford Mansion and the Wick House in Jockey Hollow.

  • Park Headquarters, ☏ +1 973 539-2016.
  • Washington's Headquarters Museum, Morris Avenue (Rte 510).
  • 1772 Ford Mansion, Morris Avenue (Rte 510). This was Washington's actual headquarters. Tours limited to 12 people at 10AM, 11AM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM, 4PM. Adults $4, age 15 and under free.
  • Jockeystown Visitor Center, Tempe Wick Road, ☏ +1 973 543-4030. Every day 9AM-5PM. Slightly outside the city, off Route 202 you'll find the famous headquarters of George Washington: Jockey Hollow. One can go to see the camps and homes built hundreds of years ago, or just go for a nice relaxing getaway walk on one of the trails. There are 27 miles of horse or foot trails. The park also offers picnic areas and baseball fields. There is a two-mile loop-tour road. The speed limits in the park are aggressively enforced, and at times people will walk in the road and may not be visible over hills. Free.
  • Fort Nonsense 8AM-sunset. Hilltop earthwork fortifications ordered by General Washington. Nice views of the New York City skyline on clear days.

The Community Theatre, 100 South Street.

Clearview Headquarters 10 [formerly dead link] , 72 Speedwell Avenue, ☏ +1 973-470-CLVW (2589).

Comedy at Calaloo - Comedy at The Calaloo Cafe every Saturday evening. Doors open at 8:30PM, show runs from 9-10:30PM

Morristown Events Page - http://www.morristown-nj.org/todo.html%5Bdead+link%5D

Mount Kemble Home

The Green is the central hot shot of shopping in Morristown. However, there are many kitschy stores in the area.

There is an abundance of restaurants in Morristown serving pretty much every taste. Also, like most every other New Jersey city, has a diner which is open 24 hours a day. Near the train station the diner is nothing special among diners, but offers pretty good food at a good price and once again, as it is its main appeal, is open 24 hours a day.

Drink

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Morristown Train Station

No lack of alcohol in Morristown as most restaurants feature bars.

When bars close at 2AM there is a heavy police presence and they take drunk driving and drunken fights very seriously. Behave yourself and you will have no problems.

Other nightlife spots worth checking out in Morristown include Tashmoo, the Dark Horse, the Funky Monkey, the Grasshopper, and the Muse.

Sleep

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Go next

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Routes through Morristown
White Plains ← Parsippany ←  N  S  → Basking Ridge → Bridgewater
Peekskill ← Parsippany ←  N  S  → Bernardsville → Bridgewater
Dover ← Parsippany ←  W  E  → Madison → New York City/Hoboken


This city travel guide to Morristown is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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