Best views in the country? USA TODAY chose these North Jersey spots
The Garden State is filled with scenic destinations like this, and so much so that three locations in North Jersey were named among USA Today's Most Treasured Views in America, part of a new USA TODAY network project showcasing breathtaking — and perhaps, under-appreciated — views throughout the United States. These are some of the most beautiful landmarks, scenic vistas and hidden gems you can truly treasure in your area.
And these sites highlight the diverse range of scenery North Jersey has to offer, ranging from rich historical sites to impressive natural spots. Here are three of the Most Treasured Views in North Jersey, with tips for getting the best experience at each site.
More: Discover America's best hidden natural wonders: 12 breathtaking views to explore
More: From waterfalls to lighthouses, here are the 11 best scenic spots in the Northeast
Paterson Great Falls is home to one of the nation's most spectacular waterfalls, featuring a grand 260-foot wide, 77-foot high drop that rushes into the Passaic River. The site has existed since the beginning of time, with Paterson being established around it in 1792, and is both a National Natural Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
While the best view of this iconic landmark — which is free to visit — is the walking bridge that goes over the Great Falls, it is closed indefinitely due to safety concerns and is pending replacement. But you can still get a great view from either Overlook Park or Mary Ellen Kramer Park.
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And while you're there, you can also go down the block to the Paterson Museum at 2 Market St. Here, you can explore Paterson's history as the nation's first planned industrial city through interpretive exhibits. The museum is free to visit, but donations are recommended.
Go: 72 McBride Ave. Extension, Paterson; 973-523-0370, nps.gov/pagr/index.htm.
Located at the highest point on the Palisades Cliffs — just one mile south of the New York State border — State Line Lookout at Palisades Interstate Park offers sweeping views of the Hudson River and the New York City skyline. It is a particularly popular spot for bird watching, as it's one of the state's 14 official hawk-counting sites.
This area is also home to the Lookout Inn, a refreshment stand that boasts a breakfast, lunch and snack menu for those visiting State Line Lookout. And beyond this, the park also offers more than 30 miles of trails with everything from easy strolls to challenging rock scrambles.
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Metered parking is in effect year-round for the lot at State Line Lookout, but the first hour of parking is free. A list of other metered parking areas, as well as days where parking is free, can be found on the park's website.
Go: Access the parking lot from the northbound side of Palisades Interstate Parking, just north of Exit 2, Alpine; 201-768-1360, njpalisades.org/stateline.
Why travel to Washington D.C. when you can get a better view of dazzling cherry blossoms right here in New Jersey? Branch Brook Park, which spans 360 acres and was the nation's first county park, is known for having among the largest and most varied collection of cherry blossom trees in the country.
During peak blooming season, typically within the second and third week of April each year, the park has 5,300 cherry blossom trees with 18 different varieties bursting with color. These trees are located all throughout Branch Brook Park, but most are concentrated in the northernmost part of the park. You can also find the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center here, which features galleries and exhibits that highlight the history of cherry blossoms in Newark.
As for parking, there is a free lot at the Cherry Blossom Welcome Center and several others around the park. You can also find free street park throughout the area.
Go: Lake Street and Park Avenue, Newark; 973-268-3500, essexcountyparks.org/parks/branch-brook-park.
Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at MMcGay@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Best scenic views in North Jersey: Our top picks
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Mammy's riff also piles on ham and eggs. For what Metcalfe declares 'the best beer in bourbon country, brewed right there on-site,' alongside locally sourced comfort food like bacon jalapeño cheeseburger hand pies, fried chicken tenders with tots, and chocolate chip bread pudding, Scout & Scholar Brewing Co. is a local favorite. Come for the food and drinks, and stay for the atmosphere. 'Their patio is one of my favorite places to hang out on a beautiful day,' Metcalfe adds. Some of Bardstown's best restaurants are tucked away inside distilleries, including The Bar at Willett inside Willett Distillery. 'The menu changes weekly to daily, so order whatever catches your eye. In my opinion, this is one of the best—if not the best—restaurants in Kentucky, and I've never been disappointed,' Miller says. If you happen to be there on a lucky day when the 'iconic' egg salad sandwich is on the menu, Smith says this is a must. A spread from Oak & Ember, a restaurant at The Trail Hotel. Jessie Kriech-Higdon/Visit Bardstown Cookbook author and Emmy-nominated chef Marvin Woods has also acted as personal chef for Oprah, Mary J. Blige, Barack Obama, and more. Now in his position as the executive chef at The Trail Hotel's signature 110-seat restaurant Oak & Ember and its lobby bar Embers, he can cook for you, too. Smith says that 'the salmon entrée has become a staple in my diet. The tuna sashimi is super flavorful, too.' I'm still dreaming about the Kentucky burgoo stew and beet salad I enjoyed during my May stay. Fall foliage in the Bernheim Forest and Arboretum. The locals we spoke to boast that Bardstown is beautiful to visit any time of year, but according to Metcalfe, 'fall is when the community really comes to life.' Visit in September to take part in National Bourbon Heritage Month festivities, such as Bardstown's Kentucky Bourbon Festival (one of Smith's favorite weekends of the year). Or vacation in October for peak leaf-peeping and the Bardstown Arts and Crafts Fair. Spring is the runner-up season, Miller adds, since the weather is beautiful and 'there aren't as many people visiting as there are in the fall.' Translation: Lodging prices tend to be more affordable, and distillery and restaurant reservations are easier to come by. The Bardstown, Kentucky welcome center. Bardstown is approximately 45 minutes from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) and about 55 minutes from Lexington's Blue Grass Airport (LEX). Although quaint downtown Bardstown is extremely walkable, you'll likely want a rental car to get to this small town—and to navigate to nearby attractions, such as hiking trails and restaurants. If you don't have a designated driver, plan ahead for car service. The Trail Hotel and certain distilleries can help arrange this. While Uber lists Bardstown as a partner city, available drivers are sparse, so plan ahead for alternative transportation.
