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West Orange is a township of about 48,000 people in Essex County, New Jersey, set along the slopes of the First Watchung Mountain about 15 miles west of Manhattan. It is best known as the place where Thomas Edison spent the second half of his career, running a huge laboratory and factory complex here from 1887 until his death in 1931.
Thomas Edison National Historical Park preserves that laboratory, with its chemistry rooms, machine shops and library, as well as Glenmont, the Edison family mansion in the historic Llewellyn Park neighborhood. The township also holds much of South Mountain Reservation and Eagle Rock Reservation, wooded county parks with trails and sweeping views of the New York City skyline.
The Essex County recreation complex on Northfield Avenue is home to Turtle Back Zoo, a treetop adventure course and an ice arena, making West Orange a popular family day out. Newark, Montclair and Manhattan are all within easy reach.
The preserved laboratory complex where Thomas Edison and his team worked for more than 40 years, with chemistry labs, machine shops, the three-story library and a replica of the Black Maria film studio. Rangers lead tours and answer questions. Buy timed tickets online and allow two to three hours.
The 29-room Queen Anne mansion in Llewellyn Park where Thomas and Mina Edison lived, still filled with their original furnishings, plus the garage with family cars and the graves of the couple behind the house. Visits are by ranger-led tour from the laboratory site, and space is limited, so reserve ahead.
A popular county zoo with animals from around the world, including giraffes, penguins, wolves, bears and a reptile house, plus a train ride, carousel and petting areas for children. It is open year-round with reduced winter hours. Arrive at opening on summer weekends, when parking fills quickly.
An outdoor high ropes and zip line course in the trees next to Turtle Back Zoo, with bridges, swings and platforms at several difficulty levels, plus a lower course for younger children. Wear closed-toe shoes and expect height and age limits. It runs seasonally, so book a time slot in advance.
An Essex County ice arena in the South Mountain recreation complex with two rinks used for public skating, lessons, figure skating and hockey. Skate rentals are available. Combine a session with a visit to the zoo next door, and check the public skate schedule, which changes with the season.
A wooded county park on top of the Watchung ridge with a famous lookout over Newark, the Meadowlands and the Manhattan skyline, plus hiking and biking trails through the forest. Sunset and clear winter days give the best views. Parking is free at the main overlook on Eagle Rock Avenue.
A memorial at the Eagle Rock overlook honoring the Essex County residents who died on September 11, 2001, many of whom commuted to New York. Their names are etched into stone facing the Manhattan skyline where the attacks took place. It is a quiet place for reflection and is free to visit at any time.
A large Essex County forest preserve on the Watchung ridge with more than 20 miles of trails, streams, waterfalls, the Orange Reservoir and scenic lookouts. It is popular for hiking, trail running and dog walking. Pick up a trail map at the main lots, as several blazed trails cross each other in the woods.
Founded in 1853, Llewellyn Park is considered one of the first planned residential communities in the United States, with curving roads and grand homes set in a natural landscape. It is a private gated community, so the public can only enter on the ranger-led tours to Glenmont, Edison's home inside the park.
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