Duke Farms in NJ

We finally made it there after the renovations!  It used to be guided tours in the green houses. That was a beautiful place to go, especially in the middle of February, when you walk inside and smell summer in the middle of winter. Now they remade the place, and you can go hiking through the grounds. It is also beautiful.  I think I like it better now, mostly because it is outdoors and unguided!  They kept an orchid green house open for visitors. It is a great place to visit.

We went on a four hour hike through the grounds on a nice September day.  It was not too hot, but not cold yet, just perfect weather.  What a lovely place.  So many wonders to see.  I took over a 100 photographs that day.  After the hike we were pretty hungry,  the visitor center has a good menu of light foods, sandwiches and salads type.  We wound up having lunch right there.

They also have a bike rental, where you can borrow a bike for free!!! You have to be over 60 inches tall though.  We have our bikes that we love to ride, and this place inspired us to get a bike rack and come on our bikes. A lot of ground to cover. We did it on foot, and it took a good 4 hours, hoping that on bikes it will be faster and fun.  Another plus is no cars, and I will feel a lot better about my wild 11 year old on the bike there.

Oh, and one of the days when my boys are all grown up I am coming back with a canvas and paint, and spending the day with my hubby painting there.

The place also offers a whole bunch of classes and workshops.  Here is their site: http://dukefarms.org/

Doris Duke also has an interesting biography, which the big kid and I spend the night reading. Certainly shows that money doesn't buy happiness.