Rutgers Gardens
Rutgers Gardens
4.5
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Rutgers Gardens is a 180-acre botanic garden, consisting of designed gardens, plant collections, a student farm, farmers market, and natural habitats. As part of Rutgers University, Rutgers Gardens serves as a living laboratory for faculty and staff, while providing experiential and service learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. We have a vibrant volunteer program and host many special events and activities for families throughout the year.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
507 within 5 kms
Attractions
122 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
162 reviews
Excellent
86
Very good
55
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
2
lahet
South Brunswick, NJ3 contributions
May 2019
A nice place to spend a couple of hours. Hiking in the adjoining woods is also nice. Lots of flowers in the spring and summer. Lots of trees with signs on them telling you what they are, some of the trees are pretty exotic. A very large and pleasant place to hang out with plants for a bit.
Written 28 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheri D
Yardville, NJ489 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
This was the first time that I had visited the gardens. I was pleasantly surprised how beatiful there are with a "Holly forest" area, a wooded area, and several garden collections. The gardens are carefully and lovingly cared for by the students in the various agricultural and horticultural programs. There is no fee to get in. Before the entrance to get into the gardens is Cook's Market. On Fridays, seasonally till December, the agricultural students sell their produce, along with other vendors. Food is also available and plants can often be for sale at prices that you may find to be cheaper than at a nursery.
Written 5 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anyi
Boston, MA116 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Visited the garden on the Mother’s Day weekend when they had a big plant sale. Huge selections of flowers, bushes, trees and herbs. The volunteers are also very knowledgeable and friendly, telling you all about those plants and it’s caring instructions.
Written 12 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveSBrickUSA
Brick, NJ8,324 contributions
May 2017 • Family
Use 130 Log Cabin Road in your gps. That address will take you on the access road that leads to the Visitor's Parking Lot. Also, please note that the point at which you turn onto Log Cabin Road is not sign posted :(
It did NOT look like the entrance to Rutgers Gardens....I thought: This can't be it....and I passed it by. So, trust your gps and really actually turn onto Log Cabin Road....even if it hardly looks like a road LOL :)
As for the flowers and the bamboo and everything else....see everyone all the other reviews. I just want you to get there.....stress free.
Oh....btw...we spent 1 hour and 15 minutes there. It is a free attraction. Very nice.
It did NOT look like the entrance to Rutgers Gardens....I thought: This can't be it....and I passed it by. So, trust your gps and really actually turn onto Log Cabin Road....even if it hardly looks like a road LOL :)
As for the flowers and the bamboo and everything else....see everyone all the other reviews. I just want you to get there.....stress free.
Oh....btw...we spent 1 hour and 15 minutes there. It is a free attraction. Very nice.
Written 20 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
r-j-infinity
New Brunswick, NJ26 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
If you have the time (several hours), try to explore everything else first and save the Display Gardens for last.
That's what we did... First we entered the archways of the thick Bamboo Grove trees... Then we circled back and wandered among the big trees across from the front of the Holly House. Yes you can immediately walk on the lawn among the trees... No you don't have to walk down the road on the pavement. Dive right in... Get on the grass... Visit each amazing tree that catches your eyes. Some are big and bushy... Others are tall and stalky with great limbs that twist and turn. You will see some of the biggest Holly and Pine and Oak you've ever seen. Many are very interesting in their way and deserve a closer look to enjoy. Go slow, look carefully.
As you meander among the trees, eventually you'll get to the Log Cabin and Pavilion where you get your first hint of the grand flower show to come later... But for now... Wait... What's that?... Looking into the woods by the Log Cabin, you can barely see a glint through the thick trees... What have we here?... It's a Big body of water down far far below Let's see... So you walk until you come to a path that leads into the woods... And finally you come to a clearing... Now you can see! ... You are actually way up high on a bank. In fact, the entire place is way up high on a bank and the river is far far below (50 feet to be exact).
The path beckons you to wander deeper into the woods along the bank. It's Helyar Woods and it is a big tract. A quarter of the way in, you'll come to a deep ravine where the trail goes way down to a run-off stream... and then way back up to the other side. From there you could continue again high up along the water, with occasional places to stop and sit... eventually getting to the end. Or, you could turn off and meander on the Meander Trail to the Seasonal Maize in the Meadow and eventually cross the stream again at a different place and head back to the Log Cabin or perhaps one of several other trail heads that lead to the edge of Rutgers Gardens.
Finally, heading towards the Display Gardens you could first pass the Ornamental Tree collection. Then you could wander to the Sun and Shade Garden. Hello... what is this sign say? Rain Garden?... What is that? You'll have to see... and it's a nice surprise. Then you can wander up through the big trees into the Pollinator Garden... then stop off at the Gazebo.
Next you can see the Rhododendron Garden... which must be lovely in bloom.... and then for a breather you can cross past the Potting Shed Shop into the big open Water Conversation Terrace and finally up to... the Display Garden... which was fully in bloom today Oct 5. How do they do that? Flowers of all kinds, shapes, and colors, each worth a picture or two or more.
Next there is the Herb Garden... with its elegant patio. It's also a sensory garden... meaning... you can run your hand over the leaves and then hold your hand near your face to savor the aroma of thyme or rosemary or basil.
Last you might want to go to the All America Selections Garden... where you can see flowers and unusual leafy display vegetables along with visiting monarch butterflies (we saw at least 5) and even a humming bird, which surprised us because it was an early October day. The beautiful tiny green bird... It let us get right up close to watch it hover from blossom to blossom.
So now you know... there is a lot to see... much of it fascinating on first sight... if you have the time and the eye to see all there is to offer and leisurely explore. Each space is different and leads to another interesting space.
That's what we did... First we entered the archways of the thick Bamboo Grove trees... Then we circled back and wandered among the big trees across from the front of the Holly House. Yes you can immediately walk on the lawn among the trees... No you don't have to walk down the road on the pavement. Dive right in... Get on the grass... Visit each amazing tree that catches your eyes. Some are big and bushy... Others are tall and stalky with great limbs that twist and turn. You will see some of the biggest Holly and Pine and Oak you've ever seen. Many are very interesting in their way and deserve a closer look to enjoy. Go slow, look carefully.
As you meander among the trees, eventually you'll get to the Log Cabin and Pavilion where you get your first hint of the grand flower show to come later... But for now... Wait... What's that?... Looking into the woods by the Log Cabin, you can barely see a glint through the thick trees... What have we here?... It's a Big body of water down far far below Let's see... So you walk until you come to a path that leads into the woods... And finally you come to a clearing... Now you can see! ... You are actually way up high on a bank. In fact, the entire place is way up high on a bank and the river is far far below (50 feet to be exact).
The path beckons you to wander deeper into the woods along the bank. It's Helyar Woods and it is a big tract. A quarter of the way in, you'll come to a deep ravine where the trail goes way down to a run-off stream... and then way back up to the other side. From there you could continue again high up along the water, with occasional places to stop and sit... eventually getting to the end. Or, you could turn off and meander on the Meander Trail to the Seasonal Maize in the Meadow and eventually cross the stream again at a different place and head back to the Log Cabin or perhaps one of several other trail heads that lead to the edge of Rutgers Gardens.
Finally, heading towards the Display Gardens you could first pass the Ornamental Tree collection. Then you could wander to the Sun and Shade Garden. Hello... what is this sign say? Rain Garden?... What is that? You'll have to see... and it's a nice surprise. Then you can wander up through the big trees into the Pollinator Garden... then stop off at the Gazebo.
Next you can see the Rhododendron Garden... which must be lovely in bloom.... and then for a breather you can cross past the Potting Shed Shop into the big open Water Conversation Terrace and finally up to... the Display Garden... which was fully in bloom today Oct 5. How do they do that? Flowers of all kinds, shapes, and colors, each worth a picture or two or more.
Next there is the Herb Garden... with its elegant patio. It's also a sensory garden... meaning... you can run your hand over the leaves and then hold your hand near your face to savor the aroma of thyme or rosemary or basil.
Last you might want to go to the All America Selections Garden... where you can see flowers and unusual leafy display vegetables along with visiting monarch butterflies (we saw at least 5) and even a humming bird, which surprised us because it was an early October day. The beautiful tiny green bird... It let us get right up close to watch it hover from blossom to blossom.
So now you know... there is a lot to see... much of it fascinating on first sight... if you have the time and the eye to see all there is to offer and leisurely explore. Each space is different and leads to another interesting space.
Written 6 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicarmuddlebush
170 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
The horticulture faculty of Rutgers long ago began to conspire to created this great space and collection of "trials"--tests of plants before a new cultivar gets general release--that now constitute an impressive collection. The azalea and rhododendron walk is so lovely you can almost ignore the traffic noise from Rte 1. Originally a more "grand scale" set of plantings, recent additions have been more geared to modest, domestic landscaping. The log cabin is perennial favorite place for gatherings of all sorts and can be rented at reasonable prices. The gardens are now host to a variety of short courses and the weekly farmer's markets, which, in addition to providing good fresh produce and other comestibles (even once a month in the winter), have offered transition employment and entrepreneurial experience to NJ high risk juveniles. But beyond all the good and practical work that is accomplished here, the gardens offer a place of beauty,, peace, and tranquility and the opportunity to see the fruits of scholarship and hard work of the faculty and numerous students...for me, especially exciting are the offerings in dogwood, lilacs, and hollies.
Written 29 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veronica P
Old Bridge, NJ5 contributions
Jun 2016
Over the summer and fall months every Friday from 11am-5pm they have a Farmer's Market with absolutely delicious food vendors. The gardens themselves are large and beautiful. You can also book the log cabin for personal festivities.
Written 17 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sharon G
Blairstown, NJ2 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Be extremely careful especially in the bamboo area for ticks. We all had several ticks on us and we walked to the river and immediately back. It was nice but way too many ticks.
Written 9 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GraceNYSTravel
6 contributions
May 2019 • Family
I would like to keep this as a secret as much as possible. Good place for walk in the park with beautiful enclaved gardens including floras in season. The best thing is that it's free and open to all including parking.
Written 27 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angiehaddad
Monroe, NJ244 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Excellent place to hike with a variety of trails...very scenic. Beautiful grounds at any time of year!
Written 12 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Phoebe S
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
What is the best way to get to Rutgers Gardens via Rutgers campus buses?
Written 30 June 2016
To the best of my knowledge, there are no Rutgers buses which go to the gardens. I would advise calling Rutgers information. They might know.
Written 3 July 2016
A Tripadvisor member
San Antonio, Texas
Id like to know about wedding events held there.
Written 20 June 2015
If you simply google "Rutgers Gardens: Garden Ceremonies", the first hit will take you to a very information page that should answer all your questions.
It is a GORGEOUS location for a wedding, but I have no personal knowledge of how well they are run.
Written 20 June 2015
Showing results 1-3 of 3
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing