Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, NJ Is Exquisite

Marina P. Kennedy
/ June 17, 2026
/ Living

Sometimes you can stay local and feel as though you have travelled far and wide! We recently visited the pristine and beautiful Greenwood Gardens located in Short Hills, New Jersey.

This 28-acre destination is only a 45-minute drive from NYC and close to a number of NJ Transit lines. It is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from May 1 to November 8 and there are admission fees.

Rose Species

A little history. Geologic events in the Triassic age gave rise to subterranean parallel lava flows that erosion would later create the Watchung Mountains. Spanning the Second Mountain of these towering hills, Greenwood is situated 450 feet above sea level offering sweeping views of the area.

Tennis Pavillion

While a number of individuals of European ancestry once owned the property, it was sold in 1906 to Joseph P. Day, a successful NYC real estate auctioneer. In the 20 years that the Day family owned the property, more than a million dollars was invested in their mansion and the 100 acres of property surrounding it.

Aboreal Beauty

In 1949, a good portion of the property was purchased by Peter P. Blanchard and his wife, Dr. Adelaide Childs Frick Blanchard. They did much to improve the property, replacing the Day’s mansion with a smaller structure in the Georgian Revival style, the house that survives today. The Blanchards also named the estate “The Greenwoods.” Peter and Adelaide’s son, Peter III and his wife Sophia later launched the non-profit organization, Greenwood Gardens as a beautiful resource for the public.

The Cascade

Today, guests can wander the gardens, observe beautiful blooms, relax by the ponds, take shade under the towering trees, and admire the sturdy original architecture of buildings such as the Teahouse, Summerhouse and Tennis Pavillion. The recently restored Cascade that was inspired by a fountain at the Villa Conti in Frascati, Italy, offers extensive views.

Greenwood Gardens is a truly magical, majestic destination in the heart of New Jersey. It is a memorable day trip for those who appreciate botanical splendor and architectural design.

Greenwood Gardens is located at 274 Old Short Hills Road. Short Hills, NJ 07078. For more information, please visit Greenwood Gardens – Connecting people with nature in a historic oasis and call 973.258.4026.

Photo Credit: Marina P. Kennedy

Share This Post:

Related Articles: Living

Living

Kraków – A Medieval City Now Thrives as a Modern Cultural Center

Kraków managed to escape much of the destruction rained on other Polish cities during World War II. Krakow’s Old Town, the historic part of the city, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978,…

Living

Going Solo – Caryl E. Dolinko Shares What to Know Before Taking That Solo Trip

If you’re considering a solo vacation or need to take a long-distance business trip on your own, then Caryl E. Doling’s “A Woman’s Guide to World Travel” is the perfect guide.

Living

Hospitality Spotlight: Ruben Ruelas – Executive Chef at Hilton Cancun

With more than two decades of culinary experience and a lifelong passion for hospitality, RubenRuelas serves as Executive Chef at Hilton Cancun, an All-Inclusive Resort (Hilton Cancun).

Living

Try Pampering at Spa Castle in Queens and Skip the Beach Traffic

Spa Castle, with its bright white and blue façade, made me feel I’d landed somewhere in the Mediterranean, yet I was adjacent to the Whitestone Expressway, and a stone’s throw away from the bridge.

Living

Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton, New Jersey, Debuts New Exhibition

Grounds for Sculpture (GFS), the 42-acre grand sculpture garden founded by Seward Johnson, is offering art lovers and many more a new reason to visit!

Living

Dating After 45 Is Different and Honestly That’s a Good Thing

“You are not twenty-five anymore, and that is probably one of the best things that ever happened to your dating life,” says relationship expert Jackie Dorman.

Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom – Finding the Right Dress

Carolyn Swartz June 17, 2026

“Larissa is 5’11” and wearing a size 2. ”

Swell. Now let’s see how this dress looks on someone like me, who’s 5’7″ (on a good day) and lucky to squeeze into a 10.

In Poland, I Sent Two More Letters to John Thune and Wrote This One – 113 – On My Return to New York City

Charlene Giannetti June 17, 2026

After 10 days in Poland, I saw our country from another perspective and discovered what we can learn from the Polish people.

Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills, NJ Is Exquisite

Marina P. Kennedy June 17, 2026

Sometimes you can stay local and feel as though you have travelled far and wide! We recently visited the pristine and beautiful Greenwood Gardens located in Short Hills, New Jersey.

Reading Between the Lines: How to Evaluate Dating Site Reviews

Contributed June 17, 2026

Choosing an online dating platform is a deeply personal decision. The stakes are high – not just financially, but emotionally. A poor choice can mean months of frustration and exposure to scams. That is why so many people turn to reviews before signing up. The review landscape for dating sites is unusually noisy. Affiliate marketers, disgruntled former users, and competing platforms all contribute content that can be difficult to distinguish from genuine assessments. A thorough

Poet’s Corner – Imagination

Marsha Solomon June 16, 2026

“Imagination” and “Balance” just seem to go together. Marsha Solomon brings them together in her poem and artwork.

When Life Changes Direction: What I Learned About Starting Over in Texas

Contributed June 16, 2026

I never thought I’d be the person writing about divorce. But here I am, two years after filing, and I’ve learned more about paperwork, patience, and starting fresh than I ever wanted to know. My friend Sarah called me last March at 11:30pm, crying because her marriage was ending and she had no idea where to start. I remembered that feeling – sitting at my kitchen table at 2am, googling “how do I even begin