Probably my favorite spot in town. You really do feel like you’re somewhere else. The grounds are kept clean and you aren’t really running Into other people since not many visit this spot which makes it great to find relaxation and peace. The flowers are as always well taken care of and so are the facilities. Don’t forget to donate so this place can maintain it’s beauty and be free for all to enjoy.

This place is good to be visited through mid-spring and early summer. This is a time of abundant blooms in all climate zones. its Fall season now and we missed to witness how gorgeous they are. we will try to comeback here during blooming season. parking is limited ground area is not that big good for photoshot area

This place is absolutely breathtaking. There’s so much beauty in nature. Small parking area. Not too crowded. You can spend hours in this place, that’s how beautiful it is. Well kept and very clean. New Jersey really is the garden state :)

My photos don’t do any justice for how beautiful and romantic this location is!! The VAN VLECK HOUSE & GARDENS! I can picture a vow renewal ceremony or wedding! Lovely stroll through the garden! Beautiful flowers and cherry blossoms! Cellphone tour available!

I learned about this place via Instagram. I've lived near Montclair for a long time and never heard anyone talk about this place. That might be a good thing since it was not crowded when my partner and I went there on a Sunday afternoon. Very peaceful spot. Beautiful flowers everywhere. If you love nature, then this is a must. The garden is not big. My partner and I ended up staying here for about 45 minutes. It can take about 15 minutes to see the place. There were many outdoor seating areas. So we stopped, sat, and talked for a bit. There was a family there taking professional photoshoot and a young lady taking graduation pictures with her family. I'm sure those pictures came out amazing. My partner and I did not attempt to go inside the house. We weren't even sure if it was open. Because the garden is small, the free onsite parking lot is also small. We parked on the street right next to the garden. All and all, I have nothing negative to say. It's free to visit but donations are appreciated.

This is one of my favorite gardens in Essex County to visit in mostly in spring and summer. it’s a lovely garden with many nice sections to walk around and enjoy nature and just to relax ☺️👍🏻

Van Vleck House is a nice sanctuary from every day life. A visit there will take you away and back in time to when the Van Vleck family lived there. The garden and the gardening center are so serene to walk through. Just sit on a bench and admire the place. If you get there at the right time (May), you will find the most beautiful wisteria plant climbing around a court yard and up the porch.

Beautiful hidden gem! Peaceful place for a little time off. It’s free, just donations r accepted . Go smell some flowers and spot the rabbits! As of 6/13/22 the house is closed to the public.

It was small garden. But well maintained and clean ~ I expected wisteria blossoms but too green already! Still, it was a beautiful day today in the garden~ And bathroom was clean as well! It was great place to visit this spring~ since it is free ~

Beautiful park, even in autumn, the red maple leaves are amazing. Free admission, walk in over the weekend afternoon, only takes 30 minutes to loop around. The parking is a little confusing, you can park in side. The door is automatic, drive close and it will open. Two entrances for car, on 2 sides.

Really pretty gardens! We have loved here for 2.5 years and have always wanted to check the gardens out but never got a chance. Finally through some recommendations we visited this past week to see the scarecrows which we thought out young kids would like. It’s so cute! There are just under 30 scarecrows and each one is decorated uniquely. My kids loved pointing to each one and describing them. We weren’t there for very long. Probably about 15-20 minutes but we walked some of the gardens which was beautiful. Definitely will check out the rest!

Very peaceful and beautiful gardens. The entrance I came through had a closed gate but automatically opened when you pulled up. There was not an entrance fee. There are a few trails within the plants as well as main trails. The Van Vleck house is beautiful especially with the wisteria. Lots of benches around to relax and enjoy the grounds. Visitor center was open, not much to see but there were restrooms if needed. There was a no pets allowed sign at entrance FYI. These cell pics don't do it justice. I brought my real camera and took lots of photos. Def reccomend for a visit!

Smallish and free to visit botanical garden. Like other gardens I have been to the time of visit is important. I saw only a few flowering plants on this visit but imagine it would be quite a bit more impressive during peak blooming times. Can't complain as it is donations only but expect you can spend an hour or two maybe here. Guessing they might also hold events on the grounds but can't be sure.

If you are looking for a nice family activity and want to explore beautiful gardens and flowers, you will definitely want to visit this lovely location. Free to enter and park, educational for all ages, plus the added bonus of just being permitted to freely roam the majority of the property and explore makes this a great outdoor outing. I spent nearly 3 hours here and was in no rush to leave. Even for a "date-day" this would be a perfect spot as it is quiet, serene and there are several benches and sitting areas spread throughout the property - I would highly suggest you pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the tranquility away from everyday chaos. You won't regret it. Restrooms are on premises, but be sure to leave only your footsteps. This is nature at its finest.

We enjoyed a beautiful day at the Van Vleck House and Gardens. The weather was perfect. The grounds are beautiful. We took photos and enjoyed the property. Bring a picnic lunch on a sunny day.

This place is freaking gorgeous! it’s quiet, beautiful, and full of life. If you’re looking for somewhere to clear your mind this is definitely the place, my mother and I loved it and will for sure be coming back next year when spring is in full bloom. The wildlife around here are both pleasant to hear and watch.

This place is a must see. Truly a hidden gem in Montclair. The mansion and gardens here are just stunningly beautiful. There is such a tremendous variety of flowers, flowering bushes and trees, and other flora! There is a donation box located adjacent to the mansion, requesting a suggested $5 donation, but it is up to you. Amazing place!

beautiful place and well adorned by the gardeners. I saw lots of buzzing bees and various species all over and it was a free walk and was great place to walk around and catch up. highly recommended

If you want to eat brunch and dinner and take lots and lots of pictures with your friends I highly recommend Van Vleck House and Gardens. It's amazing! I even saw 2 different brides and grooms on their wedding day taking pictures. That's how beautiful it is. If you don't believe me go and see for your self.

Amazing gardens / arboretum. Very creative space usage allows to pack multiple views into limited acreage. On-site parking with automatic gate opener.

Beautiful gardens and mansion and great place to spend the afternoon. Gem in the middle of the town. Well maintained and the audio phone your is a plus

Nice garden in North Jersey! Most important...you don't have pay any entry/parking fee!! Please feel free to donate whatever you can so that the 'free' thing could be maintained by trustee (?) years after years 😁

Beautiful & well kept gardens. Plenty of benches to sit and enjoy a peaceful moment. Everyone was masked and considerate of others personal space. A lovely little oasis of nature.

Beautiful landscaping. The flowers and trees are exquisite. Nice place for a walk and to bring the famil.

Nice well kept public garden

Absolutely beautiful grounds and mansion. Loved it!

First visit to a hidden gem so close to where I live & work. As others have stated, parking is limited. I wish that I could go back in time 100 years to see the property in it's hayday.

Absolutely beautiful garden! Hidden gem perfect for family visit, photo shoot or picnic. Also, they have Yoga and meditation classes right in the garden!(check website page for the evdnts)

Very quiet and peaceful garden. You feel so relaxed after visiting this place

A beautiful place if you are looking to relax and have a day all to yourself or with the company of another! There are many different types of plants and species of trees and the wildlife is definitely a plus! You can honestly walk around the garden a million times and you still may end up finding something that you didn’t see before! The garden is completely free and so is parking! This is also definitely a good place for a first date, as there are lots of spaces to sit and enjoy the scenery! 10/10 would recommend on a warm summer day or a sunny and cool fall afternoon!

Nice place to go if you are somewhere around. However, very small garden. Looks bigger in pictures. But, nicely maintained and very clean. They are having scarecrow exhibit now.

Nice place to walk around, relax, and enjoy flowers. Not a big place but you can still find something interesting to look at. Heard some classical music being played by professional musicians, it adds more feeling to my stroll there! :) A wedding was being held there, good setting for the occasion.

Stunning and peaceful.

It's a beautiful place to walk around with family.

Very nice place

If you want to have a peaceful moment in nature with you or your loved ones, this is the right place. Specially at the Tennis Court Garden.

Nice place. Good for pictures and picnic. A little bit small tho.

Loved this place. Had no idea it even existed. It feels like a nice walk in the forest where you can spot wildlife in its true form. It's pretty big so next time I come I plan it to be an all day activity. By far I think the rose garden was simply amazing and the trails thru the forest. Make sure to also visit the museum inside and the house...

I visited Van Vleck House and Gardens in early January and enjoyed the walk in the Gardens. I will be coming back in spring to enjoy this Garden. Good place to sit, relax and enjoy the beauty of this place. Admission is free to public and any donation is very well appreciated.

Beautiful grounds and amazing foliage! A must see!

What a gorgeous place in Montclair! The gardens are full of hidden paths and little surprises are around each turn. Interspersed benches give you a place to sit and reflect on the solitude or catch up on a conversation with a friend. The grounds are impeccably maintained. Although it is free to visit, be sure to leave a donation in the box near the entrance to help the Foundation keep up their good work. There's a small parking lot, so go early for a spot and to take advantage of a fairly empty set of grounds.

Beautiful gardens,well kept and a great escape close to the city. It's free, there is a small set of parking spaces and street parking and plenty of varieties of trees and plants!

Beautiful lush garden is a mini escape in the middle of Montclair. Entrance is donation only. Lovely place to wander around for an afternoon.

An oasis of biodiversity in an otherwise mundane nondescript New Jersey suburb. Beautiful flora and refreshingly manicured snapshots of landscaping and horticulture. Free entry and not crowded when I visited, definitely a place worth visiting for a nice walk around the grounds. 🌺

Pretty amazing experience.

Super cool place to bring kids! And it's free beautiful grounds

Nice and peaceful garden. Not crowded at all. Good to enjoy couple of hours of peaceful coexistence with nature.

Public bathrooms are all closed. This is really unacceptable if you have to drive any distance to visit the grounds.

It is a serene environment

Good House but a terrible maintained garden. It is small and bad!!

Perfect place to pursue Peace of Mind

It's a good little community park

Beautiful Gardens

Love this place! it is a huge land that offers some cool gardens and mini forests, my personal fav is the rose garden. Highly recommended for parents to take the kids.

Peaceful

Lovely peaceful place, with no entrance fee

My sister got proposed to here. Really pretty garden

So pretty here

A beautiful & whimsical garden not so far from the crowded urban spaces. Visited this garden on a fine Sunday morning in June, there were barely 4-5 people present. They have a great collection of blooming flowers, serene fountain across the Education Center, a Greenhouse & a cute trail-like path running across the garden.

A hidden oasis in the middle of Montclair. Just a few steps down a trail and it feels like you're transported to a magical world far away. The trails are kept pristine, and the gardens are bursting with beautiful flora and native fauna. It was nearly empty when I went, which made for an incredibly relaxing visit. There's multiple parking lots which keeps it from getting too crowded. Right down the road from the Presby Iris Gardens!

Van Vleck Gardens is located on Van Vleck Pl in Montclair it is a botanical garden and has tours and other things to offer as well the tours are fun and the flowers 💐 are great 👍

Perfect, quiet place in the middle of the city

Peaceful beauty year round. I love taking my daughter here for a little quiet time.

Very nice place. Can't wait to go back when the flowers are in season!