Duke Farms
Nature Preserve · Hillsborough, New Jersey
Two thousand seven hundred acres in Hillsborough that were Doris Duke's estate and are now one of the largest privately funded environmental centres in the eastern United States — AND IT IS FREE. There are no cars inside: you walk or cycle eighteen miles of trail past a hundred-year-old landscape of lakes, follies and specimen trees that a tobacco fortune built and a foundation is now deliberately rewilding. THE HAY BARN IS A ROOFLESS STONE SHELL WITH A GARDEN PLANTED INSIDE IT and it is the best thing here. Note that THE MANSION WAS DEMOLISHED IN 2016 and visitors still come looking for it.
1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, New Jersey, 08844, United States
FREE, with free parking. NO CARS INSIDE — the estate is walked or cycled, with bicycle hire on site seasonally. CHECK WHETHER A TIMED RESERVATION IS CURRENTLY REQUIRED: Duke Farms has used online booking at various points, the policy has changed more than once, and when it is in force walk-ups are turned away. IT IS CLOSED AT LEAST ONE DAY A WEEK, historically Mondays and at times Tuesdays as well, and the days have varied — verify before driving. NO DOGS ARE PERMITTED ANYWHERE on the property and there is no kennel. THE MANSION WAS DEMOLISHED IN 2016 and there is no house tour. The Orchid Range glasshouse is the only substantial indoor space.