Trailside Nature and Science Center

Took the kids to this place for a friend’s daughter’s birthday party. It’s not as big as other sciences centers but it something to do for kids. They have a small party room for you to host a party. You do have to provide your own food and drinks though. When the party started the hostess takes the kids into a library area where they explain all the different types of animals found in the wild. They showed them a turtle and snake where the kids participate to pet them. They hostess also read stories to them as well.
After we were done with the party, the kids explored the three levels of exhibits they had. Its not a big place so you can finish the exhibits within a hour. I guess they have a guided tour outside but we did not go because it was cold outside and not properly dressed to be outdoors. Overall, its a nice place to take the kids if they are bored at home. I would recommend kids about 10 years and under would enjoy it more.

Came here for a 4 year old birthday party. There is a private party room which people can book for parties. The party started out with kids gathering in the classroom (away from the party room) with two hostess and learned the different reptiles such as snakes and turtles. After an engaging interactive discussion, the hostess brought out the live animals and let the kids pet them, which my 9 and 6 year old enjoyed. Afterwards, they used hand sanitizer and then head over to the party room.
It’s a cute small trailside science center. It has 3 floors of observation and some activities. Some were live animals and some were fun facts. There’s plenty of parking and of course a trail activity which I heard is great for group observation or just anyone would like to take a walk. It’s a great exercise and also pet friendly too. Because it was cold in late January, we decided to venture indoors after the party.

I grew up roaming around (and loving) the Watchung Reservation and so it’s nice to pass some experiences along to my daughter. I love the Trailside Center for just that reason — it’s maintained the same charm all these years even though it’s also nice to see progress in the updated programs and facility. Visiting the center (and the reservation) is the perfect antidote to our crazy, hectic lives.

We visited on a summer Saturday afternoon with our six year old son and four year old daughter. The was plenty of parking and about three other families in the center while were there. So it seemed spacious and very comfortable compared to other family attractions which are more busy this time of year.
The exhibits held our kids attention pretty well. They are to young to read the displays but they walked every bit of the center and looked at each display.
There is a place where they have a flower garden outside a full wall picture window. They have guest book where you are to write down what wild life you see in the garden. My son really liked this and he saw a brown rat, a blue jay and a sparrow. He also saw flies and a bee.
There is also a dark theater room with an audio program about sounds of the night. The kids enjoyed this and sat quietly through the entire program.
After the center we walked a half mile trail called the red trail which forms a loop in the woods outside the center.
I would recommend this center for families looking for a low stress activity to take a few hours with your kids. I plan to take my kids back about once a season from now on.

We had our twins 6yr birthday party here this past weekend and the kids had a wonderful time. We had a dinosaur theme and the naturalists did a great job keeping the attention of 16 six yr olds– we will surely venture back! Some parents have even scheduled their child’s party there– the grounds and center are beautiful.

Free and has excellent hiking trails. Museum has 3 levels and they offer classes too. Did I mention it’s free. Open even during winter times. Great for students and little kids.

This is a great place to spend an hour or so. I have been coming here for over 30 years. The exhibits are very interesting, and change occasionally. The lectures and shows are always fresh and entertaining. The facility is not huge but big enough for a relaxing time. Out side is a great lawn to hike and explore.

Definitely a great place to visit if you want to learn more about animals. The exhibits that they have here are very impressive.

Most of the reviews here are for the Watchung Reservation itself, but I’m reviewing the Trailside Museum tucked away inside the forest.
If you need a cheap, short, educational activity for the kids, here’s the place to go. This little museum is well done for its size and obvious lack of foot traffic. There are two main levels teaching about most aspects of the Watchung Reservation including Native American history, animal wildlife, bugs, plants, terrain, etc. There are several hands-​on activities and interactive experiences that are really quite fun (for kids). They also hold special classes for larger groups of kids about biology, geology, etc.
In all, this is a great little addition to a reservation – especially in the summer when you’re desperate for some cool air. :)

This place is awesome. Very cool and entertaining activity stations for children that have appeal for both young and older kids. I was impressed by the exhibits. There are also some trails outside and a playground nearby. I was pleasantly surprised by this place and I will surely go again. There were fish tanks and an observation window with a bird feeder and a guide for birds that frequent the area. There were tunnels and rooms and other things for kids to explore not just look at. Our toddler loved it and ran all over the place looking at turtles and birds’ nests. It was great. We live close by and did not even know it was there until today.

The Watchung Reservation is Union County’s best place for hiking and seeing a diversity of animals, plants, mushrooms and natural beauty. In autumn, Lake Surprise is spectacular ~ there’s no need to drive out of state to see the colorful foliage! There are 13 miles of hiking trails in the 2000+ acres that the reservation is in. There are some wildlife viewing spots that are great when you have your camera and/​or binoculars with you.
There are so many different areas to see and each is so very different during the changing seasons. The pine forest was one of my favorite places in the 70’s & 80’s when you would feel the big change in light and temperature as you walked through it. Now, a lot of sunlight filters through; it’s still nice, but not as unique as it used to be.
Trailside Nature & Science Center has many interesting exhibits and programs for children, especially during the summer months. This is the location of the Wildlife Sunday’s in the spring. Behind the building is an area with stepping stones that have the tracks that many of the animals in the reservation leave. I’ve been going there since I was a child, when the original Trailside Museum was built (in the late 60’s).
When my son was 5 years old, I enrolled him in a few summer programs through the museum (back in 1983). One took place in the Deserted Village (historic village of Feltville), built in 1845. I sat under the pine trees on a soft bed of pine needles enjoying the quiet while he was learning about Pond Life.
It’s fun to drive over to the Watchung Stables and watch the riders practice and on occasion, watching people going on the trail rides. The stables are open to the public.
All in all, for a place that’s close to home, I give it a 5 star rating because you leave feeling more at peace and in touch with nature.
Here is the link in the county’s website:

I don’t technically go here (it’s the only place I can check in on Unilocal when I hike). I love the Watchung Reservation. I usually take one of the dogs that I dog walk for (volunteering) here for a couple of hours and get good exercise as well. There is a lot of scenery and you bump into a lot of friendly people (especially if you have a cute dog… like their owner…=)). They have plenty of trails and it’s a good way to tire yourself and your best friend. Grab a map and get going. ENJOY!

We went for a hike here the other day. Now I am really curious why we don’t come here more often. I was surprised how large the reservation is and how well maintained it was. Trail maps are available online or in the trail side museum. The trails were well marked and on the easier side. We will return.

I love this place! I come here often, Trailside has a great discovery room and we enjoy the loop too, I took lots of pictures here as well as Watchung which is one of the rare wooden castle like playgrounds. If you want to find out more of what we thought, find out more on nj playgrounds site listed on my profile (had to remove link because of Unilocal Terms of Service)

One of my favorite places to go as a child– my dad brought us here on weekends to look at the turtles, stop by the planetarium, and look at dead stuffed animals. It used to freak us out a little, but it was fun. A lot of the stuff was old and run down back in the day, but we didn’t really care. Lots of trails to hike and a great place for families to hang out for the day. The boxes that you reach into that have secret things inside like fur and shells used to scare the crap out of us. Good memories.

This place brings me back to my childhood days when the Trailside Museum had a small zoo in front. I don’t go often anymore, but when I do, it brings back to those sunny memorable days.

They recently redid the Trailside Nature Center, and quite frankly it’s breathtaking. A must stop if you’re in the area!

*****I DOUBLE MY FIVE STARS ON THIS REVIEW*****
oh the ever so exquisite Watchung res… I don’t know where to begin!
Just when you keep hearing of global warming and all that this world has amounted to… there’s the Watchung reservation that continues to remind you that there is still some clean air left, untouched and not developed and kept very clean. This place is VERY peaceful and truly beautiful. My parents had their wedding here back in the day, as hippies did, and to this day you may see one going on-​right in the middle of everything God created, it’s breath taking indeed.
A place to go alone to rejuvenate or bring the kids for the day of BBQ and playground action.
ALOT of history exists here, even stories written in WEIRD NJ, so it can also serve as a great exploration date with a car load of curious friends. Pssst: go at night –it’s scary!
There are many activities offered here as well, and only a ½ hr ride from NYC–