Acorn Hall

Birthplace of the telegraph and home to NJ’s best meatballs.

By Sarah Emily Gilbert 

Morristown, New Jersey has the conveniences of a city and the charm of suburbia. Along with access to mass transit and a walkable downtown, the Morris County town boasts Victorian-era homes, respected public schools, and historic sites. Among its estimated 18,594 residents are young professionals happy to find a culturally vibrant area where they can raise their families and arrive at Penn Station in an hour’s time.

Along with commuters, Morristown attracts serious foodies. Eclectic restaurants, bars, and eateries line the downtown area.  This includes Millie’s Old World Meatballs and Pizza, or as locals call it, “Home to New Jersey’s Best Meatballs.” The town is also home to three national landmarks: political cartoonist, Thomas Nast’s home, “The Birthplace of the Telegraph” or Historical Speedway, and the Morristown National Historical Park, which consists of three sites pivotal during the American Revolution. Another spot that warrants a visit is the oldest existing guide dog school in the world, The Seeing Eye.

The Morris County Tourism Bureau offers guided tours throughout the town on various topics including “Gilded Age Morristown,” “Secrets and Lore of Morristown’s Historic District,” and “Morristown in Three Centuries.” Their free walking tour app, complete with professional narration, is available for download on iTunes. The interactive app guides users through the town’s historic district, highlighting the gravesites of prominent Morristown founders, its architecturally unique churches, and other notable landmarks.

Morristown Historic Speedwell

The Historic Green, a 2.65-acre park at the heart of town, perhaps best explains Morristown’s fusion of old and new. In existence since 1715, “the Green” commemorates the town’s rich history with plaques and statues. Among them is “The Alliance,” a statue of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the Marquis de Lafayette that honors their 1780 meeting in Morristown. Today, the Green is the meeting place for social happenings and community events. It is ringed by luxury condominiums like The Monroe and The Metropolitan at 40 Park, along with boutiques, offices, and restaurants.

Proving its versatility, the Green becomes a winter wonderland during Morristown’s annual Christmas Festival. Beginning in late November, the Historic Green is the epicenter of holiday cheer as it hosts a myriad of seasonal activities and events, including the arrival of Santa Claus. As Morristown begins to wrap its lampposts in ribbon and decorate its town tree, start planning a visit to this historical town. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a day with the family, the lively streets of Morristown are ready to welcome you this holiday season.

Dine Out

The Grand Café

The Grand Cafe, located right off the Green in Morristown, offers French and American specialties and a vast wine list in an elegant venue. It is an ideal place for special occasions and offers reasonably priced lunches. 42 Washington Street, 973.540.9444; thegrandcafe.com

Millie’s Old World

Enjoy meatballs and over 30 options of wood-fired and coal-fired pizzas at this local hotspot. Their meatball recipe comes straight from the kitchen of the family’s grandmother, Millie. BYOB and eat either indoors or outdoors. While the food is traditional, the décor and ambiance of Millie’s is thoroughly modern. 60 South Street, 973.267.9616; milliesoldworld.com

Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar

Blue Morel combines the finest seasonal ingredients from local, regional, organic and sustainable farms. Nestled in historic Morristown, the restaurant creates a farm-to-table experience serving New American Cuisine, sushi and a seafood raw bar. The restaurant is located in The Westin Governor Morris Hotel. 2 Whippany Road, 973.451.2619; bluemorel.com

Enjou Chocolat

Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Enjou Chocolat

Using its secret recipe, Enjou Chocolat has been specializing in fine chocolates since 1983. They make gourmet chocolate assortment pieces, custom shaped chocolates (with an inventory of over 50,000 different molds), custom logo chocolates, homemade ice cream, gift baskets, corporate gifts as well as wedding and party favors. 8 Dehart Street, 973.993.9090; enjouchocolat.com

Carlo’s Bake Shop

The name speaks for itself. Made famous from the TLC hit show, Cake Boss, Carlo’s Bake Shop is world renowned for its impressive cake designs and Italian pastries. Grab a treat to go from their Market Street location, or schedule a consultation for a one-of-a-kind cake for a special occasion. 40 Market Street, 973.998.7771; bakeshop.carlosbakery.com

Shop ‘Til You Drop

Boutique 161

This boutique carries chic, easy to wear fashions for every woman. From BB Dakota to Adam Scott Jewelry, their merchandise features the trendiest styles with an urban bend. 161 South Street, 973.267.0067; boutique161.com

Just Jersey

A unique retail shop featuring handcrafted housewares, jewelry, fashion accessories, and artisan foods—all made right here in the Garden State. 163 South Street, 973.670.9730; justjerseygoods.com

Get Outside

Frelinghuysen Arboretum

The beautiful 127-acre Frelinghuysen Arboretum offers a serene place to learn more about plants well suited for the soils and climate of Morris County. Take a one-mile hike along the Whippany River to Acorn Hall past the secret Revolutionary-era Powder Mill, the Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall. Open dawn to dusk. 353 East Hanover Avenue, Morris Township. 973-326-7600; arboretumfriends.org

Seaton Hackney Stables

Saddle up and ride through Morris County. The stately Seaton Hackney Stables complex is situated on a 38-acre fenced property. It includes an indoor barn, outdoor barn, and 50 straight and box stalls of various sizes. Other amenities include two large fenced riding rings, a dressage ring, a driving and galloping half-mile long track complete with a judges stand, a Meeting/Scoring Room for shows, parties and special events, as well as plenty of turn-out space. 440 South Street, 973.644.3355; seatonhackney.com

Stay Over

Hyatt House Morristown

Located in the rolling hills and broad valleys of northern New Jersey, the Hyatt House Morristown offers travelers access to popular local attractions. It is also an excellent option for business travelers, as well as college students and their guests. 194 Park Avenue, 973.971.0008; morristown.house.hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Morristown

Set amid a prime business center, this hotel is the ideal downtown base for business and leisure travelers. The newly renovated Hyatt Regency Morristown offers 21 contemporary meeting rooms with approximately 31,000 square feet, including video conferencing capabilities and in-house audio-visual services. Pets allowed. 3 Speedwell Avenue, 973.647.1234; morristown.regency.hyatt.com

Morristown Courthouse

Transportation & Parking Tips

Morristown is always bustling, but during the holidays, parking is particularly hard to find. Our Morristown insiders suggest heading to the Ann/Bank Street Parking Garage at 30 Schuyler Place or the DeHart Street Parking Garage at 14 Maple Avenue to avoid the crowds.

The Morristown Train Station, located at 112 Morris Street, provides direct NJ Transit Rail Service from Hackettstown to New York Penn Station and Hoboken.  It’s not uncommon for people to take the train to a neighboring town in Morris County, as it is another steadfast way to avoid metered parking and city traffic.