From celebrated cultural institutions to works set literally off the beaten trail, opportunities to view art al fresco abound in the Garden State. There’s no wrong season to visit, but fall’s shifting light and vivid foliage bring added depth and contrast. Come for the stunning installations—and stay to watch summer greens give way to an autumnal palette.
Grounds For Sculpture
Hamilton
More than 3 million art, nature, and peacock lovers have made a pilgrimage to Grounds For Sculpture since its founding in the early 1990s by artist Seward Johnson. Visitors come again and again for the robust roster of wellness activities, horticulture talks, tours, workshops, family activities, and of course, to experience the winding paths and stunning landscaped gardens featuring around 300 works that dazzle at every turn.
Its evolution from an artsy al fresco space to a world-renowned destination is evident in the caliber of contemporary exhibitions hosted in the indoor galleries, as well its prestigious designation as a Level 2 arboretum. The variety of exotic and native trees and plants creates foliage that is especially striking, so plan to visit during peak sweater weather.
How to see it: Drop-ins are allowed (space permitting) but it’s best to pre-pay for timed admission. Tickets are $12 for students ages 6-17; $18 for military/veterans, healthcare workers, and seniors 65+; and $25 for adults.
Don’t miss: Philip Grausman’s Leucantha, a large female head sculpture seemingly floating on water. Seward Johnson’s Confrontational Vulnerability, a three-dimensional reconstruction of Edouard Manet’s Olympia. And Beverly Pepper’s Split Ritual II, a monumental steel abstract sculpture.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10 am to 5 pm; Friday-Sunday 10 am to 9 pm. After Labor Day, hours are 10 am to 5 pm (closed Tuesdays).
Luna Parc
Sandyston
Set back from a rural road on land adjacent to Stokes State Forest exists what may be the most enchanted place you’ve ever seen—Luna Parc, the now-legendary home and studio of prolific artist Ricky Boscarino. What started with the purchase of a simple cottage in 1989 is now an 8-acre property blanketed in an eclectic, mixed-media explosion of shapes, pigment, and textures, drawing inspiration from stories, travels, and various life experiences. It’s as if Lewis Carroll and P.T. Barnum built a home together and turned it into a living museum.
Fall is an especially magical time to visit—not only do the surrounding deciduous hardwood trees create a foliage display rivaling any found in New England, but new sculptures and installations created during the warmer seasons are now on display. Student artists are especially welcome here.
Fun fact: The inspiration for Luna Parc (with a C—the Italian spelling) is a small amusement park outside of Rome, not Coney Island, NY, as people might assume.
How to see it: Luna Parc isn’t visible from the road, so do NOT just drop in or try to sneak a peek—Boscarino actually lives here. To visit, book a tour online or arrange for a group visit with a minimum of 10 adults ($20 per person; kids 16 and under are free).
Don’t miss: Anything! It feels like one ever-evolving single work of art.
Hours: By appointment only.
Laurelwood Arboretum
laurelwoodarboretum.org
Wayne
Something of a hidden gem, Laurelwood Arboretum is tucked away in a residential neighborhood on the site of a former commercial nursery. But once discovered, it’s a wonder—30 botanically diverse acres boasting flowering gardens, woodland trails, and gravel pathways that draw birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature bathers alike. It’s also become known for its Sculpture Trail, a multi-year project that integrates art and nature through installations by prominent local artists working in materials from stone to steel.
As you wander the looping trails, take in the panoply of color that complements the 15 works set along the path. Sculptures are available for purchase, with a percentage of proceeds benefiting the Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum.
As one piece leaves, another takes its place—so it’s worth returning to see what’s new, like Butterflies and Flowers, a stainless steel sculpture by Babette Bloch.
How to see it: Self-guided exploration is encouraged, and admission is free. For a deeper dive into the art, guided tours with Sculpture Trail curator Scott Broadfoot can be arranged for $35 per person. Free walking and cart tours will also be offered at 10:30 am on October 4 and 18—arrive early, as spots fill up quickly.
Don’t miss: Pi in the Sky III by Micajah Bienvenu. Friendship by Fitzhugh Karol—five 12-foot pine totems set in the grass garden and framed by trees. Also look for Brickhead Iyemoja by James Tyler, a monumental head crafted from more than 100 hand-shaped ceramic bricks, held together with stainless steel pins.
Hours: 8 am to dusk.
Whittemore: Community, Culture, Conservation
Oldwick (Tewksbury Twp.)
Sustainability, creativity, vitality, and connectivity all come together at this lovely 180-acre preserve set in rural Hunterdon County. The much-adored community hub offers a wide range of programming, from mind and body classes and kids’ activities to nature walks, hands-on workshops, and festive food and music events.
Art holds a special place here, evident in the indoor gallery at Whittemore House and the eco-focused Sculpture Garden, where works made from natural or reclaimed materials (like scrap metal and weathered tools) are thoughtfully installed throughout the preserve.
Seven installations are currently on view, along with The Henge, a massive creation located along a connecting trail developed in partnership with the Tewksbury Land Trust. The expansive property is beautiful year-round but truly shines in autumn, when vibrant reds, oranges, and golds frame the preserve’s 11 miles of marked trails (one is dedicated to geocaching—great for kids!) and other natural points of interest.
How to see it: Admission to the preserve (including the Sculpture Garden) is free. Classes, workshops, talks, and other events typically require paid registration.
Don’t miss: Oracle, the inaugural installation created by sculptor David Horowitz (he’s also the curator of the Sculpture Garden), located by the pond.
Hours: Trails are open from dawn to dusk. The welcome center is closed on Mondays.
The Sperlak Gallery & Sculpture Gardens
Goshen
Is it a wooded nature sanctuary that happens to be filled with art, or a massive sculpture garden with nature as its canvas? In truth, it’s both: a lush and leafy oasis where art and landscape become one.
This working farm, studio, and event space spans 24 acres of fields, forests, and salt marshes. Lace up those kicks—-there are more than 125 installations to see as you wind and weave through the forest’s three miles of trails.
Enjoy a picnic on one of the 25 benches set along the trails—a perfect perch for admiring the gorgeous greens that have transformed to golds (trumpet vine), reds (Virginia creeper and sumac), and every shade in between.
Do make note of the signage dispersed throughout the preserve—it’s meant to educate and engage trekkers with history, flora, mythology, and IYKYK nods to literature, rock-n-roll, and Monty Python, among other allusions.
How to see it: Drop-ins welcome Saturday and Sunday ($10 adults; kids free). Weekdays and private visits are $15 paid in advance. Note: 2026 admission will be $15. Dogs are welcome. Register at the gallery/studio barn and pick up a Middle Earth-inspired map to guide your way.
Don’t miss: The whimsical fiberglass Three Legged Women by Catherine Courter; and The Harrowing Ball by Stan Sperlak and Andrew Castor, a spherical sculpture made from agricultural disc harrows.
Hours: 10 am to 4 pm, which is the last entry on weekends (but do stay for the magical sunsets). Otherwise, hours are by appointment.
Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust
Haddonfield
Instead of a woodsy trail, set a path through downtown Haddonfield where you’ll find more than two dozen outdoor works of art curated by the Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST). Installations can be found primarily along Kings Highway (with a few short detours), enlivening streets already bustling with lovely boutiques, cute bakeries, and charming bistros. And while it’s not exactly a primeval forest, manicured trees abound, revealing the change in season.
The best place to truly enjoy an autumnal palate, however, is the leafy Children’s Sculpture Zoo™, a small park set off Grove Street that’s filled with eight bronze animals (kids can text “Hello” to 540-917-5753 to get a call from the animals).
How to see it: Download the suggested walking tour, which starts at Kings Court. Browsers can text the name of each artwork to find out more about it. Also, take a minute to visit “Haddy” the Hadrosaurus— it’s not part of HOST’s collection but the dinosaur statue is a beloved landmark, commemorating the 1858 discovery of Hadrosaurus foulkii, the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton found in North America.
Don’t miss: M.L. Duffy’s lovebird and social media favorite Low-Poly Open Heart; the heartwarming painted bronze Steadfast & Loyal by Ken Ross; and the historic and iconic bronze Haddonfield Militiaman by Brian Hanlon.
Hours: All day, every day.
Sculpture Loop Trail
Ringwood
No official listing–part of the trail’s mystery
Curious and curiouser. After extensive research, all we could uncover about the Sculpture Loop Trail is that the artist lives nearby—and clearly isn’t looking to be in the spotlight. Accessible via an unassuming residential street, hikers who traverse the craggy, child-friendly trail will discover a lovingly curated wonderland of dozens of fabricated metal sculptures. From tiny animal trail markers set into rocks to sturdy, playful large installations embedded into boulders, there’s clear expertise at play—neither rainstorms nor heatwaves seem to make a dent.
At the park’s peak, you’ll find a bench and a metal sign-in box with a notebook tucked inside. Who reads it? That’s a mystery, too.
How to see it: Enter at 70 White Street (park at the top of White Road and follow the path into the woods). It’s not part of Ringwood State Park, despite what you may have heard. That said, rumor has it some RSP trails feature markers for the Sculpture Loop.
Don’t miss: The burnished Bigfoot sculpture is a signature work here. There’s also a sculpture of a foot that’s really, really big—the artist clearly has a sense of humor.
Hours: Technically 24/7, but common sense suggests daylight only.
Teaneck Creek
Teaneck
Teaneck Creek Park is a 46-acre natural sanctuary featuring wetlands, forests, and wildlife galore. It is a restored section of a former landfill that extends to the larger Overpeck County Park system. It’s supported and maintained by the Teaneck Creek Conservancy, which coordinates restoration projects with Bergen County Parks and offers community programs, environmental education…and curates wonderful eco-art, including the five installations currently on display.
Many projects are collaborations between celebrated sustainability-focused artists, with input from the wider community. For example, Frog Compass, TCC’s newest installation, consists of found metal debris based on a design by local high school student Sylvana Dipre, and was fabricated by Julius Minervini of Artistic Metal Works in Hawthorne.
The park’s 1.3 miles of groomed marked trails allow for ample opportunity to explore the art while witnessing the cottonwood, oak and tulip trees, and others transition to shades of gold, burgundy, red, and russet. Peak foliage is around the third week of October—so plan accordingly.
How to see it: Enter at 20 Puffin Way. Self-guided exploration, public walks, and virtually all family programs are free, but a modest donation is appreciated. Register online before you come. Visitors can also “Rent-a-Naturalist” for a one-hour guided nature walk for $50 per group with minimum 15-day advance notice. Bikes and e-bikes are not permitted anywhere within Teaneck Creek Park. FYI: Unlike Overpeck County Park, there are no public toilet facilities at Teaneck Creek Park.
Don’t miss: Five Pipes by Eduardo Rabel, a collection of vividly blue, five-foot-wide structures from the construction of the NJ Turnpike. Turtle Peace Labyrinth by Ariana Burgess, a work made from highway concrete detritus and living plant material that pays homage to the Lenape tribe.
Hours: Dawn to dusk.
Wildflower Sculpture Park
South Mountain Reservation, Maplewood
From the recreation complex to the Fairy Trail, South Mountain Reservation offers no shortage of things to do and see while experiencing the year’s colorful last hurrah. Among them, the Wildflower Sculpture Park, which is curated by volunteers of the South Mountain Conservancy in association with the Essex County Parks Department, stands out.
Created two decades ago to meld meaningful art, education, and conservation, the eco-inspired sculptures are displayed year-round.
And just like nature—whose only constant is change—the WSP rotates in new themed works each year through an open call for submissions from local artists. For 2025, that theme is “Walk With Me,” which encourages artists to explore ideas of renewal and harmony as they relate to the visitor’s journey through the Wildflower & Forest Preserve and the greater reservation. It’s an inspired setting to experience autumn, as the changing colors of the surrounding flora frame the works of art and allow light to reflect in unexpected ways throughout each day. It’s truly a sun-dappled delight.
How to see it: Enter on Crest Road off South Orange Avenue and park right next to the reservation’s popular dog run.
Don’t miss: Sun Flower, a striking large-scale sculpture crafted from recycled metal by globally celebrated artist Willie Cole. South Mountain Bird Tower by Ben Pranger, a monumental concrete and steel sculpture that also doubles as a bird habitat. And of course, the 10 new works being shown at the Walk with Me exhibit, which opens September 20—just in time for autumn.
Hours: Sunup to sundown.
The Clifton Arts Center & Sculpture Park
Clifton
Tucked within Clifton’s sprawling municipal complex is a gem of sculpture park showcasing over 30 works ranging in styles from timeless classics to striking contemporary pieces. They dot the historic grounds, linking City Hall to the local animal shelter, a landscape that dates back to the 1800s when it served as a dairy farm and animal quarantine station.
At the heart of it all, the Clifton Arts Center occupies two restored barns, a vibrant cultural hub hosting exhibitions, classes, and concerts, while curating sculptures by Reuben Kadish, Richard Pitts, Judith Peck, and Miklós Sebek, among other international, regional, and emerging artists.
Come in autumn, when golden and fiery red leaves drift from towering historic trees, and the park transforms into a gorgeous canvas of color and form.
How to see it: Free to visit, but private tours are available for a fee (call 973-472-5499 for details).
Don’t miss: Conestoga, a 6-foot-tall abstract aluminum sculpture by Richard Pitts. Miklós Sebek’s One City, One Nation, a curvy, colorful, 8-foot-tall representation of ethnic diversity. And Resettlement by Judith Peck, a heart-wrenching work evoking the horror of the Holocaust.
Hours: The sculpture park is open dawn to dusk. The Clifton Arts Center Gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 1-4 pm.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Fall Festivals in New Jersey
The Best Places to See Fall Foliage in NJ
Hello Field Trip Inspo! The Best Day Trips in the New Jersey Area
Popular Now:
These Are The 10 Most Family-Friendly Towns in New Jersey
9 NJ High Schools Rank Among the Best in the Country
Homes in These 3 NJ Towns Are Among the Nation’s Hottest Zip Codes
New Jersey Ranked 3rd Best State to Live in for 2025! Do You Agree?
