Planning a wedding weekend at Skylands Manor means your guests are not only attending a beautiful celebration, but also getting the chance to explore one of the most scenic areas in northern New Jersey. From hiking trails and botanical gardens to charming downtowns, breweries, and even day trips into New York City, here are some of the best things for wedding guests to enjoy before and after your big day.

Explore the Beauty of Ringwood State Park

One of the biggest draws of the Ringwood area is the natural scenery. Ringwood State Park offers miles of hiking trails, quiet lakes, and stunning views throughout every season. Guests visiting in the fall can expect colorful foliage, while spring and summer weekends are perfect for scenic walks and outdoor photos.

The grounds surrounding Skylands Manor feel like something out of a storybook, making the area especially memorable for out of town guests who may not realize how much nature northern New Jersey has to offer.

Visit the New Jersey Botanical Garden

Located right on the grounds of Skylands Manor, the New Jersey Botanical Garden is one of the most peaceful places guests can explore during downtime throughout the weekend.

The gardens are filled with seasonal blooms, walking paths, fountains, and mountain views. It is an ideal stop for guests who want a relaxing morning before the wedding or couples looking for beautiful spots to take additional photos throughout the weekend.

Spend Time at Greenwood Lake

Just minutes from Ringwood, Greenwood Lake is a great destination for wedding guests looking to make a full weekend getaway out of your celebration.

Guests can enjoy lakeside dining, boat rentals, waterfront bars, and small town charm. During warmer months, it becomes one of the most popular nearby spots for relaxing with friends and family before or after wedding festivities.

Visit Warwick, New York

Many couples are surprised to learn that some of the best wedding weekend activities are actually just across the New York border. The town of Warwick is less than 30 minutes from Ringwood and offers wineries, cideries, boutiques, coffee shops, and local restaurants.

Popular stops include apple orchards in the fall, wine tastings throughout the year, and charming downtown shopping that gives guests something unique to do between events.

Plan a Brewery or Winery Outing

Northern New Jersey and nearby New York are filled with breweries and wineries that work perfectly for rehearsal weekend plans or casual guest meetups.

Couples often recommend:

• Long Lot Farm Brewery
• Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery
• Skylands Craft Beer & Wine Garden

These spots give guests an opportunity to explore the area while still keeping the relaxed atmosphere of a wedding weekend.

Explore Nearby Downtowns

If your guests enjoy shopping and restaurants, there are several nearby towns worth visiting during the weekend.

Some favorites include:

• Morristown
• Ridgewood
• Montclair
• Suffern

Each town offers its own mix of restaurants, cocktail bars, coffee shops, and local shopping that guests can enjoy before heading back for wedding festivities.

Take a Day Trip Into New York City

One of the best parts about getting married in northern New Jersey is how close you are to New York City. Guests traveling from out of state often choose to extend their stay and spend an extra day exploring the city before flying home.

Depending on traffic and train access, Manhattan is roughly an hour away from the Ringwood area, making it an easy add on for guests who want both a nature filled wedding weekend and a city experience all in one trip.

Turn Your Wedding Into a Full Weekend Experience

One of the reasons couples love weddings in northern New Jersey is because guests can enjoy so much more than just the wedding day itself. Between mountain views, charming towns, lakeside destinations, gardens, wineries, and easy access to NYC, there is something for every type of guest to enjoy.

A wedding weekend at Skylands Manor or nearby venues gives friends and family the opportunity to slow down, explore, and create memories far beyond the reception itself.