Grounds For Sculpture

Visiting Grounds For Sculpture with my family was an incredible and inspiring experience. Naively, I thought two hours would be enough—but even a quick round took us about 3.5 hours, and I could have easily spent the whole day. The grounds are huge, filled with sculptures that are funny, modern, thought-provoking, and stunning. Tip: come right at the opening to avoid the crowds. Bring water, a snack, and comfortable shoes, then give yourself permission to wander and soak it all in. There are also cozy cafés tucked into the grounds. Absolutely amazing, one of the best sculpture garden and a must-see.

What can I say about this extraordinary experience but absolutely amazing! I recommend booking a reservation at the restaurant ‘Rats’ before you travel. The food and atmosphere are wonderful. As for Grounds For Sculpture, it’s out of this world. I was completely blown away at the level of artistry and the massive size of the sculptures. We stayed for 5hrs and we still didn’t see everything. We plan on returning in the fall. I highly recommend visiting ‘Grounds For Sculpture.’

My recent visit to Grounds For Sculpture in Ewing Township, New Jersey, was an absolutely captivating experience, even under a sky that started out with a soft, grey blanket of clouds. It felt like the perfect atmosphere for immersing oneself in the art and nature that coalesce so beautifully here. Incredible variety of the sculptures. Spotting a magnificent peacock, its iridescent plumage a vibrant contrast against the muted tones of the architecture, was a lovely surprise that added a touch of living, breathing art to the meticulously curated grounds. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey through different artistic styles and materials. Grounds For Sculpture truly lives up to its reputation as a unique blend of art and nature. It's a place where every turn reveals a new perspective, and where the artistry extends beyond the sculpted forms to the very landscape itself. I left feeling inspired, refreshed, and already planning my next visit.

I haven't been in many, many years and took my family recently. We had a lot of fun exploring the grounds together. My only complaint is that signage around the gardens was quite poor and the map was not very easy to use to get around (not all paths were represented). In any case, we're looking forward to returning!

Live in NJ for more then 25 years and only visited the place few weeks ago. Amazing!!!! Must go!!! Take your friends and go there. Remember, you will be walking a lot, so I would suggest either come early morning or late afternoon. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes and bring a hat. It is not enough time to look at everything in one day. We arrived by noon and started to walk around and by 3:30 we were tired and did not want to continue. So, we have to come back the second time. It is up to you if you want tobuy tickets in advance, will only eliminate the waiting by few minutes.

I just love this place, and it deserves a review. Definitely recommend getting tickets in advance as it suggests online so that your timed entry is confirmed. There are so many wonderful sculptures and works of art indoors and outdoors among various places you can take a seat and enjoy the view while sipping and chewing from their wonderful cafes. Outside as you walk the grounds you can't help but notice the stunning plant life. They do a wonderful job keeping up the many varieties. The indoor gallery areas are nice and cool, on the hotter days it's a great place to drop in and refresh. I love the museum shop as well. There are so many unique products, including items that have been handmade by local artisans. It's almost like a museum on its own!

This is my third time visiting Grounds for Sculpture, and it's a lovely place to visit every few years. My last visit was in 2012. I believe you need tickets in advance or it's highly recommended. I met my friend there, and he had already purchased them in advance. He sent a picture of the ticket to me so I could enter. Our time slot was for 11 am, but I arrived at 11:15. There was a free walking tour at 11:30 and Dave was our guide. Dave was fabulous as he talked about various art pieces, peppered with personal stories and knowledge of the artists. Wear good walking shoes, dress comfortably, and consider a hat as you will be mostly outside.

if you want a place where you can take a lot of beautiful pictures this is it. spent over 4 hours going around this place with a rented scooter ( $25 at the visitor center) with my wife and daughter walking along. although I am not an art connoisseur I was impressed by the diversity and also plain beauty of everything I saw here. I asked one of the staff a question about an exhibition of a noodle box and this young lady instilled on me so much knowledge about it and the artist that left me speechless. she was wonderful and very helpful. foor and drink is a little pricey but it compares to other venues I have been to. all the staff were very friendly and helpful. the work that the founders put into creating a space for artists and for people to enjoy it has to be commended. I loved this place and my family did too. thank you to all who work and volunteer here, to the artists and the people who make it happen, great job.

Incredibly beautiful day spent walking the grounds for my birthday! Wonderful way to start my year. Had lunch at ratz which was also fantastic xo

An absolutely gorgeous display of sculptures and art! This was my second time visiting, and it was just as beautiful as the first. I loved exploring the trails and discovering new pieces I hadn't noticed before. Loved the interactive sculptures especially as it made it even more fun and engaging for the whole family. Heads up, be ready to walk a lot! Fortunately though, there's a plenty of benches and stones to sit on throughout the park if you get tired.

There is no denying the Grounds for Sculpture is breathtaking. With over 40+ acres of meticulously maintained gardens, winding floral paths, Koi ponds, bamboo and over hundreds of sculptures. It truly is a place where nature and art merge beautifully. That said my communication with the staff left me frustrated While planning my visit. I learned that general admission was $25 per person - this seemed a little steep for me, especially when I would rather spend money on a venue that offers more engagement for the price. A $25 pp prices tag is steep in comparison to the Rodin Museum (free), Bartram's Garden (free) and even the Philadelphia Museum of Art is a pay what you wish on Sundays. I was told GFS occasionally offered free admission days so knowing how things often get miscommunicated I reached out to them directly through email. I was told no, they don't have free days but was told and I quote... "During the summer, from 5PM - 9PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, admission is $15 for all adults and $12 for children ages 6-17. For the first time this year, we are offering $5 admission for all adults and children on the last Friday of May, June, July, and August" SOLD! You know what they say when something sounds too good to be true... That just happened to be the case when we arrived at the gate and were told $5 dollar pricing starts AFTER 5 PM. That is a crucial detail that made a big difference, especially for someone like me with a mobility issue who would've preferred to explore the grounds earlier in the day when it is cooler and easier on my knees. To make the best of the day we went thrift and vintage shopping all around Jersey grabbed a bite to eat and then headed back to GFS. Where there was still more than enough time for us to traverse the amazing grounds before my knee would not let me go any further. The vast Gardens are home to hundreds of sculptures, including many from Seward Johnson, whose work I have admired on Frankford Avenue in Philly for the past few years Spread throughout over 40 acres sculptures big, small and some downright gigantic, standing proud in an open field or nestled into groves, hiding in nooks throughout the expanse of the grounds. I would have loved to have had a map that listed all the sculptures that were on display because I am certain we missed many. You will need a few hours to explore all there is to see. There are restaurants on the grounds and plenty of benches where you can sit and breathe in the tranquility and deep serenity of this magical place. All that said, the miscommunication still stings and therefore affects the overall review because in my opinion, the people who represent a business reflect the integrity of the place. So, while the gardens, grounds, art, and atmosphere of Grounds for Sculpture were enchanting, my experience was muddled by staff who misrepresented the pricing. While I would still recommend seeing this spectacle, please know Admission is $25 per person, $15 this summer AFTER 5 on Fri/Sat/Sun and on the last Friday of June, July and August 2025 you can affordably explore for $5 AFTER 5PM

Came here on our recent spring break roadtrip, and it's a fun place to spend a couple hours to walk the grounds, see the sights and enjoy the nice weather. Loved the large sculptures, the park's got unique character, and very scenic. Large pond to see koi fish. Indoor artwork available too. Funnest part was the peacock that loves to show off in front of everyone. He screams and spreads his feathers on full display, awesome. You can find him near the cafe.

As a native South Jersian, I always had an interest in visiting Grounds for Sculpture, but never found the time to actually go. That changed last month. It was a cool, mildly dreary spring day, which meant the crowds weren't too bad and we were able to have ample time exploring prior to our lunch reservation at Rat's. This place far exceeded my expectations. The sculptures were stunning and vast, plus there were interior galleries including a full history of Seward Johnson's life. Very cool all around. You could easily spend a full day here. The gift shop is worth a visit too!

Grounds for Sculpture is that girl. I've been a few times and still haven't seen the whole thing--there's just so much to take in. It's peaceful, artsy, and the kind of place that makes you slow down and soak it all in. Every path leads to a surprise, whether it's a massive sculpture peeking through the trees or a quiet little bench that makes you wanna sit and reflect. And let's talk about the content opportunities! The art, the scenery, the lighting--chef's kiss. If you're into Instagram or TikTok, bring your best fits because this place is made for photo moments. It's giving editorial meets nature walk. The only downside? I wish I had more time every time I go. Wear comfy shoes, charge your phone, and be ready to wander. This place feeds your soul and your camera roll. Already planning my next visit.

Grounds for sculpture is located in Hamilton, New Jersey. It is one of my favorite places to visit for its scenery and its life like statues. While you're there, you can stop by the waterfall and the café area. It is one of the best places to visit during the spring time for a picnic. Make sure that the weather is nice before you make the trip. Aside from the statues in art , you can also choose to marvel in the beautiful flowers in the warmer months. I would recommend to come early as it does get crowded throughout the day. While you're there , feel free to take lots of pictures and the beautiful backdrops that surrounds you.

I enjoyed how the experience starts even before you enter the property, with sculptures positioned outside. Inside, it is a little overwhelming. I knew before coming from their website that there were no printed maps, so I had one in hand from home. There is an online tour with audio -- or so it says, how the audio part works I was not able to figure out, but I also did not bring ear buds with me to further investigate. The key for my visit seemed to be just kind of orienting yourself on the map to figure out where you have been and what you have yet to see. That might sound dumb, but without a map it is extremely hard to figure out where to go. There are a few temporary exhibits, some located indoors, the quality of which can range from amazing to "why is that here?" The wild peacocks are a bonus. There was one to welcome visitors to the main building! Going in what I would think would be their off season (when it was cold) was still a great time. I am amazed how fresh some of the painted bronze work looks, and I wonder how much maintenance they require!

There's a year-round 42-acre sculpture park in NJ. Grounds for Sculpture is a museum, arboretum, and sculpture garden with 300+ contemporary sculptures over 42 landscaped acres. It's a cute date idea whether you're with friends, your significant other, or family. It's open rain or shine and tickets can be purchased on their website. They also offer a calendar of events and have a restaurant on site (Rat's) with the most beautiful view! Definitely wear walking shoes since theres a lot to see. Parking is free with admission Tickets are $25 (timed admission)

Good sculptures and nice walk outdoors to view each sculpture. The paintings indoors were also very nice.

Such a beautiful place, so much to see. We really enjoyed the sculptures and exhibits, they were all so unique and interesting. Did not have time to go through it all because there's so much more to see but we had an amazing time.

Visit the website and then visit the place. Make sure to make a reservation for dinner at the on-premises restaurant . Go on a day when the weather is comfortable enough for you to spend a full long day so you can see all the installations and walk all the paths.

I've been wanting to visit GFS for a while and finally got that chance this weekend. Went as a group of 3 with my family. There was a long line of cars to get into the place which was surprising because tickets were based on time entry. And it seemed people were being tickets right as they were driving in. We walked around the grounds - and explored. My favorite sculpture was the giant man on the ground. It's also a great photo opportunity. It was a hot sunny day so my family was getting hot and thirsty after walking around a while. We stopped at the peacock cafe but my cousin was told a soda would be $5 and the lemonade wasn't ready so we left. We ended up making out way to Rat's and grabbed drinks there. All in all it's a cool place to experience and explore. I'd come back to see what it is like at night. I wish they provided better directions or provided better signage to direct people to the attractions. I feel like there was so much we didn't get to see because of how tricky and maze like the grounds seemed. Pro-tip : wear sneakers. I wore sandals and there was a lot of sandy / rocky areas.

HAMILTON: beauty, wonder, and humor are all words that crossed my mind while walking through Grounds for Sculpture, an outdoor oasis of meticulously kept gardens featuring beautifully designed walkways through trees, plants, flowers, and the famous cast bronze and quite realistic sculptures dotting the park. It is quite surreal to see a gentleman reading a newspaper on a bench and realizing it is a sculpture. The capture of human emotions is so true to life! There is also a collection of artists throughout the park made of various materials and are a bit more abstract. In addition to the outdoor space, check out the indoor spaces with more exhibitions and we were thrilled to be able to visit for the Yelp Elite Experience: Slow Motion @ Grounds for Sculpture. Although a small exhibit, it is meant to be more of a thoughtful experience to "slow down" and think about what you want to see and relate to in regards to monuments. There were some interactive exhibits, including a coloring book and touch station, which are great for kids. We were thrilled to see the Noodle Mountain piece, which is created by a NJ-based artist, Colette Fu. The Slow Motion exhibit takes place through September 1, 2025. In the same building is the Peacock Cafe, which had a nice selection of lunch and dinner options and served one of the best soft pretzels I ever had. Good quality and taste for museum food! There are 4 eateries on the property including Rat's Restaurant, a fine dining destination with farm-fresh French flair. You can tell the staff at GFS love what they do because they are all so friendly, especially at the front gate. It is refreshing for your first impression of a place through employees to be happy, exciting, and educational. I usually post about dog friendly places, so wanted to at least share the rules, as of August 2024: "All pets must be left at home. For the health of your pets do not leave them in vehicles. Service animals are always welcome. Emotional support animals and therapy dogs are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)."

A neat surprise of a place I'd never heard about until my sister took us on a tour. The place was started a while back by Seward Johnson, an heir to the Johnson & Johnson business fortune and the brainchild of Seward who himself was a serious sculptor. Spread over the grounds of what was once a fairgrounds and racetrack complex, the place extends over at least a hundred acres of ponds, gardens, and meadows that host dozens and dozens of large-scale sculptures. A very cool place but nowhere on the scale of similar spots for monumental art such as Storm King or Tippet Rise.

Grounds For Sculpture is a museum, sculpture garden, and arboretum featuring contemporary art and nature. The collection includes works by 150 artists, and the organization offers educational programs and events for all ages. Staffs are very friendly , helpful, polite and knowledgeable. Ambiance is wonderful and great.

42 acres of Art. There is no way to see it all. We like to see new things and came upon this. This is an outdoor sculpture garden with So many hidden items. You will never be able to find them all. We went on a pretty cold day and could only finish half but what we saw was cute, funny, inspirational and crazy. There is really something for everyone. It was a great stop.

This is an outdoor museum with life-sized and much larger pieces of sculpture scattered around the garden area. Can be a part of the scenes by posing with the sculptures for photos. Make sure to have comfortable walking shoes, a sun umbrella or hat and something to drink esp on the warm days. Maybe insect repellant too. We did a lot of walking but we didn't cover it in one day. Some with membership can keep returning. The trails are wheelchair-friendly. Some sculptures can be seen easily from them, but some are behind trees, inside building structures or have steps to get to them. Some signs mentioned poison ivy so be careful going through the greenery. There were benches for resting; swings too, even for a wheelchair so my mom got to ride as well. A map is available via QR code but a printed or posted ones all around, would be helpful as well. There are indoor exhibits, restrooms and a cafe both in the main building, and across from it in another building.

Beautiful grounds and sculptures. Mature tree growth allows for ample shade opportunities while touring. A great way to spend the day. The place is like a hidden gem.

This review is limited to the Night Forms exhibition going on until April 7th. Unfortunately, the exhibit will likely not return after that date. Decided to trek over to see the Night Forms before Daylight Savings Time ends. The exhibition is limited to the weekends and - of course - to evenings only, I decided to come through now before the extra hour of sunlight restricts the viewing times. There's 13 main viewing areas. You get the full audiovisual experience of the lights + the music. It kinda takes you away from the moment. It's a fun escape from reality. You could easily spend about an hour plus here just staring at the visuals. The sculptures itself are pretty cool to look at in the dark. Of course, you can spend some time at the restaurant, warming hut (looks like a sauna), or cafe attached to the welcome center. There's also a temporary exhibit inside with paintings in coordination with an art organization in NJ. They're showcasing paintings from children across NJ. Admission is $30 for adults. Potentially a bit steep, but it's worth the experience while it lasts.

I finally visited Grounds for Sculpture. I cabe for their Night Forms seasonal exhibition. We bought timed tickets for admission on the weekend. This beautiful sound and light display was very well curated. Sometimes these seasonal displays can be quite gimmicky, which I was worried about, but that wasn't the case here. Tickets were completely sold out but the park didn't feel particularly crowded (except on a few pathways) but the park is really large and spread out. The exhibition featured various geometric forms illuminated with colorful lights and sound. They looked really pretty against the bare tree branches. It had almost a spooky feel (or romantic, friending on your vibe). Overall, the exhibition was well-curated and I would be curious to see some of the regular displays in the daytime. From the few pieces I could see in the dark though, they seemed really nice. It reminded me of pieces similar to the ones at Storm King Art Center in New York. My only criticism was that the entrance to the park was particularly difficult to find, especially in the evening where the signs were not well lit. However, once in the park, the show was really well organized with signs all throughout pointing you to the next numbered display. There's also a nice French restaurant right in the park called Rat's that looks pretty cool. We stopped here to ask for directions on the way in. If I ever come back, I would want to try it out.

Loved the art work sculptures greenery and scenery. I spent about 2.5 hours here and I pretty sure I missed a few paths but the weather was not cooperating. I came to have lunch at the peacock cafe but the cafe was closed today "due to staffing" so they allowed me to enjoy the Van Gogh Cafe. The cafe consist of premade wraps, sandwiches and salads, but was honestly pretty good. They also have a nice selection of coffee and pastries. There is an outdoor area to sit at, and it's friendly for all ages.

Grounds for Sculpture was a very pleasant visit. As soon as you walk into the main building, you are surrounded by art, a friendly staff, a gift store, and a beautiful café (Van Gogh Café). The entire site encompasses acres upon acres of sculptures. Some small and some.....enormous. The genius of how each is piece is curated is breath taking. I could easily post hundreds of pics in my review. You will also come across a pond, with Coi Fish and ducks. They seem to be very happy in that location. Please, bring your walking shoes and plenty of time to meander through the never ending displays and art work.

We planned to come here from out of town. The trip planner of our group doesn't really use the internet and apparently all the tickets have to be for timed slots and have to be bought online. Isn't Covid over? Isn't this mostly outside? Shouldn't all parks like this keep a certain amount of tickets to be sold at the door? Just disappointed.

This place was sooo cool. They had many beautiful sculptures to see. They are located by a lake so you can view the waterfront. There are lots of places where you can sit for a picnic and many places to order food to eat. They have a great gift shop and a small museum where you can rest inside. This a picture perfect place to go visit and enjoy the outdoors.

Amazing place. Great for family day trips. Have been there a few times. Worth the drive.

Such a cool unique place and a great way to get your steps in. The sculptures are modeled after famous paintings and are beautiful and detailed. There are hidden paths like Easter eggs that seem to lead to a different sculpture. They have a cute cafe to picnic outside with some light bites. We had a fun day exploring these larger then life sculptures.

Amazing place during the day and a great night form. 13 different lighted highlights in a small section of the grounds.

Beautiful place! Came in the time of cherry blossoms! Saw many beautiful sculptures, including the scream! I do wish the price to be a little cheaper. Overall a good experience!

So much more than I thought! The grounds are available to stroll at your leisure while viewing sculptures, plants and flowers. Gift shop and museum and a café and restaurant. We strolled the grounds for over two hours and didn't even make it into the museum on this trip. We also saw 2 resident peacocks, Koi fish, turtles, and even an egret. Tickets are best reserved online prior to your visit. $25/per adult.

We had a Saturday in June with no plans so my wife and I decided to take my in-laws to the Ground For Sculpture. It was our first time here and we really loved this place. There's a history with this site that goes back to the 1700's. Prior to being this site for Sculptures, this property was NJ State Fairgrounds until the 1990's. There's so much to see here that I'm sure we missed things, but just being here for a few hours was a lot of fun. The talent in building these sculptures is just amazing! Follow the trails and you can find so many cool things. We didn't go the restaurant onsite, but it looked very nice. We did stop at the cafe and also for ice cream while walking around. I definitely recommend taking a drive here off you have a day and you're looking for something to do. It was lots of fun!

Beautiful park and wonderful time however I want express my disappointment with the unprofessional and rude behavior we experienced from the staff member at the entrance booth during our recent visit. We received free tickets for park entry via email, which we had printed out to present upon arrival. However, the Russian woman at the entrance booth--who spoke Russian to us--ripped our printed tickets and rudely stated that we could not use them, insisting we had to purchase tickets instead. She went as far as to shame us for having received the tickets for free. After we proceeded to the ticket counter and showed the email confirmation, we were immediately granted free entrance as promised and without issue. This incident left us questioning why this staff member felt the need to act in such an arrogant and dismissive manner, especially when we had valid documentation. It is incredibly frustrating and disappointing to encounter such treatment at a venue known for its beauty and cultural significance. Guests should feel welcomed and respected, not berated or humiliated.

Amazing massive Sculpture Garden in Hamilton, NJ. We come a few times a year with the kids and they have a blast. The food at the Peacock Cafe is always great and Rat's (while expensive) is exceptional

Its a amazing place. Full of beautiful sculptures and gardens. It has different times of American history. The Great Depression they have prop waiting in food lines and cilvil war , scalpers of famous paintings . Its a great place to visit for sure . I love going there

Great outdoor sculpture exhibit ----- just make sure you try to plan for it on a nice day! My family and I planned out a day at Grounds For Sculpture after looking for fun activities to do in NJ for my wife's birthday. Honestly, during the winter, there aren't many fun outdoor activities in NJ without freezing your butt (and every limb) off, but we sucked it up with our 2 kids and went for it anyway! To boot, there is a fantastic restaurant, Rat's Restaurant, that is located on the grounds, where I booked a reservation for us on the Saturday that we visited. But, back to Grounds For Sculpture, it's a great chance to just enjoy the outdoors and take silly pictures. There are so many photo spots and great, amazing artwork to take photos with, but THE absolute spot to take a photo is at the back of Rat's Restaurant in the Rat's Woodlands area. It's absolutely gorgeous there, especially in the evening when the lights turn on. Parking is free here and on the day we went, it was very, very quiet - probably because it was the coldest day of the winter at 4pm! There were still some crazy people there, like us, but probably not as many as there could be on a nice, spring day. With all of this said, it's a nice, chill area and actually makes for a great date spot for you lovebirds (with a meal at Rat's to boot!)

I really liked this place! Of course when it's a beautiful day that you visit it makes it all the better! I see whoever did the first review here shortened the actual name of the destination which you will see in my photos. The actual name is Seward Johnson Center for the Arts. Seward Johnson is the artist and founder of this sculpture park in Hamilton NJ and I feel the first reviewer is doing a disservice to the founder and creator by changing or shortening the name. Please go ahead and view my photos!

What a pretty place to stroll. A charming outdoor display of sculptures. Whimsical statues, peacocks, flowering trees, water features. Lovely trails. Very delightful cafe. ( ‿ )Take your favorite family member here for a chat , stroll and a bite.

We were going to be in town visiting some friends & were looking for something to do, Hubby came across this so we decided to check it out! Once parked we went inside, this was pretty nice to walk through the combo of the lights & music was mesmerizing, soothing & entertaining it was a nice experience. After we were done, we stopped by the center area this holds more art, a cafe & bathrooms should u need. This was a fun experience as the lights & sounds were very cool to watch we certainly enjoyed it.

Great place to visit if you're into art, or even if you enjoy peaceful walks in beauty. The peacocks that roam the property simply enhance the natural beauty of the indoor and outdoor spaces. I visited with coworkers and I was in awe of the green spaces and integrated artwork. The sculptures were incredible and the employees were quite helpful. The options to eat while on property are both excellent- we opted for Rats and enjoyed lovely lunch salads. definitely worth the trip here!

Feeling the need for a bit of culture and art while still enjoying the beautiful weather outside? This is the place for you! Walk around the grounds at your own pace viewing the interesting and beautiful sculptures that reside there. Though some may leave you scratching your head others will have you impressed by the amazing eye for detail. Keep your eyes peeled - you'll catch a peak at a peacock or a pride. There's a cute lil gift shop inside where you can grab a magnet for your fridge. The bathrooms: so nice and clean!! Definitely a place to check out at least once in your life.

Perfect and unexpectedly warm Fall day enhanced by taking in the clever "Grounds for Sculpture." Our first visit so luckily we were with friends who knew the place well. Otherwise we may have been a bit confused at first. Overall, it took us about 2 hours to see everything. Plan to take lots of pictures. It is all so awesome. Any time of day or night is good. I heard the lights are beautiful at night which gives a whole different experience. Each season brings something different as well. The flowers and landscape are all so beautiful. We finished our day with a late lunch at Rats. Love the Ducks at the pond next to the restaurant. They seemed very comfortable with people and come right up near the table looking for bread. They must have known we were suckers for that. We really enjoyed our day and highly recommend.

It was a picture perfect day, the weather was perfect, sunny in the 70's. We walked from 11am to 1pm and we didn't even feel it. Everyone on the grounds were well informed and very friendly. The lady at the information center, we asked her for a map because the internet was awful. I could even download my tickets. Thankfully the entrance person looked up my name and handed us our bracelets. Anyway, map lady had an attitude and was extremely condescending and lectured us, two women in their 70's on the importance of protecting the environment. I wanted to lecture her with a good slap. Why these two old white broads were so nasty I'll never know. They seriously almost ruined this outing for us.

PROS: - wheelchair accessible - lots of parking CONS: - none Very nice and easy to walk around. Lots of sculptures and lots of bends to discover something new. This is very easy to walk and wheelchair and stroller friendly. There are a lot of different water features and an artificial lake. You can see everything walking at a leisurely pace in about 75-90 mins.

It's great to have another review where I could let my pictures do all of the talking! But that would be unfair to this amazing indoor/outdoor epicenter for the sculptures of around 700 artists which is easily one of the best-hidden gems of New Jersey! it also wouldn't do justice to the incredible works of artist and philanthropist Seward Johnson that are showcased within it. The museum was a place that my GF had toured in the past, and she especially sold me on how you could do the occasional night tour that featured elaborate multimedia productions on top of the sculptures. So when she surprised us with tickets for an evening tour I was excited, even more so when I first saw the HUGE Seward Johnson sculpture outside and realized his connection to it. Long before I knew of Seward Johnson accolades or the sculpture garden that he helped found, I knew of him as the artist who made the Umbrella Man sculpture in Philly, and the curious trio of sculptures outside Ardmore Toyota (https://thisislowermerion.com/world-famous-artists-seward-johnson-created-ardmores-lifelike-sculptures/). The art of his has always done a good job of helping me take a break from the mundane and enjoy a little bit of outside creativity. So I appreciated learning more about his life within, hearing that he was the museum's founder, and knowing that it was his goal to create an indoor and outdoor space where new and old sculptors could showcase their works, and people could learn the art. Because we went on the night tour there were a good number of areas blocked off outside of the main entrance, which gives me plenty of incentive to come back. But the indoors had the fantastic retrospective of Johnson's career with some of his most important works, and a preview of Rat's Restaurant and coffee bar which is an interesting looking spot inspired by the works of impressionist painters.The theme of works inspired by impressionist painters and classic works carried throughout outdoors with glimpses of things like the three witches from Shakespeare's Hamlet, the classic women in the shell, and then some! The main event of the evening was by far the outdoor multimedia productions which showcased laser lights and music radiating upon some the parks outdoor sculptures to give it another unique presentation. With things like this outdoor tour, sculpting lessons, and other events its more than worth checking out the events calendar. But its also worth just touring during regular hours. Make the right highway turn on the way out, and you might even find even more sculptures to view for free.

Since our original visit, we have seen many Seward Johnson sculptures around the country (was not familiar at all with his work before our first visit) so I wanted to return here. This time we were there at the end of April and it was a beautiful spring day (what a difference a week or so made)! Prices have increased a bit since our first visit ($25 adults, $18 for seniors) and we didn't realize that it is recommended that you purchase a timed entry on line beforehand as they limit capacity. We were lucky on a Friday to get in without advance purchase. We spent 3.5 hours this time, first at the gallery to learn more about Johnson and his life/career and then making it all the way out to the meadow. The online map (scanned via bar code) was helpful but there were still a few sculptures tucked away down random paths we didn't find on the map. We did see both strollers and wheelchairs although again, some of the smaller paths would not be accessible. Also since our original visit, we did make it to NYC to see the original "Double Check" sculpture and in the gallery, saw a video about its recovery and Johnson's makeshift memorial. Very touching and emotional. Still didn't eat in the cafe but did visit the small gift shop. If, like us, you like outdoor art, this is a not miss!

Very cool place. You get the fall foliage, gardens, fresh air, nice weather, and outdoor art. My aunts liked it more than I thought they would.

Heaven on earth! Eat at Rats Restaurant... I just returned from Paris and this was exactly what I needed to feel like I brought a piece of it home with me.

I love this place so much. It's definitely a drive from NYC but also worth it. The park is huge and so much to see! They change the art enough so that each visit has new things to see. Plus there are peacocks that roam around! Albino peacocks too!

OMG! Grounds For Sculpture is NJ's Gem to See!!! Review is so long overdue. My first visit was August 2019 and of course now April 2022. So many fascinating and thought provoking sculptures of all types and sizes by American and international artists. The sculptures are designed from wood, bronze, stone and steel. The landscaping is a work of art itself which compliments each sculpture. At this time, you'll see lovely daffodils and cherry blossom trees. In addition, a lovely lake surrounds the gardens. Some of the most intriguing sculptures are of people. From a distance, the sculpture appears to be a live person. When you get up close, it's not. :) Should you get hungry, there's a cafe and Rats Restaurant. The café serves sandwiches, wine, beer and soda. We shared a delicious Roast beef sandwich. The café is continually open and offers indoor and outdoor dining. Outdoor dining overlooks the water. In the water, you'll see Turtles and beautifully colored Koi Fish. Also, you'll see magnificent Peacocks strutting around the dining area and garden grounds. Reservations are needed for Rats Restaurant. Think the restaurant is open from Thursday-Sunday. Be sure to get an advanced timed ticket before arriving at Grounds For Sculpture . . It's best to go on a weekday to avoid crowds. There's a lot of walking so wear comfortable shoes.