SENIORS ENJOY NEW JERSEY



Seniors Visit West Orange

west-orange-sign-screenshotWest Orange, New Jersey is a suburban township in central Essex County, New Jersey with a population of 47,000. Senior travelers discover that West Orange lies about 14 miles from New York City. 

Wondering about that name, like me? The township derives its name from the city of Orange, which in turn is derived from William III of England or William IV, Prince of Orange. The oldest and most densely populated part of the township is Downtown West Orange. Main Street is home to the Thomas Edison National Historical Park.

West Orange Claims Thomas Edison, Seniors

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West Orange claims Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931), inventor of the phonograph, the incandescent electric lightbulb, and the first practical motion picture camera. His home was Glenmont Mansion. Edison’s Black Maria, the first movie studio, was located locally.

As the first planned community of United States, Llewellyn Park is located in West Orange. West Orange has some of the most attractive parks in the Northeast, offering basketball courts, theaters, playgrounds and baseball fields. There are also several scenic landscapes for senior visitors to enjoy.

Seaton Hall, a private Roman Catholic University, is close by and well worth a visit to the scenic campus. “The Town Where Invention Lives”, unfolds across the first and second Watchung Mountains with well over 1,000 acres of open land.

Senior Hikers And Golfers Welcomed

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The recreation opportunities don’t stop with the miles of hiking trails. Senior visitors can enjoy 4 golf courses, the Turtle Back Zoo, Codey Skating Arena, Mini Golf Safari, Essex County Equestrian Club and Oscar Schindler Performing Arts Center.

The downtown area features the Thomas Edison National Historical Park that recently received $16 million in improvements as well as the thriving Valley Arts District anchored by the Luna Stage Theater Company facility.

A few of the famous inhabitants in West Orange whose names I recognized were Thomas Alva Edison, Whoppi Goldberg, Kyrie Irving, Frank Dodd, David Cassidy, Martin Brodeur, Mark and Scott Kelly, Phil Rizzuto and Amos Alonzo Stagg. Know those folks?

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TripAdvisor rates the Turtle Back Zoo and the Edison National Historic Park. The Essex County TreeTop Adventure Course is a world class tree top aerial adventure obstacle course. Designed and built in the trees, each tree is equipped with a platform and visitors traverse from platform to platform through a variety of “elements” that will make the trip a challenge. On second thought, I just might have to do that by myself.

Seniors, set your GPS for West Orange and stop for a visit when you are in New Jersey. Activities are ongoing all year long, so you will keep busy right from your arrival. Enjoy. -jeb

2 comments to “SENIORS ENJOY NEW JERSEY”

  1. Leigh-Ann Zaolino says:

    West Orange is a lovely place to visit, however it is not age friendly if you live here. There is no Aging in Place plan at the moment and municipal resources for seniors are extremely limited.

    • Jeannine Becker says:

      And our blogs focus on lovely places for seniors to visit as they travel! West Orange sounds like a lovely place to visit!

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