batsto village

I hadn't been to Batsto Village since I was a child...all I remembered was walking in dusty dirt and the stage coach that used to give visitors rides.As an adult, I recently returned, camera in hand.Batsto Village is a perfect place for exercise, enjoying nature and learning about some history.The lake is a veautiful spot to sit by and just enjoy. The old buildings hold history and intrique. It is fun to imagine how it was living there in the olden days.The different seasons, I'm sure, give you something different to see, so visiting any time it isn't unfit to be outside would be fine for a visit to Batsto Village.

I was there today for the Country Living festival. So many festivals nowadays seem to be just a bunch of vendors but this festival had antique farm machinery, blacksmith, beekeeping and other demos, hands on demos for the family to try, antique cars, local artisans and food stands, petting animals, pony rides, plus the beautiful backdrop of Batsto village itself. There were enough vendors - not a crush of them- and the offerings were interesting things instead of the usual cheap Chinese imports. Things were spread out and comfortably spaced so the large crowd didn't seem large at all. I definitely plan on going again next year. Well done Batsto.

I'd never heard of this place until we were visiting friends and I'd really like to go back to finish our tour! Batsto Village is located in/near the New Jersey Pine Barrens so is quite isolated. Our impromptu visit and tour of the Wharton house was amazing. Our guide was GREAT! He was not only knowledgable about the house but the whole history of the village. He showed genuine enthusiasm for his job and made everyone feel welcome and engaged people in the tour. He didn't talk AT us, but TO us. Unfortunately, our time was very limited. We didn't get to see all that was there, such as the regular homes of the past residents. We visited the mansion, general store/post office, mill and a couple of the carriage houses. I just felt like were missed a lot due to time constraints and would enjoy going back again when we have the entire day to spend exploring. It would have been nice if they'd had costumed guides as I have seen in other historic villages. Maybe they do and we just hit it on an off day. I would have liked to have been able to ask questions about more things. All in all, a very enjoyable time. There is a small fee for the mansion tour. The gift shop was a bit small and sparse and seemed more focused on items relating to the Pine Barrens and Jersey Devil than the village itself.

Today was beautiful and so was Batsto. This southern NJ historic village is located in Wharton State Forest. Mr Wharton is the one the school is named for. He lived in Philadelphia but had a home and business here in the forest. We started our day with a bike ride on an empty rode thru the forest, hiked around the lake, viewed the historic barn, saw iron rocks that had come from the bog, went to the mill and blacksmith shop. On a previous visit I had toured the Wharton Mansion which is a must for first time visitors. To enjoy local food, we ate in New Gretna on Rt 9 at a recommended restaurant. Ask at the Visitors Centre for a dining list. If inclined, you could camp here. it is just a beautiful historic place that should be on your list of maybe 1000 things to see in NJ.

I have been going to Batsto village for years. It is has just about anything. They have tons of history, hiking and biking trails, kayaking and canoeing launches and festivals.On the inside of the main building there is a great gift shop with tons of great books on things from the area. There is also a little walk through section of the history of Batsto. Once through that building you get to walk around the actual town. On most weekends they have people dressed in period clothes "working" at the post office, mill, mansion, and forge.On the far side there are tons of trails with a very clear map at the trail head. The trails are all marked very well and kept very clean. Also there are picnic tables and grills. The lake and river are so peaceful to kayak and canoe on. Right around the corner from batsto there is a canoe and kayak rental place that will shuttle you up river or right to the lake. It is a very picturesque place all around but no pictures are allowed in the buildings.Most recently we went and had a picnic out in their big field. It was so peaceful. They havePlenty of parking.BathroomsVending machinesa hot dog truck with good food most weekends.They charge a small fee occasionally. Within the last few years they were only there once collecting.

I have been visiting Batsto Village for 12 years. My mom and dad took me there when I was young to see the village and walk the trails. We spent the small fee to tour the mansion on sight the first time we visited but have not been back inside since. It was neat to see the layout of the house but I found the workers cabins and other building on the site more interesting and they are free to see. They use to have demonstrations by blacksmiths, candle makers, log cutters and weevers but I haven't seen them for a long time unless there is a historical reenactment going on. I think the cuts were due to lack of sufficient funding. The village surrounds a huge lake and you can visit the saw mill located on the banks that uses the water to power the saw. There are about 4 cabins that use to house the trademen and during normal hours they are open for the public to view and have historic items inside. There is also an environmental center located along the lake with turtles and activities for children. For those that enjoy hiking or even a short walk through then woods, there are numerous marked trails and you can follow a map obtained from the visitor center to either take a long trek or a short one. I personally enjoy the walking the best but do where big spray and check for ticks when it is tick season. Try to stay on the trails and beware of snakes and poison ivy. Once you have finished your exploration of the village and woods visit the museum and gift shop to bring home a gift from the Pine Barrens. You can enjoy lunch in the picnic area off the parking lot but whatever food you bring in must be brought back out with you. While the village itself does not sell refreshments, there is often a hot dog cart in the lot on the weekends. There is usually a $5 fee to enter but that depends on what time you go and if there is an event taking place. The fee is definitely worth it though. I enjoy this place so much I continue to go there and with my baby daughter and hope to start a tradition with her.

This is one of the best places to take the family for a day trip in South Jersey. On select weekends they have live demonstrations. Be sure to check the Batsto website and Facebook page. Tours of the mansion start the first week of May. Adults are $3 and kids $1 for tours. Only downside is they do not allow photos of the mansion while on the tour. There is a gift shop and a food vendor set up in the parking lot.

This is a great place to just walk around, take pictures and learn about the area back then.The mansion has been restored and they offer tours and is worth taking in at a small fee. It's rather large so expect to spend some time to see a good portion of it and as my title says "wear comfy footwear"!

This is a great place to spend a few hours walking through history and enjoying nature. We went to check it out before bringing our 8 year old, and am glad we did. For younger children, there was not much to do. Older children and adults who love nature or history will love it, though!

I'm a local to Batsto and this is one of my favorite places in the state. It's wonderfully preserved, and you're free to walk around in any order you like around the village, though there is information and a tour of the mansion available. The mansion owns my heart completely and I'll take the tour as many times as I can! Centered within the pine barrens/Wharton State Forest, Batsto is a quiet haven of historical delight. There's so much to see and learn and love.

Very historical and unique because it has been preserved so well. I love the sandy roads and paths that make you feel the time in which it truly was an operating town. The nature center, though small, is interesting and had a very friendly host. We would love to visit again when volunteers are actually doing demonstration. Good walking tour. There is a fee on week-ends.

My wife and I recently visited Batsto to do an excursion in our canoe. Although a lot of the winding and shallow waterway would have been better suited for kayaking, we enjoyed ourselves for several hours on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. We travelled several miles and it seemed as though the winding waterway went on forever. We definately will return with our kayaks for another adventure. We will visit the villiage as well as that looked very interesting.

The restored colonial town of Batsto in the South Jersey Pine Barrens is a large complex, with walking and hiking paths, a lake and river, and sometimes working ironsmiths and glass blowers. Free weekdays, with a great gift shop. Avoid the woods and Lyme Disease-carrying deer ticks.

A great place to walk around in the spring...clear water, beaver damns, wild flowers, geese, canoeing,kayaking,hiking.........

This is one of my favorite places to take my kayak for a peaceful sail. Village is also fun to walk around