New Brunswick's Wwyd?

New Brunswick, New Jersey, also known as Hub City and The Healthcare City, is a vibrant town situated on the banks of the Raritan River. It is a bustling college town, home to Rutgers University, Johnson & Johnson's international HQ, the NJ State Theatre, and several world-class hospitals. The city has a rich history, with buildings from the 1740s through to the turn of the 19th century still standing. New Brunswick offers a range of entertainment and dining options, from the New Brunswick Performing Arts Centre to the award-winning Frog and Peach restaurant. The city also boasts several parks and gardens, including Rutgers Gardens, Boyd Park, and Buccleuch Park, as well as sporting attractions such as kayaking and boating on the Raritan River.

Explore the Zimmerli Art Museum

The Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, popularly known as the Zimmerli Art Museum, is located on the Voorhees Mall on the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The museum, founded in 1966, houses more than 60,000 works of art, including American art from the eighteenth century to the present, six centuries of European art, and Russian and Soviet Nonconformist Art. The museum is a great place to spend a day exploring, and here are some ways to do so:

Explore the Collections

The Zimmerli Art Museum's American art collection contains over 16,500 objects, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper (such as prints, drawings, and photographs), and decorative arts. The collection dates back to the late eighteenth century and showcases a range of artistic styles and movements, such as portraiture, landscape, still life, narrative art, and abstraction. Modern and contemporary art styles represented include abstract expressionism, pop art, minimalism, and more.

The European art collection comprises close to 10,000 objects, with a focus on nineteenth-century French art, particularly prints and rare books. Other highlights include portraits, caricatures, landscapes, and popular entertainments. The museum also holds a renowned collection of Japonisme, which are works by European artists inspired by Japanese art and aesthetics.

The Dodge Collection

The Dodge Collection is a significant aspect of the museum's holdings, containing over 20,000 works by nearly 1,000 artists. It is the largest collection of Soviet Nonconformist Art in the United States, amassed by economics professor Norton Dodge from the late 1950s until the advent of Perestroika. The collection showcases a culture that defied the politically imposed conventions of Socialist Realism, with works in various media, including paintings, sculpture, photography, artists' books, and more.

Educational Programs and Tours

The Zimmerli Art Museum offers a variety of educational programs and tours for visitors of all ages. The museum provides interactive tours designed for elementary and secondary student age groups, as well as drawing workshops for all ages and storytelling for preschoolers. The museum also organises day trips for adults who want to delve deeper into specific aspects of art.

Exhibitions and Special Events

The museum presents exhibitions with an interdisciplinary perspective and offers free admission to all visitors. Exhibitions often focus on specific themes or artists, such as the George Segal: Themes and Variations exhibition. The museum also hosts special events like the Summer Art Camp and the Membership Open House Breakfast.

Practical Information

The Zimmerli Art Museum is located at 71 Hamilton St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, and is open to the public with free admission. It is easily accessible via public transportation, and visitors can check the website for directions and parking information. The museum has a café, and food, beverages, and large bags are prohibited in the galleries. Visitors are invited to take photographs for personal, non-commercial use, and the museum requests that visitors step outside the galleries when making or receiving phone calls.

With its diverse and extensive collections, educational programs, and exhibitions, the Zimmerli Art Museum offers a rich cultural experience for art enthusiasts, students, and those seeking to explore the world of art.

Visit Rutgers Gardens

Rutgers Gardens is a great place to visit in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is the official botanical garden of Rutgers University and it's open to the public year-round with no admission fee. The gardens are a vibrant, ever-changing "living museum" with a large array of gardens and plant collections.

What to See and Do

Rutgers Gardens is a vast 180-acre botanical garden that includes designed gardens, plant collections, a student farm, a farmers market, and natural habitats. There are gentle hiking trails, a log cabin, and a lily pond. You can also spot some exotic trees, such as bamboo grove trees, holly, pine, and oak.

The gardens serve as a living laboratory for faculty and staff, while also providing learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. The volunteer program is vibrant, and the gardens host many special events and activities for families throughout the year.

Opening Times and Location

Rutgers Gardens is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm. It is closed on Mondays. The GPS address is 130 Log Cabin Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525.

Nearby Attractions

New Brunswick has a lot more to offer in terms of nature, history, and entertainment. The Zimmerli Art Museum, Johnson Park, and the East Jersey Old Town Village are all recommended spots for those interested in history. For nature lovers, the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail and the tow path offer great views of the fall foliage.

See a show at the Crossroads Theatre Company

If you're looking for things to do in New Brunswick, NJ, seeing a show at the Crossroads Theatre Company is a great option. Crossroads Theatre is an American resident theatre company that focuses on celebrating the culture, artistry, and voices of the African diaspora. It is committed to literary works that examine the African American experience so that it may be understood and appreciated by people from all walks of life.

The theatre company was founded in 1978 by Ricardo Khan and Lee K. Richardson, who met while studying for their Masters of Fine Art at Rutgers University. Crossroads Theatre has produced over 100 works, including many premiere productions by African and African-American artists. The theatre has a reputation for its commitment to artistic excellence, with all aspects of the production considered valuable, from sets and costumes to marketing and audience engagement.

The Crossroads Theatre Company is located at 7 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, NJ, and it offers a diverse range of shows throughout the year. The theatre has two state-of-the-art venues with 450 and 275 seats, respectively, ensuring an intimate and engaging experience for the audience. The proximity to the stage is often mentioned as a highlight of the theatre-going experience at Crossroads.

Upcoming shows at Crossroads Theatre include August Wilson's "Fences", directed by Ricardo Khan, which will run from May 29 to June 9, 2024, and "Starchild: The Ballad of Debbie Walker", a story set to hip-hop and rock. Past productions have included "The Colored Museum", "Spunk", "Fly", and "Sheila's Day", among many others.

Whether you're a resident of New Brunswick or just visiting, be sure to check out the Crossroads Theatre Company for an enriching and entertaining experience that showcases the best of Black theatre and promotes cultural representation, diversity, and inclusivity.

Tour the Rutgers University campus

New Brunswick, New Jersey, is home to Rutgers University, the state university of New Jersey. The university offers a range of tour options for prospective students and their families, providing an overview of the Rutgers student experience and the opportunity to explore the campus and its facilities.

The Rutgers–New Brunswick Visitor Center is a 12,000-square-foot facility located on Busch Campus and serves as the starting point for all campus tours. The centre also provides information on Rutgers' history and its contributions to New Jersey, the US, and the world.

In-Person Tours

Rutgers University offers in-person tours for those who want to experience the campus up close. These tours are designed to provide a general overview of the university, including its living and learning spaces. The tours are led by student Scarlet Ambassadors and an Undergraduate Admissions representative. Due to safety protocols, guests cannot enter residence halls and select other buildings. However, residence halls can be viewed on the Residence Life website.

Virtual Campus Tours

For those who cannot make it to the campus in person, Rutgers offers virtual campus tours. These tours are hosted live by current student Scarlet Ambassadors and provide an inside look at the highlights of Rutgers–New Brunswick's five-campus system. Attendees can ask questions about navigating the campus, the student experience, and general academic information.

Self-Guided Tours

Rutgers also offers self-guided tours via the Rutgers–New Brunswick mobile app. Visitors can explore the five campuses at their own pace, with a personal tour guide on their smartphone. The app provides information on visiting the campus, parking, and specific academic school tour offerings.

School and Academic Tours

In addition to the general campus tours, Rutgers University offers specific school and academic tours for those interested in learning more about particular schools or majors. These tours are managed by the academic schools themselves and are not affiliated with Undergraduate Admissions.

Sculpture Tours

Rutgers University has a variety of sculptures across its campuses, and self-guided sculpture tour maps are available for those interested in exploring this aspect of the campus. The sculptures range from abstract to figurative, with some created under the New Jersey Public Buildings Arts Inclusion Act of 1978.

Sports and History

As the birthplace of college football, Rutgers University has a rich sports history. The First Football Game Monument, located outside the SHI Stadium, commemorates the first intercollegiate football game between Rutgers and Princeton in 1869. Additionally, the city of New Brunswick offers a Historic Downtown Walking Tour Map to explore buildings from the 1740s through the turn of the 19th century.

Relax at Boyd Park

If you're looking for a place to relax in New Brunswick, NJ, then Boyd Park is the place to be. This 20-acre award-winning park offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Nestled along the Raritan River, Boyd Park provides a tranquil setting with alluring views of the river and the city skyline.

Take a leisurely stroll along the park's 3/4-mile-long tow path, which is illuminated by lights in the evening. Along the way, you'll discover a wealth of historical features, including a swing bridge, a canal, and locks. The extensive historical signage will guide you through the rich history of the Raritan River and New Brunswick.

The park also boasts a relaxing water pond, often frequented by ducks, and a spacious amphitheatre that hosts various shows during the summer months. For those seeking a more active experience, the park has playgrounds, athletic fields, and a fitness pad to cater to your needs.

Boyd Park is an ideal spot for a picnic, with ample space to spread out and enjoy a meal with family and friends. The park also offers plenty of parking, free of charge, making it easily accessible for all. Whether you're looking for a quiet walk, a historical tour, or a fun day out with the kids, Boyd Park has something for everyone.

So, if you're in New Brunswick and seeking a relaxing outdoor experience, be sure to add Boyd Park to your itinerary. With its natural beauty, historical significance, and array of amenities, it's the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a break from the city.

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