Get the free Morris County Fall Bucket List
60+ of the best things to do across Morris County this fall. Apple picking, corn mazes, hayrides, fall festivals, haunted attractions and cider donuts. Straight to your inbox, free.
Pequannock Township sits in the northeast corner of Morris County along the Pompton and Pequannock rivers, and most of it is the village of Pompton Plains. It is one of New Jersey’s original townships, created on February 21, 1798, and it packs a lot of history, a county golf course and a swimmable park lake into a small town. Here is our guide to the best things to do in Pequannock, NJ, from the old railroad station to where to grab a bagel.
Pequannock vs. Pompton Plains: Quick Orientation
Pequannock is the township; Pompton Plains is its main community and the name on most mailing addresses (07444). The township name comes from the Lenape word for cleared land ready for planting. Route 23 and the Newark Pompton Turnpike are the two main roads, and almost everything below sits within a few minutes of one or the other.
Visit the Pompton Plains Railroad Station Museum
The Pompton Plains Railroad Station was built in 1872 and carried passengers until 1966. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 and now serves as the Pequannock Township Museum, a small and charming stop for anyone into local or railroad history.
See the Martin Berry House
The Martin Berry House at 581 Route 23 is an 18th century house documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey, and it is cared for by the Pequannock Township Historical Society, which opens it for special events. Check the society’s calendar before you go, since the house is not open on a regular schedule.
Walk Past the First Reformed Church
The First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains traces its roots to the Pompton Meeting House, built in 1771. Local oral history says George Washington attended services here while his troops camped nearby during the Revolutionary War, though that has never been proven. Next door, the Giles Mandeville House at 515 Newark Pompton Turnpike was built in 1788 and is believed to have been a stop for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.
Swim and Picnic at Pequannock Valley Park
Pequannock Valley Park is the township’s summer hangout, with a lake and sandy beach for swimming, a playground and picnic areas. It is also where the township holds family programs like the spring MiniBioBlitz. Beach season runs in summer, but the park is a pleasant walk any time of year.
Play a Round at Sunset Valley Golf Course
Sunset Valley in Pompton Plains is one of Morris County’s public 18-hole courses, known for its rolling, hilly layout. See how it compares with the other county courses in our guide to the best public golf courses in Morris County.
Spend an Afternoon at the Library
The Pequannock Township Public Library runs a busy calendar of programs for kids and adults, from story times to book clubs, and hosts its own Library Fest each spring. It is an easy rainy day stop for families.
Where to Eat in Pequannock
Pompton Plains is more diner and tavern than fine dining, and that is part of the appeal. A few spots we like:
- Pompton Queen Diner, 710 Route 23: a classic Jersey diner with a huge menu, open from 7 a.m. and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Tavern 5, 710 Newark Pompton Turnpike: a neighborhood tavern for dinner and drinks with friends (closed Sundays and Mondays).
- The Bagel Tree: one of our picks for the best bagels in Morris County.
Pequannock Events Worth Planning Around
Pequannock has a full community calendar for a town its size. Highlights include the Pequannock Street Festival in Pompton Plains each fall, the township fireworks at Pequannock Township High School in June, the Holy Spirit School carnival in early June and the library’s spring Library Fest. Keep an eye on our things to do in Morris County this weekend guide for the next one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pompton Plains the same as Pequannock?
Pompton Plains is the main community within Pequannock Township in Morris County. Most residents and businesses in the township use a Pompton Plains address.
Is there a beach in Pequannock, NJ?
Yes. Pequannock Valley Park has a lake with a sandy beach for swimming in the summer, plus a playground and picnic areas.
Is there a public golf course in Pompton Plains?
Yes. Sunset Valley Golf Course is an 18-hole public course in Pompton Plains operated as part of the Morris County golf system.
When was Pequannock Township founded?
Pequannock was incorporated on February 21, 1798, as one of New Jersey’s original 104 townships.
Exploring nearby? Our guides to things to do in Montville and things to do in Butler cover two of Pequannock’s neighbors.
Have a Morris County event coming up?
Share it with Morris County.
Festivals, fundraisers, 5Ks, school nights, grand openings. Send us the date, time, place and a flyer, and our team will reach out about getting it in front of Morris County.
Enjoying our Morris County coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
