You’ve likely heard of Weird NJ, a travel guide to places in New Jersey not usually found on typical travel guides. Released semi-annually, the magazine “chronicles local legends, hauntings, ghost stories, folklore, unusual places or events, and anything considered ‘weird’ in New Jersey.” Though many of these sites are unfortunately not in Scotch Plains or Fanwood, many of them are still a short drive away. Looking for something to do, other than just driving around with friends and going to the same three places every weekend? Here’s a list of the most interesting Weird NJ sites within around an hour drive.
Deserted Village, Berkeley Heights
Officially known as the Feltville Historic District, deep in the woods of the Watchung Reservation is a collection of houses dating back to the 1800s which are now long abandoned. The houses have a history of residence and, expectedly, as there is with any old spooky house, hauntings. The area was first bought by a man named Peter Wilcocks in 1736, who operated a sawmill at the property until 1844, when a Bostonian named David Felt purchased the land from the descendants of Peter Wilcocks who rebuilt the mill and homes for the workers to live in. In 1882, the property was bought by a man named Warren Ackerman who tried, and failed, to make the area into a summer resort, which subsequently resulted in his moving out and the abandonment of the village. Now, though three families do still live in the village, the site is open to any visitors who want to visit any learn more about the history. Though interesting, the arguably most interesting thing about the abandoned village is the reported hauntings.  One story tells of three young sisters who went camping in the woods and never returned. Other stories tell of Satanists and witches that practiced their rituals in the Watchung reservation and Deserted Village. Many people have reported signs of hauntings, such as temperature fluctuations, chills, and bloodstains. Due to the fact that this area is less than 30 minutes from Scotch Plains, it is a must see for those who like history and are intrigued by reported hauntings.
Greek’s Playland, Monroe
Greek’s Playland is an 87-acre theme park, but without any true theme. It’s hard to describe Greek’s Playland until you’ve visited, but it basically showcases a various amount of attractions – ranging from a 30 foot tall brightly painted clown constructed from trash to an M60 army tank, with its own Cobra helicopter. Almost every art piece and attraction is recycled from something else, usually trash, and is an unexpected sight to be seen. It can be argued to be an art exhibit, but according to The Greek, the elusive man who has curated and created Greek’s Playland since the 1970s, “it’s all trash!” Greek’s Playland is often used as a host for events, as it does have it’s own banquet halls, but often serves as a playground of sorts for disabled children, fulfilling the initial objective of the park by The Greek. Still confused by what Greek’s Playland is? According to WeirdNJ.com, there’s an unexpected sight to be seen at every corner of Greek’s Playland, like “a vast field of brightly painted truck tires, welded sculptures made from old bicycles and car parts, a miniature golf course that was designed so that the ball practically goes in each hole on its own, a disused driving range where the golf balls were once aimed at old satellite dishes, a paddleboat lake, a wooded trail festooned with hundreds of birdfeeders, a number of manmade waterfalls and other water features, pagodas and Japanese footbridges, cavernous exotically decorated banquet halls, including Mahal Gardens, a popular spot for Indian weddings, and enough parking to accommodate hundreds of cars and buses––there’s even a helipad!” Greek’s Playland is free of charge and a great place to visit if you want to see something different, colorful, and overall weird.
Luna Parc, Sussex
More a house than a park, Luna Parc is a 5-acre property completely encompassed as an art project, made by a man named Ricky Boscarino who has been designing the house for more than three years. The house is completely engulfed by color – the front yard covered with swirling sculptures, walls, and spires, the house encrusted by brilliantly colored mosaics of tile, glass, and painted metal. The house is basically a “technicolor gingerbread chalet in a psychedelic fantasy land,” according to WeirdNJ.com. Not only is the house covered in art, but it features art on the interior as well, with many installations made out of found objects such as bottles, corks, and stones. Similar to Greek’s Playland, it is more of an art showcase than an attraction, but still brilliant to see and experience. Though not open all the time, Luna Parc is open to the public multiple times a year, and is a great installation to visit.