Chatham Borough & Chatham Township · Morris County
Visiting & Lodging
The Chathams offer two complementary visitor experiences in one community: a walkable Borough centered on historic Main Street, rail access, theater, shopping and dining, and a larger Township shaped by parks, trails, Colony Pool, Green Village and the Great Swamp.
That makes Chatham especially well suited to a day trip—coffee or brunch downtown, local shopping or a performance, then nature trails and wetlands in the Township—while nearby Summit, Short Hills, Florham Park and the Morristown area provide conventional hotel choices.
Plan a Chatham VisitHistoric Main Street
Chatham Playhouse
Farmers' Market
Great Swamp nature
Parks & trails
Memorial Park Pool
Colony Pool
NJ TRANSIT rail
Downtown parking
Nearby hotels
One visitor guide, two municipalities. Chatham Borough and Chatham Township share the Chatham name and many community institutions but offer different visitor experiences. This guide identifies which side of Chatham a destination belongs to whenever that distinction matters.
Two Ways to Experience Chatham
Chatham Borough
Best for visitors who want a traditional small-town center. Main Street combines restaurants, cafés, specialty shops, the Library of the Chathams, historic architecture and convenient access to Chatham Station.
- Walkable Main Street
- Chatham Playhouse
- Saturday Farmers' Market in season
- Shepard Kollock and Memorial parks
- Memorial Park Pool
- NJ TRANSIT Morris & Essex Line
Chatham Township
Best for nature, recreation and exploring the landscape around the Great Swamp. The Township is larger and more car-oriented, with wooded trails, public recreation facilities and Green Village.
- Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
- Great Swamp refuge access nearby
- Colony Pool Club
- Nash, Shunpike, Esternay and Mountainview parks
- Green Village Conservation Trail
- Giralda Farm Preserve and other local trails
Historic Main Street & Downtown Chatham
Chatham Borough's central business district is the natural starting point for a first visit. Main Street follows a route used for centuries—from an early Native American trail and King's Highway to the Morris Turnpike and today's Route 124.
Walk the DowntownCombine cafés, restaurants, independent shops, personal services and historic streetscapes within a relatively compact area.
Railroad PlazaThe NJ TRANSIT station area connects Chatham's commuter history with today's downtown and Saturday Farmers' Market.
Historic ArchitectureThe Borough maintains Main Street historic districts that preserve buildings and streetscapes from multiple eras of Chatham's development.
Library of the ChathamsThe shared public library at 214 Main Street is another easy downtown stop and community landmark.
Historic Preservation
Chatham Playhouse
The Chatham Playhouse at 23 North Passaic Avenue is home to the Chatham Community Players, a local theater organization with more than a century of community-theater history.
MainstageThe Players produce a season of full productions at the Playhouse, with reserved seating that varies by show configuration.
Jersey VoicesThe annual one-act festival showcases original works by New Jersey-connected playwrights.
Black Box & Special ProgramsSmaller productions, education, outreach and performance programs complement the mainstage season.
2026–27 SeasonThe current season continues with fall, holiday, winter and spring productions; check the Playhouse directly for current dates and ticket availability.
Chatham Community Players
Chatham Borough Farmers' Market
The Borough Farmers' Market brings seasonal food and community activity to Railroad Plaza South, making it especially easy to combine with a downtown visit.
2026 season: Saturdays from May 16 through November 14, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., with no market on July 4. The September 19 market is paired with the Borough Sustainability Fair.
Farmers' Market Information
Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center
One of the strongest visitor destinations actually located in Chatham Township is the Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center at 247 Southern Boulevard. Operated by the Morris County Park Commission, the center borders the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge and serves as an outdoor classroom for families, school groups and nature enthusiasts.
Trails & BoardwalksVisitors can explore wetland, forest and wildlife habitat on a network of trails and boardwalks.
Nature ProgramsThe center runs family walks, children's programs, homeschool activities, seasonal programs and environmental education throughout the year.
Visitor CenterIndoor exhibits help interpret the ecology and wildlife of the Great Swamp before or after a trail walk.
Open DailyCurrent Morris County information lists the center as open seven days a week, generally 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; trails extend into daylight hours.
Morris County Parks
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
The federally managed Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge extends across several Morris County municipalities, including part of Chatham Township. The refuge protects thousands of acres of wetlands, forest and wildlife habitat and supports more than 240 bird species.
Visitor-center distinction: The federal refuge's Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center is at 32 Pleasant Plains Road in Basking Ridge, not in Chatham Township. The Great Swamp Outdoor Education Center on Southern Boulevard is a separate Morris County facility located inside Chatham Township.
The federal refuge is open year-round from sunrise to sunset, although individual gates and facilities have their own hours. Visitors should check current trail conditions, seasonal closures and wildlife guidance before heading out.
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Parks & Recreation
Chatham Borough Parks
Shepard Kollock ParkPicnic shelter, athletic fields, baseball/softball, boat launch, playground, walking trail and fenced off-leash dog area along the Passaic River.
Memorial ParkPlayground, fields, basketball, picnic tables and the Borough's municipal swimming pool.
Garden ParkTennis/pickleball courts, basketball, playground, walking path and a respite area near Chatham Middle School.
Stanley ParkSmall riverside picnic area on River Road along the Passaic River.
Chatham Township Parks & Trails
Nash ParkActive recreation facility; the Township began a playground replacement project in 2026.
Shunpike ParkNeighborhood recreation area along the Township's major commercial corridor.
Esternay & MountainviewAdditional Township parks supporting local outdoor recreation.
Local TrailsGreen Village Conservation, Giralda Farm Preserve, Hillside and Shunpike trails add passive recreation beyond the major parks.
Borough Parks
Township Parks
Swimming in the Chathams
Memorial Park Pool · Borough
The Borough pool is open to Chatham Borough and Township residents and also offers area non-resident memberships and day passes under the current program.
The 2026 season runs through Labor Day, September 7. Current summer hours are generally 11:00 a.m.–7:30 p.m. through August 30, followed by reduced end-of-season hours.
Memorial Park Pool
Colony Pool Club · Township
Established in 1928, Colony Pool is a Township-owned, spring-fed membership swimming facility with sand and grass areas plus six public tennis courts.
For 2026, Chatham Township partnered with the Madison Area YMCA to operate and manage the facility while preserving Colony Pool as a Township-owned community recreation resource.
Colony Pool Club
A Chatham Day Trip
Start DowntownArrive in Chatham Borough, park near Main Street or use NJ TRANSIT, then begin with breakfast or coffee.
Explore Main StreetBrowse shops, historic streetscapes and the central business district around Railroad Plaza.
Add Theater or the MarketOn the right date, visit the Saturday Farmers' Market or plan an afternoon/evening Chatham Playhouse performance.
Drive into the TownshipHead toward Southern Boulevard and the wooded, more open landscape of Chatham Township.
Walk the Great SwampUse the Outdoor Education Center trails and boardwalks for an easy nature-focused stop.
Finish with DinnerReturn to Borough Main Street or choose a Shunpike Road restaurant in the Township.
Getting Here by Train
Chatham Station is one block off Route 124 between Fairmount and Washington avenues in Chatham Borough. It is served by NJ TRANSIT's Morris & Essex Line.
Rail + DowntownThe station is within easy walking distance of Main Street shopping, restaurants, the Farmers' Market and community destinations.
Weekend ParkingNJ TRANSIT's current station information lists municipal station parking as free on weekends and after 7:00 p.m.; weekday commuter rules and rates differ.
Bike AccessBike racks or lockers are available at the station.
Check Before TravelingTrain schedules, track assignments, fares and service alerts can change; use NJ TRANSIT for live trip planning.
Chatham Station
Downtown Parking
Chatham Borough maintains several public parking options for downtown visitors. Current Borough information identifies shopper parking at Bowers Lane and Post Office Plaza, along with metered and commuter-oriented station parking.
Bowers LaneFree shopper/business parking with a current maximum stay of three hours for non-permit users.
Post Office PlazaFree parking with a three-hour maximum, except designated short-term postal spaces.
Station MetersDaily commuter/meter rules differ from short-term downtown shopping parking.
Follow Posted SignsEvent restrictions, overnight rules, snow emergencies and permit requirements can override general parking information.
Chatham Borough Parking
Where to Stay
No conventional hotel inventory is currently identified inside Chatham Borough or Chatham Township. Visitors seeking a standard nightly hotel stay should plan on nearby Summit, Short Hills, Florham Park or the Morristown/Convent Station area.
The Chathams are compact enough that nearby hotels can still work well for family visits, weddings, business travel and weekend trips. The properties below are outside the two Chatham municipalities and are presented as nearby lodging choices.
The Albion Summit
Summit
570 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901
908-273-3000
Historic boutique hotel in downtown Summit with approximately 100 rooms, dining and convenient access to Summit's downtown and NJ TRANSIT station.
Hilton Short Hills
Short Hills / Millburn Township
41 John F. Kennedy Parkway, Short Hills, NJ 07078
973-379-0100
Full-service hotel across from The Mall at Short Hills with indoor and outdoor pools, fitness facilities, restaurant and meeting space.
Archer Hotel Florham Park
Florham Park
130 Park Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07932
862-286-7000
Boutique-style hotel with guest rooms and suites, restaurant/bar, indoor pool and event facilities in the Park Avenue development area.
The Madison Hotel
Morristown / Convent Station Area
1 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
973-285-1800
Full-service hotel near Convent Station with on-site dining, event facilities and convenient access to Madison, Morristown and the Chathams.
Standard NJTGO lodging references do not include external commercial website links. Hotel ownership, branding, amenities and rates can change; confirm current details directly with the property before booking.
Visitor Tips
Choose Your Side of ChathamUse the Borough for a walkable shopping/dining/theater day; use the Township for trails, pools and Great Swamp nature.
Bring a Car for the TownshipChatham Township destinations are spread out and generally not practical to reach on foot from the Borough train station.
Wear Trail-Appropriate ShoesGreat Swamp areas can be wet or muddy, and mosquitoes and ticks can be significant in warm weather.
Check Pool Access RulesMemorial and Colony pools have membership, guest, day-pass and seasonal rules that can change each year.
Time Saturday VisitsDuring market season, Saturday is especially good for combining downtown food, shopping and the Farmers' Market.
Reserve Theater TicketsChatham Playhouse seating and availability vary by production; popular performances may sell out.
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