A 107-acre freshwater wetland preserve with footpaths, observation platforms and exceptional birdwatching.
Bergen County · Wetlands, History, Rail & Small-Town Events
Visit Allendale
Allendale is not a conventional tourist town, but it has an unusually strong collection of visitor-worthy places for a three-square-mile Bergen County borough. The biggest draws are The Celery Farm, historic John Fell House, Crestwood Park and a walkable downtown beside the NJ Transit station.
The borough works especially well as a half-day or one-day North Jersey outing: birdwatch in the morning, explore Revolutionary-era history, have lunch downtown, and finish with a community event or a walk through one of Allendale's parks.
Top Allendale visitor highlights
Revolutionary-era home of Continental Congressman John Fell, now preserved on three acres and listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
Seventy-one-acre municipal recreation complex with sports fields, tennis, the Red Barn and Crestwood Lake.
Restaurants, boutiques, services and NJ Transit are clustered around West Allendale Avenue, Park Avenue and Franklin Turnpike.
Smaller neighborhood green spaces add convenient stops during a downtown or residential walking route.
Allendale Day, America 250 programming, concerts, fireworks and holiday traditions give visitors several reasons to return during the year.
The Celery Farm
The Celery Farm is Allendale's strongest public visitor attraction and one of Bergen County's distinctive birding destinations.
The preserve is open to the public during daylight hours every day of the year.
Freshwater wetlands, deciduous woods and ponds provide habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles, fish and insects.
More than 240 bird species have been recorded, and more than 50 are known to breed there.
Volunteer-maintained footpaths and three observation platforms support birdwatching, photography and nature study.
The main entrance is on Franklin Turnpike, with a second access point from Green Way.
This is a nature preserve rather than a sports park, so visitors should remain on established routes and respect wildlife habitat.
Current Borough information on access, habitat and entrances.
Visitor informationVolunteer organization that maintains paths, platforms and wildlife infrastructure.
Fyke Nature AssociationJohn Fell House
The John Fell House at 475 Franklin Turnpike is one of Allendale's most important historic resources. The earliest portion dates to the 1760s, with later additions in the 1830s and 1915.
John Fell served in the Continental Congress and was taken prisoner by Loyalist raiders at his home in 1777.
The house and its three-acre property are listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places.
The property hosts educational and community events including history programs, reenactments, bazaars and nature-oriented activities.
Not a daily drop-in museum.The John Fell House is an active historic-property and event venue rather than a conventional museum with guaranteed daily public hours. Check current event or program information before making a special trip.
History and current preservation information.
John Fell HouseCrestwood Park & Crestwood Lake
Crestwood Park is a 71-acre municipal facility on West Crescent Avenue with sports fields, tennis courts, the Red Barn pavilion and Crestwood Lake.
The park itself is one of Allendale's signature landscapes and supports athletics, community events and recreation.
Crestwood Lake's swimming facilities are members-only. The Borough expressly states there are no public day passes.
In 2026, the lake opened weekends beginning May 23 and moved to daily 11 AM–7 PM operation beginning June 25 for the regular season.
Visitors should distinguish the park from lake membership.Crestwood Park is an important Allendale landmark, but swimming and beach access at Crestwood Lake require membership or guest access under current Borough rules. Do not arrive expecting to buy a public day pass.
Current park, field and Red Barn information.
Crestwood ParkMembership, guest and lake-use regulations.
Lake rulesBorough-maintained alternatives for visitors seeking public swimming.
Public lake alternativesDowntown Allendale & the station area
Allendale's traditional center is compact enough to explore on foot and works naturally as the meal-and-shopping portion of a day trip.
The principal dining and shopping corridor includes restaurants, coffee, specialty retail, salons, fitness studios, services and professional offices.
NJ Transit's Main-Bergen County Line serves the center of town at West Allendale and Orchard Streets.
The historic north-south route links downtown with John Fell House, The Celery Farm and additional local businesses.
Easy pairing:visit The Celery Farm or John Fell House first, then return downtown for lunch, coffee or shopping without needing to drive to a separate commercial center.
Current September 2026 visitor events
September 19
Allendale Salutes 250th ParadeAmerica 250 parade leading into the Holiday Observers USA 250th Anniversary celebration at Crestwood, where festivities begin at 1 PM.
September 26 · 12–4 PM
Allendale DayChamber-sponsored festival on West Allendale Avenue with local businesses, organizations and vendors. Rain date: October 3.
September 26
Holiday Observer FireworksThe 2026 fireworks were rescheduled to Saturday, September 26. Existing tickets remain part of the Borough's current event guidance.
September 30
Beat of AmericaAmerica 250 cultural programming continues with “Songs of Patriotism, Praise & Protest.”
Seasonal
Crestwood Concert SeriesOutdoor music programming is part of Allendale's summer community calendar.
Throughout the year
John Fell House ProgramsHistoric talks, educational programs and special events are scheduled periodically rather than on a daily museum timetable.
Check event details before traveling.Parking plans, ticket requirements, rain dates, street closures and event times can change, especially when several major activities share the same weekend.
Current Allendale calendar and community notices.
Borough calendarAllendale's current semiquincentennial events.
America 250Festival information from the Allendale Chamber of Commerce.
Allendale DayA one-day Allendale visitor plan
Begin with a quiet walk and birdwatching while the preserve is open and wildlife activity is often strongest.
Stop at the historic property when a public program or event is scheduled, or use the exterior/history stop as part of a Franklin Turnpike route.
Choose from Italian, steakhouse, Indian, Mediterranean, sushi, poke, pizza, pub, coffee or smoothie options in the station-area district.
Browse local businesses or explore the park landscape. Remember that Crestwood Lake swimming is restricted to members and their guests.
Lodging in and near Allendale
NJTGO did not identify a conventional hotel operating inside Allendale Borough during the September 2026 review. The most practical nearby hotel clusters are along Route 17 in Ramsey and Mahwah, with an extended-stay option just east in Saddle River.
Limited-service hotel on Route 17 with free breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking, convenient for short Allendale visits and northern Bergen County travel.
201-934-9250
Route 17 hotel with free breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking plus indoor pool and fitness facilities, useful for travelers combining Allendale with Mahwah or Ramapo College.
201-828-2031
All-suite extended-stay hotel with kitchen-equipped suites, breakfast and additional living space for longer family or business stays.
201-934-4144
Confirm lodging directly before travel.Rates, renovations, parking charges, pet rules, pools and other amenities can change. Standard NJTGO lodging listings do not include external commercial hotel or booking links; enhanced paid placements may include them.
Parking, rail & getting around
Station is at West Allendale and Orchard Streets, one block from Franklin Turnpike, with Main-Bergen County Line service.
72 standard spaces plus accessible spaces at Main Street and East Street. Permit parking; resident permit rules apply.
41 standard spaces at West Allendale Road and Myrtle Avenue. Permit parking with resident and nonresident options.
138 standard spaces at West Allendale Road and Myrtle Avenue. Current NJ Transit information lists daily and permit parking.
NJ Transit currently lists evening and weekend parking as free in the station lots, subject to posted Borough rules.
Current station information states no parking from 3 AM to 5 AM in the three lots.
Rail can work for a downtown-centered visit.Visitors arriving by train can easily reach the commercial center on foot. The Celery Farm, John Fell House and Crestwood Park are farther out, so walking distances and weather should be considered before planning an entirely car-free itinerary.
Current rail, parking, ticketing and station information.
Allendale StationCamping & outdoor overnight options
There is no public campground inside Allendale Borough. A nearby Bergen County option is Camp Glen Gray in Mahwah.
Bergen County park property in Mahwah with year-round weekend camping. Reservations are required at least one week in advance, and the camp is closed on most holidays.
Cabins, shelters and camping facilities make Glen Gray more appropriate for planned group, family or outdoor-program stays than for spontaneous roadside camping.
Reservation information, current rules and weekend availability.
Camp Glen GrayNearby day-trip extensions
Nearby downtown, additional restaurants, shopping and another Main-Bergen County Line station.
Ramapo Valley outdoor recreation, Ramapo College, Mahwah Museum and Route 17 lodging.
Larger downtown dining and shopping district south of Allendale with additional rail service.
County recreation opportunities in Mahwah provide a natural outdoor extension from The Celery Farm.
Public lake and state-park options are useful for visitors who cannot access private Crestwood Lake.
Saddle River, Upper Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus and Waldwick provide additional dining, architecture and local-shopping excursions.
Continue exploring Allendale
Main Allendale Guide
History, government, schools, parks, library, rail and community overview.
Business & ShoppingDowntown, Franklin Turnpike, De Mercurio Drive and local services.
Food & DrinkRestaurants, pizza, coffee, sushi, Indian, Mediterranean and dietary-option filters.
Real EstateHousing, taxes, permits, flood review, utilities and buyer/seller guidance.
ClassifiedsCommunity marketplace, local notices and resident listings.
JobsLocal employers and Bergen County employment resources.
Own or Manage a Visitor Business Serving Allendale?
NJTGO welcomes corrections and standard local listings. Lodging properties, attractions, event venues and visitor-service businesses can also request enhanced paid placement with expanded promotional details, photos and external website links.
Advertising & Enhanced ListingsVisitor information changes seasonally. Confirm nature-preserve conditions, historic-site event access, Crestwood membership rules, event schedules, rail service, parking restrictions, lodging availability and campground reservations before traveling.