Park Tours and Special Programs

Paterson Great Falls offers a wide variety of in-Park and off-site programming, from tours to teaching activities

NPS Photo

Public Tours

Interested in learning more about the wonders of the Great Falls and the history of Paterson? Join a ranger or park volunteer for a free guided tour! Post-Labor Day, a 45 min - 1 hour public walking tour is offered at 2PM, Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations are not required.

Public programs meet at the statue of Alexander Hamilton in Overlook Park at the main park address.

*Safety Alert - Guided programs may be shortened or cancelled in cases of severe weather or if there is excessive heat or cold. Please call the park at 973-523-0370 Wednesday-Sunday if you have questions.

Self-Guided Walking Tour

Visiting the park but cant make it on our ranger guided tour. Try our Self-guided walking tour you can learn the history at your own pace as you walk around and enjoy the scenery. Click here for more information

Program Reservations

Interested in a program at the Park, having a ranger visit your location, or a virtual program? Please follow the link below to complete our reservation request form.

Paterson Great Falls NHP Program Reservation Request Form

Reservation requests must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the desired tour/program date(s). If a request is received with less than two weeks' notice, efforts will be made to accommodate the request with no guarantees.

For programs in the Park, please be advised that since the park is a public place, we aren't able to provide exclusive tours and if members of the public ask to join, we are not in a position to turn them away. Groups of no more than 40 people are encouraged. Programs are given rain or shine except when conditions are dangerous. If a program is canceled, every attempt at rescheduling will be made, but is not guaranteed.

Please Note: Our on-site reserved program time is 10AM. If you have a special request, please detail it in your reservation request in the hopes we can accommodate.

*We are encouraging all participants to practice current state and local COVID-19 guidelines for outdoor gatherings - mask wearing and following proper social distancing guidelines. If participants are not properly following COVID-19 guidelines, the staff member has the right to stop the tour at any time.

 

Shakespeare at the Museum, The (Mini) Tempest. Shakespeare’s timeless classic- in an hour! The Paterson Museum, 2 Market Street, Paterson NJ. Friday September 23, 7:00pm, indoors.  Saturday September 24 outdoor performances at 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm. Performances are free. Call 862-243-2827 for info.

ATC Studios [e-mail]

Special Programs - Free Events

Shakespeare at the Museum - Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24

ATC Studios’ Summer Shakespeare Conservatory in association with Mayor Andre Sayegh and The City of Paterson, The Paterson Museum, The National Park Service and Actors Shakespeare Company proudly presents
Shakespeare at the Museum - "The (Mini) Tempest"
Shakespeare’s timeless classic- in an hour!

Where - The Paterson Museum, 2 Market Street, Paterson NJ.
When - Friday September 23, 7:00pm, indoors in the Hannah Gallery.
Saturday September 24 performances at 11:00am, 12:30pm and 2:00pm (outdoors - bring a blanket, lawn, or beach chairs).
Costs - Free
For more information
phone - 862-243-ATCS (2827)
email- [e-mail]

Current COVD-19 Protocols Observed

This program is made possible with funds from the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

 

Chalk Art Competition of 2022

Mohamed Khalil

Attention all ‘chalk’ artists!

Join us for the 11th Annual Art in the Park Event on National Public Lands Day, September 24, 10AM - 2PM.

The program at the Great Falls will help draw attention to the national park by using art to interpret it's natural, historic, and cultural stories. Each artist will be given their own ‘canvas’ and use their creativity to tell a visual story about the park and the city of Paterson.
Come volunteer your time to create art in this beautiful setting.

The event will be held at Overlook Park at 72 McBride Avenue, Paterson, NJ.

RSVP to Mohamed Khalil at [e-mail]
or 973-930-1888

Chalk, Canvas and Refreshments Provided.
Space is Limited
First come, first served



Sponsored by the City of Paterson, Art from the Heart, and the National Park Service at Paterson Great Falls