Park Tours and Special Programs

You will often find a rainbow over the Great Falls on a sunny summer day.

© Terry McKenna

Visiting the Park

Welcome Center Hours:

• The Welcome Center is open from 9:00AM - 5:00PM as staffing permits.
• Starting on November 1, 2018 tours will be scheduled for 2:00PM Monday - Friday, and 11:00AM and 2:00PM Saturday - Sunday.
• Please check the alerts or Contact Us before you visit to receive the latest updates regarding changes to programming schedule and weather closures.

Guided Tour: A Stroll Through History

Visitors Please Note: In cases of inclement weather such as cold, dangerous thunderstorms or extreme heat, a talk in the Welcome Center will replace the walking tour.

Join a tour and discover the greater story behind Paterson and its Great Falls. Our story is one of national importance. It demonstrates that the natural and cultural diversity of the area helped fuel the economic and social growth of a young nation. Discover how the natural world inspired a founding father, entrepeneurs, immigrants, poets, and artists to build the nation's first planned industrial city and changed the world.

Logistics:

• Meet at the Welcome Center at 65 McBride Avenue Extension.
• Appropriate for adults and families.
• Please wear comfortable and weather-appropriate clothing. Wear sturdy shoes/sneakers.
• In most cases, tours will be conducted rain or shine, however, in cases of severe weather, such as snow storms, nor'easters, dangerous electrical storms, and extreme heat, tours will be canceled or changed to a talk in the Welcome Center. Walking tours will last 45-minutes to 1-hour over a distance of one mile.
• Guided tours led by the National Park Service, or its partners, can follow paved, wheelchair-accessible routes (assistance may be required, especially along narrow city sidewalks). If you have any concerns, please Contact Us.
• If you are interested in making a reservation for a guided group tour, please visit our Permits and Reservations page.

School Programming

Interested in a tour of the park with your students? Visit our Education Page to learn more about our programs and set up a reservation.

 

Self-Guided Walking Tour

Listen to the history of Paterson as you stroll along at your own pace. Download the free walking tour app called the "Mill Mile" or dial into the cell phone tour.

 

Visit the Paterson Museum

The Paterson Museum, located at 2 Market Street, has the following regular hours of operation. Parking is available on-site for Museum patrons, or you can park your vehicle at the park and walk. The Museum is about 2 minutes away.

Hours of Operation:

• Monday - Friday: 10:00AM - 4:00PM
• Saturday - Sunday: 12:30PM - 4:30PM
• CLOSED: Federal and City Holidays, please contact the Museum directly for more information at 973-321-1260.

City Holidays:
New Year's Day
Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President's Day
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Memorial Day
Fourth of July
Labor Day (call the Friday before for specific hours)
Columbus Day
Election Day
Veteran's Day
Thanksgiving
The Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve (call that day for specific hours)
Christmas Day