Located about a half an hour west of Manhattan is Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park in Paterson, New Jersey. The site focuses on the use of the falls to power industry in the town of Paterson. The focal point of the park is Paterson Great Falls, but the park is comprised of multiple industrial sites.

When we visited we first headed to the falls, and the sun hit the waterfall just right creating a rainbow. Visitors can see the waterfall from multiple points, providing various perspectives to enjoy the view. Afterwards, we went to the visitor center, which has a small museum. Next we walked along the old raceway that was utilized for shipping products. Then we walked along the main road and looked at and explored the old mill buildings that are now utilized as museums. Since we were on our way to Pennsylvania we weren’t able to explore every little detail of the park; however, we did have a nice time exploring the park grounds, the architecture, and the falls. We both enjoyed Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, and loved learning about the history of New Jersey, industry, and the use of the Paterson Great Falls.