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Large salmon colored Victorian mansion with green lawn and blue sky
Large work space room with machines connected to belts and pullies
Cream colored, two story cement building surrounded by large trees
Small red building next to large brick building with a water tower in the background.
Large black building covered in tar paper surrounded by a barrier fence
National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park

New Jersey

💰
Entrance Fee
$10
🕐
Hours
Varies by day
📍
Location
West Orange, NJ
📞
Visitor Center
973-736-0550

Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory, when machines were run by belts and pulleys and music was played on phonographs. Discover where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever.

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About Thomas Edison National Historical Park

Thomas Edison National Historical Park is a national historical park located in New Jersey. Spring and Fall weather can be cool, while summer is usually warm and humid. Winter is frequently snowy and cold. It is recommended that visitors dress for the weather. Visitors may need jackets or rain gear as they will be walking between buildings as they tour the park during inclement weather. Please keep any rain gear/umbrellas with you during your visit.

From the Garden State Parkway take exit 145 or from the New Jersey Turnpike take Exit 15W to Route 280 West. Take Route 280 West to Exit 10. Turn right onto Northfield Avenue. At second light turn left onto Main Street. Go about 0.75 mile to parking on left and Laboratory Complex on the right. From Route 280 East take exit 9. Turn left onto Mt. Pleasant Avenue. At second traffic light turn left onto Main Street. Go about 0.50 mile to parking on left and Laboratory Complex on the right.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

The general entrance fee for Thomas Edison starts at $10 (which commonly covers entry for a single private vehicle and passengers for up to 7 consecutive days). The park offers several fee options: Entrance - Education/Academic Groups ($10), Entrance - Per Person ($15). If you plan to visit multiple national parks this year, purchasing the America the Beautiful National Parks Annual Pass ($80) is highly cost-effective, as general entry to most parks will quickly offset the pass cost.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups$10
Entrance - Per Person$15

🥾 Things to Do

Thomas Edison National Historical Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Guided Tours, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Junior Ranger Program, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

Guided Tours
Self-Guided Tours - Walking
Junior Ranger Program

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Thomas Edison

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Thomas Edison

  • Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Thomas Edison before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Thomas Edison. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Thomas Edison. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
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Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thomas Edison’s home and laboratory, when machines were run by belts and pulleys and music was played on phonographs. Discover where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thomas Edison

The entrance fee for Thomas Edison National Historical Park is $10 per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →

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