Don’t put away those walking shoes just yet. Summer may be winding down, but rejuvenation and relaxation is still on the itinerary with these laid-back activities in Lyndhurst, New Jersey.

Walk this Way to De-Compress

Nestled between the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers, this Bergen County community offers a rural escape where you can admire nature’s beauty. Richard W. DeKorte Park is the ideal destination with 3.5 miles of a walkway to play in, and it’s one of 20 parks within the Meadowland District. 

Take your pick of five walking trails for a relaxing hike, depending on your pleasure. For bird watchers, Marsh Discovery Trail is the place to whip out a pair of binoculars and scope out hawks, falcons, and osprey. To enjoy picture-perfect views of the Meadowland and Manhattan skylines, check out Kingsland Overlook, a 6-acre site.

Jill’s Butterfly Garden is named in honour of Jill Ann Ziemkiewicz, the youngest fallen crew member of doomed TWA flight 800. It isn’t just for smelling the roses. You can also take selfies near the sunflower shaped fountain. And, of course, you can also guess what type of butterfly happened to land on your shoulder while picnicking in the garden.

Complimentary Hot Stone Treatments to Soothe the Soul

Soaking your fingers and toes in a rose water bath at Green Organic Spa makes up for not being able to build a dandelion crown at Jill’s Garden.

This organic spa and nail salon combines fruit, oils, herbs, flowers and even milk and cocoa butter to give worn cuticles the holistic TLC they deserve. Settle into a massage chair, and dip your hands and feet in flora coated water. Get rubbed down with a home-cured sugar scrub treatment followed by a callus removal treatment and hot stones.

This luxurious Mani-Pedi experience, pegged Green Ultimate Karma, is topped off with your choice of non-toxic nail polish. Continue the pampering with an ancient method wax that uses natural ingredients — honey and water — for a less painful experience.

The Calming Effects of Comfort Food 

Once your hands and feet have been pampered, it’s time to spoil your taste buds. For over a decade, Trattoria IL Cafone has been providing a relaxing ambience with traditional Italian food and added blends of seafood. You can bring your own beverage to this restaurant or browse the wine list. Seafood fans should try the Linguine Al Fruti Di Mare, a dinner dish that melds pasta with shrimp, calamari, clams and mussels.

Loosen the belt buckle for an old favourite with a new twist: Spaghetti Al Cozze. Not your typical pasta with meatballs in marinara sauce, this version also includes mussels and cannellini beans.

Luxury Lodgings for a Tranquil Respite 

Save room for dessert, but make it go. Enjoy your decadent treat in a king-size bed at a luxury hotel. You can work off the calories by taking a dip in the indoor pool or hopping on the treadmill at the fitness centre.

The tingling feeling you have is called body rejuvenation, which means you are officially in relaxation mode. Remember that with great bliss comes great clarity.