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City in Hudson County, New Jersey, US
Photo: (WT-en) Justiceiro at English Wikivoyage, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Jersey City is New Jersey's second-largest city. Jersey City sits in Hudson County in the northeastern section of the state, across the Hudson from its older and bigger cousin, New York City, and south of Hoboken. It is frequently referred to as New York’s “sixth borough”.
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The Powerhouse is a Romanesque revival industrial masterpiece built between 1906 and 1908. The Powerhouse was designed by architect John Oakman, an alumnus of the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. The Powerhouse allowed the operation of the first trans-Hudson subway, the direct predecessor of today's PATH. It ceased operation as a power generating station in 1929. After years of neglect, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 after it was nominated by the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, an all volunteer not-for-profit organization. The city has designated the Powerhouse a developer, the Cordish company, which has renovated a similar power plant in Baltimore's Harbor.
Completed in 1896, this imposing granite and marble municipal structure was designed by Lewis Broome, who also designed the Trenton Statehouse. A bronze memorial monument by Philip Martiny stands in the small plaza in front of the City Hall entrance. The memorial bears the inscription: "Erected by the People of Hudson County to Commemorate the Valor of the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines of the Civil War." The statue is of the Goddess of Victory in a seated pose. Although she has lain aside her shield, her hand rests in readiness upon her sword, though she offers the olive branch of peace.
Hudson County Courthouse
This stunning Beaux-Arts style building is a glimpse into the county's rich and storied history. Be sure to check out its stained glass dome and detailed murals. Guided tours are available on weekdays.
Dating back to 1924, the Colgate clock is a reminder of the numerous industries which once dominated the city. Manhattan residents still glance across the Hudson to tell the time from this iconic clock.
Liberty State Park (map) is as large as New York's Central Park but is far less developed. Nonetheless, it gets some 4 million visitors a year, drawn to the waterfront to see unsurpassed views of Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Don't miss fireworks displays over the water in the Fourth of July! Most tourists see the Statue of Liberty from Manhattan, but if you're coming by car, it's easier to do so from the Park. Make your reservations online ahead of time. Admission to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are free, but you must buy a ferry ticket to make it to both sites. The ferry is first-come, first-served, but your advance reservation will guarantee you a particular window of time in which to visit the Statue. Tickets are sold in the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) terminal. While you are waiting for the ferry to depart, be sure to admire its early 20th-century ironwork and architecture. For immigrants heading west to places like Chicago and Pittsburgh after processing at Ellis Island, this is where their overland rail journeys began.
In Liberty State Park. Home to the largest planetarium in the Americas, and it offers lessons on the biology of the Hudson River Estuary and an exhibit dedicated to skyscrapers.
Will open in 2023.
One of the five Loew's "Wonder Palaces," the Loew's Jersey was one of New York City's flagship movie palaces. The interior of the theater is surprisingly intricate and detailed; one person remarked that standing in the lobby of the Loew's is like standing inside a Faberge egg. It is being lovingly restored by a local group, and often hosts live events and screens movie revivals.
Belmont Avenue at WestSide Avenue. In 1905, “West Side Park”, as it used to be called, was designed by landscape architect Charles Lowrie and Daniel W. Langston and features multiple historical points of interest. “Lincoln the Mystic”, a seated statue of the US President, was sculpted by James Earle Fraser. It was dedicated on June 14, 1930 when the park was given its current name of Lincoln Park. The fountain at the entrance of Lincoln Park was designed by the sculptor Pierre J. Cheronin and completed in 1911. It is high and decorated with water spouting frogs and allegorical figures and is considered the largest concrete fountain in the world. The park honors history through several monuments, such the Irish Famine Memorial, Civil War Soldier statue, James T. Farrier Firefighter Memorial, and by the display of two historic cannons and sun houses.
House where Generals George Washington and Marquis de Lafayette dined and discussed war tactics. A walking cane that was made out of the apple tree that once existed is displayed in the Louvre Museum in Paris. Tours are available on Wednesdays.
Oldest structure in Jersey City and one of the oldest in New Jersey. Build c 1740.
Today, Paulus Hook is a charming neighborhood of Brownstone Row Houses with an excellent view of New York city, served by a light rail. It used to be a small peninsula surrounded by marsh, and connected the mainland by a causeway that was passable only at low tide. It was the main landing point before the Revolutionary War for travelers going into Bergen County from New York City. It has since been backfilled and Paulus Hook is no longer a hook. Paulus Hook was the site of British fortifications during the revolution that caused serious problems for the local revolutionary government- it was used as a base for loyalist raids into Bergen County. Major Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee (father of the later Confederate General Robert E. Lee) took the fortifications by a night assault carried out during low tide on August 19, 1779.
One of the tallest and oldest church towers in New Jersey. Built in the 1860s.
Designed in the 1890s with stained-glass windows, a Seth Thomas clock, a Romanesque-Byzantine edifice, and a recreation of Raphael's "Disputation of the Holy Sacrament". The church's design features a gold tessera (a fusion of pure gold leaf and two pieces of glass) which only four other churches in the United States have.
The park offers a lot of recreational activities including a running track, a pool, and an ice-skating rink. However, the park has a very deep military history since it was the location of a military camp during World War I. The park offers memorials for those who served in both world wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The park even has remnants of an old armory that once was located in McGinley Square.
This was the location of one of the nation's first water works facilities. The reservoir fell into disuse in the 1990s, and it began to look like a smaller version of the New Jersey Meadowlands. Today, the reservoir one of the few places within the New York metro area to view wildlife, but you must make an appointment online.
Memorial dedicated to all 746 9/11 casualties from New Jersey. There are remains of the original towers adjacent to the memorial
Communipaw Terminal
Historic railroad terminal where immigrants were sent after being processed through Ellis Island in the late 19th century. Train service here ended in 1967. In 1975, the terminal was listed in the National Register of Historic Places and became a state landmark. One of only two historic intermodal stations on the Hudson Waterfront to still stand. It is now an immigration museum and the place to buy tickets to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
Memorial park under construction commemorating COVID-19 victims of New Jersey.
Largest enclave of Asian Indians in the Western Hemisphere.
Although most people visiting these sites take the ferries from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, you can also catch the Statue Cruises ferries bound for Liberty Island and Ellis Island from Liberty State Park. The landing is directly in front of the old Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal building.
Formerly the Pole Position Raceway, RPM is an indoor go-kart race track where you can race others at .
Fresh bagels through the morning with a wide variety of cream cheeses and sandwiches available. As a bonus for vegans, multiple types of non-dairy/tofu cream cheese is available. On Saturday and Sunday morning, the line can easily be out the door.
Don't bother trying to speak English as, for the most, everyone speaks Spanish only. Pointing at what you want works, and the only word you really need to know anyway is pernil, Spanish for pork. Super cheap and super good. They are located downtown at the intersection of Grove and Wayne Sts (a block from the Grove St PATH station).
Korean food.
Although Little India abounds with South Indian restaurants serving dosas (a kind of crepe, made from rice and yellow split peas, usually rolled around a filling of potatoes and cashews), the Dosa Hut probably has the widest selection possible, with 30 dosas to choose from. Dosa Hut (as with many South Indian restaurants) is vegetarian.
(US 1-9). It has been here since the 1940s, and served up prize-winning hamburgers at the 1939 New York World's Fair.
A basic taqueria with simple yet satisfying Mexican fare. This is not a typical "Tex-Mex" restaurant. The menu includes rules such as "no oversized burritos," "no guacamole," and "no fajitas." However, with tacos ranging from $2 to $3, you can easily have a cheap meal. Other basic and inexpensive Mexican fare is available.
Very cheap Filipino "turo-turo" (literally, point-point - as in, you point to the food you want to order) restaurants, while Little Quiapo is tucked away in the back of a shopping center. In front of the same shopping center is Philippine Bread House, a decades-old baking landmark for Filipino pastries such as ensaymada, halaya, and pan de sal.
Locally owned chocolate store that opened in 1949. The customers come from around the US and the chocolate can be custom made.
A family-owned Italian bakery and deli.
Fried chicken joint handy to Journal Square PATH station, good for a quick bite before or after a night out.
This restaurant is only open for 5 hours a day, and reservations and deliveries aren’t a thing here. The crowds, the long wait times, and everything else is all worth it however, as once you are seated you will get to taste some of the best pizza in the NYC area. Even the appetizers such as the bread and butter, as well as the meatballs, are worth the extra money. Some have even controversially dared to call it the best pizza in New York, including food critic Pete Wells writing for the New York Times.
An out-of-the-way restaurant that serves some of the best Italian food in the NYC metro area. Don't expect to find anything else noteworthy in the area, but you will not regret coming to Laico's: the complimentary bread and house salad are enough to make it a worthwhile trip!
Malaysian-Chinese fusion restaurant.
Ranked as the best sushi place in Jersey City by Foursquare and one of the 50 best in the United States by the Daily Meal.
A tiny French bistro in an unlikely location at the edge of downtown, this restaurant is a tiny piece of Paris in gritty Jersey City.
Great thin-crust pizza, among the best in town (try the mozzarella!), as well as quality salads and pasta.
Their lunch buffet is fantastic. Service is spotty, but the food is worth it. Has been featured in The Star-Ledger (a local newspaper) and CNN. Also has locations in Edison and East Brunswick.
One of the few places in Metro New York to offer Bangladeshi cuisine. Reservations must be made for parties of 4 or more.
Southeast Asian family-owned fusion restaurant.
Main dishes range from $19-34. The wine selection is good, and the food is outstanding. Ambiance is very classy, with historical tidbits adorning the walls. The restaurant is named after "Light Horse Harry" Lee, father of Robert E. Lee, who fought against the British at the famous "Battle of Paulus Hook" (famous in Paulus Hook, at least).
Vu has a private dining area, lounge, and restaurant with views of New York City
High class restaurant that offers all types of food from cocktails to sandwiches to brunch. You can either go to the terrace, which is the stylish first floor of the building, or you can go to the roof, hence the name, which has 360° views of New York City, and a DJ.
An expansion of the popular Brooklyn destination. Besides serving a daily rotating menu of about two dozen reasonably priced ($5-6) microbrews, the bar also sports more than 30 classic arcade systems at 25¢ per play. 21+ only
Very popular local watering hole. New York Magazine wrote of this place: "Some nights they have a D.J.; some nights it’s big hair and Bon Jovi."
This hall in the new Liberty Harbor development is a huge biergarten with seating for up to 800 people. One of Jersey City's most popular hang-out spots, with 144 taps and $10 liters of beer. Family-friendly.
Willy Wall
This non-descript motel, directly in front of the Holland Tunnel, is a popular option for budget-minded travellers. It's clean, safe, reasonably priced, and only a short walk from the Pavonia/Newport PATH station.
Short walk to Journal Square, offers transportation to Newark Airport.
By the Newport Centre Mall and one block from the waterfront.
Comfortable rooms with stylishly modern decor. Service is friendly and diligent. Amenities include a large hotel bar/restaurant, a small but complete fitness center, and meeting/ballrooms. The lobby is also large and amply supplied with seating, making it a good meeting point for groups split across multiple rooms. Located practically on top of Grove Street PATH Station, giving easy access to Manhattan, but also within easy walking distance of most attractions and nightlife in Downtown Jersey City (especially the Newark Ave. pedestrian mall).
Popular with business travelers, this all-suite hotel is near the Pavonia/Newport PATH and Newport Mall.
On the Hudson River, this hotel has fabulous views of Manhattan. And it's practically right beside the Exchange Place PATH station, making trips into Manhattan a breeze. The Hyatt is easily Jersey City's nicest hotel.
Trendy clothing store, for the hipster set, catering mostly to women (although they do have a men's section).
The county's largest indoor mall. It is just south of the Holland Tunnel, and hosts a Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's, Sears, AMC (formerly Cineplex Odeon) movie theater, and a variety of other chain stores, such as Toys Express and Spencer Gifts. All of the mall's more than 150 stores are part of the Urban Enterprise Zone. It's not free to park in the mall's parking garages; it's $2 to park there for up to 2 hours. Watch out if you stay parked longer than 6 hours; the rate zooms up, presumably to capture commuters parking there to take the PATH train from the Pavonia/Newport station to Manhattan. HBLR also serves Newport Center.
Shopping center built on the grounds of the demolished Roosevelt Stadium. The shopping center includes ACME (supermarket), Rainbow (clothing store), Wendy's (fast food), Stadium Pizza (pizzeria), Dollar Ruby (thrift store), and Capital One Bank.
By train
Amtrak serves Newark Penn Station. You will have to transfer to PATH to reach Jersey City.
By ferry
NY Waterway operates four ferry routes connecting Jersey City to Manhattan. The routes from Port Liberté and Liberty Harbor connect to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan.
By bus
NJ Transit and other operators run buses to the Journal Square Transportation Center bus terminal.
By car
Driving into Jersey City is not recommended. While driving into Jersey City is only difficult at rush hour, finding on-street parking once you are there is a hassle at all times of day.
By public transit
TAPP is the contactless fare payment system for the PATH subway lines. The system allows passengers to pay by "tapping" one of the following to a reader:
By taxi
Unlike in Manhattan, taxis can be difficult to come by in Jersey City.
By bicycle
Citibike provided by Lyft is the exclusive bike share system in Jersey City and has many docks around Downtown Jersey City. The docks are more spaced out the farther you go out of downtown (map).
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