Known as Wall Street West for its bustling financial district, Jersey City also has a lively art scene, rich history and beautiful parks perfect for an affordable getaway.
Activity | Description |
---|---|
Admire Street Art Along the Jersey City Mural Arts Program Tour | Explore over 60 vibrant murals across the city. |
Relax at Riverview Park | Enjoy panoramic views of Manhattan, walking paths, and playgrounds. |
Hike the Trails at Liberty State Park | Walk through marshes, meadows, and old railroad tracks with views of Statue of Liberty. |
Stroll Through Hamilton Park | Admire Victorian architecture and gardens in a historic neighborhood. |
Experience Sci-Fi at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre | Watch classic films and explore the theater’s historic artifacts. |
Visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument | View the statue and grounds, with free park ranger tours. |
See a Show at Grove Street Plaza | Attend community events, markets, and performances. |
Marvel at Mana Contemporary | Explore art exhibits and watch resident artists at work. |
Fly a Kite at Lincoln Park | Enjoy city views, green spaces, and recreational facilities. |
Explore Jersey City’s Quirky History at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre | Learn about local history through artifacts and exhibits. |
Appreciate Public Art Displays | Discover various public art installations and sculptures in the city. |
Ride the Liberty State Park Tram | Take a narrated tram tour around the park’s key attractions. |
Attend Free Public Events | Participate in outdoor concerts, craft fairs, and festivals. |
Take in the View from New Jersey City University | Enjoy panoramic views of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River. |
With spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, this diverse New Jersey destination offers many terrific experiences without emptying your wallet. From riverside strolls to cultural sites, here are 12 of the best free things to do in Jersey City.
Admire Street Art Along the Jersey City Mural Arts Program Tour

Name and Location: Various locations in Downtown Jersey City
History and Significance: Self-guided walking tour of over 30 colorful murals by local and international artists.
What to Expect: Find beautiful, large-scale murals scattered along city streets and buildings downtown. Free map online.
Visitor Information: Free outdoor art exhibit. Use online map for locations. Year-round.
Jersey City has become an urban art mecca thanks to the city’s ambitious Jersey City Mural Arts Program. Their mission is to use public art as a vehicle for community building and neighborhood transformation. The program has resulted in over 60 vibrant murals decorating walls across Jersey City.
Visitors can take self-guided tours of the murals for free using an online map as their guide. Stroll neighborhood streets like those in historic Paulus Hook and the Village while enjoying the creativity and messages behind the artworks. Murals like the massive 150-foot Provident Bank Garden Mural provide an uplifting sense of beauty and community.
Relax at Riverview Park

Name and Location: Riverview Park, Palisade Ave, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Waterfront park with impressive views of the Hudson River and NYC skyline.
What to Expect: Benches, paths, open green space to relax and enjoy the skyline views. Popular spot for photos.
Visitor Information: Free admission. 6am-11pm daily.
Riverview Park is one of Jersey City’s most popular green spaces, providing impressive panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline along the Hudson River. This 22-acre park is located along Palisade Avenue in the historic district of Hamilton Park, offering a perfect retreat from urban life.
Visitors can unwind along Riverview Park’s walking paths and unwind on its grassy hills and benches facing the sprawling New York City view. The park also features a large playground, baseball fields, tennis courts, and an open-air pavilion. Picnicking, reading, kite-flying and simply people-watching make for ideal ways to spend a relaxed afternoon in the park.
Hike the Trails at Liberty State Park

Name and Location: Liberty State Park, 200 Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Urban state park with green space, nature trails, and waterfront access.
What to Expect: Walking/biking trails, wildlife habitats, Liberty Science Center, ferry access to Ellis Island/Statue of Liberty.
Visitor Information: Free admission to trails and grounds. Nature center and ferry fees apply.
Spanning over 1,200 acres along the Hudson River, Liberty State Park contains tranquil marshes, streams, meadows and old railroad tracks perfect for casual hikers. The park provides stunning vistas of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Visitors can access the park for free and wander along its many walking trails at their leisure.
Some highlights of Liberty State Park include the two-mile Liberty Walk promenade along the waterfront and the one-mile Freedom Way walkway showcasing diverse habitats and nature. The park also contains the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal building, the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial, and opportunities for fishing and bird watching. With the Manhattan skyline as its backdrop, the natural beauty of Liberty State Park offers city dwellers a refreshing escape.
Stroll Through Hamilton Park

Name and Location: Hamilton Park, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Historic urban park featuring a statue of Alexander Hamilton and city skyline views.
What to Expect: Walking paths, large fountain, green space, sports courts, playground, and scenic overlook.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open 6am-11pm daily.
One of Jersey City’s most elegant neighborhoods, Hamilton Park charms visitors with its Victorian architecture and beautiful park at its center. Strolling the streets surrounding this 9-acre green space allows you to admire the historic brownstones and colorful row houses lining the tree-shaded sidewalks.
Inside Hamilton Park you’ll find captivating gardens, a large marble fountain dating back to 1907, and pathways dotted with benches underneath shady trees. Concerts and events are often hosted here during warmer months. The park’s central gazebo provides picturesque views of the dramatic Manhattan skyline only a river away. Surrounded by exquisite homes and charm, Hamilton Park delivers a peaceful neighborhood oasis.
Experience Sci-Fi at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre

Name and Location: Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre, 54 Journal Square, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Historic 1929 movie palace, featuring films, concerts, events.
What to Expect: Catch classic movies or concerts in the opulent, ornately decorated theater.
Visitor Information: Ticket prices vary by event. Schedule online. Tours available.
Step back in time at the magnificent Loew’s Jersey Theatre in Journal Square, designed in 1929 at the height of the movie palace era. This historic venue with its opulent Baroque interior now shows classic films, hosts special events, offers tours, and displays historic artifacts in the lobby.
Movie tickets are affordable, but visitors can also simply admire the 3,200-seat theater’s ornate grandeur for free during open hours. Twice a month the theater becomes a time machine during its free “Weekend Classics” screenings of iconic sci-fi and fantasy films from decades past. The theater’s marquee and vertical “Jersey” sign also make a great photo op outside.
Visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument

Name and Location: Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Ferry access to Liberty and Ellis Islands, symbols of freedom.
What to Expect: Board ferries to tour the monuments, museums, and learn about their history.
Visitor Information: Ferries run daily. Reserve ticket packages in advance online.
While only Statue Cruise tickets provide boat access to Lady Liberty herself, visitors can still see the statue and enjoy the grounds at Liberty State Park for free. The national monument includes the statue observation deck, Ellis Island, and the U.S. Immigration Museum, but grounds access is always complimentary.
Guests can join free park ranger tours daily to learn about the statue’s history and symbolism. The visitor center offers dramatic views and exhibits about the Statue of Liberty’s construction in France and arrival in New York. Visitors can also snap ideal photos of the icon and see Ellis Island’s exterior architecture without buying tickets aboard ferries. It makes for an inspiring history lesson.
See a Show at Grove Street Plaza

Name and Location: Grove Street Plaza, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Public plaza hosting regular free performing arts and music.
What to Expect: Outdoor performing arts series with concerts, theater, dance, and movies.
Visitor Information: Free events from May-September. Check online calendar.
For free evening entertainment, Grove Street Plaza is the place to be. This European-style pedestrian plaza is located Downtown at the intersection of Grove Street and Newark Avenue. The plaza frequently hosts community events, arts and crafts markets, exercise classes, and lunchtime jazz performances.
Grove Street Plaza’s centerpiece is a sunken amphitheater that provides stadium-style seating for up to 1,500 people. On summer weekends, the amphitheater comes alive with free public concerts, outdoor film screenings, theater, magic shows, cultural festivals and more. Locals bring blankets and picnic baskets to enjoy the festive atmosphere. The plaza offers a fabulous place to join in the free fun.
Marvel at Mana Contemporary

Name and Location: Mana Contemporary, 888 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Massive art center featuring galleries, studios, events and exhibits.
What to Expect: View rotating modern art exhibitions, shop the gift store, and see working artist studios.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily 10am-6pm. Closed major holidays.
Jersey City’s thriving arts district is anchored by the sprawling Mana Contemporary arts center located in a converted tobacco factory. The center houses over 100 resident artists across every medium—from painters to glassblowers and digital designers.
Visitors can freely roam the building’s vast public spaces showcasing rotating exhibits, art installations, and studios where you can watch resident artists at work. On the last Sunday of each month, Mana offers free interactive tours. The on-site Mo’s Waffle Shop and Crust and Crumble cafe also let you refuel affordably onsite. For an inspiring look at Jersey City’s lively art scene, Mana Contemporary opens its doors wide.
Fly a Kite at Lincoln Park

Name and Location: Lincoln Park, Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Sprawling 250-acre city park with recreation and open green space.
What to Expect: Trails, sports fields, lawns, trees, and hills perfect for kite flying.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open 6am-11pm daily.
Offering relaxing city views and wide open green space, Lincoln Park is a longstanding community recreation gem along the Hackensack River. Families especially love spreading out picnic blankets under the shade trees and flying kites in the open fields.
This city park also contains tennis courts, a swimming pool, playgrounds, and sports fields for soccer and baseball. Locals come to walk dogs along Lincoln Park’s pathways andPaddington Trail. The site’s prominent location along NJ-440 provides a front row seat to observe aircraft descending towards nearby Newark Liberty International Airport, a plane spotter’s delight.
Explore Jersey City’s Quirky History at the Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre

Name and Location: Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theatre, 54 Journal Square Plaza, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: This 1929 movie palace has been restored to preserve Jersey City’s eccentric past.
What to Expect: Ornate Baroque architecture, vintage 1920’s style, tours detailing the theater’s unique history.
Visitor Information: Offering movies, events and tours. Ticket prices vary. Schedule online.
In addition to screening classic films, Jersey City’s ornate Loew’s Theatre provides free access to display cases and artifacts showcasing the area’s unique history. Visitors can learn about famous Jerseyites like Frank Sinatra and Martha Stewart, along with quirky local lore.
Exhibits highlight relics from defunct businesses, bygone amusements like Palisades Amusement Park, the ill-fated 1976 U.S. Bicentennial celebration, and more oddities from throughout Jersey City’s past. The theater also offers occasional free history lectures from local experts diving deeper into the area’s fascinating backstory across centuries of change. For intriguing insights beyond the NYC-area norm, Loew’s shines a light on Jersey City’s distinctive heritage.
Appreciate Public Art Displays

Name and Location: Various locations around Jersey City
History and Significance: Jersey City features thought-provoking public art around the city.
What to Expect: Find murals, sculptures, interactive pieces throughout the city’s districts and parks.
Visitor Information: Free outdoor art exhibits. Map available online.
In addition to the abundant street murals created through the Jersey City Mural Arts Program, the city boasts many other noteworthy public art installations available to appreciate for free. Standouts include the Statue of Liberty replica at Exchange Place, the iconic Goldman Sachs Tower gleaming in Paulus Hook, and the Katyn Memorial in Exchange Place honoring victims of Soviet oppression.
Another unique site is the majestic Colgate Clock overlooking the Hudson near Exchange Place. Once the largest clock in the world, this octagonal sign for the former Colgate factory remains a beloved local icon. Jersey City’s parks also contain many sculptures, fountains, and monuments that make for interesting stops during urban hikes or bike rides. Public art abounds for culture vultures to discover.
Ride the Liberty State Park Tram

Name and Location: Liberty State Park, 1 Audrey Zapp Drive, Jersey City, NJ
History and Significance: Provides an overview of this historic waterfront park.
What to Expect: Narrated 45-minute tram tour around the park, covering its history, landmarks, and environment.
Visitor Information: Tram runs daily year-round. Fee per ride required.
While exploring the sprawling Liberty State Park, weariness can set in after miles of walking its trails and shoreline. Thankfully, the park provides a fun narrated tram tour that loops around the interior roads delivering interesting facts and anecdotes along the way.
The 40-minute, 2-mile ride brings passengers by sites like Freedom Way, the nature center, empty sky memorial and the nature trails. Knowledgeable guides share details about the diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and history contained within the park. Stop-offs are made at the Liberty House restaurant and Liberty Landing marina. The tram provides a relaxing overview of everything this expansive green space has to offer.
Attend Free Public Events

Name and Location: Various locations around Jersey City
History and Significance: Jersey City provides free performing arts, concerts, movies and more.
What to Expect: Outdoor performing arts series, free movies in parks, parades, and festivals year-round.
Visitor Information: Events at various public spaces. Check city event calendars.
From outdoor concerts and movies to craft fairs, markets, and parades, Jersey City always has affordable public events happening to tap into local culture. The city’s many neighborhoods host regular festivals celebrating the district’s heritage like the Marion Arts Festival, Pride Fest in Downtown JC, and the Golden Door Irish Festival.
In the historic Paulus Hook area, Van Vorst Park comes alive with free activities like the annual Films & Fleas vintage market and Underground Comedy Night. Other venues like Riverview Park, the JSQ Lounge performance space, and White Eagle Hall stage regular free or low-cost programming. Jersey City’s packed calendar delivers plenty of budget-friendly entertainment.
Take in the View from New Jersey City University

Name and Location: New Jersey City University, 2039 Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ
Perched atop Jersey City Heights, New Jersey City University (NJCU) offers another prime vantage point to soak in dramatic panoramas of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River. Heading up the hilltop campus by car or via public transit, the sprawling backyard greenery of Varsity Park provides picture-perfect skyline views.
From this hilltop oasis you can see One World Trade, the Freedom Tower, and more icons of the NYC cityscape across the water. Varsity Park also contains seating areas and memorials that make an ideal rest stop before ascending even higher up nearby Pershing Field Park for a 325-foot vista at the peak. Enjoy quiet contemplation and epic scenery at NJCU’s panoramic gems.
Conclusion
With its dazzling skyline views, vibrant art scene, and sprawling parks perfect for exploring, Jersey City delivers memorable experiences without emptying your wallet. From enjoying works by local artists to discovering the area’s rich history and green spaces, Jersey City offers an abundance of options for free fun.
Whether relishing the sweeping view of Lady Liberty, breathing in river breezes at Riverview Park, or catching a sci-fi screening in a lavish theater, this energetic metropolitan area invites discovery and connection that won’t break the bank. Visitors seeking engaging urban getaways can seize the day through these excellent free activities available in one-of-a-kind Jersey City.