Jersey City is an exciting destination in New Jersey just across the Hudson River from Manhattan. With its spectacular skyline views of NYC, vibrant art scene, diverse neighborhoods, and abundance of things to see and do, it’s no wonder Jersey City is quickly becoming one of the most popular getaways in the Northeast.
Activity | Description |
---|---|
Visit Liberty State Park | Large park with stunning NYC views, recreational activities. |
Ride the Observation Deck at Liberty Science Center | Offers 360-degree skyline views, interactive museum below. |
Explore the Jersey City Waterfront | Features restaurants, parks, shopping, and scenic views. |
Tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island | Accessible via ferry, iconic attractions in New York Harbor. |
See a Show at White Eagle Hall | Historic theater hosting concerts, comedy, and dance performances. |
Shop ’til You Drop on Newark Avenue | Downtown pedestrian district with boutiques, cafes, and restaurants. |
Marvel at Mana Contemporary | Arts complex with galleries, studios, and art classes. |
Skyline Views from Loew’s Jersey Theatre Rooftop Bar | Rooftop lounge with drinks and city views. |
Wander Through Hamilton Park | Landscaped park in Paulus Hook neighborhood with Victorian houses. |
Take a Food Tour of the Village Neighborhood | Diverse dining scene with walking tour of best eateries. |
Relax at Riverview Park | Waterfront park with sports fields, playgrounds, and skyline views. |
Bar Hop on Grove Street | Nightlife hub with bars, music, and happy hour deals. |
If you’re planning a trip to this dynamic city, here are the top 12 things to add to your Jersey City itinerary:
Visit Liberty State Park

Name and Location: Liberty State Park in Jersey City, NJ – located right next to Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
History and Significance: This state park opened in 1976 on the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal site. It offers access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
What to Expect: Panoramic views of NY Harbor, Liberty Island and Manhattan skyline. Ferry service to the monuments, outdoor recreational activities.
Visitor Information: Open daily year-round. Nominal entry fee for vehicles. Ferry ticket required for Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island access.
Covering over 1,200 acres along the Hudson River, Liberty State Park is a gorgeous green space with stunning views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline. It’s one of the best spots in Jersey City to admire the NYC panorama.
Stroll along the two-mile waterfront promenade, relax on the expansive Great Lawn, or take the ferry to Ellis Island and Liberty Island. The park also offers opportunities for biking, fishing, bird watching and more.
Ride the Observation Deck at Liberty Science Center

Name and Location: Liberty Science Center in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: This interactive science museum opened in 1993 and features the country’s largest IMAX Dome theater.
What to Expect: IMAX movies, hands-on science exhibits, outdoor deck with stunning views of Manhattan.
Visitor Information: Open daily. Admission fee required. Advance tickets recommended.
For breathtaking 360-degree views of the NYC skyline, Statue of Liberty and surrounding region, head to the Observation Deck at Liberty Science Center. Perched high above Liberty State Park, this is the highest vantage point in New Jersey open to the public.
On a clear day you can see all the way to Pennsylvania! The interactive museum below is also a hit with kids and adults alike.
Explore the Jersey City Waterfront

Name and Location: The Hudson River waterfront area of Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Once industrial, now a revitalized area with shops, restaurants, parks, and walkways along the riverfront. Offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline.
What to Expect: Waterside dining, scenic riverfront paths, parks, live music venues, community events.
Visitor Information: Free and always open. Access via light rail, ferry, or driving. Get maps of nearby parking garages.
Jersey City boasts an incredible waterfront district along the Hudson River offering amazing views, restaurants, parks, culture, history and shopping. Don’t miss the scenic Newark Avenue pedestrian mall.
Wander through the trendy shops, grab a bite to eat al fresco, and gaze up at the majestic skyscrapers across the river in Manhattan. Pier A Park and the newly opened Urby complex are also popular waterfront hangouts.
Tour the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

Name and Location: Located on Liberty and Ellis Islands in New York Harbor, accessible by ferry from Liberty State Park, NJ.
History and Significance: Iconic landmarks – the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in 1886, Ellis Island served as the nation’s busiest immigration station from 1892 to 1954.
What to Expect: Guided access to the monuments, audio tours available. Museum exhibits detailing the history of the landmarks.
Visitor Information: Ferry ticket required. Advance reservations strongly recommended, limited daily access.
Since most tourists associate the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island with New York City, many don’t realize these iconic attractions are actually situated in Jersey City’s New York Harbor. Touring Lady Liberty up close or visiting the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration makes for an unforgettable experience.
You can take a ferry over from Liberty State Park or Battery Park in Lower Manhattan. Purchase tickets in advance online to avoid long wait times.
See a Show at White Eagle Hall

Name and Location: White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, NJ – in the historic downtown district.
History and Significance: This renovated 1910 hall hosts concerts, comedy shows, theatrical performances, community events.
What to Expect: Diverse programming from rock concerts to classical performances and community theater. Full-service bar.
Visitor Information: Ticket prices vary by event. Box office hours and calendar of events online.
If you’re looking for entertainment, check out a show at the historic White Eagle Hall. This renovated 1910 vaudeville theater hosts exciting concerts, comedy acts, dance performances and more in the heart of downtown Jersey City.
They bring in top-notch emerging and renowned artists covering a wide range of genres. It’s an intimate, unique performance venue.
Shop ’til You Drop on Newark Avenue

Name and Location: Newark Avenue in Jersey City – Downtown district.
History and Significance: This vibrant pedestrian street features boutiques, antique shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. It hosts many events.
What to Expect: Shopping, dining, strolling. Trendy boutiques, antique and jewelry stores, galleries, eateries with outdoor seating.
Visitor Information: Street open daily, store hours vary. Many shops accept credit cards. Street parking available.
Newark Avenue is Jersey City’s main downtown pedestrian shopping district bursting with trendy boutiques, salons, cafes and restaurants. Spend an afternoon browsing the shops boasting chic clothing, handmade jewelry, home décor, artsy souvenirs and more.
Fuel up with a gourmet coffee or bite to eat between stores at one of Newark Avenue’s many patio cafes for excellent people watching.
Marvel at Mana Contemporary

Name and Location: Mana Contemporary arts center in Jersey City, NJ. Located in a former tobacco warehouse near the waterfront.
History and Significance: This vast arts complex opened in 2011 to provide affordable studio space, galleries, events and exhibits.
What to Expect: Galleries, arts studios, exhibitions, workshops, events. Residencies for artists, large-scale installations.
Visitor Information: Free admission to galleries and events. Open daily, hours vary by location. Self-parking available.
Mana Contemporary is a vast arts complex housed in a converted factory spanning over a million square feet. It functions as studio space for hundreds of visual and performing artists as well as an arts education center and intriguing cultural attraction.
Tour cutting-edge galleries showcasing diverse exhibits, take an art class, or watch artists at work in their studios. Don’t miss the graffiti hall lined with amazing urban art.
Take in Gorgeous Skyline Views from Loew’s Jersey Theatre Rooftop Bar

Name and Location: Rooftop bar at the historic Loew’s Theatre in Journal Square, Jersey City.
History and Significance: This landmark 1929 movie palace has been restored and the rooftop bar offers breathtaking skyline views.
What to Expect: Panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline. Craft cocktails, beer and wine. Small plates menu.
Visitor Information: Open evenings, days and hours vary. 21+ only. Elevator access to rooftop bar.
For a trendy night out with panoramic vistas, head up to the RoofTop Bar at the historic Loew’s Jersey Theatre. Situated on Journal Square atop this opulent French Baroque movie palace built in 1929, the sophisticated rooftop lounge offers craft cocktails and small plates along with sweeping city views.
It’s one of the hottest spots in town for drinks at sunset against the glittering Manhattan backdrop.
Wander Through Hamilton Park

Name and Location: Hamilton Park in Jersey City’s Hamilton Park neighborhood.
History and Significance: This scenic urban park dates back to the early 1900s and features gardens, a fountain, pathways and Manhattan views.
What to Expect: Gardens, greenery, statues, scenic paths, benches. Community events are often held here.
Visitor Information: Free and open daily. On-street parking nearby, neighborhood is walkable.
In the heart of Jersey City’s sought-after Paulus Hook neighborhood lies Hamilton Park, a beautifully landscaped green space modeled after a London square. Stroll the perimeter pathways past exquisite Victorian row houses surrounding the park’s central fountain and gardens.
Relax on a shaded bench and take in the tranquil atmosphere of this urban oasis that seems a world away from the city bustle.
Take a Food Tour of the Village Neighborhood

Name and Location: The Village neighborhood of Jersey City, near Hamilton Park.
History and Significance: Historic area now known for its international restaurants, bakeries, cafes, specialty food shops.
What to Expect: Guided walking tours hit the best neighborhood eateries. Sample authentic ethnic foods as you explore.
Visitor Information: Various tour companies offer food tours daily. Advance booking required, fees apply.
Jersey City’s Village neighborhood boasts a thriving dining scene with cuisines spanning the globe. Taste your way through this dynamic foodie enclave on a fun and delicious walking tour of the area’s best eateries.
You’ll visit several restaurants sampling authentic ethnic eats while learning about the neighborhood’s multicultural history and architecture. It’s a great way to experience the flavors of the Village.
Relax at Riverview Park

Name and Location: Riverview Park along the Hudson River waterfront in Jersey City, NJ.
History and Significance: Scenic park with picnic areas, playgrounds, sports fields offering spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline.
What to Expect: Green space, walking paths, seating areas. Views of the Hudson River and NY skyline. Outdoor concerts in summer.
Visitor Information: Free admission. Open daily, 6am-1am. Light rail, ferry or drive access.
For gorgeous views of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan paired with blissful relaxation, make your way to Riverview Park in Jersey City Heights.
Sprawling along the Hudson River, this tranquil waterfront green space features walking paths, playgrounds, sports fields, a dog run, tennis courts and more. Grab a bench and watch the sailboats cruise by as you take in the dramatic city skyline vista.
Bar Hop on Grove Street

Name and Location: Grove Street neighborhood in Jersey City, near the Path train.
History and Significance: Popular downtown district with vibrant nightlife, known for its abundance of bars, restaurants and shops.
What to Expect: Trendy bars and eateries with patios. Good for groups, bar crawls. Lively atmosphere at night and on weekends.
Grove Street is Jersey City’s hub for nightlife, especially a good bar crawl. Hop between popular spots like South House, Pet Shop, and Celery hosting DJs, live music, trivia nights, and drink specials.
Or belly up to a cozy neighborhood tavern like LITM. Many bars here also offer great happy hour deals, so you can save money while enjoying the Grove Street scene.
Conclusion
With its impressive skyscrapers, thriving arts community, wealth of green spaces, top-notch dining, and captivating views of NYC, it’s easy to see why Jersey City is such a popular urban escape.
Whether you’re seeking museums, shops, nature, nightlife or great ethnic eats, this dynamic destination across the river from Manhattan has something amazing to offer every visitor. Use this list to help plan an unforgettable Jersey trip exploring the top things to do in marvelous Jersey City!