Guidebook for Jersey City
Arts & Culture
The Hoboken Historical Museum has temporary exhibitions on all things Hoboken.
The current exhibit: “World War I Centennial, 1917-2017: Heaven, Hell or Hoboken” explores how Hoboken and its residents were transformed by the United States entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. The city was declared the main point of embarkation for the U.S. Expeditionary Force bound for Europe.
Entrance to the museum costs $4.
32 locals recommend
Hoboken Historical Museum
1301 Hudson StThe Hoboken Historical Museum has temporary exhibitions on all things Hoboken.
The current exhibit: “World War I Centennial, 1917-2017: Heaven, Hell or Hoboken” explores how Hoboken and its residents were transformed by the United States entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. The city was declared the main point of embarkation for the U.S. Expeditionary Force bound for Europe.
Entrance to the museum costs $4.
Loew's Jersey Theatre (10 mins by PATH or bus or a 25 min walk) in Journal Square is a preserved 1929 movie palace that plays old films in their original format as well as hosting special events.
30 locals recommend
Loew's Jersey Theatre
54 Journal Square PlazaLoew's Jersey Theatre (10 mins by PATH or bus or a 25 min walk) in Journal Square is a preserved 1929 movie palace that plays old films in their original format as well as hosting special events.
This huge interactive science museum at Liberty State Park (19 mins away by LR) has multiple exhibitions including 'Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition'. LSC also has an IMAX and a Tesla Lightning Show.
350 locals recommend
Liberty Science Center
222 Jersey City BlvdThis huge interactive science museum at Liberty State Park (19 mins away by LR) has multiple exhibitions including 'Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition'. LSC also has an IMAX and a Tesla Lightning Show.
Hoboken's Bow Tie movie theater shows all the latest blockbusters on its 6 screens. Tuesday tickets are half-price all day long.
38 locals recommend
Bow Tie Cinemas
409-415 14th StHoboken's Bow Tie movie theater shows all the latest blockbusters on its 6 screens. Tuesday tickets are half-price all day long.
A 12 minute walk from Christopher street PATH:
The Whitney Museum of American Art – known informally as the "Whitney" – is an art museum located in Manhattan. It was founded in 1931 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875–1942), a wealthy and prominent American socialite and art patron after whom the museum is named.
The Whitney focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American art. Its permanent collection comprises more than 21,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos, and artifacts of new media by more than 3,000 artists.
Pay-What-You-Wish tickets are available at the admissions desk on Fridays, 7–9:30 pm. They may not be purchased in advance.
885 locals recommend
Salmagundi Museum of American Art
A 12 minute walk from Christopher street PATH:
The Whitney Museum of American Art – known informally as the "Whitney" – is an art museum located in Manhattan. It was founded in 1931 by Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875–1942), a wealthy and prominent American socialite and art patron after whom the museum is named.
The Whitney focuses on 20th- and 21st-century American art. Its permanent collection comprises more than 21,000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, films, videos, and artifacts of new media by more than 3,000 artists.
Pay-What-You-Wish tickets are available at the admissions desk on Fridays, 7–9:30 pm. They may not be purchased in advance.
Food Scene
Home to the world's largest pizza slice, Benny Tudino's has great Italian food at reasonable prices.
24 locals recommend
Benny Tudino's
622 Washington StHome to the world's largest pizza slice, Benny Tudino's has great Italian food at reasonable prices.
Restored to its original early 1900’s design, The Brass Rail is an elegant setting for fine dining that prides itself on fresh, seasonal ingredients, a New American menu and an extensive wine list.
21 locals recommend
The Brass Rail
135 Washington StRestored to its original early 1900’s design, The Brass Rail is an elegant setting for fine dining that prides itself on fresh, seasonal ingredients, a New American menu and an extensive wine list.
La Isla Restaurant is a cosy family-run BYOB restaurant. Its authentic Cuban cuisine is made by award winning chef and owner Omar Giner.
71 locals recommend
La Isla
104 Washington StLa Isla Restaurant is a cosy family-run BYOB restaurant. Its authentic Cuban cuisine is made by award winning chef and owner Omar Giner.
Lola's brick courtyard setting serves hot and cold tapas with gluten-free and low-fat options. It's full bar also includes a happy hour.
8 locals recommend
Lola's
153 14th StLola's brick courtyard setting serves hot and cold tapas with gluten-free and low-fat options. It's full bar also includes a happy hour.
Latin American tapas & wood-oven entrees plus exotic cocktails & regional wines in a cozy space.
Maricel E. Presilla is an award-winning author, chef, and restaurateur who is widely recognized as the nation’s pre-eminent expert on Latin and Caribbean cuisine. In 2013, her magnum opus, Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America, was honored as Cookbook of the Year by the James Beard Foundation and Best General Cookbook by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She was named the Beard Foundation’s Best Chef-Mid Atlantic region in 2012 for her work at Cucharamama, and was inducted into the prestigious Beard Foundation cadre of outstanding US food professionals.
20 locals recommend
Cucharamama
233 Clinton StLatin American tapas & wood-oven entrees plus exotic cocktails & regional wines in a cozy space.
Maricel E. Presilla is an award-winning author, chef, and restaurateur who is widely recognized as the nation’s pre-eminent expert on Latin and Caribbean cuisine. In 2013, her magnum opus, Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America, was honored as Cookbook of the Year by the James Beard Foundation and Best General Cookbook by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She was named the Beard Foundation’s Best Chef-Mid Atlantic region in 2012 for her work at Cucharamama, and was inducted into the prestigious Beard Foundation cadre of outstanding US food professionals.
Cozy cafe, owned by award winning chef, historian and food writer Maricel E. Presilla, featuring Latin fare & beverages, including hot chocolate, plus some decor items for sale. It is also BYOB.
Ultramarinos
260 3rd StCozy cafe, owned by award winning chef, historian and food writer Maricel E. Presilla, featuring Latin fare & beverages, including hot chocolate, plus some decor items for sale. It is also BYOB.
Latin fare like Peruvian ceviche, Argentine beef & Cuban sandwiches in a bring your own booze spot. Zafra is owned by award winning chef, historian and food writer Maricel E. Presilla.
15 locals recommend
Zafra
301 Willow AveLatin fare like Peruvian ceviche, Argentine beef & Cuban sandwiches in a bring your own booze spot. Zafra is owned by award winning chef, historian and food writer Maricel E. Presilla.
Stylish, bright cafe offering Latin American lunch fare, plus gourmet pastries, cakes & cookies.
92 locals recommend
Dulce de Leche Bakery
376 Central AveStylish, bright cafe offering Latin American lunch fare, plus gourmet pastries, cakes & cookies.
Antique Bar & Bakery is a restaurant in a century old Hoboken institution boasting a 30 ton coal oven built of porcelain brick. The 400sqft hearth produced the famous “Hoboken Sticks” for generations; bread so prized Sinatra would have suitcases of the stuff sent straight from the Sixth Borough.
Chef Paul Gerard, filmmaker Joseph Castelo and nightlife impresario Rocco Ancarola preserved the Hoboken heirloom to keep the fire burning, saving the bakery and adding a flare of fun with a decor designed around their lasting impressions of the super seventies.
28 locals recommend
Antique Bar & Bakery
122 Willow AveAntique Bar & Bakery is a restaurant in a century old Hoboken institution boasting a 30 ton coal oven built of porcelain brick. The 400sqft hearth produced the famous “Hoboken Sticks” for generations; bread so prized Sinatra would have suitcases of the stuff sent straight from the Sixth Borough.
Chef Paul Gerard, filmmaker Joseph Castelo and nightlife impresario Rocco Ancarola preserved the Hoboken heirloom to keep the fire burning, saving the bakery and adding a flare of fun with a decor designed around their lasting impressions of the super seventies.
Johnny Pepperoni is restaurateur John Avoletta's first Italian Kitchen to add to his Uptown restaurants. This BYOB restaurant serves classic Italian food as well as traditional round and square pies.
15 locals recommend
Johnny Pepperoni
219 11th StJohnny Pepperoni is restaurateur John Avoletta's first Italian Kitchen to add to his Uptown restaurants. This BYOB restaurant serves classic Italian food as well as traditional round and square pies.
This small cosy cafe with its temple bells and Hindu woodcarvings serves traditional Indian food combined with modern, inventive recipes, an unlimited lunchtime buffet and signature cocktails.
20 locals recommend
Karma Kafe
505 Washington StThis small cosy cafe with its temple bells and Hindu woodcarvings serves traditional Indian food combined with modern, inventive recipes, an unlimited lunchtime buffet and signature cocktails.
A pleasant 15 min walk from Christopher Street PATH:
A block long and a block wide and just a short walk from the Hudson River in the area of Manhattan known as the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market has become in just fifteen years one of the greatest indoor food halls of the world, with more than thirty-five vendors purveying everything from soup to nuts, wine to coffee, cheese to cheesecake. Attracting 6 million national and international visitors annually, it is one of the most trafficked, and written-about, destinations of any kind in New York City. Chelsea Market is a neighborhood market with a global perspective.
1123 locals recommend
Chelsea Market
75 9th AveA pleasant 15 min walk from Christopher Street PATH:
A block long and a block wide and just a short walk from the Hudson River in the area of Manhattan known as the Meatpacking District, Chelsea Market has become in just fifteen years one of the greatest indoor food halls of the world, with more than thirty-five vendors purveying everything from soup to nuts, wine to coffee, cheese to cheesecake. Attracting 6 million national and international visitors annually, it is one of the most trafficked, and written-about, destinations of any kind in New York City. Chelsea Market is a neighborhood market with a global perspective.
Homey, storefront nook with late hours preparing North & South Indian staples to eat in or take out. Chef of India is also BYOB.
Chef Of India
324 Central AveHomey, storefront nook with late hours preparing North & South Indian staples to eat in or take out. Chef of India is also BYOB.
12 minutes in a taxi , 12 minutes via Light Rail from 2nd Street to Exchange Place or 6 minutes from Hoboken PATH train to Grove St.
Highly recommended authentic Indian cuisine; the menu incorporates both traditional classic favorites and original new dishes that apply Eastern flavors with a Western twist. The chef has worked with Gordon Ramsay in Dubai and it is BYOB.
8 locals recommend
Mantra Authentic Indian Restaurant
253 Washington St12 minutes in a taxi , 12 minutes via Light Rail from 2nd Street to Exchange Place or 6 minutes from Hoboken PATH train to Grove St.
Highly recommended authentic Indian cuisine; the menu incorporates both traditional classic favorites and original new dishes that apply Eastern flavors with a Western twist. The chef has worked with Gordon Ramsay in Dubai and it is BYOB.
Speakeasy style, cozy, dimly lit cafe with outdoor tables serving up French bistro items.
90 locals recommend
Madame Claude Bis
390 4th StSpeakeasy style, cozy, dimly lit cafe with outdoor tables serving up French bistro items.
French bakery and coffee shop: CHOC·O·PAIN is your place for breakfast, lunch & snacks in the heart of Jersey City & Hoboken.
30 locals recommend
Choc O Pain Jersey City Heights
330-332 Palisade AveFrench bakery and coffee shop: CHOC·O·PAIN is your place for breakfast, lunch & snacks in the heart of Jersey City & Hoboken.
Coffee house & Espresso bar with local roots - beans roasted in Jersey City.
14 locals recommend
Froth On Franklin
85 Franklin StCoffee house & Espresso bar with local roots - beans roasted in Jersey City.
Award winning Neapolitan Pizza Vita is a contemporary pizzeria and cucina inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy - 100% wood fired oven that stays at a steady 900 degree temperature, which cooks the pizzas in just 90 seconds.
6 locals recommend
Pizza Vita
Award winning Neapolitan Pizza Vita is a contemporary pizzeria and cucina inspired by the traditional pizzerias of Naples, Italy - 100% wood fired oven that stays at a steady 900 degree temperature, which cooks the pizzas in just 90 seconds.
Shopping
The family owned Carlo's Bakery, home to the reality show 'Cake Boss' is the popular go-to place for pastries, cakes and desserts.
173 locals recommend
Carlo's Bakery
95 Washington StThe family owned Carlo's Bakery, home to the reality show 'Cake Boss' is the popular go-to place for pastries, cakes and desserts.
Everything Else
Hoboken Terminal is a NY Metropolitan Transportation Hub for rail, ferry, bus and the 24 PATH train. The PATH will take you to NYC's West Village in 8 mins, the WTC in 10 mins and Midtown in 14 mins.
53 locals recommend
Hoboken station
1 Hudson PlHoboken Terminal is a NY Metropolitan Transportation Hub for rail, ferry, bus and the 24 PATH train. The PATH will take you to NYC's West Village in 8 mins, the WTC in 10 mins and Midtown in 14 mins.
Sightseeing
Stevens Institute, built in 1870 by a family of inventors and engineers upon the highest point of Hoboken (a popular vantage point) was the first US college dedicated to mechanical engineering.
13 locals recommend
Stevens Institute of Technology
1 Castle Point TerraceStevens Institute, built in 1870 by a family of inventors and engineers upon the highest point of Hoboken (a popular vantage point) was the first US college dedicated to mechanical engineering.
Sybil's Cave, built in 1832 by the Stevens family around a natural spring, is marked by a Gothic arch and sinister stories, one of which inspired a short story by Edgar Allan Poe.
Sybil's Cave
Frank Sinatra DriveSybil's Cave, built in 1832 by the Stevens family around a natural spring, is marked by a Gothic arch and sinister stories, one of which inspired a short story by Edgar Allan Poe.
This 18.5 linear mile riverside path facilitates walking, jogging, biking and in some areas fishing and kayaking. The 2 county stretch provides spectacular views of the Hudson, NYC and the NJ cliffs.
34 locals recommend
Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
Sinatra DriveThis 18.5 linear mile riverside path facilitates walking, jogging, biking and in some areas fishing and kayaking. The 2 county stretch provides spectacular views of the Hudson, NYC and the NJ cliffs.
19 mins away by Light Rail, this 2-mile promenade offers great views, the Liberty Science Center, the historical landmark CRRNJ Terminal and a ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
465 locals recommend
Liberty State Park
1 Audrey Zapp Drive19 mins away by Light Rail, this 2-mile promenade offers great views, the Liberty Science Center, the historical landmark CRRNJ Terminal and a ferry service to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.
Entertainment & Activities
The last remaining part of Elysian Fields (where the first baseball game was recorded) and an 'On the Waterfront' location, the park has a basketball court, 2 play areas and pleasant riverside views.
8 locals recommend
Elysian Park
1001 Hudson StThe last remaining part of Elysian Fields (where the first baseball game was recorded) and an 'On the Waterfront' location, the park has a basketball court, 2 play areas and pleasant riverside views.
Hoboken's skatepark, right across the river from Midtown Manhattan, has a smooth cement ground with a skatelite street course, a mini ramp and a 2ft microramp.
6 locals recommend
Castle Point Lookout
90 Frank Sinatra DrHoboken's skatepark, right across the river from Midtown Manhattan, has a smooth cement ground with a skatelite street course, a mini ramp and a 2ft microramp.
Church Square Park (another 'On the Waterfront' movie location) spans 2 blocks and has 3 play spaces for children of varying ages, 4 basketball courts, plenty of swings and a small water park.
10 locals recommend
Church Square Park
401-449 Willow AveChurch Square Park (another 'On the Waterfront' movie location) spans 2 blocks and has 3 play spaces for children of varying ages, 4 basketball courts, plenty of swings and a small water park.
Performing arts theater in Hoboken. Check the Mile Square Theatre website for what's on: https://www.milesquaretheatre.org/shows-events/current-season/
6 locals recommend
Mile Square Theatre
1400 Clinton StPerforming arts theater in Hoboken. Check the Mile Square Theatre website for what's on: https://www.milesquaretheatre.org/shows-events/current-season/
Drinks & Nightlife
Elysian Cafe, Hoboken's oldest continually operated bar/restaurant with restored original features, offers a full bar, French Bistro-style cuisine and late night live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
61 locals recommend
Elysian Cafe
1001 Washington StElysian Cafe, Hoboken's oldest continually operated bar/restaurant with restored original features, offers a full bar, French Bistro-style cuisine and late night live music on Fridays and Saturdays.
This huge Austro-Hungarian bar & beer garden has an authentic Bavarian look, food (bratwursts, schnitzels, strudels and pretzels) and imported draft beer which won the Jersey Choice Critics' Pick.
84 locals recommend
Pilsener Haus & Biergarten
1422 Grand StThis huge Austro-Hungarian bar & beer garden has an authentic Bavarian look, food (bratwursts, schnitzels, strudels and pretzels) and imported draft beer which won the Jersey Choice Critics' Pick.
A traditional Irish bar, this popular, lively pub, risen from the ashes since an earlier version burnt down (hence the Phoenix in the design), has different daily deals on alcohol and great craic!
McSwiggan's Pub
110 1st StA traditional Irish bar, this popular, lively pub, risen from the ashes since an earlier version burnt down (hence the Phoenix in the design), has different daily deals on alcohol and great craic!
Fox and Crow, named after one of Aesop's Fables has a pictorial cocktail menu, excellent pub food and a very eclectic mix of live music in the Parlour.
75 locals recommend
Fox & Crow
594 Palisade AveFox and Crow, named after one of Aesop's Fables has a pictorial cocktail menu, excellent pub food and a very eclectic mix of live music in the Parlour.
A huge waterfront bar with NYC views, Wicked Wolf Tavern has a lively atmosphere with available sports coverage and sports events. The drinks are reasonably priced, as is the American-style menu.
16 locals recommend
Wicked Wolf Tavern
120 Sinatra DrA huge waterfront bar with NYC views, Wicked Wolf Tavern has a lively atmosphere with available sports coverage and sports events. The drinks are reasonably priced, as is the American-style menu.
Northern Soul's off the main drag location has helped it retain an element of mischief; it offers a perfectly good bar, live music an ever-changing art collection.
7 locals recommend
Northern Soul
700 1st StNorthern Soul's off the main drag location has helped it retain an element of mischief; it offers a perfectly good bar, live music an ever-changing art collection.
Chill, stylish bar with a spacious backyard for original cocktails & Detroit-style pizza.
28 locals recommend
Low Fidelity
328 Palisade AveChill, stylish bar with a spacious backyard for original cocktails & Detroit-style pizza.
Open for the summer season.
Extending out into the Hudson and overlooking the stunning NYC skyline, Pier 13 is a family friendly beer garden that offers a variety of food, drinks, and activities. Get ready for a day of endless fun on the pier!
Enjoy a meal from one of the many food truck options available on site each day, grab a brew or try our house-made sangria, take part in a water activity like paddle boarding, kayaking, and jet skiing, or simply sit back, relax, and catch some rays. With daily and monthly activities including a movie night, live music, and much more, there’s something sure to please everyone at Pier 13!
71 locals recommend
Pier 13 Hoboken
1301 Sinatra Dr NOpen for the summer season.
Extending out into the Hudson and overlooking the stunning NYC skyline, Pier 13 is a family friendly beer garden that offers a variety of food, drinks, and activities. Get ready for a day of endless fun on the pier!
Enjoy a meal from one of the many food truck options available on site each day, grab a brew or try our house-made sangria, take part in a water activity like paddle boarding, kayaking, and jet skiing, or simply sit back, relax, and catch some rays. With daily and monthly activities including a movie night, live music, and much more, there’s something sure to please everyone at Pier 13!