Jersey City
The center of culture right next to New York
Jersey City. Hudson County was once the first stop for millions of people coming to the United States from Europe and Asia. They came on steamboats to the Bergen Neck Peninsula, which is made up of hills, inlets, and areas mostly between the Hudson and Hackensack Rivers. There are a lot of green spaces in this county, whose capital is the city of Jersey City. The county has a cosmopolitan population (the second biggest in the country after New York), and the city of Jersey City is its center. You’ll find world cuisine with a lot of different flavors, fun cultural events, thriving art districts, a cosmopolitan vibe that can compete with its famous neighbor, sports, and lots of outdoor activities less than a kilometer away.
Monuments and places that stand out
Liberty State Park is a nice break in the middle of the busy city of New York Bay. This 405-acre state park is across the water from Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It has a pier with views of the Statue of Liberty. The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal is at the north end of the park. You can also hike or ride a bike along Freedom Way, or you can go on an ecotourism boat tour on the Hudson. At the Empty Sky 911 Memorial, two walls made of stainless steel were built facing the site of the former Twin Towers. These walls are inscribed with the names of New Jersey residents who died in the September 11 attacks. The Liberty Science Center is a must-see. It has 12 galleries with hundreds of exhibits and what is thought to be the biggest IMAX theater in the United States. From there, you can take a boat tour of the Statue of Liberty to get a better look at the skyline of New York City.
A city with a culture
Several museums in the area show the variety of customs and cultural influences that live there. Visit the Museum of Russian Art to see its unique collection. It has both changing and regular shows. Keep an eye out for seasonal shows that represent the museum’s interest in the avant-garde and nonconformist. The Afro-American Historical and Cultural Society Museum is on the second floor of a library and tells stories about the African-American history of the area. There are a lot of mementos, important items, papers, and pictures. Take a walk through Jersey City’s downtown art districts, Powerhouse and Riverview, to get a sense of the artistic community’s ideas. Then, go to Mana Contemporary to see art, dance shows, films, and other experimental works. You should go to The Landmark Loew’s Jersey Theater for a show or play right before you leave.
Sports and recreation
You can go karting at Pole Position Raceway when you’re not kayaking, sailing, or jet-skiing on the Hudson or an organized tour with Sea the City near the Statue of Liberty. There’s no better place to have fun than this indoor track, where you can race with friends or family. Kids of all shapes and sizes can ride go-karts. Get tickets to a football or rugby game, a show, or both at Red Bull Arena. This is where the New York Red Bulls play, their Major League Soccer team. Go to Pershing Field Park if you want to get some exercise and fresh air. The park has an ice rink, a swimming pool, a playground, and fields and courts for almost every sport.