Newark
A busy city heart only minutes from New York City
In Newark, where people from all walks of life come together to make a vibe you won’t find anywhere else, you can enjoy world-class entertainment and cultural treats. There are only 15 kilometers between Newark and New York City. Newark has a lot of the same fun things that New York City does, but in smaller doses and for less money. Brick City has everything you could want: historic sites, fun events, museums that will inspire you, exciting sports, and tax-free outlet shopping.
Get to know the local culture
In Branch Brook Park, more than 5,300 cherry trees bloom every year, making it the country’s biggest collection of cherry trees. The Cherry Blossom Festival is a must-see every year. Harriet Tubman Square is another nice green area that you should check out. It is in the middle of a historic town and is often the site of community events, like a farmers market every other week. Make sure you take a moment to enjoy Shadow of a Face, the interesting sculpture that serves as the park’s center. During the winter, Mulberry Commons Park turns into Newark Winter Village. The main things to do there are ice skating, go-karting, and eating in igloos. Check out the daring shows at Akwaaba Gallery and the modern shows at Gallery Aferro. You can also go to the Newark Museum of Art, which has a lot of different public events, such as the famous Art After Dark.
Unforgettable Fun and Games
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center is the best place to have fun in Newark. All year long, you can see dance, theater, music, poems, and comedy of the highest quality. At the grand Newark Symphony Hall, famous artists like George Gershwin, Patti LaBelle, and the Rolling Stones have played. At the Prudential Center, today’s biggest stars and two of New Jersey’s biggest sports teams rock the house. People who like sports should also go to Red Bull Arena to see the New York Red Bulls play Major League Soccer. If you want to see movies in a huge screen, go to Shaquille O’Neal’s CityPlex12 and watch movies in “Shaq DX.”
Delicious food and great shopping
The Ironbound area is a great place to start your food tour of Newark because it is known for its Portuguese, Spanish, and Brazilian food. Some of the best restaurants in the area are Taino’s Kitchen, which serves Puerto Rican specialties like hearty mofongo and has a daily specials list that changes, and Seabra’s Marisqueira, a Portuguese restaurant that has been family-owned since 1989 and serves traditional seafood meals. The Mills at Jersey Gardens is New Jersey’s biggest premium outlet mall with more than 200 stores. There is no tax on clothing or shoes, so bargain hunters can splurge without feeling bad. Halsey Street, Newark’s “stroll district,” is another fun place to go out and have fun. It has a lot of trendy shops, gift shops, restaurants, and more.