Can’t decide on a destination for a winter outing? For outdoor sports, upscale shopping, Hamilton history and family fun, get “out & about” in eclectic Bergen County! Hugging the northeast corner of New Jersey’s Gateway Region, Bergen County extends from Mahwah, home of poet and WWI hero Joyce Kilmer, to the Palisades cliffs, towering over the Hudson River. Here are some seasonal planning tips from New Jersey Travel & Tourism.
Deals & Diners
The center of shopping nirvana in North Jersey is Paramus, where you can scope out post-holiday sales at Bergen Town Center, Fashion Center Paramus, Paramus Park and Westfield Garden State Plaza. Choose from a vast array of retail options, including the Apple Store, Burberry, Macy’s, REI and Warby Parker. (Visit websites for store directories.) And that’s not all! Visit The Shops at Riverside in Hackensack for luxury brands like Jimmy Choo and Salvatore Ferragamo or check out City Place at the Promenade along the Hudson River in Edgewater. Just remember that Bergen County abides by blue laws, so shopping centers are closed on Sunday. For more mega shopping opportunities, head to American Dream in East Rutherford for everything from American Eagle to Zumiez, plus high-end options like Hermès and Louis Vuitton.
Browsing and bargain hunting can build an appetite. Good thing Bergen County is an epicenter of the iconic New Jersey diner. Yelp serves up a list of Bergen County’s 10 best diners, including Suburban Diner (Paramus), Dumont Crystal Diner (Dumont), Abbie’s Diner (Wyckoff), Chit Chat Diner (Hackensack) and State Line Diner (Mahwah). Or go to TripAdvisor’s #1 restaurant in Fort Lee (also a stop on the Anthony Bourdain Food Trail) for a true New Jersey culinary experience: a “ripper-style” hot dog at Hiram’s Roadstand (a deep-fried hot dog for all of you Hiram’s newbies).
Ski & Spa
Is this the season you introduce your kids to skiing or snowboarding? Head to the gentle slopes of Mahwah’s Campgaw Mountain, where you’ll find lessons and easy trails—plus snow tubing for winter thrills with no learning curve. At Palisades Interstate Park, discover a National Historic Landmark—and exhilarating cross-country skiing. While cross-country skiing is permitted on most hiking trails, the place to go is scenic State Line Lookout, the highest point of the Palisades cliffs. Bring your own skis and make sure there’s a snow base of at least four inches before you set off on five miles of designated cross-country ski trails. Need a break after burning up the trails? Warm up by the fireplaces at Lookout Inn, which was built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Grab a sandwich and peruse a tidy assortment of books about the Hudson River Valley. Open most days, it lives up to its name with stellar Hudson River views.
For a dose of relaxation, see why Rachael Ray In Season magazine included SoJo Spa Club in Edgewater as one of the “Most Outrageous Spa and Wellness Experiences.” This Korean-style spa offers 140,000 square feet of pools, specialty baths, treatment rooms, lounging and dining areas. The expansive spa menu includes Korean body scrubs, massages (try the Heated Salt Stone Massage with Himalayan salt stones), acupressure treatments and more.
PAC & Play
One of the missions of Bergen Performing Arts Center (Bergen PAC) is to make live performing arts accessible to its diverse community. Check out their event listing, where you’ll find comedians, kid-friendly shows, concerts and more.
Playtime continues all winter long in Bergen County. At the Tenafly Nature Center, you can go cross-country skiing or register for seasonal programming designed for families. Enjoy free admission until May 1 at Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, which focuses on wildlife from the Americas, from the Bald Eagle to the Andean Condor. Music lovers will adore the permanent Les Paul exhibit at Mahwah Museum, showcasing the legendary guitarist’s innovations (you can even play one of his guitars!).
Hermitage & “Her”story
Wrap up your Bergen County adventure at The Hermitage, a National Historic Landmark in Ho-Ho-Kus. Fans of the Broadway hit Hamilton will be pleased to know that they’re touring the one-time home of Theodosia Prevost, the mother in the song “Dear Theodosia.”
Be sure to check the websites and social media channels of the destinations you plan to visit to stay on top of hours, safety guidelines and more.
