South Orange

Shoppers on the lookout for some fun wares should stroll through the South Orange Village Center, located along South Orange Avenue, where funky boutiques, unique clothing stores and independent gift stores intermingle with ethnic eateries, bistros and more. While you’re in the area, stop in for a pint of handcrafted ale or lager at Gaslight Brewery, the only family owned and operated brewpub in Essex County.

The South Orange Village Center also is home to the South Orange Performing Arts Center, a multi-disciplinary arts center with a 440-seat theater, dance studio and five movie theaters.  Along with comedians and big-name recording artists, this arts center hosts Seton Hall University Arts Council performances, including the Classical Concert Series, Jazz in the Hall performances and Seton Hall Theatre productions.

For a little fun outdoors, head to one of the numerous parks, where you’ll find soccer and baseball fields, picnicking areas and jogging trails. Duck Pond area offers bocce courts, ice skating in winter and a scenic walkway. Floods Hill is an open-field area, ideal for sledding in winter or kite flying in warmer months. The Baird, a 100-year-old Tudor-style building located in Meadowland Park, is a multidisciplinary center featuring a theatre, basketball court, tennis courts, the Pierro Gallery of South Orange and the Giants of Jazz concerts series.