Treat yourself to a triple threat of summertime fun in New Jersey’s Gateway Region. Slip into your comfiest shoes and enjoy the walker’s paradise that is Hoboken. Make a smart choice with Montclair—where college town meets funky downtown. And hit up the state’s own Havana on the Hudson (Union City) with its authentic Cuban influences and cuisine. But before you head out, read up on these helpful tips from New Jersey Travel & Tourism so you know all the hotspots to hit, surprises to uncover and best places to eat.
The Hotspots
Hollywood isn’t the only place to get starstruck. You can visit Frank Sinatra’s birthplace in Hoboken, marked by a bronze star on the sidewalk. Then head to Castle Point Lookout for amazing views of the city Ol’ Blue Eyes loved to croon about (New York, New York, of course—and public transportation makes it easy to hop back and forth). Or immerse yourself in New Jersey’s art and culture scene with visits to the Montclair Art Museum and Union City’s William V. Musto Cultural Center.
Surprising Finds
Fans of America’s Greatest Pastime can go on a baseball-themed tour stopping at the birthplace of their favorite sport. (Hint: It’s not Cooperstown!) It was Elysian Fields in Hoboken, where the first game was played on June 19, 1846. A monument commemorating the spot can be found at the intersection of 11th and Washington Streets. Then head over to the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center less than 15 miles away to honor one of the game’s greats. If your tastes run more Edgar Allen Poe than Yogi Berra, swing by Sybil’s Cave. It’s not only Hoboken’s oldest manmade structure—it was the scene of a murder that inspired Poe’s The Mystery of Marie Rogêet, which the author re-set in Paris.
Outdoor (and Indoor) Adventures
Ask yourself…paddle or puzzle? Outdoorsy types can head to the Hoboken Cove Boathouse to enjoy some leisurely kayaking on the Hudson River with jaw-dropping views of the Statue of Liberty. If you’re looking for a mental challenge instead, Montclair offers you a choice of three top-rated escape rooms. Ready, set, go!
Hungry for More?
The Gateway Region offers adventures for foodies too. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Carlo’s City Hall Bake Shop (home to the TLC show Cake Boss), just one of the tasty stops on the Hoboken Food & Culture Tour. For an adventure with international flair, map out your own Cuban food crawl in Union City. You’ll find your share of eateries serving up authentic empanadas, churros, dulce de leche, pan con bistec and, of course, Cuban sandwiches.
Three Freebies
You don’t need any cash to enjoy summer in these destinations! Movie buffs can catch sundown screenings of blockbuster films every Wednesday night, June 12 through August 14, with Hoboken’s Movies Under the Stars. Music fans can catch live entertainment with Hoboken’s Summer Concerts in Sinatra Park. Every Thursday night, June 6 through August 15, features a different band playing music from just about every genre—rock, jazz, swing, blues, folk, Latin and more. Got a green thumb? Stroll the grounds of the Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair for inspiration.
In New Jersey, every new day brings a brand-new destination…like Hoboken, Montclair and Union City! Plan a day trip or stay over to experience everything this Gateway Trio has to offer. For more ideas and accommodations, go to visitnj.org, where you can also download a free NJ travel guide or sign up for e-news from New Jersey Travel and Tourism.
