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Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

72 McBride Avenue Extension
Paterson, NJ 07501
 973-523-0370
 Website

Highlights:

  • Open: Year-Round

  • Overview

    Plunging 77 feet into a chasm 300 feet wide, the Great Falls of the Passaic River has long been a source of inspiration and power. Alexander Hamilton, America's first Secretary of the Treasury, chose this place to begin implementing his ambitious plan to make the United States economically independent of foreign powers. Hamilton founded the City of Paterson in 1792 to create the world's first planned city of innovation built around a hydropower system to encourage manufacturing.


    The industrial center attracted entrepreneurs, laborers, and immigrants with diverse talents. They came here to work in the bustling mills that produced everything from textiles and Colt firearms to locomotives and aircraft engines. Today the Passaic River drives turbines in the hydroelectric plant at the base of the falls to provide clean, renewable energy to thousands of homes.

  • Amenities

    • Free Admission
    Activities
    • Self-guided tours

  • Map

     Get Directions

  • Nearby:

    •  Dining

      • Rare The Steakhouse
        3.8 MI
        973-256-6699
        View >
      • Buco Ristorante
        4.3 MI
        973-779-3500
        View >
      • Empanada Spanish Grill
        4.9 MI
        973-272-8202
        View >
      • Sevilla Restaurant
        5.0 MI
        973-777-5827
        View >
      • Martini Grill
        6.9 MI
        201-939-2000
        View >
      • Montclair Brewery
        7.0 MI
        973-850-0541
        View >
      • Mesob Ethiopian
        7.2 MI
        973-655-9000
        View >
      • Cafe Matisse
        7.2 MI
        201-935-2995
        View >
      View More +

    •  Lodging

      • Wyndham Garden Totowa
        2.9 MI
        973-785-9000
        View >
      • Quality Inn Wayne Fairfield Area
        3.7 MI
        973-256-7000
        View >
      • Home2 Suites by Hilton Wayne
        3.9 MI
        973-305-8844
        View >
      • Crowne Plaza Saddle Brook
        4.1 MI
        201-880-8250
        View >
      • Marriott Saddle Brook
        4.2 MI
        201-843-9500
        View >
      • Residence Inn by Marriott
        4.2 MI
        973-872-7100
        View >
      • Courtyard by Marriott Wayne Fairfield
        4.2 MI
        973-646-3377
        View >
      • Hilton Garden Inn Wayne
        4.3 MI
        View >
      View More +

    •  Activities

      • Paterson Museum
        0.1 MI
        973-321-1260
        View >
      • Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Commission
        0.3 MI
        973-684-6555
        View >
      • Broadway, LRC and Hamilton Club Galleries at Passaic Community College
        0.3 MI
        973-684-6555
        View >
      • Poetry Center & Cultural Affairs, Passaic County Community College
        0.5 MI
        973-684-6555
        View >
      • 9/11 Memorial
        0.5 MI
        View >
      • Garret Mountain Reservation
        1.1 MI
        973-881-4832
        View >
      • Lambert Castle Museum
        1.2 MI
        973-247-0085
        View >
      • American Labor Museum
        1.5 MI
        973-595-7953
        View >
      View More +

    •  Events

      • Holiday Craft Show
        Dec. 10, 2023
        2.9 MI
        201-410-5416
        View >
      • THE METROPOLITAN OPERA LIVE: FLORENCIA EN EL AMAZONAS
        Dec. 9-13, 2023
        7.2 MI
        973-381-5588
        View >
      • Test New Event Update
        Mar. 31, 2028
        9.1 MI
        123-456-7890
        View >
      • The Grinch that Stole the Fashion Show
        Dec. 10, 2023
        10.1 MI
        862-600-7790
        View >
      • New Jersey Symphony: Handel's Messiah
        Dec. 17, 2023
        11.1 MI
        800-255-3476
        View >
      • Livingston Symphony Orchestra: "Something Borrowed"
        Dec. 9, 2023
        11.7 MI
        973-980-1809
        View >
      • Test Brand New Event
        Feb. 26, 2028
        11.9 MI
        123-456-7890
        View >
      • Hometown Holiday- Winter Wonderland
        Dec. 9, 2023
        12.3 MI
        973-763-6899
        View >
      View More +

      •   Activities

        Paterson Museum
        0.1 MI
        973-321-1260
        View >

      •   Activities

        Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Commission
        0.3 MI
        973-684-6555
        View >

      •   Activities

        Broadway, LRC and Hamilton Club Galleries at Passaic Community College
        0.3 MI
        973-684-6555
        View >

      •   Activities

        9/11 Memorial
        0.5 MI
        View >

      •   Activities

        Poetry Center & Cultural Affairs, Passaic County Community College
        0.5 MI
        973-684-6555
        View >

      •   Activities

        Garret Mountain Reservation
        1.1 MI
        973-881-4832
        View >

      •   Activities

        Lambert Castle Museum
        1.2 MI
        973-247-0085
        View >

      •   Activities

        American Labor Museum
        1.5 MI
        973-595-7953
        View >
      View More +

Explore Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

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