Newark, NJ Road Trips

English is the main language, but the Ironbound area is home to a significant Brazilian and Portuguese population. Newark, NJ, is pronounced "Noo-wirk", as opposed to Newark, Delaware, which is pronounced "Noo-ark". Locals will often pronounce it "Nork" or "Nerk". The city was founded in the year 1666 by Puritans from New Haven Colony. It was named after Newark-on-Trent in England. Three centuries later, the population grew rapidly. Industry also grew constantly. The city even had its own Chinatown. However, in the 20th century, many raids took place, and much of the Chinese population went away to other areas, causing Newark's Chinatown to fade away. Things only got worse as more racial tension and riots occurred in the city. In the 1990s, the city went through tons of revitalization efforts. Today, the city has grown back into an important industrial hub, however some things such as the old Chinatown and the city's good reputation were forever lost. Despite this, the city still shines with culture and history, and also has the oldest county park in the United States, Branch Brook Park. There is also a huge Portuguese and Brazilian population in Ironbound. Although the city is usually overlooked by Manhattan and it is not the glimmering gem it used to be, the city is still worth a visit. The city is divided into five wards, each with its own character. Downtown has retained much of early 20th century architecture and has an iconic skyline. Nearly 100,000 people commute to the central business district on workdays, making for a lively urban landscape.

1 Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 89 Ridge St, ☏ +1 973-484-4600. Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a French Gothic-styled cathedral, the fourth largest in North America boasting upwards of 200 stained glass windows and 14 giant bells cast in Italy. The cathedral hosts a number of symphony orchestras and other concerts, in addition to serving as the mother church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. It is north of downtown Newark, across from Branch Brook Park, and accessible by light rail. 2 The Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St, ☏ +1 973-596-6550. W-Su noon-5PM. The museum complex incorporates 80 galleries of art and science, a mini zoo, planetarium, cafe, auditorium, sculpture garden, a schoolhouse from the 1780s and the Ballantine House, the restored 1885 mansion that is a National Historic Landmark. Suggested admission $10 adults, $6 children/seniors/students/veterans. Planetarium an additional $5 adults, $3 children/seniors/students. 3 Aljira: A Center for Contemporary Art, 591 Broad St, ☏ +1 973-622-1600. W-F noon-6PM, Sa 11AM-4PM. Described by the New York Times as "a feisty alternative art space in Newark, often shows artwork that has a razor-sharp social and political edge." 4 City Without Walls (CWOW), 6 Crawford St, ☏ +1 973-622-1188. W-F noon-6PM, Sa 1-6PM. Contemporary art gallery. 5 Gallery Aferro, 73 Market St, ☏ +1 646-220-3772. Th-Sa noon-6PM. Contemporary art gallery. 6 New Jersey Historical Society, 52 Park Pl, ☏ +1 973-596-8500. Tu-Sa noon-5PM.

1 Branch Brook Park, Park Ave & Lake St. Branch Brook Park contains 360 acres of open meadowland and small patches of woodland on gently rolling terrain. More than 4,100 cherry trees that blossom during April are greater both in variety and number than the famed trees in Washington, D.C. The park is 1.7 miles from downtown, and accessible by light rail. Includes spectacular views of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. 2 Military Park, Broad St between Rector St and Raymond Blvd, ☏ +1 973-733-9333. A park downtown that began as a militia training green in the 1600s. Wars of America monument is an imposing work of Mount Rushmore artist Gutzon Borglum. In the summer on Thursdays, the park hosts Common Greens, a farmers market. 3 Weequahic Park, Elizabeth Ave & Meeker Ave (if driving, take the Elizabeth Ave exit from Route 78 West). A very big park with a golf course and large lake. Designed by the Olmsted Brothers. 4 Prudential Center, Prudential Center, Mulberry St (across from Triangle Park and 1 block W of Penn Stn), ☏ +1 973-757-6000. It hosts the NHL's New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University basketball, New Jersey Ironmen MISL (indoor soccer), and concerts. 5 New Jersey Performing Arts Center, 1 Center St, toll-free: +1 888-466-5722. 6 Newark Symphony Hall, 1020 Broad St, ☏ +1 973-643-8468.

Newark has three "restaurant rows' downtown: Around the Prudential Center, Halsey Street, and Ferry Street in the Ironbound, the latter known for its Portuguese, Brazilian and Latino food. 1 Central Restaurant, 30 Central Ave (at Halsey), ☏ +1 973-623-8137. M-F 9AM-10PM; Sa Su 10AM-11PM. classic diner at great prices 2 Ferry Street Barbeque, 89 Ferry St, ☏ +1 973-344-7337. Daily 11AM-10PM. 3 Boi Na Brasa, 70 Adams St, ☏ +1 973-589-6069. 4 Brasilia Grille, 99 Monroe St, ☏ +1 973-589-8682. M-Th 11:30AM-11PM; F Sa 11:30AM-11:30PM; Su noon-10PM. 5 Verde's Bakery, 44 Ferry St, ☏ +1 973-344-1600. 6 The Yard, 55 Park Pl (Military Park by the WBGO studios), ☏ +1 973-273-0033. Lunch and dinner every day. Plain and designer burgers, etc. 7 Krugs Tavern, 118 Wilson Avenue. Bar menu. 8 Sabor Latino Restaurant, 24 Wilson Avenue (Ironbound), ☏ +1 973-274-0075. Amazing Latin food. 9 Lit21, 1034 McCarter Hwy, ☏ +1 973-622-6221. 10 Sol-Mar Marisqueira & Restaurant, 267 Ferry Street (corner of Ferry & Niagara St.), ☏ +1 973-344-3041. This restaurant is one of the best Portuguese restaurants in the ironbound district of Newark. They give large portions and it has some of the best Sangria in the neighborhood. Delicious fish. 11 Fornos of Spain, 47 Ferry St. 12 Spanish Tavern, 103 McWhorter St A. M-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, S noon-9PM. 13 Fernandes Steak House, 158 Fleming Ave. 14 Don Pepe, 844 McCarter Hwy, ☏ +1 973-623-4662. (updated Jul 2020)

There is a liquor store in Penn Station. You can buy individual bottles of beer (including microbrews). 1 Blitz Sports Bar, 179 Wilson Avenue. M-W 11AM-2AM, Th-Sa 11AM-3AM, Su noon-2AM. in the Ironbound

1 Newark YMCA, Washington Park, ☏ +1 973-624-8900. Courteous, clean, and very convenient 2 Hotel Riveria, 169 Clinton Avenue. An at-your-own-risk bargain in up-and-coming historic district. 3 Comfort Suites, 1348 McCarter Hwy, ☏ +1 973-481-5200, toll-free: +1-866-434-4917, fax: +1 973-481-9399. 4 Courtyard Newark Downtown, 858 Broad St (adjacent to the Prudential Center). 5 Element Harrison Newark, 399 Somerset St (next to Harrison PATH Station). Harrison PATH station across river from Downtown. Owned by Marriott. 6 Hampton Inn & Suites, 100 Passaic Ave (take Exit 15E on the NJ Turnpike to I-280, from I-280, take the exit for CR-508 West, then, make a right at the Popeye's (Passaic Ave) and the hotel will be on the left). The hotel is in the nearby town of Harrison but serves as a hotel for the city of Newark. 7 DoubleTree by Hilton Newark Penn Station, 1048 Raymond Blvd, ☏ +1 973-622-5000. Gateway Center, within walking distance to many local attractions and connected by skywalk to the train station downtown with easy connections to Manhattan and airport. 8 Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, ☏ +1 973-622-1000, fax: +1 973-622-6410. Renovated, runs free guest shuttles both to Newark Penn Station as well as to Newark Airport. Rooms at back have views of Manhattan while those at front have views of Military Park and Broad Street. NJPAC is across the street. 9 TRYP Hotel, 24 Park St. boutique hotel, newest in Newark near NJPAC, Military Park. While hotels serving Newark Airport can be inexpensive ($50+ booked online; $69 walk in).

Newark has great transportation, and is very easy to get into and out of. 1 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA) is about 5 mi (8 km) south of downtown. It is a major hub for United Airlines, and is served by numerous other domestic and international carriers. JFK International Airport (JFK IATA) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA IATA) are in Queens, New York, and are served by additional carriers who do not fly to EWR directly. Airport information can be obtained by calling +1-888-EWR-INFO or ☏ +1 973-961-6000. AirTrain Newark shuttles between the airport's parking facilities, three terminals, and train station, where frequent New Jersey Transit (NJT) service is a ten minute ride to downtown. NJT bus #62 and the limited stop GoBus 28 also both travel to downtown, the latter with continuing service to North Newark. Taxi service is based on a flat-fee determined by destination and paid before the trip begins. 2 Newark Penn Station (Amtrak code NWK, ZRP IATA), 1 Raymond Plaza West. It is a few blocks from the heart of downtown Newark. It's a beautiful old McKim Mead & White building and worth visiting just on its own. (updated Oct 2023) Train operators: Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Dec 2020) Some of its many routes stopping in Newark include: Acela travels multiple times daily between Boston and Washington, D.C. with stops in Westwood, Providence, New Haven, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. This is the only route in the U.S.

The Newark Light Rail runs two lines that originate at Penn Station. The City Subway Line (shown in blue on maps) has service to University Heights, Branch Brook Park and Grove Street (in adjacent Bloomfield). The Broad Street Line (orange on maps) operates between Penn Station and Broad Street Station. There is an extensive network of New Jersey Transit buses, many originating at Penn Station. Taxis are also available and can be flagged.

Ever since the infamous Newark riots in the 1960s, the city has been plagued by a somewhat undeserved reputation for high crime and murders. However, crime has dropped significantly in Newark; in fact the city’s overall crime rate is stooping down to record lows not seen in decades. Still, Newark has its share of persisting problems like any other big city. Car theft and car jackings are the biggest crimes in Newark, followed by home invasions. Downtown Newark is crowded and safe during the day. It empties out at night and may seem creepy, but as long as you stay in well lit open areas you should be fine. The Ironbound district has most of the great restaurants and is busy on nights and weekends and is probably the safest part of the city, behind Downtown and residential Forest Hill. If you were to go to an event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the New Jersey Symphony Hall, or the Prudential Center, you should be fine. They are well lit areas with a police presence and are the safest part of the city. The North, Central, and especially South Wards have heavier crime rates and it pays to be more guarded in those areas. Although bustling during peak travel hours and almost completely safe in daylight, Newark Broad Street station (NJ Transit) can be very dangerous after hours and through the night when fewer people wait for trains (usually from 10PM-5AM). Armed robberies are common and can occur even when you are not the only one waiting for a late train.