50 Things to Do in Union County

The first colonial settlements were located in Union County; from the 15th to 17th centuries, the Dutch and English came to an area occupied by the Lenni Lenapi indigenous peoples because of its incredibly easy access by sea. Nowadays, the county still has its natural beauty, downtown areas, major highway access and historical sites. Here are some of our favorite places to visit and favorite activities to do while in northern NJ.

Buy local. Visit a farmers market to stock up on great local produce, baked goods, homemade gifts, and more. In addition to great shopping, some farmers markets have live music and events that can turn a trip to the market into a fun day for the whole family. Not sure where to start? Check out the weekly farmers markets in Scotch Plains, Springfield and Summit.

SUMMIT DOWNTOWN
Take a stroll downtown. The bustling downtown areas of towns like Westfield, Summit and Cranford have tons of fantastic restaurants and shopping to offer. Smaller towns, such as Fanwood, have quaint downtowns to explore as well. Be sure to look out for town events and fairs throughout the year.
Eat at a local favorite. With diverse cuisine and a huge variety of restaurants throughout Union County, there’s always something delicious to eat. At Garlic Rose in Cranford, enjoy dishes like chicken penne carbonara and paella. For pub favorites, visit Publick House in Mountainside and try their fish and chips or scallops.
Scream for ice cream. Union County has plenty of must-try ice cream. At Magic Fountain in Summit, try homemade treats like ice cream sandwiches and chocolate-covered bananas. Scoops in Scotch Plains has a wide array of flavors from Chocolate Marshmallow to Peach to the bright blue Smurf.
Read…and more! In addition to books, magazines and other resources for children and adults, libraries across the county offer plenty of fun and educational events. A complete list of local public libraries and their websites can be found through the Libraries of Union County Consortium. These libraries each offer a variety of services like museum passes, online databases and “Libraries of Things.” Free events and classes, such as the weekly Little Sprouts garden club at Summit Free Public Library, are always happening.
Discover your inner scientist. Located in the Watchung Reservation, the Trailside Nature and Science Center is the perfect destination for your budding scientist. Everyone from children to seniors can learn about nature while exploring various exhibits, trails, and wildlife. The center also has a discovery room, media center, and gift shop, plus camps and workshops.
Be sporty. Rahway River Park has sports fields, playgrounds, running tracks and more. Get outside and get active at this multi-use park, complete with picnic tables for that post-workout meal.
Unleash your creativity. Color Me Mine’s Summit location, in the center of the bustling downtown, is the perfect place for kids and grownups alike to get creative. Simply select an already-made ceramic item and paint it however you’d like. There are piggy banks, plates, holiday decor and other pieces to choose from. Once you’ve finished painting, Color Me Mine will glaze and fire your masterpiece before calling you in about a week to pick it up.
Step back in time. YESTERcades in Westfield is perfect for video game lovers young and old. The arcade is home to tons of retro games and pinball machines, plus vintage video game memorabilia. There’s also modern game consoles like Xbox to play, complete with large TVs and comfy couches.
Play awhile. At Lively Laser Tag on Route 22 in Springfield, kids over 6 (and kids at heart) can participate in open laser tag in the New York City-themed laser arena. Private birthday parties and other events are also offered. The venue has a video game room plus classic arcade games, too.
Do some “gardening.” Complete with a beer garden, brewery and taproom, Two Ton Brewing Co. in Kenilworth is a beer-lover’s dream. Enjoy a pint or a flight inside or out. The beer garden is filled with picnic tables and umbrellas, and best of all, dogs are welcome outside.

AR WORKSHOP
Do it yourself. Are you looking for the perfect piece of home decor? At AR Workshop in Westfield, you can make it yourself. The studio offers workshops and private events where you can create custom, personalized home decor from welcome signs to advent calendars and so much more.
Take a hike. The Watchung Reservation is truly a gem of Union County. There are hiking trails throughout with plenty of wildlife to admire. The Loop area, located at the center of the reservation, also has a playground and picnic tables to enjoy.
Race to escape. At Escapology Escape Rooms in Garwood, you can choose from a variety of themed rooms of varying difficulty for you and your crew to “escape” from. Rooms include Scooby-Doo and the Spooky Castle Adventure and Mansion Murder. All bookings are private, so you’ll always be playing with your family or friends, not strangers. Escape rooms like these make for the perfect rainy-day activity.

UCPAC / Max and Ruby
See a show. For comedy, music, movies and more, head to the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The venue hosts live on-stage events ranging from stand up comedy to musicals to magic shows. Past performers at UCPAC have included Darlene Love, Max and Ruby, Laurie Berkner and various tribute bands. The center also offers free outdoor concerts.
Spend a day at the theater. See a play at the Westfield Community Players theater. Their most recent performance was Alfred’s Hitchcock’s The 39 Steps. There’s also lots of great theater to be seen throughout the year at local high schools in the county.

ADDAMSFEST
Get creepy and kooky. The beloved Addams family house is said to be based on a real home located in Westfield, where creator Charles Addams grew up! The town has lots of related spooky events to offer. Every October, Westfield celebrates with Addamsfest. Past festival events have included a cartooning workshop, cemetery tour, and a screening of Netflix’s Wednesday. Throughout the month, Westfield restaurants and businesses can be seen with their windows decorated with all things Addams and Halloween, a town tradition.
Rock out. Leave the kids with a babysitter for the night and head out to enjoy music, drinks, and food at Crossroads in Garwood. This combination live music venue and bar/restaurant always has a full calendar of events, plus a unique menu.
Unwind and relax. Untied Brewing Company in New Providence has both an indoor and outdoor taproom with plenty of seating for large groups. Gather up some friends to sit and enjoy drinks and conversation inside or out.
Stay cool. In the hot summer months, you don’t need to drive down the shore to stay cool in the water. There are pools located in towns around the county, with some offering day passes. The playground at Ponderosa Park in Scotch Plains has a spray park where little ones can play in sprinklers while they take a break from swinging.
Get pampered. For some major relaxation, head to Woodhouse Spa in Summit. You can get pampered with facials, massages, and more. Gift cards are available for those in search of the perfect present.
Have a creative night out. Wine and Design in Rahway offers paint and sip classes, as well as private parties. Enjoy some wine as you paint a canvas led by one of the studio’s instructors. Wine and Design is BYOB. Upcoming events include Paint Your Pet and Open Studio Wine Glass Painting.
Laugh out loud. Enjoy dinner and a show at Scotty’s Pub and Comedy Cove in Springfield. The Comedy Cove hosts stand-up comedians on Fridays and Saturdays. There are also weekly board game nights, plus open mic nights where you can hone your own comedy skills.

FANWOOD SUMMER JAM FESTIVAL
Get festive. There are plenty of fairs and festivals across the county, especially in the summer months. Fanwood Fan Jam, held annually in July, is a nearly all-day event with live music plus food trucks and a car show. Neighboring Scotch Plains is home to the annual St. Bart’s/UNICO Italian Festival where you can enjoy rides, games, music, and lots of food. There’s also Union’s Greek Festival hosted by St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Oktoberfest at the Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, and much more!
Celebrate! Towns throughout Union County have parades in celebration of holidays throughout the calendar. Families can pull up a chair on downtown streets to watch some great floats and performances. There are tons of opportunities to celebrate. Commemorate St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day or Halloween by marching or watching from the sidewalk.
Unlock your inner sommelier. There is no need to travel to Napa Valley – you can enjoy wines made right in your own backyard! Tomasello Winery Tasting Room in Cranford serves wine made from grapes grown at their Hammonton vineyard. At the Cranford location, you can sample five or six of these local wines.
Grab a slice! It’s no secret that New Jersey is home to the best pizza in the country. Try some of Union County’s great pizzerias, like Nancy’s Towne House in Rahway and Nola’s Osteria and Pizza in Garwood.
Tee off. No matter the weather, you can practice your golf skills indoors at GolfCave in Clark. Sign up for a tee time with or without an instructor to practice on their driving range or use a golf simulator. Then, show off your skills at one of Union County’s public or private courses.
Know your history. The Boxwood Hall Historic Site in Elizabeth is a great place to learn about the history of New Jersey. Boxwood Hall was built around 1750 and was home to founding fathers Elias Boudinot and Jonathan Dayton. The museum offers guided tours as well as yearly special events.
Caffeinate. There’s no shortage of places to get your coffee fix in Union County. There’s Track 5 Coffee in Cranford and Black Drop Coffee in Scotch Plains, just to name a few of the many local options where you can enjoy a fun drink and a baked good or sandwich. At Van Gogh’s Ear Cafe in Union, you can enjoy a full menu of coffee, tea, and food surrounded by a Starry Night-inspired mural.
Eat at a Jersey classic. Visit some of Union County’s best diners. At The Summit Diner, enjoy breakfast or lunch in the retro setting (cash only!). The Kenilworth Diner and Vicki’s Diner in Westfield are also great choices for classic diner fare.
Satisfy your sweet tooth. If you’re a pastry lover, you need to check out some of Union County’s bakeries. Bovella’s Pastry Shoppe (locations in Westfield and Mountainside) serves up delicious cannolis, cookies and more, plus custom cakes. Another option is Emily’s Portuguese Bakery in Union Twp., offering empanadas and breakfast sandwiches.

THE MILLS AT JERSEY GARDENS / New Jersey Youth Symphony Playathon
Shop til you drop. Head to the Mall at Short Hills to do some shopping at their wide variety of high-end, luxury stores. Or for deals, go to The Mills at Jersey Gardens in Elizabeth, the largest outlet mall in NJ. There are also special events, like Back to School parties, cultural festivities and youth orchestra performances.
Enjoy the great outdoors. Warinanco Park in Roselle is one of the many great parks located in the county. You can take a paddle boat ride in the summer or ice skate in the winter. There are also playgrounds and a splash pad, in addition to beautiful cherry blossom trees and a garden.

AL VICIEDO / Dance Festival at Liberty Hall
Step back in time. At Liberty Hall Museum in Union, visitors can explore both the inside of the 50-room Victorian mansion and the surrounding gardens. Having served as an important site during the American Revolution, Liberty Hall is now open to the public for tours and other events.
Jump for joy. Do you need a way for the kids to burn off some energy? Look no further than Pump It Up, a “jump house” in Roselle Park. This indoor playground has tons of inflatable games and bounce houses that are sure to please little kids and big kids alike. Open play is offered seven days a week.

REEVES-REED ARBORETUM
Admire nature. New Jersey is the Garden State after all, so spend some time basking in its beauty. The perfect place to do this is Reeves-Reed Arboretum, a botanical garden in Summit and a true gem of Union County. The arboretum, which is sprawled across 13.5 acres of land, has several different gardens and walking trails to explore. Tours, concerts and other events are also held on the premises.
Giddy up! Watchung Stable, located in the Watchung Reservation, provides horseback riding lessons for children and adults. You can also check out the stable during a barn tour, or watch riders in a horse show.
Enjoy free summer perks. Each summer, the county sponsors free concerts, movies and more outside in local parks. In 2023, see acts like Ray Anderson’s Bowie & Beyond perform at the Union County Summer Arts Festival at Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. Family movies, such as Minions: The Rise of Gru, are being shown this year as part of the county’s Family Fun and Flix series. Plus, several towns in Union County are holding their own free concerts throughout the summer.
See the fall foliage. In the autumn, take some time to see the leaves of Union County changing color. The Deserted Village in Berkeley Heights is a place to spot fall foliage, and you can see some history while you’re there. Fall foliage is generally at its peak in NJ starting in mid-October and lasting until the end of the month.
Root for the home team. For the perfect fall Saturday activity, cheer on Kean University at a football game right in Union. Home games are listed on the team’s schedule. Go Cougars!
Walk along the lake. Did you know there are some beautiful lakes right in Union County? Visit Watchung Lake, or opt to walk around Nomahegan Lake at Nomahegan Park in Cranford.
Discover something unique. Whether you’re looking for that perfect piece of furniture for the living room or a vintage collector’s item, antique stores are a great place to look. At The Summit Antiques Center, you can find just about anything and spend hours exploring.
See a historic site. History buffs will love visiting Caldwell Parsonage in Union, located on the site of the Battle of Connecticut Farms. Inside the parsonage, now a museum run by the Union Township Historical Society, explore the collection of photographs and other historical documents. Private tours are available by appointment.

GREG ROSER / Christmas House in Fanwood
Be merry and bright. Stop by Paterson Road in Fanwood to see the town’s famous “Christmas House.” Each year starting the day after Thanksgiving, the red house is decked out with more Christmas lights and holiday decorations than you can imagine. The local tradition provides for a fun evening and makes for a great photo-op. Plus, Santa comes for an annual pre-Christmas visit at the house. Donations collected at the Christmas House go to the New Jersey Institute of Disabilities.
Let it snow! Echo Lake Park in Mountainside has the perfect hill for snow day sledding. Grab your snow gear and sleds for some winter fun in this beautiful park.
Break the ice. Ice skating is a great activity to get the whole family out of the house and cure winter cabin fever. At The Westfield Rink, you can rent skates and head out on the ice for the public session – just make sure to register online first. Skating lessons are also offered at the rink, as well as opportunities for hockey players of all ages.
Shop small. Small, local bookstores are few and far between these days, but Union County is home to several. Find your next great read while supporting local businesses. The Town Book Store in Westfield, The Book Trader in Clark, and Here’s The Story in Union are all great options for a bookworm shopping spree.
Roll with it. Choose from an extensive sushi menu of both specialty and traditional rolls at the Dragonfly restaurant in Linden. Not in the mood for sushi? This Asian fusion restaurant also offers hibachi meals and seafood boils, as well as burgers, wings and even a selection of southern barbeque. Beer, wine and cocktails are also available and are sometimes delivered to your table via robot.
Treat yourself. Union County is home to so many great restaurants, and there’s no shortage of tasty burgers here. At Urban Burger in Cranford, enjoy a signature burger (like the Biggie Smalls) or make your own creation. Darby Road in Scotch Plains serves up pub burgers (the Jersey Burger features Taylor Ham) to enjoy while watching the game. Clark’s White Diamond is known for their burgers, which you can enjoy in their old-school setting.