A day in this diverse city is a must for its family-friendly activities, amazing eats and epic New York City skyline views.
Your first stop in Jersey City should be the Liberty Science Center. This massive science museum is filled with animals, hands-on exhibits, an amazing infinity climber that hangs in mid-air, a touch tunnel and live demos on electricity and more. Make sure to see a show at the planetarium, the largest in the Western hemisphere, where you can gaze at the stars or watch a mesmerizing 3D movie.
Afterwards, head to Liberty State Park to bask in the outdoor space, catch spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and visit the Empty Sky Memorial, a moving tribute to 9/11. If you want to take the kids or out-of-town guests to Ellis Island or the Statue of Liberty, the ferry leaves from Liberty State Park, saving you a trip to NYC.
Occupy the kids with some shopping at Newport Centre mall, or test your driving ability on a closed go-kart course at RPM Raceway.
For fine dining with an unbeatable NYC views, Jersey City has a few spaces that are often spots for events and weddings, but perfect for a special occasion of your own. Maritime Parc in the Liberty Landing Marina specializes in traditional seafood with a modern look, including a raw bar filled with local shellfish. Maddy Rose at Liberty House offers farm-to-table cuisine with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. Battello has upscale Italian fare with a heavy seafood-influence. The focaccia at Lokal is so amazing, people drive 2 hours to get some – and you can learn how to make it during a cooking class.
Get exceptional artisan pizza at Razza, try rooftop dining at Porta, score homemade brats (including vegetarian) at Würstbar or try a new twist on old-school dining at Automat Kitchen.
There are plenty of restaurants along the Newark Avenue Pedestrian Mall, for every palate, mood and age range. Pet Shop has all vegetarian options inside a bar and speakeasy; the cauliflower buffalo wings and chicken nuggets taste exactly like the real things. Boots & Bones is a fun southern spot with 30 TVs, a DJ and cornhole tournaments. The Ashford will open up its rooftop for the summer.
Other great spots include Mathews Food and Drink for brunch, and Orale Mexican Kitchen for your taco and burrito fix.
Finish your day with dessert. Bang Cookies are packed with flavor and come in original or booze-infused treats (and yes, they ship!) You’ll have a hard time deciding between Milk Sugar Love or Torico for the best ice cream flavors.
