Northern New Jersey Offers Easy Train Ride to New York City
The northern region of New Jersey is filled with beautiful gardens, lakes, and East Coast allure. Best of all, it provides unbelievably easy access to New York City. Only about a 20-minute train ride away, the Big Apple has some of the most sought-after tourist attractions in the world. From Central Park and the Empire State Building, to Broadway and Yankee Stadium, the possibilities are endless in NYC. You would need weeks, even months, to see everything the city has to offer, but our travel guide will help you decide the best way to spend your time in The City that Never Sleeps.
Must-See Sights and Attractions
It’s easy to see why Times Square is often referred to as The Center of the Universe. You’ll find flashing lights, massive billboards, and crowds of people in this bustling square, along with numerous restaurants, hotels, and theaters. Times Square, one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, is constantly buzzing. A walk through this busy intersection will give tourists a taste of the fast-paced New York City lifestyle.
Central Park is a sanctuary for city dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. A must-see for all visitors, this 843-acre park is an urban oasis of trees, tranquil lakes, ponds, and open meadows. The park is a great place for walking, riding a bike, picnicking, or just lounging and listening to music.
The Manhattan skyline is a breathtaking panorama of skyscrapers, bridges, and waterways. And with so many high rises in the city, there are plenty of spots to get a 360-degree view. Top of the Rock NYC, located on the 70th floor of the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, has some of the best views in Manhattan. Visitors can purchase the sunrise-sunset ticket to view the city during the day, as well as at night. Located on top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the One World Observatory offers spectacular views of the most iconic sites in New York City. Of course, no NYC trip would be complete without a trip to the top of the world-famous Empire State Building. Located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, this skyscraper stood as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years. Head to the two observation decks for unforgettable overlooks.
The Staten Island Ferry is more than just a means of transportation. Without paying a cent, visitors can enjoy a ride through the bay while taking in fantastic views of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Up for a challenge? Climb the stairs from base to crown for stunning views of the city. A limited amount of visitors are allowed access to the stairs each day, so reservations are a must. If you’re visiting Liberty Island, take a ferry to nearby Ellis Island Immigration Museum to hear the stories of over 12 million immigrants who voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean to America for a better life.
See everything from lions and giraffes to bison and baboons at the Bronx Zoo, the largest urban wildlife preserve in the country. The zoo spans 265 acres and features more than 600 species. Visitors can enjoy daily penguin and sea lion feedings, camel rides, and more.
Visit the National Septembe
Northern New Jersey Offers Easy Train Ride to New York City
The northern region of New Jersey is filled with beautiful gardens, lakes, and East Coast allure. Best of all, it provides unbelievably easy access to New York City. Only about a 20-minute train ride away, the Big Apple has some of the most sought-after tourist attractions in the world. From Central Park and the Empire State Building, to Broadway and Yankee Stadium, the possibilities are endless in NYC. You would need weeks, even months, to see everything the city has to offer, but our travel guide will help you decide the best way to spend your time in The City that Never Sleeps.
Must-See Sights and Attractions
It’s easy to see why
Times Square is often referred to as The Center of the Universe. You’ll find flashing lights, massive billboards, and crowds of people in this bustling square, along with numerous restaurants, hotels, and theaters. Times Square, one of the world's most visited tourist attractions, is constantly buzzing. A walk through this busy intersection will give tourists a taste of the fast-paced New York City lifestyle.
Central Park is a sanctuary for city dwellers to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. A must-see for all visitors, this 843-acre park is an urban oasis of trees, tranquil lakes, ponds, and open meadows. The park is a great place for walking, riding a bike, picnicking, or just lounging and listening to music.
The Manhattan skyline is a breathtaking panorama of skyscrapers, bridges, and waterways. And with so many high rises in the city, there are plenty of spots to get a 360-degree view.
Top of the Rock NYC, located on the 70th floor of the GE Building in Rockefeller Center, has some of the best views in Manhattan. Visitors can purchase the sunrise-sunset ticket to view the city during the day, as well as at night. Located on top of the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, the
One World Observatory offers spectacular views of the most iconic sites in New York City. Of course, no NYC trip would be complete without a trip to the top of the world-famous
Empire State Building. Located in the center of Midtown Manhattan, this skyscraper stood as the world's tallest building for nearly 40 years. Head to the two observation decks for unforgettable overlooks.
The
Staten Island Ferry is more than just a means of transportation. Without paying a cent, visitors can enjoy a ride through the bay while taking in fantastic views of The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Lower Manhattan skyline.
The Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom and one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world. Up for a challenge? Climb the stairs from base to crown for stunning views of the city. A limited amount of visitors are allowed access to the stairs each day, so reservations are a must. If you’re visiting Liberty Island, take a ferry to nearby
Ellis Island Immigration Museum to hear the stories of over 12 million immigrants who voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean to America for a better life.
See everything from lions and giraffes to bison and baboons at the
Bronx Zoo, the largest urban wildlife preserve in the country. The zoo spans 265 acres and features more than 600 species. Visitors can enjoy daily penguin and sea lion feedings, camel rides, and more.
Visit the
National September 11 Memorial & Museum to pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The eight-acre memorial plaza features the largest man-made waterfalls in North America, which flow into two reflecting pools where the Twin Towers once stood. The 9/11 Memorial Museum, located underneath the plaza, tells the story of 9/11 through multimedia displays, narratives, and a collection of artifacts.
Arts and Culture
Broadway shows are must-see entertainment for travelers in New York City. With world-class sets, eye-catching costumes, and famous performers, there are few attractions that match the excitement of a Broadway production. With 40 Broadway theaters and a variety of spectacular shows each season, the possibilities are endless!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, aka The Met, is the largest art museum in the country. The world-class art center houses more than two million works of art, including the largest collection of Egyptian art outside of Cairo. The Met also contains 2,500 European paintings, and one of the world's most comprehensive collections of American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts.
Lose yourself in one of the best collections of contemporary artwork at
The Museum of Modern Art, or MoMA. This world-famous institution has earned its reputation as the greatest collection of modern art in the world. MoMA houses masterpieces created by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and more.
The
Metropolitan Opera is the largest classical music organization in North America. The Metropolitan Opera House is located in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and features some of the most creative and talented artists, including singers, conductors, composers, and musicians.
The
New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark is a great place to see live entertainment, from plays and concerts to comedy shows and dance performances. The world-class venue has hosted visits from two U.S presidents and the Dalai Lama.
Sports Fever
The Big Apple is home to some of the most decorated professional sports franchises in American history, and New York is a haven for die-hard sports fans. Whether it's baseball, football, basketball, or hockey, NYC sporting events are some of the most exciting in the country.
Baseball is like a religion in New York, and NYC is one of only two cities to have two professional baseball teams. The subway gives fans direct access to the stadiums of each team. Head to the Bronx to see the Yanks at the new
Yankee Stadium, and catch the Mets at
Citi Field in Queens.
If you’re visiting during football season, head to
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., home to both the New York Giants and the New York Jets. If you’re coming to New York hoping to catch a basketball game, visit “The World’s Most Famous Arena,”
Madison Square Garden, to watch the New York Knicks, and check out the Brooklyn Nets at the new
Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
With three professional ice hockey teams nearby, there are plenty of options for hockey fanatics. See The New York Rangers face off against their opponents at Madison Square Garden, and watch the New York Islanders at Barclays Center. Fans can also get fired up at a New Jersey Devils game at the
Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
