Newark
Discover Newark
Newark is New Jersey's largest city and second largest in Metro New York. Although one of the great historic cities of the Northeast and the most culture-rich city in the state, Newark is often overlooked in favor of Goliath-like Manhattan and towns along the Hudson River, such as Jersey City and Hoboken. While no longer the industrial powerhouse it once was, Newark remains one of America's major shipping, rail, and air hubs. Public transportation is abundant, making it easy to get to, from, and around the city. Newark has been economically disadvantaged for some time, and suffers from a bad reputation, often informed by negative stereotyping. Thanks in large part to a nationally high-profile mayor (Cory Booker, now a U.S. Senator), committed populace, and changing attitudes towards once decaying urban areas, the often proclaimed, but stunted renaissance of Newark is steadily and substantially taking hold.
What to Experience in Newark
Taste of Newark...
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. There is a liquor store in Penn Station. You can buy individual bottles of beer (including microbrews). While hotels serving Newark Airport can be inexpensive ($50+ booked online; $69 walk in). some require multiple transfers with hotel shuttle to airport & NJT#62 to Penn Station. Service is sporadic, so you can sometimes expect 1 to 2 hr each way. Those hotels located on Route 1 & 9 South/Frontage Road have NJT#40 bus service which travel between the airport and Downtown/Newark Penn on an hourly basis. The main newspaper of Newark is the Star Ledger. Other metro area newspapers (New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Asbury Park Press, The Record) are also widely available. Online outlets include: 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.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Newark into what it is today.
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. Since the millennium it has become more residential as former office buildings and warehouses are converted to housing....
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Newark.
Newark has a long tradition of jazz and gospel and is home to WGBO, Metro New York's jazz station. Renowned clubs are located in its suburbs, all at short ride to nearby stations of NJT's Morris and Essex Lines which depart from Broad Street Station. Local churches which have been the breeding ground for numerous R&B singers welcome respectful guests. More than 100,000 people commute to Newark on weekdays, making it New Jersey's largest employment center with many white-collar jobs in insurance, finance, import-export, health-care, and government. As a major courthouse venue including federal, state, and county facilities, it is home to more than 1,000 law firms. The city is also a college town, with nearly 40,000 students attending the city's universities and medical and law schools. Its port and rail facilities make Newark the busiest transhipment hub on the East Coast in terms of volume. Light manufacturing survives in Newark too.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsNewark has great transportation, and is very easy to get into and out of. 40.691665-74.180181 Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) 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) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) 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. 40.747446-74....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
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. Newark has a growing collection of large outdoor murals and community art installations that reflect the city’s cultural diversity and creative energy. Much of the newest work appears in the Ironbound and South Ward neighborhoods, where local artists have used large building facades as canvases for vibrant public art. These works can be explored on foot, often just a short distance from local restaurants, shops, and transit stops. Newark has a long tradition of jazz and gospel and is home to WGBO, Metro New York's jazz station.
Where to Stay
While hotels serving Newark Airport can be inexpensive ($50+ booked online; $69 walk in). some require multiple transfers with hotel shuttle to airport & NJT#62 to Penn Station. Service is sporadic, so you can sometimes expect 1 to 2 hr each way. Those hotels located on Route 1 & 9 South/Frontage Road have NJT#40 bus service which travel between the airport and Downtown/Newark Penn on an hourly basis. The main newspaper of Newark is the Star Ledger. Other metro area newspapers (New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, Asbury Park Press, The Record) are also widely available. Online outlets include: 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.
Money & Budget
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. There is a liquor store in Penn Station. You can buy individual bottles of beer (including microbrews). While hotels serving Newark Airport can be inexpensive ($50+ booked online; $69 walk in). some require multiple transfers with hotel shuttle to airport & NJT#62 to Penn Station. Service is sporadic, so you can sometimes expect 1 to 2 hr each way. Those hotels located on Route 1 & 9 South/Frontage Road have NJT#40 bus service which travel between the airport and Downtown/Newark Penn on an hourly basis. The main newspaper of Newark is the Star Ledger.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
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.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Newark
a city with tall buildings
Cherry Blossom Celebration
A night scene of a highway with cars driving on it
brown concrete building near trees during daytime
One of the greatest parts of architecture in Newark NJ.
aerial view of city buildings during daytime
After rain
Square
White office building
It was surprising seeing this type of architecture and scale in newark, nj. One day I decided to stop and take some photos of this large cathedral.
a city with tall buildings
Cherry Blossom Celebration
A night scene of a highway with cars driving on it