The 11 things to do in Jersey City

Located just across from New York, the city of Jersey City has many assets. Find out what to do in Jersey City through 11 must-sees!

Historic site marked notably by the massive arrival of immigrants in Hudson County, Jersey City is today a city that is both urban and modern and characterized by a vast diversity of cultures.

Discover in this article 11 essentials to make the most of Manhattan's neighbor and explore all its facets: its cosmopolitan population, its history, its many green spaces, its new neighbourhoods that inspire the city a certain renewal, its exciting cultural offering and much more. So many reasons to visit Jersey City!

1. Historic Downtown

To visit Jersey City Historic Downtown , the historic district is a must. Walking through its pretty streets lined with browstones (the famous brick houses of New York), you will feel like travelling in the 19th century.

There are many restaurants and shops that play the neighbourhood, a real melting-pot in the US and a window on the diversity of the city that brings together more than 75 ethnic groups! Here you will find many points of interest in the city.

2. Liberty State Park

What to do in Jersey City to see a little green? The Liberty State Park , located on the banks of the Hudson River, is the lung of Jersey City. The largest park in the city, it is also one of the most visited in the United States. Many of Manhattan’s inhabitants come to relax there, tired of Central Park’s tumult.

occupying a surface of near 5 km2 , the park offers visitors a splendid view of the skyscrapers of Manhattan, as well as the Statue of Liberty and the Ellis Island, which you can reach by ferry.

A true haven of greenery to escape a moment of the urban landscapes of the region and enjoy various outdoor activities: ballads, bike, boat, picnic, etc. Another of the park's interests is the Liberty Science Center, which we will talk about below.

3. Mana contemporary

Mana contemporary is a vast cultural space, open in 2011 stirring all the cultural diversity of Jersey City. It provides spaces, services and programs to the community, artists, collectors, students, etc. It includes exhibition rooms, artist workshops and a storage space for works.

Mana contemporary exposes the work of many artists (peintres, dancers, sculptors, photography, etc.), offering visitors the experience of a range of artistic creation techniques. Visiting Jersey City is also a way to capture all its cultural offering.

4. Empty Sky – Memorial 9/11

Inside Liberty State Park, Empty Sky is a memorial dedicated to the 746 victims of September 11 from Jersey City.

Created by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Shwartz At the end of a contest, it is composed of a long granite path enclosed by two imposing walls, engraved by the name of the victims and with a view of the Ground Zero where the two twin towers were once.

A moving but also arousing visit to make during your stay in Jersey City.

5. Jersey Gardens Mall

What to do in Jersey City to make the most of the frantic shopping offer offered by the United States? Make a tour Jersey Gardens Mall , a huge mall with more than 200 shops and offering interesting prices. From Levi’s to Calvin Klein, to Converse, you will find your happiness.

A tip: present your passport if you are not a US citizen, and you will benefit from further reductions. A real paradise for shopping addicts!

6. Little Manila and Little India

Are you wondering what to do in Jersey City to immerse yourself in its cosmopolitan culture? The Little Manila and Little India neighborhoods will make you travel to Asia!

Little India — also known as India Square or Little Gujarat — is a neighbourhood full of Asian shops and restaurants. This is where one of the largest Indian communities in the American continent is concentrated. In this colourful neighbourhood, you can admire beautiful street art works with oriental influences and taste delicious Indian cuisine.

Would you like to see more? And if you were told that visiting Jersey City was also an opportunity to travel to Philippines ? Small Manila is a neighbourhood that offers a wide range of shops, grocery stores, bakeries and typical restaurants. A great opportunity to discover this unique Southeast Asian culture!

7. Ellis Island and the Immigration Museum

Ellis Island is located at the mouth of Hudson, between New York and Jersey City. During the first part of the 20th century, this small island was the main entrance of immigrants arriving in the United States.

Today, immigration services have stopped operating and the island is part of the National Monument of the Statue of Liberty. If a bridge connects Ellis Island to Jersey City, it is now closed due to a gap between the two states.

The island now houses the immigration museum that retraces — through 30 galleries — the history of millions of immigrants to the United States. A must to understand American history and its cultural diversity.

8. Liberty Science Center

The Liberty Science Center has the ambition to make you discover the wonders of science and technology through a series of interactive exhibitions. You can't worry about spending the day!

This huge concrete building, which offers a beautiful view of Manhattan, is full of wonders for adults, but also especially for children.

Cross it. Touch Tunnel by using all your senses, except your eyes! Admire one of the largest Hoberman Sphere , a spherical structure that folds on itself thanks to a series of joints.

Finally, the Liberty Science Center has one of the largest IMAX rooms the world (very high resolution image). The parties will be able to attend LSC After Dark , an evening in the enclosure of the museum that takes place on the third Thursdays of each month after the closing hours.

9. The ruins of the Railroad

The Central Railroad is the old station of Jersey City, built in 1889 . Today, nature has regained its rights in this place out of time, a vestige of another time.

For lovers of urban ruins, this place is a small jewel. Although partially renovated and incorporated into Liberty State Park to welcome the ferries line, it has kept all its charm.

10. Hudson River Waterfront Walkway

This walk is an ongoing project that allows you to walk on the western shore of the Hudson River. It offers a wonderful view of the city of New York in a quiet and vegetable setting.

A tip: go during sunset and walk around at night. You will enjoy a breathtaking view, far from the bustling city that never sleeps. You now know that doing in Jersey City to enjoy a relaxing parenthesis: make a stop at Hudson River Front Walkway !

11. Katyn Memorial

The Katyn Memorial is a curious statue rimming with the sparkling modernity of the Hudson River Walkway. It represents a brutal scene: a 10-metre high bronze soldier on a bayonet.

This unusual monument, created by the American-Polish sculptor Andrzej Pitynski , pays tribute to the victims of the Katyn massacre, in which more than 20,000 Polish soldiers were massacred on Stalin’s orders, after the invasion of Poland by the Soviet Union in 1940.

How to get to Jersey City?

Jersey City has its own airport, but the easiest solution is to land at the JFK airport in New York.

From France, whether with or without a stopover, you will have no trouble finding flights to the big apple. Count on an average of 8 hours to find you on the other side of the Atlantic, in the city that never sleeps. Although prices are affordable all year round, you are advised to take them in advance and to use a flight comparator such as Ulysses to get tickets at the best price.

From New York

Once in New York, you can easily reach Jersey City!

Take the PATH metro network from Manhattan that allows you to reach quickly Downtown Jersey City for only $5.50 back and forth 20 minutes travel.

Get in your way metrocard If you own one! Otherwise, more expensive, but also more romantic, the ferry will get you through the Hudson to reach Jersey City.

Once in Jersey City, you can walk through the city without problems.

Where to stay in Jersey City?

Historic Downtown is the neighbourhood that will allow you to immerse yourself in the city’s atmosphere. Otherwise, to enjoy a nice view of the seafront, stay close to the Hudson! As soon as you have chosen in which area to stay in Jersey City , several housing solutions are available to you.

If you are rather classic, several beautiful hotels are present in the city. Do not hesitate to use a Compare hotels to find the one that best suits your expectations.

Otherwise, if you want something more atypical or simply to stay in an apartment, you will find nice ones Airbnb . Ideally think about choosing accommodation near PATH if you want to reach New York easily.