Hoboken, New Jersey is a hidden gem of a city that offers a quiet and peaceful escape from the bright lights and commotion of New York. It is worth visiting if you would like to take cute photos with the city skyline in the background, if you would like to enjoy a leisurely walk by the water, and if you would like to try lots of great restaurants!
For a small city, Hoboken offers an array of different cuisines at high-quality restaurants. Margarita’s Italian Restaurant has specials like truffle honey fig pizza and spicy vodka tortellini. Elysian Cafe is the oldest continually operated bar/restaurant in Hoboken and has a French Bistro- style menu that includes excellent pomme frites. East LA is a Mexican restaurant that has a happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and offers an array of margarita flavors, such as pineapple, raspberry and strawberry. La Isla Downtown is a Cuban diner that makes dishes like camarones al ajillo and flan. After dinner, walk along Washington Street to find popular dessert spots like Rita’s Italian Ice, il Laboratorio del Gelato and Cold Stone Creamery.
For the perfect summer picnic, try pastries at Carlo’s Bakery on Washington Street and then walk to Pier A Park for a picnic with scenic views of the city skyline. If you enjoy walking or running, visit the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway. This pathway provides a beautiful view of the city skyline, and it has benches to sit and relax. If you visit Hoboken at night and walk by the waterfront, you will find that the view of the glittering New York City skyline offers the perfect photo opportunity.
Hoboken is also the birthplace of Frank Sinatra, and throughout the city there are several references to the famous singer, such as Sinatra Park — which features a statue of Frank Sinatra — and The Sinatra Room Speakeasy, an intimate, dimly-lit space that serves elegant cocktails.
As summer approaches, so do many fun Hoboken outdoor activities. “Movies Under the Stars” is a series of movie screenings at Pier A Park and Jackson & 7th St. Park in Hoboken. In the past it has shown movies like “Sing 2,” “Encanto” and “Minions.” Also at Pier A Park, “Fitness in the Park” offers a series of fitness classes like yoga and pilates. Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse is an all-volunteer based non-profit organization that offers free, donation- based kayaking programs.
Hoboken can be quickly accessed using the Port-Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) train, with PATH stations located in Manhattan at 33rd, 23rd, 14th, 9th and Christopher St. If you are going to Hoboken from NYU, I recommend taking the PATH train from 9th St., which will take you to Hoboken in about 15 minutes. To take the PATH train, you have to get a ticket from a large vending machine in the PATH station. Ticket options are a single ride, which costs $2.75, a pay-per-ride Metrocard with a $1.00 new card fee, a two-trip Metrocard and a Smartlink card which offers an unlimited one, seven and 30-day pass.
Visit Hoboken and enjoy the food, skyline views and activities that the city has to offer!