Jersey City

United States · Americas

About Jersey City

Jersey City is the second-most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, after Newark. It is the county seat of Hudson County, the county's most populous city and its largest by area. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 292,449, an increase of 44,852 (+18.1%) from the 2010 census count of 247,597. (The Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 302,284 for 2024.) As of 2020, more than 40 languages are spoken in over 52% of households, and 42.5% of residents were born outside the United States making the city the most ethnically diverse in the United States.

The third most-populous city in the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City is bounded on the east by the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay and on the west by the Hackensack River and Newark Bay. A port of entry, with 30.7 miles (49.4 km) of waterfront and extensive rail infrastructure and connectivity, the city is an important transportation terminus and distribution and manufacturing center for the Port of New York and New Jersey with Port Jersey as the city's intermodal freight transport facility and container shipping terminal. The Holland Tunnel, PATH rapid transit system, NJ Transit bus and NY Waterway ferry service connect across the Hudson River with Manhattan.

The area was settled by the Dutch in the 17th century as Pavonia and later established as Bergen; the first permanent settlement, local civil government and oldest municipality in what became the state of New Jersey. The area came under English control in 1664. Jersey City was incorporated in 1838 and annexed Van Vorst Township in 1851. On May 3, 1870, following a special election in 1869 with a majority of county support, Jersey City annexed Bergen City and Hudson City to form "Greater Jersey City" with Greenville Township joining in 1873. Jersey City grew into a busy port city on New York Harbor by the late 19th and early 20th century. Jersey City's official motto, displayed on the city seal and flag, is "Let Jersey Prosper" referencing its 19th-century border dispute with New York City.

Jersey City is home to several institutions of higher education such as Kean Jersey City, Saint Peter's University and Hudson County Community College. As the county seat, Jersey City is home to the Hudson County Courthouse and Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex. Cultural venues throughout the city include the Loew's Jersey Theatre, White Eagle Hall, the Liberty Science Center, Ellis Island, Mana Contemporary and the Museum of Jersey City History. Large parks in Jersey City are Liberty State Park, Lincoln Park and Berry Lane Park. Redevelopment of the Jersey City waterfront has made the city one of the largest hubs for banking and finance in the United States and has led to the district and city being nicknamed Wall Street West. Since the 1990s, Jersey City has been a destination for artists and hipsters. With the city's proximity and connections to Manhattan, its growing arts, culture, culinary and nightlife scene and its own finance and tech based economy, apartment rents in the city have grown to become some of the highest in the United States. In response, Jersey City has instituted zoning and legislation to require developers to include affordable housing units in their developments. In 2023 and 2025, Travel + Leisure ranked Jersey City as the best place to live in New Jersey.

Jersey City travel guide

Understand

Jersey City is the second-largest city in New Jersey, trailing Newark in population, but far surpassing Trenton, the state capital. It is on a peninsula that includes Hoboken to the north and Bayonne to the south, and is bounded by the Hudson River and Manhattan to the east and the Hackensack River to the west. An interesting geographic feature of the city is that within its borders are the only two cases in the country where a U.S. state has exclaves that are both geographically and politically surrounded by another state: the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, both exclaves of New York in New Jersey. As a result of a 1997 federal court decision, most of Ellis Island is now within Jersey City, with New York retaining a small landlocked portion that encompasses most of the immigration building. Jersey City shares much of its history, geography, and culture with New York City, much moreso than other parts of New Jersey. Like New York City, it was settled by the Dutch in the 1600s, and this is still evidenced today by the prevalence of Dutch place names in both cities, and the use of the Dutch tricolors in their very similar flags. As in Brooklyn, rows of brownstones and other rowhouses started being built throughout Jersey City with the arrival of the steam ferry in the 1820s and continued throughout the 19th century. Ellis Island was a large source of immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and Ireland that shaped the culture of both Jersey City and New York City from the 1880s until the 1920s. The opening of the Hudson & Manhattan Railroad tunnels into Manhattan in 1908 caused another population boom, with tenements and grand apartment buildings going up in neighborhoods such as Journal Square and along Kennedy Boulevard in the 1910s and 1920s. Once a humming center of industry, Jersey City housed the booming factories of Colgate and Dixon-Ticonderoga. It was a railroad hub, where the transcontinental rail lines of the country's great railroads (including the famed Pennsylvania Railroad) converged from all across the country. All the railroads to New York City actually ended on the Jersey side of the waterfront, where passengers transferred to ferries to go into Manhattan. Today, Jersey City is neither of these things. Decades of deindustrialization, railroad bankruptcies, government mismanagement and other disappointments had a profound effect on this once booming town. The automobile era and a fear of urban areas caused significant "white flight" to the suburbs in the middle of the 20th century; once affluent areas became centers of poverty

Getting there

By plane Jersey City is about a 10-minute ride from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA), which is a major hub for United Airlines, and is one of the three airports serving the New York metropolitan area. A taxi to Jersey City from EWR will set you back about $40. If you don't have a lot of bags, consider taking the train from the airport. Catch AirTrain from your terminal to the Newark Airport train station. Take a New York-bound New Jersey Transit train one stop to Newark Penn Station, then cross the platform to catch the PATH to Jersey City. On weekdays, you can take the North Jersey Coast Line to Hoboken where you can transfer to the PATH train. The AirTrain/NJ Transit train is $8.25; PATH is $2.75. The ride takes about 45 minutes. The two other airports in the region are LaGuardia Airport (LGA IATA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK IATA), both in the borough of Queens in New York City. A cab from LGA or JFK to Jersey City will cost about $100. From JFK airport it is also possible to take either the A or E subway trains from Howard Beach or Jamaica respectively and transfer at World Trade Center to the PATH.

By train Amtrak serves Newark Penn Station. You will have to transfer to PATH to reach Jersey City. NJ Transit serves Newark Penn Station and Hoboken. You will have to transfer to PATH to reach Jersey City. PATH serves four stations in Jersey City: Exchange Place, Grove Street, Journal Square and Newport. Lower Manhattan (World Trade Centre) is about seven minutes away, Midtown Manhattan (33rd Street) is about 15 minutes away and Newark (Newark Penn Station) is about 25 minutes away.

By ferry NY Waterway operates four ferry routes connecting Jersey City to Manhattan. The routes from Port Liberté and Liberty Harbor connect to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan. The other two ferry routes leave from Exchange Place, and connect to World Financial Center and West 39th Street in Midtown. Check the NY Waterway website for schedules.

By bus NJ Transit and other operators run buses to the Journal Square Transportation Center bus terminal. Greyhound buses stop at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan and the Newark Penn Station bus terminal in Newark. From the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, take NJ Transit bus routes 125 and 119, both of which go directly to Journal Square. From the Newark Penn Station bus terminal in Newark, take NJ Transit bus route 1, which goes directly to Journal Square.

By car Driving into Jersey City is not recommended. While driving into Jersey City is only difficult at rush hour,

Getting around

The best way to navigate Jersey City is on foot and via public transit. Apple Maps and Google Maps can be used to plan a journey, including full navigation and real time updates. Download the official PATH and NJ Transit apps for routes, schedules and updates.

By public transit

Fares TAPP is the contactless fare payment system for the PATH subway lines. The system allows passengers to pay by "tapping" one of the following to a reader:

A contactless credit, debit or prepaid card, including American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard, UnionPay or Visa. A smart device equipped with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay. A TAPP card (TAPP cards do not work on the NJ Transit network). FARE-PAY is the contactless fare payment system for the NJ Transit tram and bus lines. The system allows passengers to pay by "tapping" one of the following to a reader:

By subway The PATH network covers four stations in Jersey City: Exchange Place, Grove Street, Journal Square and Newport. Services travel between Jersey City and New York City. Connections to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail network can be made at the Exchange Place, Hoboken and Newport stations. Connections to the Journal Square Transportation Center and a variety of bus routes can be made at the Journal Square station.

By tram The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail network runs largely north/south through the city. Services connect downtown Jersey City waterfront with Hoboken in the north and Bayonne in the south.

By bus The bus network covers all corners of Jersey City. Service frequencies vary by route.

By taxi Unlike in Manhattan, taxis can be difficult to come by in Jersey City. You often have to call ahead to have one pick you up, although taxis are stationed at the Exchange Place, Grove Street and Journal Square PATH stations. Taxis in Jersey City can run either metered or unmetered (flat rate); the price is generally the same either way. If you are going unmetered, ask the price before getting into the taxi (or ask the dispatcher when you call ahead). Taxis are not cheap; a cab from Grove Street to Journal Square is about $10. App based ride share services like Lyft and Uber operate in Jersey City. Via has also partnered with the city to operate an on demand ride share system that only runs within Jersey City. The Via fleet of minivans and SUVs holds m

See

1 Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Powerhouse, Washington Boulevard. The Powerhouse is a Romanesque revival industrial masterpiece built between 1906 and 1908. The Powerhouse was designed by architect John Oakman, an alumnus of the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris. The Powerhouse allowed the operation of the first trans-Hudson subway, the direct predecessor of today's PATH. It ceased operation as a power generating station in 1929. After years of neglect, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 after it was nominated by the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy, an all volunteer not-for-profit organization. The city has designated the Powerhouse a developer, the Cordish company, which has renovated a similar power plant in Baltimore's Harbor. 2 Jersey City City Hall, 280 Grove St. (ride the PATH to Grove Street station, then walk south on the street of the same name). Completed in 1896, this imposing granite and marble municipal structure was designed by Lewis Broome, who also designed the Trenton Statehouse. A bronze memorial monument by Philip Martiny stands in the small plaza in front of the City Hall entrance. The memorial bears the inscription: "Erected by the People of Hudson County to Commemorate the Valor of the Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines of the Civil War." The statue is of the Goddess of Victory in a seated pose. Although she has lain aside her shield, her hand rests in readiness upon her sword, though she offers the olive branch of peace. (updated Nov 2018) 3 Justice William Brennan Courthouse (Hudson County Courthouse), 583 Newark Ave. (Walk east from Journal Square station.), ☏ +1 201-795-6600. This stunning Beaux-Arts style building is a glimpse into the county's rich and storied history. Be sure to check out its stained glass dome and detailed murals. Guided tours are available on weekdays. 4 Colgate Clock, 2 Hudson Street (Walk from Essex Street or Exchange Place stations.). Dating back to 1924, the Colgate clock is a reminder of the numerous industries which once dominated the city. Manhattan residents still glance across the Hudson to tell the time from this iconic clock. 5 Liberty State Park, Morris Pesin Drive (take the New Jersey Turnpike to exit 14B; once you made it to the exit, make a left after the last toll plaza. Light rail via the Liberty State Park stop.), ☏ +1 201-915-3440, toll-free: +1 201-915-3400. Daily 6AM-10PM. Liberty State Park (map) is as large as New York's Central Park but is far less developed. Nonetheless, it gets some 4 million visitors a year, drawn to the waterfront to see unsurpassed v

Do

Walk along the Hudson Waterfront. Take in the breathtaking views. From most points along the waterfront, you can see (on a clear day) from the Verrazano Narrows Bridge all the way up the Hudson River to Midtown Manhattan. Just south of the Exchange Place PATH station is a waterfront pier which extends some 250 m into the Hudson River. From the pier, one will often see locals fishing, tourists taking pictures of the Manhattan skyline, and even people playing chess at one of the tables on the pier. This is one of the most popular locations to photograph the Island of Manhattan, as it is directly across from downtown and the World Trade Center. 1 Ferry to the Statue of Liberty or Ellis Island, 1 Audrey Zapp Dr, toll-free: +1-877-523-9849. Although most people visiting these sites take the ferries from Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, you can also catch the Statue Cruises ferries bound for Liberty Island and Ellis Island from Liberty State Park. The landing is directly in front of the old Central Railroad of New Jersey terminal building. (updated Nov 2018) 2 RPM Raceway, 99 Caven Point Rd (take exit 14b from the NJ Turnpike, make a left at the stop sign, then make a right at the first traffic light), ☏ +1 201-333-7223. Formerly the Pole Position Raceway, RPM is an indoor go-kart race track where you can race others at 45 mph (72 km/h). (updated Jan 2021)

Buy

Although Jersey City isn't known for its extensive shopping options, the City's new gentry have begun to bring with it classier and pricier shops. Nevertheless, some "old school" shops and bodegas (delis) continue to be mainstays, particularly for locals. Parts of Jersey City are in the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) program, which allows retailers to charge half the state's sales tax (3.4375%) rather than the full sales tax rate, and clothing is not taxed at all. Retailers often have stickers on their doors showing that they participate in the UEZ program.

1 Heights Shopping District, Central Ave (take the 87 bus from Greenville or the 119 from New York and Bayonne). 2 Tia's Place, 277 Grove Street (next to Razza). Trendy clothing store, for the hipster set, catering mostly to women (although they do have a men's section). 3 Newport Centre Mall, 30 Mall Dr West (from Newark Bay Extension East: make a right on Jersey Ave and follow the signs; the Light Rail and PATH trains also stop to Pavonia/Newport), ☏ +1 201-626-2078. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Su 11AM-6PM. The county's largest indoor mall. It is just south of the Holland Tunnel, and hosts a Macy's, JCPenney, Kohl's, Sears, AMC (formerly Cineplex Odeon) movie theater, and a variety of other chain stores, such as Toys Express and Spencer Gifts. All of the mall's more than 150 stores are part of the Urban Enterprise Zone. It's not free to park in the mall's parking garages; it's $2 to park there for up to 2 hours. Watch out if you stay parked longer than 6 hours; the rate zooms up, presumably to capture commuters parking there to take the PATH train from the Pavonia/Newport station to Manhattan. HBLR also serves Newport Center. (updated Nov 2018) 4 Hudson Mall, 701 NJ-440 (after crossing the two drawbridges from exit 15e, follow the signs to Route 440), ☏ +1 201-432-0119. (updated Jan 2021) 5 Journal Square, 930 Bergen Ave (take the PATH train from 33rd St or the World Trade Center (New York) to the end, or the 125 bus from the Port Authority Bus Terminal). (updated Jan 2021) 6 Stadium Plaza Shopping Center, Kellogg St (take NJ Turnpike to exit 15E to Jersey City, then follow the signs to Route 440). Shopping center built on the grounds of the demolished Roosevelt Stadium. The shopping center includes ACME (supermarket), Rainbow (clothing store), Wendy's (fast food), Stadium Pizza (pizzeria), Dollar Ruby (thrift store), and Capital One Bank. (updated Dec 2020) 7 McGinley Square and Journal Square Shopping Districts, 700-920 Bergen Ave (walking distance from Journal Square PATH station). (updated Jan 2019) 8

Eat

One of the great things about Jersey City is the diversity of its restaurant options. From wonderfully affordable Indian and Cuban restaurants to uber-trendy hotspots to elegant dining options offering stunning views of Manhattan with dinner, Jersey City has a little something for everyone. The city is also developing its own street food culture, which is somewhat similar to New York's. Vendors are typically around Exchange Place and near other recreational areas throughout the city.

Budget 1 Wonder Bagels, 517 Jersey Ave (From Grove St Path, walk on Columbus Dr away from the skyscrapers), ☏ +1 201-433-0575, [email protected]. 5AM–3PM. Fresh bagels through the morning with a wide variety of cream cheeses and sandwiches available. As a bonus for vegans, multiple types of non-dairy/tofu cream cheese is available. On Saturday and Sunday morning, the line can easily be out the door. (updated Jun 2021) 2 El Sason de Las Americas, 305 Grove St, ☏ +1 201 451 8515. Daily 5:30AM-8:30PM. Don't bother trying to speak English as, for the most, everyone speaks Spanish only. Pointing at what you want works, and the only word you really need to know anyway is pernil, Spanish for pork. Super cheap and super good. They are located downtown at the intersection of Grove and Wayne Sts (a block from the Grove St PATH station). 3 Ahri's Kitchen, 227 Seventh Street, ☏ +1 201-963 6056. M-F 11:30AM-3PM & 5-10PM, Sa Su 11AM-9:30PM. Korean food. 4 Dosa Hut, 777 Newark Avenue, ☏ +1 201-420-6660. M-F 9:30AM-10PM, Sa Su 9AM-10PM. Although Little India abounds with South Indian restaurants serving dosas (a kind of crepe, made from rice and yellow split peas, usually rolled around a filling of potatoes and cashews), the Dosa Hut probably has the widest selection possible, with 30 dosas to choose from. Dosa Hut (as with many South Indian restaurants) is vegetarian. (updated Nov 2018) 5 White Mana, 480 Tonnelle Avenue (take the Lincoln Tunnel Exit from the Pulaski Skyway and make a right on the first traffic light (Manhattan Ave)), ☏ +1 201-963-1441. (US 1-9). It has been here since the 1940s, and served up prize-winning hamburgers at the 1939 New York World's Fair. (updated Nov 2018) 6 Taqueria Downtown, 354 Grove Street, ☏ +1 201-763-6902. Daily 11AM - 10:45PM. A basic taqueria with simple yet satisfying Mexican fare. This is not a typical "Tex-Mex" restaurant. The menu includes rules such as "no oversized burritos," "no guacamole," and "no fajitas." However, with tacos ranging from $2 to $3, you can easily have a cheap meal. Other basic and inexpensive Mexican fare is availa

Drink & nightlife

1 Barcade, 163 Newark Avenue, ☏ +1 201-332-4555. Su-Th noon-2AM, F Sa noon-3AM. An expansion of the popular Brooklyn destination. Besides serving a daily rotating menu of about two dozen reasonably priced ($5-6) microbrews, the bar also sports more than 30 classic arcade systems at 25¢ per play. 21+ only 2 Lucky 7, 322 Second Street, ☏ +1 201-418-8585. Very popular local watering hole. New York Magazine wrote of this place: "Some nights they have a D.J.; some nights it’s big hair and Bon Jovi." 3 Zeppelin Hall Biergarten and Restaurant, 88 Liberty View Drive (Take the Light Rail to Jersey Ave and walk a few blocks), ☏ +1 201-721-8888. W-F 4PM-2AM, Sa Su noon-1AM. This hall in the new Liberty Harbor development is a huge biergarten with seating for up to 800 people. One of Jersey City's most popular hang-out spots, with 144 taps and $10 liters of beer. Family-friendly. 4 The Honorable William Wall (Willy Wall), New York Bay (the restaurant offers a water taxi from the pier at the foot of Warren St and Marin Blvd), ☏ +1 646-787-6726, [email protected]. Tu-F 5:45–9:30PM, Sa 12:15–4:30PM, 5:15-9PM. (updated Dec 2020) 5 Batello, 502 Washington Blvd, ☏ +1 201 798 1798. (updated Jan 2021) 6 Vu, 2 Exchange Place (take the PATH train to Exchange Place, it's inside the Hyatt Regency Hotel). Daily 5:30AM-10PM. (updated Jan 2021)

Sleep

Many budget-minded New York City tourists decide to stay in moderately-priced Jersey City hotels because of its proximity to Manhattan. Hotels along or near the waterfront are quite safe and very well-appointed. Avoid the strip of motels along US 1-9 (Tonnelle Avenue) north of Journal Square. The area is industrial, unsafe, and is a haven for prostitution and other illicit activities.

Budget 1 Holland Hotel, Holland Tunnel Plaza East, ☏ +1 201-963-6200. This non-descript motel, directly in front of the Holland Tunnel, is a popular option for budget-minded travellers. It's clean, safe, reasonably priced, and only a short walk from the Pavonia/Newport PATH station. 2 Ramada Limited Jersey City, 65 Tonnelle Avenue, ☏ +1 201-432-6100, toll-free: +1 866 523-3959. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Short walk to Journal Square, offers transportation to Newark Airport. (updated Jan 2021)

Mid-range 3 Sonesta Simply Suites, 21 Second Street, ☏ +1 201-659-2500. 4 Courtyard Jersey City Newport, 540 Washington Boulevard (take New Jersey Turnpike North towards New York City; take Exit 14C towards the Holland Tunnel; after paying the toll at 14C continue toward the Holland Tunnel; turn right on Jersey Avenue (first light); immediately bear left toward the Newport Centre Mall and continue to Washington Boulevard (first stop light) and turn right; hotel is on the left), ☏ +1 201-626-6600, fax: +1 201-626-6601. By the Newport Centre Mall and one block from the waterfront. 5 Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District, 159 Morgan St, ☏ +1 201-241-4664. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Comfortable rooms with stylishly modern decor. Service is friendly and diligent. Amenities include a large hotel bar/restaurant, a small but complete fitness center, and meeting/ballrooms. The lobby is also large and amply supplied with seating, making it a good meeting point for groups split across multiple rooms. Located practically on top of Grove Street PATH Station, giving easy access to Manhattan, but also within easy walking distance of most attractions and nightlife in Downtown Jersey City (especially the Newark Ave. pedestrian mall). (updated Apr 2023)

Splurge 6 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Jersey City, 455 Washington Boulevard (the closest train station is the Harsimus Cove Light Rail Station), ☏ +1 201-499-2400. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Popular with business travelers, this all-suite hotel is near the Pavonia/Newport PATH and Newport Mall. (updated Jan 2021) 7 Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, 2 Exchange Place (from the Holland Tunnel (exiting NY):

Go next

Hoboken - Reputedly Hoboken has the most bars per square mile of any city in the United States. And it's only a PATH ride away. There are beautiful beaches on the Jersey Shore some ways south of Jersey City via the Garden State Parkway. New York City - Some of the world's finest dining, entertainment, shopping, and nightlife are only a ten-minute train ride away. Leave your car at one of the numerous parking lots and garages around Grove Street or Journal Square PATH stations and take in all that America's greatest city has to offer. Newark - Despite its reputation for high crime and race riots, Newark is undergoing a renaissance of its own. Be sure to check out a show at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), one of the best concert halls in the country. After that, hit up the vibrant Ironbound neighborhood for some amazing Brazilian food.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.