.jpg)
We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.
“Meet me for brunch in Newark!” How many times has anyone said that? More so, what would be your response?
Newark is probably one of the most unexpected locales to be considered a travel destination. It is, for those who travel to New York City, a mere stopover—a popular entry point through one of the nation’s largest airports, Newark Liberty International Airport. For others who’ve never heard of—or choose not to venture to Gotham’s cousin just across the Hudson—there’s a movement brewing that’s richer than the city’s beer history. The veil is slowly being lifted on a renaissance movement that has been decades in the making. Perhaps more evident to the casual observer is the mass exodus of creatives, entrepreneurs, and cultural enthusiasts who have taken flight from the surrounding suburbs and metropolitan areas to become a part of Newark—a city whose beauty has remained hidden to the unfamiliar and uncurious eye.
The rising cost of New York City living, the staggering increase of land taxes in desirable suburbs like South Orange, Maplewood, or Montclair, and the simple quest to find the next burgeoning metropolis are among the factors current transplants attribute to their migration. A rich culture stemming from the city’s love affair with music, art, and even film are factors residents consider when continuing to make the city their home, while for other longtime residents the age old adage “you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” applies heavily here; it’s their sole reason for returning after brief departures.
What to Do:
Understanding this city’s rich history begins with a trip to the Newark Museum. Now is the perfect time to visit as the museum has rolled out its “Newark Stories” exhibition chronicling four Newarkers’ contributions to the city. One, Lida Clanton Broner, used her entire life savings in 1938 to travel to South Africa, eventually collecting items over her nine-month stay that she later donated to the museum. That donation became what is possibly the country’s first exhibit of South African art. The second woman featured in the exhibit is Caroline Bamberger Fuld, the daughter of Jewish immigrants, who—along with her brother and two other business partners—opened one of Newark’s most prominent department stores of the era, Bamberger’s.
For those looking to discover more contemporary offerings, visits to the galleries City Without Walls (locally known as cWOW), Gateway Project Spaces, and Gallery Aferro are a must. cWOW is located in the heart of the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, a place once frequented by jazz legends James Moody and Sarah Vaughan. Aferro’s cofounders Evonne M. Davis and Emma Wilcox, cWOW’s executive director Fayemi Shakur, and GPS codirectors Rebecca Jampol and Jasmine Wahi, are amongst the women at the helm of the contemporary creative movement in the city. The current exhibition at each space will leave you in a sense of deep contemplation, especially in these trying times.
The Newark Arts Council has been a leading proponent of keeping art in Newark alive through education. Sticking with the theme of art exploration, one can create their own work of art by participating in a glassblowing class at GlassRoots while learning more about the organization’s commitment to the city’s youth.
In the summer months, make a point to stop by the Lincoln Park Music Festival for three days of jazz, gospel, house music, and hip hop. At night, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center or “The PAC” as it’s more affectionately known, offers up evening performances for varied interests. Whether you’re in the mood for Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 or a dose of comedic medicine with Trevor Noah, the city institution aims to deliver an experience that will rival a New York City theater.
To celebrate the arrival of spring, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival—an Instagrammer’s dream—takes place in Branch Brook Park. The park was conceptualized by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., best known for Manhattan’s Central Park, with designs implemented by the Olmsted Brothers. Each year visitors come from far and wide to take part in the blooming of the fragrant and picturesque blossoms. We can thank the aforementioned Caroline Bamberger Fuld for donating more than 2,000 cherry trees during the 1920s after her trip to Japan.
Where to Eat & Drink:
From the new and exciting to go-to staples scattered throughout the city’s wards, Newark offers plenty of dining options. Beginning in the Central Ward (Downtown District), head to Halsey Street to visit Burger Walla, which offers a fusion of American comfort food with an Indian twist. Husband and wife team Kai Campbell and Tamara Remedios, opened the restaurant with three driving forces in mind—a commitment to quality, exceptional customer service, and a space that would lend itself to the community it serves. On any given night, one may find themselves stumbling in to be greeted by a poetry slam, short film premiere, or game night. While you’re there, order the Walla lamb burger, curried cauliflower and chickpeas, and a mango lassi for an exotic comfort food experience.
If you’re looking for vegan or vegetarian options that happen to be kosher, the Green ChicPea offers a healthy and delicious assortment of options from curated family recipes. The falafel is always in high demand.
Every corner of the city lends itself to a history lesson. Ballantine and Krueger brewing companies have origins in Newark, and the city is no stranger to a good brew. Beer enthusiasts should look no further than Redd’s Biergarten. Redd’s offers an extensive list of domestic and imported selections choose from. Its expansive interior also serves as a gathering place during football season, quickly turning into the local watering hole for anyone in town. Kilkenny Ale House and McGovern’s Tavern are the “old faithful” Irish pubs of the neighborhood. You’ll find an interesting mix perched around the bar at these longstanding establishments; everyone from medical students to corporate executives, to city workers to neighborhood residents congregate for a cold brew.
This year, executive chef Marcus Samuelsson of Harlem’s famed Red Rooster will open a restaurant in the newly renovated, historic Hahne & Company building. The former department store, which sat vacant for decades, will also be home to the city’s first Whole Foods Market (slated for completion in the latter part of the year).
Venturing further out, a short Lyft ride will bring you to the heart of the West Ward, a go-to for soul food with ambience that speaks to your inner creative. Vonda’s Kitchen serves up traditional comfort cuisine with healthy options for those who want the experience but can do without the calories. Its colorful walls are donned with pieces of art—some of which is the work of locals.
In the East Ward, just across McCarter Highway and just outside the rear entrance of Newark Penn Station, there is a bustling Portuguese, Brazilian, and Spanish community known as The Ironbound. This melange of cultures gives the gift of some of the best authentic cuisine the state has to offer. Walking into Seabra’s Marisqueira, one can easily feel transported to a small town in Portugal, dining amongst the locals, enjoying seafood as fresh as if it were caught just moments ago. The bartender is always happy to craft a traditional sangria or serve a neat but chilled Portuguese sherry that will leave you wondering why you may quite possibly be the last one to discover such a fantastic place. A bit further into the neighborhood and you’ll come across one of its newest additions, Casa d’Paco, a tapas bar and restaurant evoking the feel of a neighborhood tavern with a modern Spanish flair as seen throughout the menu offerings. For a cocktail with a kick and a live flamenco performance, venture to Mompou. Located “on The Ironbound strip,” more formally known as Ferry Street, it’s often the after work go-to for professionals in the area and locals who want to enjoy an evening out. You’ll also often find transplants from Brooklyn, Harlem, and Manhattan debating over who discovered this hidden gem first.
Where to Shop:
Unique and memorable are always the goal when destination shopping. Gifts East West is a well-hidden treasure amidst the bustling downtown district. It’s also a cultural institution of sorts to the residents who are in on the secret. The owners, Ing-On Vibulbhan-Watts and her husband, John Watts, have been at their Halsey Street location for the past 40 years and are a living, breathing testament to the change the neighborhood has seen. The shop boasts incredible pieces of handmade jewelry that is often displayed in the front window. Due to the lack of signage, this is perhaps the only indication of the gems inside. They also carry a plethora of unique novelty items the owners have acquired over time from their travels to Thailand and India.
For the fashion-forward traveler, one stop accommodates the needs of both men and women: Off the Hanger. The boutique’s quirky design (the racks are in the shape of colossal clothing hangers) is enough to lure passersby in to discover the latest trends and vintage pieces. Additionally, there’s a quaint home section within the boutique that carries small, yet well curated mid-century modern and industrial style design pieces.
Should this tour-de-Newark make your feet weary, head to Bella Nail Lounge and allow their team of trained professionals to indulge you. The atmosphere evokes an ultra-feminine castle, with oversize “thrones” and chandeliers—an Instagrammer’s dream.
Where to Stay
Though the city has approved plans for two additional hotels scheduled for completion over the course of the next three years, there’s currently a lack of amazing hotel offerings in Newark. However, with the onslaught of new construction buildings in The Ironbound and downtown district, there are plenty of stellar Airbnb options. Oftentimes, you can score a beautifully renovated loft inside an old factory or out-of-commission commercial building for an affordable rate. For those who rather have room service at their beck and call, Hotel Indigo is a solid option. The covered rooftop bar has been known to host a number of events and also boasts a karaoke night.