the other Newark

A Summer Saturday in Newark, NJ

For 22 years of my life, I lived in a tiny town near the Finger Lakes, called Newark, NY.  Outside of my county, every time I mentioned that I lived in Newark, people assumed New Jersey.  When United merged with Continental Airlines back in the mid-2000s, the name Newark again popped into my daily conversation (EWR is a major hub city for United after the merger).  And then, when our New Jersey house was being renovated in 2021, we rented an apartment in downtown Newark, NJ for six months.  It came full circle and I was living in the other Newark.  

Matt found our apartment building and I will admit, I was skeptical to live in this city with a bad reputation, if any reputation at all.  We took the train to Newark Penn Station and walked the few short blocks to 1180 Raymond Blvd.  The lobby of the building was Art Deco décor and the front desk staff was extremely friendly.  We toured the apartments are were pleasantly surprised.  The apartments were spacious with extremely high ceilings, gorgeous hard wood floors, and ample natural light.  And the best part of it all, the rent was a fraction of the price of NYC.  We signed a lease that day and spent the next 6 months getting to know downtown Newark.

If you come on a Saturday in the summer, head straight to Military Park, the hub of the downtown district.  Explore the park, ride the carousel, and tour Trinity Church.  Here you'll be able to enjoy lunch at The Yard and view the list of attractions and plan your next steps.  

After exploring some of the streets surrounding the park, head towards Newark's arts and culture gem, NJPAC.  I've never attended a concert, but the traffic is terrible on event nights, which proves the performing arts centers popularity.  The grounds are beautiful, even when the center is quiet.  

Circle back towards the side streets between Raymond Blvd and Market Street to see the wall murals and street art.  A favorite is the floral sidewalk that leads towards the Prudential Center.  The streets are filled with local cafes and stunning old architecture.  

It's a summer day so the NJ Devils are not playing at home tonight, but come back in the winter to cheer on the NHL hockey team.  

Loop back to Broad Street and pass more of the Prudential campus.  The company is based in Newark and their office buildings are beautiful works of art.  

Pass by Military Park again, paying special attention to the floral displays and the monument dedicated to those who served in war.  Peek back on 1180 Raymond Blvd, the apartment building we called home.  

Turn left at Prudential Drive and grab a coffee at our favorite, Black Swan Coffee.  The atmosphere is light and airy and the coffee hits the spot.  Continue along Halsey Street and stop at the local mom & pop shops that line this adorable street.  

Pop into the Hayne & Co building to grab some snacks from Whole Foods or a do a wine tasting at Cool Vines.  Explore the two story atrium space and the grand staircase.  

Next you'll find yourself exploring the Rutgers Newark Campus. The students are probably gone for the summer, but the college town atmosphere is all around you in this pocket of the downtown neighborhood.  

In this section of town, you'll find the acclaimed, Newark Museum of Art where you can spend an hour before cutting through Harriet Tubman Park for beers at Newark's only brewery, Drink Local.

On your walk back towards the train, enjoy dinner at Marcus B&P where they combine two of my favorite pasta dishes with their cacio e pepe bucatini & greens and don't forget the deviled eggs with chicken skin as an appetizer.  The BP comes from the Swedish concept of back pocket, a place where you meet up at the (B)ar or take home (P)rovisions.  

If you still have some time before the next train, stop at hotel Tryp and grab a drink at the bar.  It's a funky Wyndham property with Dutch's Gastro Pub ready to make you a hip cocktail.  If you venture beyond the downtown district, try these other great restaurants and the world renowned Ironbound restaurant row.