Jersey City

Skip the crowds of Manhattan to enjoy gorgeous vistas and an exciting cultural scene in Jersey City. Compared to its cousin across the Hudson River, Jersey City may seem small but it is actually the state’s second-largest city.

Spend the day outside exploring the 1,212-acre (490.5-hectare) Liberty State Park. Get your camera ready for panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline beyond. Stop at the Empty Sky Memorial to pay homage to the New Jersey residents who perished in the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Walk by the historic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal, which welcomed over 8 million immigrants stateside from Ellis Island.

See an IMAX film and check out the interactive exhibits in the Liberty Science Center, located in the park. Don’t miss its famous Touch Tunnel, which simulates sightlessness.

Enjoy beautiful sights as you walk or bike along the Jersey City and Hoboken Waterfront. Take the nearly 5-mile (8-kilometer) path from Liberty State Park up to Hoboken’s bustling Washington Street and Castle Point beyond.

Go inland and catch a show at Loew’s Jersey Theatre, located in the city’s commercial hub, Journal Square. This magnificently opulent cinema hails back to the 1920s and was recently restored to its former splendor. Check out the vintage working pipe organ inside.

Discover Jersey City’s bustling cultural life in its historic downtown. Walk by stately brownstones and sleek condominiums. Continue onto Grove Street and browse its vibrant array of boutiques and restaurants.

For a change of scene, go to the Palisades. These steep cliffs line the western side of the Hudson River. Their natural beauty is a contrast to the skyscrapers of New York City across the water. Explore The Heights, a residential neighborhood known for its exquisitely preserved Victorian mansions.