Jersey City Attractions
Jersey City Museum
The Jersey City Museum is a collection of American visual art from contemporary artists, with emphasis on local and regional artists. The museum is located three blocks west of Van Vorst Park. For more information visit the Jersey City Museum Website.
Liberty Science Center
Opening in July 2007 after extensive construction, the Liberty Science Center is a hands on museum located just west of Liberty State park. It is home to an IMAX movie theater as extensive exhibits dealing with technology, ecology, and science.
Hudson River Walk
The walkway is an impressive public park that presently extends from Newport around to Liberty Harbor along the Jersey City waterfront. The walkway also continues along Liberty State Park. The pathway provides stunning views of Manhattan. Eventually, the park will continue north into Hoboken where another extension of the pathway is already in place. In January of 2008, NJ Transit broke ground on a critical bridge linking the walkway in Newport with the walkway in Hoboken.
Liberty State Park
Liberty state Park sits just south of Downtown Jersey City, divided by the Morris Canal and Liberty Harbor. The park is essentially large open fields and a number of walkways, including part of the Hudson River Walk. The park features a historic rail terminal and rail yards. There is free, two hour parking on the eastern tip of the park. Do not park here if you intend to visit the statue of liberty. Statue of liberty parking is pay per hour, located across the street from the free lot.
The park provides one of the best views of the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks set off above the Statue of Liberty. In addition, private parties often rent out Ellis Island, and on many summer evenings, fireworks can be seen around 9 p.m.
Liberty State Park is accessible by light rail or exit 14C from the New Jersey Turnpike.
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are part of the federal park system. Despite the fact that a bridge connects Ellis Island to mainland New Jersey, visitors must board ferries in Liberty State Park or in Battery Park in New York. The park is free, but the ferry will cost you $12
Visitors to both islands are subject to an intensive search which can delay entry to the parks by up to an hour. Terrorism an all that. In either case, when planning a trip to either monument plan on long waits. Visitors wishing to enter the Statue of Liberty Base must under go a second screening before entering, despite the extensive search prior to boarding the ferry. This can take more than an hour.
The top of the statue of liberty is currently closed. Terrorism, and all that. However, visitors can still enter the base of the monument with a time reservation. These tickets are grant visitors access for a specific time on a specific day. Despite limited availability and reservation system, the national park system is unable to handle the number of people trying to enter the base, resulting in long delays. For more on tickets, visit Statue of Liberty Reservation site provided by Statue Cruises.
Museum of Contemporary Russian Art
This downtown museum is dedicated to promoting contemporary Russian Art; hours are limited, so check in advance on Museum website.
Loews Theater
The historic, renovated Loews theater is dedicated to bringing performing arts to Jersey City; visit the website for updated schedule information.
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