Newark Destination Guide

Overview

New York City’s slightly sullen stepsister, Newark has been dolling herself up over the last decade, experiencing a renaissance unknown to travelers simply passing through. Though New Jersey’s largest city — once a major manufacturing hub — is a mere 15-minute transit ride from midtown Manhattan, it houses its own vibrant downtown arts district; a bustling Portuguese neighborhood known as the Ironbound filled with superb restaurants (perfect for dining on ethnic dishes like rodizio); and the largest Tibetan art collection in the Western Hemisphere within Newark Museum. Recent revitalization includes downtown’s minor league ballpark, its ...

New York City’s slightly sullen stepsister, Newark has been dolling herself up over the last decade, experiencing a renaissance unknown to travelers simply passing through. Though New Jersey’s largest city — once a major manufacturing hub — is a mere 15-minute transit ride from midtown Manhattan, it houses its own vibrant downtown arts district; a bustling Portuguese neighborhood known as the Ironbound filled with superb restaurants (perfect for dining on ethnic dishes like rodizio); and the largest Tibetan art collection in the Western Hemisphere within Newark Museum. Recent revitalization includes downtown’s minor league ballpark, its central performing arts center, and Prudential Center, new home to the NJ Devils pro ice hockey team. The downtown arts district with the city’s East Ward is Newark’s most tourist-friendly, while south of the city center in Elizabeth you’ll find NJ’s largest outlet mall. Though Newark is spread, its transportation system is efficient and attractions well marked.