For most tourists, Newark is associated only with the international airport. Located right next door, on the other side of the Hudson River, Newark Airport offers an easy and fast way to get to Manhattan. Newark can also serve as a good and cheaper base for a trip to New York City. The best places to stay here are non-residential neighbourhoods that are popular among tourists. These places have more attractions and are generally safer. Downtown Newark may be the best choice, due to the availability of public transportation (Newark Penn Station) and local tourist attractions.
1. The Prudential Center
With a capacity of over 18,000 spectators, this famous sports hall is the home of the New Jersey Devils hockey team and where the prestigious NHL games take place. But New Yorkers visit the Prudential Center for another reason as well. In addition to hockey events, the arena is a venue for other sports, and hosts major concerts by popular music stars and other cultural events.
2. Beautiful parks and cherry blossoms
The city parks in Newark are some of the best of their kind. The most famous, Branch Brook Park, designed by the Olmsted brothers, known for creating New York’s Central Park, is home to the largest and most beautiful collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States. The view is complemented by the reigning 19th-century Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, built in the French Gothic style. The basilica hosts concerts open to the public throughout the year.
3. City of Beer
Newark was once considered one of the best beer cities in the US, with 5 major breweries operating here and many smaller companies in the industry. And although the glory years have passed, the tradition and symbolism are still alive. The flashing logo with the eagle and the letter “A”, which illuminates the Anheuser-Busch brewery, is already a symbol for passengers arriving at Newark Liberty International. Many of the city’s grand residences were built by beer barons (the Ballantine House at the Newark Museum, for example, is worth seeing). Also of interest, the local Krueger Brewing Company is credited with being the first to package its beer in metal cans.
4. The Grammy Museum
The Grammy Museum Experience is an interactive, experiential museum dedicated to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards, located in the Prudential Center. The 2,500-square-metre space hosts exhibitions about music legends but also features various multimedia presentations, public events and educational programmes. Visitors to the museum can learn about the history of the Grammy Awards and experience being on stage and in the recording studio, including interactively playing or singing with legendary musicians.
5. Museum of Art
The Newark Museum of Art is the largest in the state of New Jersey, with over eighty galleries to explore. It boasts collections of American, decorative or contemporary arts as well as the art of Africa, the Americas, the ancient world and Asia – including the most extensive collection of Tibetan art outside Southeast Asia.
6. Newark from the water!
From June to September, take a scenic boat cruise along Newark’s 10 km waterfront and see the city from a slightly different perspective, listening to stories of its rich history. Finish the two-hour tour with a stroll along the bright orange promenade in Riverfront Park, built from recycled plastic planks.
