Newark is joined at the hip via subways and bridges, light rail and roads to the huge metro region of New York City across the Hudson to the west. It may appear little in comparison, yet it is the largest city in the whole Garden State.
That means visitors from other states can expect a medley of history dating back to 1666 (this is one of the oldest cities in the US! ), unique art, heritage, and cuisine, all infused and powered by a multicultural mix of Jewish, Creole , African-American, Italian, Irish, and a slew of other influences.
In this list, we flit between the city's blossoming cherry tree parks, along riverfront walkways with views of Jersey City in the west, back to downtown theaters and art centers, and into some of the enticing little eateries and jazz bars that pepper Newark's inner districts . Enjoy the greatest Things to do near Newark Airport !
1. Attend a performance at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centre.
For nearly two decades, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center has been one of the country's largest and most prolific performing arts centers.
With a mission to showcase a diverse range of live entertainments and performances both locally and internationally, the institution hosts everything from stand-up comedians to jazz jam sessions to RB gigs to classical ensembles, attracting huge crowds from both New York and the rest of the Garden State.
2. Visit Branch Brook Park to see the cherry blossoms.
Branch Brook Park, one of many pockets of urban greenery dotting the districts of Newark, spans more than 359 acres of property in Essex County's northern extremities. The size, though, is not what draws walkers and nature enthusiasts here.
It's the cherry blossoms. The Cherry Blossom Festival, held here every April, promises blossoms of pink and white to surpass even Tokyo, with more than 14 different varieties of blossoming tree and more than 4,000 unique trees.
3. Visit the Newark Museum of Art to see Tibetan artefacts.
The largest museum in the Garden State is tucked amid city streets, within a stone's throw from the waters of the Newark Reach.
The displays here are eclectic to say the least, ranging from masterworks of American realism to odd antiquities taken from the distant reaches of the Tibetan Plateau.
In reality, the Newark Museum's collection of Buddhist treasures is regarded as one of the world's finest Sino-Tibetan exhibits, with over 5,000 artefacts including an altarpiece blessed by the Dalai Lama himself.
4. Amaze at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Basilica
This genuinely huge church, standing tall and proud in a gorgeous array of Gothic Revivalism on the border of the flowering Branch Brook Park, is one of America's largest basilicas.
The building's construction began in 1898 and took a phenomenal 29 years to complete as the designers experimented with adding Anglo-style flying buttresses and French mediaeval spires.
Today, the cathedral is a wonderful place to visit if you want to listen to soothing chamber music, marvel at the ambitious building project that gave rise to its 71-meter-tall towers, or decipher the mix of architectural styles that came across the Pond from Europe in the early twentieth century.
5. The city lights from Riverfront Park.
The city's Riverfront Park, which clings to the Passaic River's meanders as it bends and turns around the districts of central Newark, is possibly the best site in town for watching sunsets and seeing the city lights come on after nightfall.
The area is currently experiencing an urban revitalization, with an unusual mix of art pieces and renovations taking place.
For example, the walkways have been resurfaced with brand-new boardwalks, and there are plenty of picnic areas and even public loungers for some summertime sunbathing.
