Journey Through Hudson County
By: Erin McFeeters
Established in 1840 and named after the English explorer Henry Hudson, Hudson County is an urban cultural hub exuding American Dream ideals. While small in size compared to other New Jersey counties, Hudson County makes up for it with its diverse cities, dedication to the arts, epic skyline views, and a deep-rooted immigrant legacy.
The county’s major cities, Jersey City and Hoboken, have become business hotspots due to their premier location across the Hudson River from Manhattan, with global corporate companies such as JP Morgan Chase & Co, Quest Diagnostics, Goldman Sachs, Goya Foods, Bank of America, and more building business branches right here in the Garden State. Some have even given Jersey City the nickname “Wall Street West,” according to the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, and it boasts being the 12th largest downtown in the U.S.
“People think Jersey City is a really big city, and for New Jersey it is, because it’s so densely populated,” said Alessia Aron, Founder of Beyond the Plate Food Tours, which operates out of Jersey City, Somerville, Red Bank, and Kearny. “But there’s still a small town feel here, and especially in the food and beverage industry, everyone knows each other.” Aron has been curating food tours in Jersey City and neighboring towns for the past 12 years. Her goal: Bringing people into the story of a city—it’s history, what it’s like today, and the catalysts for change.
“The thing everyone says, I mean it’s hard not to, is the beautiful thing about diversity. You might not see it as much downtown anymore, but I think it’s the heartbeat of what makes Hudson County what it is,” said Aron. “Because it’s so densely populated, we talk about how more than 50% speak a language other than English, more than 40 languages spoken in public schools, and more than 30% are immigrant born. So, I think, in that sense, we’d like to believe this is a safe space. That’s what makes it such a wonderful place, because you can find everything, and people come together and embrace different cultures, which is, and it’s what people want.”
From row homes to sprawling estates, there is a home style for everyone in Hudson County.
According to NJ Realtors® latest housing market data report, the single family median sales price increased 7.4% in Hudson County year-to-date to $625,000. The median sales price is the same in the townhouse-condo market, at $625,000, the same as this time last year. The townhouse-condo market had the most new listings year-to-date, with 5,729 new units hitting the market and 2,638 closed sales year-to-date.
TRAVELING AROUND THE COUNTY AND BEYOND
Path Train
Travel back and forth from Hudson County into Manhattan 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Light Rail
Use the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail to travel parallel to the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay around the county. There are two dozen stops throughout, and adult one-way tickets are just $2.55.
The Hop
Travel around Hoboken City using the free bus, which you can hop on and off throughout the city.
EZ Ride Shuttle
For those who work in the Harmon Meadow area, try taking the EZ Ride Shuttle. It goes to the Meadowlands Convention Center, the Hyatt Plaza Hotel, the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, and the Secaucus Junction Train Station.
Citi Bike
Travel by bike across the county and especially through Jersey City and Hoboken. Download the Citi Bike mobile app to find stations and buy a pass.
NY Waterway
Running from New Jersey to Manhattan across the Hudson River, there are seven ferry terminals in Hudson County. You can find a terminal in Hoboken, Weehawken, and Jersey City.
HISTORICAL SPOTS TO DISCOVER THE COUNTY’S PAST
Apple Tree House
Jersey City
Located at 298 Academy Street, this home is said to have both Generals Lafayette and Washington dine under an apple tree in its orchard while planning the army’s retreat through the Jerseys, according to cityofjerseycity.org. Today, visitors can walk through this National Historic Landmark and attend lectures and exhibitions throughout the year.
Berlin Wall
Laurel Hill Park, Secaucus
Did you know there’s a piece of the Berlin Wall right here in New Jersey? As a symbol of peace and the end of the Cold War, Hudson County received a section of the Berlin Wall from Oberhavel County, Germany. The counties have been sister counties since 2000 and have participated in student, cultural, and sports exchanges since then.
Ellis Island
Liberty State Park, Jersey City
Take part in the migrant journey to America at the National Immigration Museum on Ellis Island. Connect with your ancestors’ experiences, follow your family’s path to America, and so much more. Getting to Ellis Island: Purchase tickets through Statue City Cruises to enter the Statue of Liberty Museum or Ellis Island and depart from Liberty State Park.
Hoboken Home Plate
Hoboken
Baseball was born right in Hoboken, New Jersey. Elysian Fields is said to be the site of the first organized baseball game. While only a small portion of the field remains, you can find a historic marker at the intersection of 11th Street and Washington Street.
Weehawken Dueling Grounds
Weehawken
18 known duels occurred right in Weehawken between 1700 and 1884, according to visithudson.org. The famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr took place here, in which Burr fatally shot Hamilton. If you’ve seen the musical “Hamilton,” it depicts the duel in the song “The World Was Wide Enough.”
DINERS AND CAFES FOR YOUR MID-DAY PICK ME UP
Barbara’s Café
Kearny
What to Order: Affogato, hot chocolate, chicken empanadas, or Barbara’s Croissant.
Carnegie Diner & Café
Secaucus
What to Order: Espresso martini, peanut butter and bacon pancakes, or a pastrami sandwich.
City Diner
Jersey City
What to Order: Breakfast quesadilla, chocolate hazelnut French toast, or the hangover burrito with chorizo and chipotle aioli.
Coperaco Café
Harrison
What to Order: Seasonal coffee drinks, avocado toast, and fresh pastries galore.
Griot Cafe
Jersey City
What to Order: Samosas, creole chicken and waffles, and breakfast croissant sandwiches.
Haute Dulce
Secaucus
What to Order: Swiss cheese omelet, Biscoff crunch crepe, or pistachio hot chocolate.
Hybrid Coffee & Kitchen
Jersey City
What to Order: Acai bowl, loaded avocado toast, or a honeycomb latte.
Legends Diner
Secaucus
What to Order: Lox and onion omelet, Monte Cristo, or baked meat loaf.
The Grind Shop
Jersey City
What to Order: Almond Joy latte, brown sugar bubble tea, bagel with butter and hot honey, and specialty sandwiches.
Tops Diner
Harrison
What to Order: Short rib tacos, tuna melt, huevos rancheros, banana pudding waffles, or fried green tomatoes.
River View Diner
North Bergen
What to Order: Baklava, Boston cream pie, corned beef Reuben club, or Oreo pancakes.
KEARNY HISTORIC MONUMENT TOUR
Located between two of New Jersey’s largest cities, Jersey City and Newark, Kearny is rich in history and diversity. These are just some of the historic monuments located throughout town celebrating its notable events and people. Discover more historic walking tours at thewalkingtours.stqry.app.
1. Irish Heritage Monument
The Ancient Order of Hibernians dedicated the monument to The Reverend Monsignor Joseph A. Carroll in 1985.
2. Monument to the Battle of Chantilly
The boulder is from Snake Hill in Secaucus and is in honor of Major General Philip Kearny, who fought in the Battle of Chantilly in Fairfax County, Va.
3. Wallace Glen
A cairn monument symbolizing embarking on a journey, and is codedicated to Sir William Wallace, a Scottish Patriot, and Kearny Councilman
David A. Wallace, a Scottish immigrant who served Kearny and the State of New Jersey.
4. The Wishing Well
Erected in 1967 to celebrate the centennial of Kearny, it was designed to allow visitors to toss a coin and make a wish. The Kearny Lions Club donated all funds raised to assist the blind.
5. Monument to the Four Chaplains
At St. Stephen’s Church, this sculpture is in memory of the Four Chaplains, four clergymen who surrendered their life jackets in 1943 to other passengers on the U.S.A.T. Dorchester after being struck by a torpedo.
6. General Philip Kearny Statue
Located in front of the town’s post office, commissioned by the State of New Jersey in 1868, and was intended to be displayed in Statuary Hall in the U.S. Capitol. After being in storage, it was rediscovered and displayed in Newark’s Military Park. Eventually, it was back in storage and fell into disrepair. In 1995, a copy was made and now sits on some of the original brick from General Kearny’s Residence, Bell Grove Mansion.
