Historic Downtown Jersey City - Jersey City, NJ Area Guide

Downtown Jersey City has gone through several shifts in history that would lead to the thriving neighborhood it is today. Now a culinary oasis and major transportation hub, Jersey City once housed generations of immigrants that passed through Ellis Island and settled here for its many opportunities.

Downtown Jersey City hosts a multitude of cultural festivals and fairs. Groove on Grove provides music, entertainment and a creative market from local artists and musicians. The annual All About Downtown Street Fair showcases dozens of local vendors, artists and chefs throughout the streets of historic downtown. Art House Production brings you the best of Jersey City's visual arts and theater scene and hosts JC Fridays, a city-wide festival of free art events.

Science fans and curious children love exploring the Liberty Science Center, an interactive museum and learning center that attracts 600,000 visitors per year.

Downtown Jersey City proves to be a culinary oasis where you can find something to please any palate. Savor the eclectic cuisine offered by the numerous food trucks, restaurants and bars. Explore ethnic specialties at Korean creperies, German beer gardens, French cafes and Mexican taquerias. The fare of renowned chefs and innovators await you in Downtown Jersey City, named "the new foodie destination" by New York Post.

Start your morning with a hearty breakfast at Brownstone Diner & Pancake Factory. The Jersey City staple has been serving Greek-American comfort food and a menu that features over 30 pancake options for decades. Choose from multiple pancake combinations, including German-style with apple compote, Honky Tonk with peanut butter and bananas or Pigs in a Blanket, pancake-wrapped pork sausage. The breakfast menu doesn't stop there; the omelet list is just as long as the pancakes list, and french toast, breakfast sandwiches, waffles and benedicts also grace the menu.

Taqueria Downtown on Grove Street serves authentic street-style tacos, tortas, burritos, tamales, and enchiladas. Order at the counter and find a seat on the outdoor patio or admire the lively ambiance, funky art and 1980s novelty inside. Sample a variety of tacos, averaging $3.00, including fish, cactus, carnitas, and chorizo. Sip fruity sangria or Mexican sodas and save room for the flan for dessert.

For something truly unique, head to Kraverie on Mercer Street. The local favorite serves Korean and French fusion cuisine as well as savory and sweet crepes. Try the kimchi french fries, the sweet and spicy Korean chicken wings or the Korean nachos. Savory crepe options include smoked salmon, chicken florentine or the popular Korean crepe, filled with your choice of meat, cheese, and vegetables wrapped inside a scallion, kimchi and garlic flavored crepe. Be sure to sample the variety of sweet crepes, such as s'mores, nutella, cheesecake or dulche de leche with bananas and walnuts.

Local favorite Zeppelin Hall Biergarten and Restaurant serves an impressive draft beer list of 144 European beers and American craft brews. The European style Biergarten offers spacious indoor and outdoor seating and DJs on the weekends. Come for Baconfest on Thursdays and get free house-smoked bacon with your beers. Barcade on Newark Avenue provides locals with a fun atmosphere and craft beer. The combination bar and arcade offers over 50 classic arcade games such as Pacman, Frogger, Mario Bros and Tetris. Come with plenty of quarters and challenge friends to beat your high score over a round or two of craft beers.

Commuting by public transportation proves effortless in Downtown Jersey City. Grove Street PATH Plaza offers residents 24-hour access to Manhattan, Hoboken and Newark. A quick ride on the PATH brings you into New York City from Grove Street in under ten minutes. NJ Transit buses connect Downtown Jersey City to various destinations and major transportation hubs throughout the region.

Those commuting by car can enjoy easy access to the NJ Turnpike, Route 1-9 and both the Lincoln and Holland Tunnel, making traveling in or out of Downtown Jersey City quick and convenient. Cabs and Uber are readily available and ride-shares such as ZipCar service the area. Parking can be difficult, especially on weekends, but investing in a resident permit sticker proves to be an affordable and smart option. Downtown Jersey City also houses several public parking structures, many of which offer discounts to residents or monthly users.

Historic Downtown is the most walkable neighborhood in Jersey City. The neighborhood receives a "walker's paradise" praise, with an average of 15 restaurants, bars or cafes within a five-minute walk. Bicyclists can take advantage of several bike lanes, racks outside of the PATH station and the local organization Bike JC that serves to make Jersey City safe and welcoming for bikers.

Historic Downtown boasts two Victorian-era parks: Hamilton Park and Van Vorst Park.

Enjoy the day at Van Vorst Park and take advantage of one of the several amenities the park offers, from the two dog runs to the community gardens. Children can play in separate play areas designed for either toddlers or older children. The 1.8 acre park hosts several events in the warmer months, including Shakespeare in the Park, film screenings and flea markets.

Children and dogs alike can be seen enjoying Hamilton Park. The park provides plenty of green space perfect for picnics, basketball and tennis courts and both a small and large dog park. Both Van Vorst and Hamilton Park have farmers markets that run from spring to early winter.

Just south of Downtown sits 1,212-acre Liberty State Park. The possibilities are endless in this urban oasis. Walk, bike or jog miles of waterfront walkways with stunning views of Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Visit the 9/11 memorial, rent a segway or take a canoe or kayak tour on the Hudson River. Enjoy free outdoor concerts and entertainment every summer at the park's Summerfest festival.

As the most sought-after area to live in Jersey City, Historic Downtown averages higher than the city average cost of living with a rental average of $2,364.

A ride on the PATH train costs $2.75 and gas prices are 5 percent higher than the national average. A pint of beer at a local pub costs around $6.

Nearby Newport Centre mall boasts department and high-end stores alike. Peruse stores such as Macy's, Kohl's, Coach, and Michael Kors. At Newport, you can find the latest in fashion, technology, and toys all at one place.

Boutique shopping is not to be missed in Downtown Jersey City. Tia's Place on Grove Street offers the latest trends in women's apparel and accessories. With another location in New York City, the boutique features up-and-coming designers and hosts events like Girls Night Out and Champagne Thursdays. Kanibal & Co. on Montgomery Street showcases refurbished vintage furniture and unique home decor. Find a one-of-a-kind piece from the rotating selection of home goods, apparel, and jewelry. The shop offers various craft classes where you can learn how to screen print, book bind, create floral crowns, or handcraft jewelry.

Get your grocery shopping done at ShopRite supermarket or Subia's Organic Cafe and Market. Shop local produce and goods at the Historic Downtown Jersey City Farmers' Market outside of the Grove Street PATH Plaza. The market runs every Monday and Thursday from May to December and allows residents to buy local and sample Jersey City's cuisine with a variety of food trucks and stands.