Hoboken

Hoboken is a small city on the Hudson River in northeastern New Jersey. Once known only as the birthplace of baseball and crooner Frank Sinatra and the site of Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken has become a party town, rich in bars and clubs, and a bedroom community for young, mostly twenty-something professionals who work across the river in New York City. Get in By plane Newark Liberty International Airport [1] is the closest of metro New York three major airports. To get to downtown Hoboken take any New Jersey Transit train headed for New York to Seacaucus Junction and change there to a train headed for Hoboken Terminal. During rush hour, some trains run directly to Hoboken from Newark Airport Station. By car From New Jersey: Take Route 3 East (Garden State Parkway exit 153, Turnpike exit 16E) to Route 495 East and exit on the "Last exit in New Jersey", then turn right at the bottom of the hill. From New York: Tune into 1010 WINS on the AM (radio) dial to see whether the wait to get into New Jersey is shorter at the Lincoln Tunnel or the Holland Tunnel. If you're in Midtown or the wait is much shorter at the Lincoln Tunnel, take that. Keep right, and follow the signs for Hoboken. If you're downtown or the wait is much shorter at the Holland Tunnel, take that. When you get out of the tunnel, make the first right turn. You will soon find yourself in downtown Hoboken. By rail New Jersey Transit commuter rail Connection with Amtrak can be made in Pennsylvania Station in Newark, NJ or New York Pennsylvania Station. Main Line Bergen County Line Pascack Valley Line Morristown Line and Gladstone Branch of the Morris and Essex Lines Montclair-Boonton Line North Jersey Coast Line (limited service) Raritan Valley Line (limited service) PATH train From New Jersey, go to Newark's Pennsylvania Station, Harrison, Journal Square, or Grove Street and pick up a New York-bound PATH train (marked either 33rd St. or World Trade Center)and transfer to a Hoboken-bound PATH train at Christopher St. or the World Trade Center station. From Manhattan in New York City, pick up a Hoboken-bound PATH train at 33rd & 6th Ave., 23rd & 6th Ave., 14th & 6th Ave., 9th & 6th Ave., Christopher St. & Hudson St., or the World Trade Center station. Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Hoboken Terminal is the terminus for two of the three Hudson-Bergen Light Rail services. The Hoboken Terminal-Tonnelle Avenue service to North Bergen and the 22nd Street-Hoboken Terminal service to Bayonne (including Bayonne Flyer service) both operate from the south end of the terminal concourse. The West Side Avenue-Tonnelle Avenue service bypasses Hoboken Terminal, requiring passengers from stations on the West Side Branch to transfer at stations between Pavonia-Newport and Liberty State Park. By ferry NY Waterway/Billy Bey Ferry Passengers can connect to ferries traveling between Hoboken and Midtown Manhattan (West 39th Street), the World Financial Center or Pier 11. By bus From NJ: NJ Transit Buses serve Hoboken Terminal 22 to North Bergen via Bergenline Avenue 23 to North Bergen (limited service) 64 to Lakewood (limited service) 68 to Old Bridge (limited service) 85 to Secaucus - Harmon Meadow - Mill Creek 87 to Jersey City (Gates Avenue) via Journal Square 89 to North Bergen via Park Avenue 126 to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan via Lincoln Tunnel 181 to George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal Coach USA 5 to Lincoln Harbor or Jersey City (on Washington Street) 144 to Staten Island (limited service) Get around Walk! It is incredibly hard to find parking in Hoboken. Some places to find parking are Sinatra Drive by the Hudson River, or any street named after a president (besides Washington). The city-run parking garages on Hudson Street and elsewhere are also a good option if you're worried about getting booted. The parking garages generally range from 3-5 dollars an hour and prices jump up if you leave the car over night. Some of the parking garages are also either for Hoboken residents or available in monthly payments only so, read the signs and ask people at the parking garages to double check. If you must park, read the signs on the street. Make sure that you ARE allowed to park where you're leaving your car. Most streets have one side reserved for Hoboken Residents, that are marked clearly with a green background and white letters. These are Resident Only parking sides and you must have a resident permit to park theres. Keep in mind that street cleaning restrictions are in effect as well as a time limit of 4 hours for non-residents - after that, you should move your car. Finding a parking spot is so hard in Hoboken that they sell parking spaces for up to $40,000. See With a great assortment of prewar buildings (having great architectural features) and conspicuous lack of many corporate establishments, Hoboken is a great place to wander on foot. The end of Pier A, which is just north of the historic, Hoboken Terminal (complete with Tiffany glass windows) containing the NJ Railway and PATH station offers great views of New York City. On a clear day the incredible panorama visible from the end of the pier stretches between the George Washington and Verazano Narrows Bridges. In the summer months around 5:00-6:00pm one can often see huge cruise ships sailing by on their way out to sea en route to Bermuda and Canada. If you are an early riser (or up very late) the views of sunrise silhouetting the city from Pier A is unforgettable. It is also the perfect place to view the “Tribute in Light” (if they continue to do it) remembering the anniversary of September 11. Hoboken lost more of its residents in September 11th than any city other than New York. A memorial grove and flame shaped memorial is set up on Pier A to remember their sacrifice. There are various parks spanning the waterfront from Pier A, all the way up to 15th Street. Maxwell Park is the newest addition on Sinatra Drive. Join in Holiday celebrations in Hoboken. The city is full of people and celebrations when the holidays come around. New Years and 4th of July are two of the biggest holidays pulling in enormous crowds. The crowds gather for the numerous number of bars in Hoboken and to watch the beautiful fireworks show over the water.The fireworks are set off in the city but spectacular views of the fireworks can be seen from Hoboken, especially Pier A (mentioned above). Another huge holiday celebrated in Hoboken is St. Patricks day. Every year they hold a city parade where mass amounts of people gather and wandering down main roads to stop at all the bars. Castle Point on Hudson also offers a great view of New York City (day or night) directly across the Hudson. It is located on the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology. One day a year, usually around Christmas, the campus is closed to the general public so the school can assert its property rights. Frank Sinatra's birth place is on Monroe Street (near 4th St) If you are a baseball fan, the site of the first baseball game is commemorated on a plaque at the intersection of 11th and Washington, right next to Helmers restaurant. Of course, the gritty and amazing Brando film, On The Waterfront was filmed in Hoboken. The parks on 4th & park and 11th & Hudson both were used as locations and can be easily recognized from the film even in their modern state. “I coulda’ been a contender…. “ Do Walk down Washington Street, there are many shops and restaurants here. Visit Maxwell's, it's a great bar/restaurant and music venue. Stop in Tunes and buy some music, a nice little music shop. Walk/jog/rollerblade along the Hudson River. Visit Pier A Park (1st Street and Sinatra Drive) for spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan. A small area of this park is dedicated to the ~25 residents of Hoboken who were killed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. If you ride skateboards or Rollerblades, there is a small skatepark along the Hudson River (with spectacular Manhattan views) about 1 mile north of the PATH station. Eat Maru, 219 Washignton between 2nd and 3rd street, ☎ (201)-798-3311. Monday - Thursday: 11 am to 11 pm Friday: 11 am to 11:30 pm Saturday: 11:30 am to 11:30 pm Sunday: 11:30 am to 11 pm. Japanese restaurant Sushi rolls range from 3 - 15 (for specialty rolls) dollars. Entrees are 13 - 25 dollars.  edit Sri Thai, 3rd and Bloomfield, ☎ (201) 798-4822. Thai restaurant  edit Illuzion is the sushi restaurant located on the corner of 4th and Washington Streets. Try the Chicken at Precious (Chinese food restaurant) on 5th and Washington Street as well. Get a toasted bagel with cream cheese sometime after midnight at Bagels on the Hudson at Washington and 8th. The recently re-opened 7 Star Pizza on 4th and Garden streets serves slices that are as big or bigger than Benny Tudino's but they're thin crust. Tratoria Saporito (Italian) on Washington bet. 3rd and 4th streets. La Isla (Cuban) on Washington and 2nd. Great food, and it's BYOB, so your favorite bottle of wine for dinner. Karma Cafe (Indian) on Washington street. Marie's Bakery, 138 Park Ave, ☎ (201)-963-4281. Here its all about the bread! This little almost hidden bakery makes loaves and loaves of fresh bread in their brick oven daily. They are mostly known as a wholesale bakery but welcome guests daily to stop by the shop and purchase breads. They offer a wide variety of breads including rolls, baguettes, foccaccia, and pizza dough AND even specialize is stuffed breads. a  edit Benny Tudino's Pizzeria, 622 Washington street, ☎ (201) 792-4132. Monday - Saturday: 11 am to 1 am Sunday: 12 pm to 12 am. Known as the "Home of the largest slice". Zagat rated for best pizza in NJ. The slices here are not only large but also feature that thick-style NY pizza. Benny Tudio's also has classic Italian dishes as well. Nothing really over 15 dollars unless your ordering for catering.  edit Fiore's Deli, 414 Adams Street, ☎ (201)-659-1655. This old-school Italian deli is most recognized for their homemade Mozzarella cheese. Their other popular item is only sold on thursdays - roast beef on "mutz". Fiore's takes orders as well and is willing to ship their deli products anywhere- call 888-513-6699 to place orders Prices vary greatly - call or stop by the deli.  edit Grimaldi's Pizza, 133 Clinton Street, ☎ (201)-792-0800. Mondays - Thursday: 5 pm to 10:30 pm Friday: 11:30 am to 10:30 pm Saturday and Sundays: 2 pm to 10:30 pm. Rated number one pizza in NY/NJ by Zagat. Great brick oven pizzeria featuring very good New York-style pizza. Come with a group of friends they do not sell by the slice. Free two hour parking at parking garage on Clinton if you eat there too! Free Delivery to anywhere in Hoboken except if you are using credit cards there is 2% charge..  edit Carlo's Bakery, 95 Washington Street, ☎ (201)-659-3670. Monday-Saturday: 7am to 7:30 pm and Sunday: 7am to 5:30 pm. A bakery located in Hoboken. Carlo's has become very popular and famous due to the show Cake Boss on TLC. The bakery focuses on specialties such as wedding and birthday cakes, but is busy almost every morning with crowds lining up for their freshly made pastries and cookies. Prices vary greatly so you will have to stop by the bakery. Prices vary depending on your selection.  edit Malibu Diner, 257 14th Street, ☎ 201-656-1595. Open 24 hours. A great old fashioned diner located in the heart of Hoboken. Serving that comfort diner food from Breakfast - Dinner. Most crowded late at night since its one of the only food restaurants opened 24/7 in Hoboken. There is free parking for guests in the on site parking lot. Sandwiches/burgers up to 12$ entrees 10-20$ Desserts around 3$.  edit Drink Hoboken has occasionally been called "Bartown" which is a well deserved nickname since it has more liquor licenses per capita than any other town in New Jersey. There is a huge range of lounges and bars in a very compact area. Be aware, many Hoboken restaurants do not have liquor licenses so they allow you to BYO wine and beer with no corkage fee. This can save you a considerable sum since a good bottle of wine can be purchased at nearby bottle shops for <$10! If you are looking for old school Hoboken, guys in hard hats, Aerosmith on the jukebox, and cheap draft beer, Wilton House on 1st just a few blocks from the PATH is a good place to start. There are dozens of bars within a few minutes walk of the PATH station catering to every taste in boozing. Gay, straight, cover bands, pick up, meat market, stuffy, seedy, trendy, you name it... Happy hours at many Hoboken establishments are a good deal. So if you want to get a buzz on the cheap, show up before 7:00 or 8:00 Mikie Squared (formerly called Dippers) Located on the west side of Washington between 6th and 7th Streets. Uptown: Lua at Sinatra Drive North near 14th Street is a cool spot for drinks or Latin inspired food with spectacular views of the Empire State Building and midtown Manhattan. Bar Nine, 333 Washington Street, ☎ (201)-795-9899. An upscale restaurant by day (serving brunch and dinner) and lounge by night. But if you go for their happy hours you can get cocktails for as little as .25 cents on certain nights! Every weekend you can find a DJ spinning hip hop/ rap/ and house music. Plus there is no cover charge at the door of the bar. The lounge is 3 floors full of comfy couches and dance floors. Cocktails range in 10-14 dollars and food entrees are 5-15 dollars.  edit Bahama Mamas, 215 Washington street, ☎ 201-217-1642. If your looking for an upbeat bar to let loose and dance the night away this is the place. Bahama Mamas is known as the main "club" in Hoboken and is modeled after several of the clubs in the city. Unlike the other bars and lounges in Hoboken which are more relaxing and for a social(talking) atmosphere - Bahama Mamas is all about the loud rap/hip hop music and dancing. Always very packed - especially the dance floors and seems to have a more younger age group. -> reminder there are cover fees at the door to enter <- Happy hour everyday from 4-9 featuring 1$ drafts and 3$ cocktails and specialty drinks.  edit Sleep Incredibly, Hoboken has 1 hotel, and it is expensive (starting at 209$ per night). The W Hotel on 225 River Street (201)-253-2400 opened in April 2009. However, it is a upscale hotel and expensive. Of course if you are hammered from a night of hitting the pubs, sleep on the train! Otherwise, head back to Route 3 by the Lincoln Tunnel approach for an assortment of fleabag motor inns, or go into the riverfront area of Jersey City just south of Hoboken for higher class accommodations like the Hyatt, Courtyard, etc. Get out Take the PATH (subway), Bus #126 or the Lincoln or Holland Tunnels (car) to New York City NJ Railways has numerous lines departing from Hoboken Terminal to places all over NJ and connecting to Newark Station where you can connect to Amtrak and Newark Airport. This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!