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Hudson County, NJ is made up of 12 towns and cities: Bayonne, East Newark, Guttenberg, Harrison, Hoboken, Jersey City, Kearny, North Bergen, Secaucus, Union City, Weehawken and West New York. Packed between the Hudson River and the Meadowlands, the county is one of the easiest places in New Jersey to explore without a car, and every town has its own personality.
Our team put together this quick local guide to all 12, with what each town is known for, how to get there and where to start exploring on Shop Hudson County.
Bayonne
Bayonne sits on a peninsula at the southern tip of Hudson County, with Newark Bay on one side and New York Harbor on the other. It is a close knit city of tree lined avenues, family restaurants and waterfront parks, and the Bayonne Bridge connects it to Staten Island. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail runs the length of town, with stops including 45th Street, 34th Street, 22nd Street and 8th Street. Start with our guides to things to do in Bayonne, the best restaurants in Bayonne and Stephen R. Gregg Park.
East Newark
East Newark is a tiny borough tucked between Harrison and Kearny along the Passaic River, and it ranks among the smallest municipalities in New Jersey by area. Its streets are residential and walkable, with the Harrison PATH station a short walk away. Because it shares so much with its neighbor, we cover it alongside Harrison in our things to do in Harrison and East Newark guide and our list of restaurants in Harrison and East Newark.
Guttenberg
Guttenberg is a small town perched on the Palisades between West New York and North Bergen, and it is known as one of the most densely populated municipalities in the country. High rises along Boulevard East look straight across the Hudson at Manhattan. NJ Transit buses along Bergenline Avenue and Boulevard East connect it to the rest of North Hudson and to New York. Explore it with our things to do in West New York and Guttenberg guide and our roundup of studios and classes in West New York and Guttenberg.
Harrison
Harrison faces Newark across the Passaic River and has become a destination for soccer fans. Sports Illustrated Stadium, which opened as Red Bull Arena in 2010, is home to the New York Red Bulls and Gotham FC. The Harrison PATH station puts the town minutes from Newark Penn Station and a single ride from Journal Square and Manhattan. See our Harrison things to do guide and our picks for restaurants in Harrison.
Hoboken
Hoboken is the Mile Square City, a walkable waterfront town known as the birthplace of Frank Sinatra and home to Stevens Institute of Technology. Washington Street is lined with restaurants, bars and shops, and the waterfront parks face the Manhattan skyline. Hoboken Terminal is a major transit hub with PATH trains, NJ Transit rail, the light rail and ferry service. Plan a visit with our things to do in Hoboken this weekend roundup, the best restaurants in Hoboken and the best bars in Hoboken.
Jersey City
Jersey City is the county seat and the largest city in Hudson County, stretching from the Hudson waterfront to the Hackensack River. Its neighborhoods range from Downtown and Paulus Hook to Journal Square, the Heights and Greenville, and it is home to Liberty State Park and Liberty Science Center. PATH stations at Newport, Exchange Place, Grove Street and Journal Square, plus the light rail, make it easy to get around. Start with things to do in Jersey City this weekend, the best restaurants in Jersey City and the best bars in Jersey City.
Kearny
Kearny sits west of the Hackensack River, bordering the Meadowlands on one side and the Passaic River on the other. The town is proud of its Scottish and Irish roots and is nicknamed Soccertown USA for its deep soccer tradition. Kearny Avenue is the main shopping and dining street, served by NJ Transit buses. Get started with our things to do in Kearny guide and the Kearny Tree Lighting Festival.
North Bergen
North Bergen is the northernmost town in Hudson County, running from the Hudson River waterfront along River Road up over the Palisades to the Meadowlands. Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard are its busiest corridors, and James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park is its green heart. The Tonnelle Avenue station is the northern end of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. Read our guide to James J. Braddock North Hudson County Park to plan a day there.
Secaucus
Secaucus sits in the heart of the Meadowlands, surrounded by the Hackensack River and its marshes. It is known for outlet and big box shopping, quiet residential streets and Laurel Hill County Park. Secaucus Junction is one of the busiest rail hubs in the state, linking NJ Transit lines with a quick ride to New York Penn Station. Dig in with our guides to things to do in Secaucus and the best restaurants in Secaucus.
Union City
Union City was formed on June 1, 1925, when the Town of Union, known as Union Hill, merged with the Township of West Hoboken. It was once a center of the embroidery industry, and today Bergenline Avenue is famous for Cuban and Latin American bakeries, restaurants and shops. NJ Transit buses along Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard connect it to Manhattan and the rest of the county. See our things to do in Union City and best restaurants in Union City guides.
Weehawken
Weehawken sits atop and below the Palisades, directly across from Midtown Manhattan, and it is home to the New Jersey entrance of the Lincoln Tunnel. History fans know it as the site of the 1804 duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, marked near Hamilton Park on Boulevard East. The Port Imperial ferry terminal and the light rail stations at Lincoln Harbor and Port Imperial make it a commuter favorite. Explore it with the best restaurants in Weehawken and our Weehawken Waterfront Park guide.
West New York
West New York stretches along the Palisades between Weehawken and Guttenberg, with Boulevard East delivering some of the best Manhattan skyline views in New Jersey. Bergenline Avenue is its main shopping street, full of Latin American restaurants, bakeries and family owned shops, while new waterfront development lines the Hudson below. NJ Transit buses run along Bergenline Avenue and Boulevard East. Start with our things to do in West New York guide.
Getting Around Hudson County
The easiest way to hop between towns is transit. The PATH connects Harrison, Jersey City and Hoboken to Manhattan, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail runs from Bayonne up through Jersey City, Hoboken and Weehawken to North Bergen, and NJ Transit buses cover Bergenline Avenue and Kennedy Boulevard through North Hudson. Check NJ Transit and PATH for current schedules before you head out.
Planning more outings? Check our things to do in Hudson County this weekend roundup and our November things to do in Hudson County list.
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Featured photo: King of Hearts, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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