Things to Do in Harrison and East Newark, NJ

Harrison and East Newark are two of the smallest towns in Hudson County, NJ, but they punch way above their size. Harrison is home to a pro soccer stadium, a new riverfront park with a splash pad and a modernized PATH station, and neighboring East Newark is home to the landmark Tops Diner. Our team checked each stop below with the town, the venue or the business.

Looking for ways to give back locally? See our list of Harrison and East Newark nonprofits.

Here are the best things to do in Harrison and East Newark, NJ this fall.

Catch a Match at Sports Illustrated Stadium

Harrison’s biggest draw is Sports Illustrated Stadium, the former Red Bull Arena and home of the New York Red Bulls and NWSL’s Gotham FC. Upcoming dates on the stadium’s own calendar include:

• Sunday, November 1, 2026, 5 p.m.: Gotham FC vs. Utah Royals (NWSL)
• Saturday, November 7, 2026, 4 p.m.: New York Red Bulls vs. Atlanta (MLS)
• Saturday, November 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m.: Red Bulls x Club America

• Where: 600 Cape May Street, Harrison
• More info: Sports Illustrated Stadium events

Play by the River at Raymond J. McDonough Riverside Park

Right next to the stadium on Cape May Street, Harrison’s newest park has a playground, a walking path along the Passaic River, picnic gazebos and an interactive waterfront splash pad for the warmer months.

• Where: Cape May Street, Harrison
• More info: Town of Harrison Parks

Go Fishing or Walk at West Hudson Park

West Hudson Park straddles the Harrison and Kearny border, and Hudson County’s tourism office points out that the park pond is a lesser known fishing spot. The 2 acre Fairy Lake has scenic walking bridges, and there are 4 miles of paths, two playgrounds, a spray ground, tennis and basketball courts and a new turf sports complex. NJ Transit buses 30 and 40 stop nearby.

• Where: Woodland Drive, Devon Street and Schuyler Avenue
• More info: Hudson County Parks

Hit the Neighborhood Playgrounds

Harrison has a handful of family friendly playgrounds within a few blocks of each other, including the newly renovated Police Park Playground on Sussex Street, the fire engine themed Firemen’s Memorial Playground and the recently renovated Harrison Little League Playground at Cleveland Avenue and Hiram Place. Library Park Playground on Harrison Avenue offers shaded seating in the center of town.

Spend a Rainy Day at the Harrison Public Library

The library’s Halperin Building on Harrison Avenue is open seven days a week, with late hours until 9 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the West Harrison Branch adds weekday hours. The library calendar includes free programs like toddler time and an ESL beginners book club.

• Where: 415 Harrison Avenue, Harrison
• Hours (Halperin Building): Monday and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• More info: Harrison Public Library

Eat at Tops Diner in East Newark

East Newark’s claim to fame is Tops Diner, a local landmark whose motto is Tops Never Stops. It is open every day from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with a DJ spinning on weekend evenings. Plan ahead for the holidays: Tops is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

• Where: 500 Passaic Avenue, East Newark
• Phone: 973-481-0490
• More info: Tops Diner

Ride the PATH From Harrison

Harrison sits on the PATH line between Newark and the World Trade Center, which makes both towns an easy car free trip. The Port Authority has modernized Harrison station in recent years, including a new accessible station house that opened in 2024.

• More info: Port Authority of NY and NJ

Keep Exploring Hudson County

Find more parks in our Hudson County waterfront and parks guide, plan the weekend with things to do in Hudson County this weekend, and nominate your favorite Harrison or East Newark business in the Best of Hudson County 2026 awards. For weekly local picks, subscribe to our free newsletter.

Heading west? See our list of restaurants to try in Harrison and East Newark.

Featured photo: Sports Illustrated Stadium, the former Red Bull Arena, in Harrison. Photo: Sam Szapucki, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.