Discover Hasbrouck Heights

If you’re looking for a hotel in Hasbrouck Heights, local history, library life, and recurring events can help guide your choice of destination. Local topics range from a stop on George Washington’s retreat in 1776 to a library history that began in 1917. They also include changing exhibitions, an autumn wreath event, and a holiday decorating contest. Together, these bring historical connections and recurring community activities into focus.

Historical Sites in Hasbrouck Heights

On November 21, 1776, George Washington and his troops passed through Polifly, present-day Hasbrouck Heights, while retreating from Hackensack. They turned onto Washington Place toward Passaic. This historical connection links a specific day to a clearly identified section of the retreat.

The Library as a Cultural Hub

The Free Public Library of Hasbrouck Heights opened in 1917 and has been housed in a building on Division Avenue since then. Its original building served as the clubhouse of the Borough League Association, which was founded by civically engaged residents. In December 2003, the library moved from Division Avenue to Boulevard and Central Avenue, where it opened its new facility. These milestones provide a timeline from the library’s early history through its 2003 move.

The library provides exhibition space for artists, collectors, and organizations to present their work to the public. Exhibitions vary. If you’d like to see a particular show, check with the library for its current program.

Events Throughout the Year

The Friends of the Library hold a wreath event every autumn. Handmade wreaths are raffled off to benefit the library. If you’d like to include this event in your travel plans, check the latest dates and details before your visit.

The annual holiday decorating contest for homes and businesses is also part of local life. It is organized by the Mayor’s Committee on Community Celebrations; the contest was held again in 2025. The wreath event and decorating contest offer different opportunities to get involved if you’re interested in local events.

Museum Pass Information

The library’s museum pass lending program has specific requirements: Hasbrouck Heights residents aged 18 or older can borrow a pass with a valid photo ID and library card, provided they owe no more than $10 in fees or overdue materials. Walk-ins are welcome, but a pass is not guaranteed without a reservation. Reservations can be made online, by phone, or in person. Since requirements may change, check the library’s website before making plans.

Park and Regional Winter Activities

Funding for new exercise equipment at Woodland Park was approved in the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund’s 2025 funding round, through the Municipal Park Improvement Program. The equipment was planned for installation at the southeastern end of the park, beside the pavilion. If you’re planning specifically to use the equipment, check on the project’s current status before your visit.

In the wider Bergen County travel area, Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah offers gentle slopes, lessons, easy trails, and snow tubing. Check which activities are currently available before your trip. This regional perspective complements the local history and event topics without conflating County offerings with those in Hasbrouck Heights.

Getting There

An older NJ TRANSIT note mentions a Route 163 bus departing from Franklin Avenue and Boulevard in Hasbrouck Heights. If you’re considering this connection, check the current schedule before traveling.

Explore more destinations: Little Ferry, South Hackensack Township, Ramsey, Fair Lawn, Ridgewood, Carlstadt, Saddle Brook, Tenafly

For the broader travel overview: Bergen.