Discover Hudson

At the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, you can stroll, run, bike, enjoy the views and fish. The path is 18.5 miles long. Its variety of uses makes it a distinctive way to work some time by the water into your travel plans—whether you want to get active or enjoy the views.

Explore on foot, by bike and with your smartphone

Hudson County offers self-guided walks focused on history, culture and food, which you can explore with your smartphone. They give your stay a theme without requiring you to commit to a guided tour. The Hudson Bike Loop is another option for a bike ride through the county. Another named option is the 14-mile Jersey City to Hoboken Waterfront Tour, which runs through Jersey City and Hoboken.

The bike routes and the Waterfront Walkway offer different ways to experience the area: the Jersey City to Hoboken Waterfront Tour has a stated length of 14 miles, while the Walkway is 18.5 miles long and its listed activities include strolling, running and fishing as well as biking. These lengths refer to the respective named tour or path.

Ellis Island: museum and guided tour

The museum on Ellis Island spans three exhibition floors. They document the experiences of immigrants on Ellis Island and give your visit a clear historical focus. The Statue of Liberty’s original torch is also on display at the Statue of Liberty Museum.

If you’d like to learn more about the hospital complex on the south side of Ellis Island, the Hard Hat Tour is a 90-minute guided tour of the area. Availability may vary, so check the current visitor program before your visit. The tour and museum visit offer different ways to experience the island: a guided walk through the hospital complex on one hand, and exhibitions about the immigrant experience on the other.

Waterfront routes, ferries and views

Liberty State Park is in Jersey City. The 1,212-acre waterfront park offers sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Statue Cruises departs from there for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, then returns. The park is therefore a practical starting point for a ferry trip to both destinations. Check ferry service before your trip.

Ferry history is also part of the picture: in 1811, the first steam-powered ferry service began operating between Hoboken and Manhattan. This historical date refers to service between those two places. For your visit, distinguish that service from Statue Cruises’ departures from Jersey City, whose routes you should check before your trip.

City history, science and local products

Hamilton Park is at the center of the Hamilton Park Historic District in downtown Jersey City. The 5.4-acre residential Hamilton Park is surrounded by tree-lined streets and rows of Victorian brownstones. The park and its surroundings offer a glimpse of the historic residential architecture that defines this part of the district.

The Liberty Science Center is home to 110 species of living animals and a large aquarium. It also has the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere. Hoboken Terminal is the last surviving station on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River that still operates in its original function. The two places offer different highlights: the Science Center focuses on living animals, an aquarium and a planetarium, while the terminal offers a connection to transportation history.

Hudson County’s agritourism offerings include farmers’ markets with seasonal produce and locally made goods. If you plan to visit a market, check its market days, as individual schedules may change. A visit adds seasonal produce and regional goods to your exploration of museums, paths and historic sites.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Jersey City, North Bergen, Secaucus, Weehawken, Hoboken, Harrison, Union City, Bayonne.

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