Things To Do

Shore days and diner nights in Newark

Curious about what you'll do when you live in Newark? If you like the idea of snacking along Ferry Street, getting artsy wandering through galleries, discovering little-known history and want to cheer on the Devils at the Rock. Newark is calling you home! This list will give you a bold sampling of Newark's arts, food, and sports scene.

Back to Newark Guide
Newark things to do hero image
Diane Briante local expert profile picture
Diane Briante profile picture
Diane Briante
Newark Local Expert

Diane, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move

Diane has been rooted in New Jersey since day one and has lived everywhere from Hillside to Elizabeth to Springfield before landing in Fanwood. When she and her family moved into their current place, she was very pregnant and still refused to stop lifting boxes or scrubbing things because she wanted it done right. She is the kind of New Jerseyan who can talk about Revolutionary War history, walk you through Duke Gardens, or recommend the best apple picking without checking a map. Her food loyalties are fierce, especially when it comes to pork roll on a hard roll with melted cheese, though she will happily join any naming debate. She is a lifelong reader who once tried to leave the library with more books than her card allowed. She even crossed paths with Sinatra during an honorary degree event at Stevens. At Snappy Scout she brings sharp local insight with a Jersey wink.

Read more

Written with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts

What Will You Do in Newark?

From weekend adventures to iconic road trips, here's how locals spend their time off.

on a spring Saturday with perfect weather

Cherry blossom picnic at Branch Brook, petals pretending it is snowing

when the gals come to town for the weekend

Ironbound sangria crawl, velvet banquettes at Fornos, gossip treacherous

dude hangout

All Points West Distillery tours, skewers after, soccer on eleven TVs

rainy dreary day

Newark Museum planetarium glow, Ballantine House creaks, cozy tea after

intellectually stimulating

Institute of Jazz Studies, Rutgers Newark, charts older than your playlists

artsy

Project for Empty Space openings, Gallery Aferro detours, murals stalking selfies

something inside and free

Newark Public Library stacks, Philip Roth room whispering Newark secrets

outdoorsy

Stroll the neon orange Riverfront boardwalk, tugboats dragging your horizon

fitness oriented

Weequahic Park lake loop PR, planes applauding every split

if you're a shopaholic

Halsey Street indie boutiques, honor Newark's retail history with pop ups inside historic Hahnes atrium

with your dog

Riverfront Park leash parade, orange benches and industrial glam

family oriented

Planetarium shows at Newark Museum, MakerSPACE chaos and happy glue

Local's Q&AReal answers from someone who lives here

My Favorite Local Spot in Newark

Any Spanish or Portuguese restaurant in Ironbound! Order the paella, don't miss the sangria and be sure ask around about what their secret, special specialty is.

Diane Briante profile pictureDiane Briante alternate profile picture

— Diane Briante

New Jersey Local Expert

New Jersey footer CTA image

Ready to See If Newark Fits You?

Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Newark guide for the bigger picture.