Find something fun to do this weekend! Jersey City Ice Age Excavation: Parent Survival NightFebruary 5 @ 5:45PM – 8:15PMThe Little Gym of Jersey City, 380 Newark Ave Drop off your kids for a fun excavation night at The Little Gym of Jersey City while you go out for a date night or happy hour […]
Celebrating Black History Month in and around Jersey City
February is Black History Month, highlighting the influence of African-American culture and individuals throughout history. To celebrate, Jersey City and nearby cities have a lineup of events showcasing the arts, history, and businesses of the black community. Neighbors Near and Far: Ibou Ndoye February 4 @ 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM NJCU Lemmerman Gallery, 2039 […]
Museums In Jersey City
While New York is home to some of the most famous museums like The Met, MoMa, and the Whitney, which are all worth visiting, I started thinking about museums closer to home. Jersey City seems devoid of museums so I decided to explore the city and discovered a treasure trove of historical archives and hidden […]
Katyń Memorial at Exchange Place
The effort to erase inconvenient, complex, and often disturbing history from the public square and collective memory is always troubling. But just as important as the thousands fighting for the Katyn Massacre monument is the historical events the monument memorializes and why it is so imperative not just to the Polish-American community but to all […]
The Historic Trilogy | Liberty State Park
Whether you’re from Jersey City, New York, or somewhere in Wisconsin, you’ve heard of the Statue of Liberty and more than likely know that it’s located in the Hudson River. However, did you know the Statute of Liberty is part of a 3-way architectural triangle called The Historic Trilogy, which includes our very own Liberty State […]
Black Tom Explosion at Liberty State Park
Jersey City is so rich with history. Recently, I spent the day at Liberty State Park and got to know a little bit of the parks rich history. I spent some time educating myself on the Black Tom Explosion. Prior to the tour led at Liberty State Park, I had never heard of the Black Tom […]
Top 10 Museums to Check Out in the Area
Every couple of months, I like to take trips to museums and spend the day walking around the exhibits. I’m always in awe of what’s on display or what’s being taught, whether it’s art or presentations about the universe. We know trips to museums can get pricey, but most museums have free days or pay-what-you-wish […]
7 Reasons You Should Visit Philly
Only an hour and a half outside of Jersey City, Philadelphia is so much more than just cheesesteaks. This historical city is commonly known for the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the infamous Rocky steps, but it’s also a destination for art lovers and foodies with restaurants and galleries buzzing through Philadelphia’s most historical and […]
Let’s Explore: The Black Tom Explosion of 1916
Meet Patrice Hannon; Jersey City native and author of the new book Black Tom: A Novel of Sabotage in New York Harbor, based around the true story of the 1916 Black Tom explosion in Jersey City. She grew up in The Heights, attended Saint Nicholas School and remembers her father’s stories about the Black Tom […]
Let’s Explore: Hamilton Park
Where is Hamilton Park? Hamilton Park sits north of Harsimus Cove beginning at 6th Street with Newport to the east, Journal Square to the west, and 10th Street as its northern border. A Brief History: Alexander Hamilton inspired more than a hip hop Broadway play… for Jersey City’s own neighborhood and park are named after […]
Old School JC: The Jersey City Garden
On the wall of one of my favorite restaurants, there is a framed poster from the 1940s. The poster reads Benefit Dance featuring Frank Sinatra to be held at the Jersey City Garden. How cool! An old poster of Ol’ Blue Eyes singing in Jersey City. I knew Sinatra was a Hoboken kid but […]
Let’s Explore: The History of Journal Square
Where is Journal Square? Journal Square sits north of West Side and McGinley Square, west of Hamilton Park, and south of the Heights. I spoke with Andrea Lew, Founder of the Bergen Square Historical Society, and James Dievler, member of The New JSQ Community Association Board of Trustees, and the chairperson of its History Committee […]
Old School JC: As told by Jersey City Natives
I grew up between Union City and Jersey City throughout my entire life, as did most of my family since the 80s. Jersey City was the hangout spot and it was always home. Every time my dad and I are in the car and driving through the city, he tells me stories of the old JC – […]
Traversing History: Journal Square Monuments and Memorials
Monuments and sculptures pose as immortalizations of people and memories within a community or movement. Not to say that this is an exact definition, but an artist’s perspective on culture’s creations. Talk about time travel. For a moment in time, I tracked down several statues in the Journal Square area and explored their histories. Jack […]
Let’s Explore: West Side & NJCU
Where is the West Side? West Side is a very complicated network of borders, but if we really simplify it; it’s Bergen Avenue to West Side Avenue including Lincoln Park, from Broadway to Danforth Avenue. A Brief History: I spoke with Charlene Burke, Vice President of the West Side Community Alliance (WSCA), who has lived […]
Let’s Explore: McGinley Square
Where is McGinley Square? Just south of Journal Square and less than a half square mile, the Square itself rests at the intersection of Montgomery Street and Bergen Avenue. But according to Google Maps, the larger McGinley Square area stretches north to south from Sip Avenue to Communipaw Avenue and west to east from West Side […]
Journal Square Spotlight: Old Bergen Church
Weaving through the hustle and bustle of Jersey City, do people ever really take a second to take in what they’re a part of? Imagine you’re exploring a dark cavern, and you come across an opening; the sun is shining in – you can hear waves deep off in the distance. Time has slowed down […]
Barrow Mansion
Ever since I moved to Downtown Jersey City, I always wondered what the story was behind the historic-looking home on Barrow Street. Around two years ago during the Jersey City Studio Tour, I had the chance to get a quick tour. As soon as you walk in, you feel the stories, the history, and the […]
Let’s Explore: Van Vorst Park
Where is Van Vorst Park? Roughly bordered by Christopher Columbus Drive, Marin Boulevard, Grand Street and Brunswick Street. Van Vorst Park is the centerpiece of the neighborhood, bordered by Jersey Avenue, Montgomery Street, Barrow Street, and York Street. I spoke with Jersey City Councilman, John Hallanan who has lived here his whole life – in […]
Top Fifteen Things to do This Weekend in Jersey City
Celebrate the weekend in style! With the start of Pride celebrations and the Puerto Rican Heritage Festival underway, this weekend is full of events for all ages! Make sure you don’t miss a beat. Take a trip down memory lane and put on your favorite disco outfit, cosplay as your favorite superhero/villain, or join the […]