Jersey City travel guide

This state park has one of the best views of the New York City skyline. In fact if it wasn’t for the views, I don’t think I would have maintained my running routine. I work out here daily so I can vouch that the park is maintained well and pretty much awesome. They even have exercise stations located on along the trail for you to do pull-ups, sit-ups, etc. They hold the All Points West Music Festival here in the summer. A lot of people just take the ferry from Battery Park to get here.

When I baby-sit kids they often beg me to take them here. I always oblige because I’m a huge geek. Point is, this place is excellent for kids but also interesting enough for adults. They’ve got a large aquarium with an underwater camera, an impressive IMAX screen, and a touch tunnel. Yes, the touch tunnel. Basically it’s a pitch-black tunnel that you walk through, well, touching weird things. The exhibits are always changing some there’s something new every season.

Really good local bar and restaurant with great specials. My guy friends and I always go on Wednesdays for their $6 menu special. And they’re not skimpy about the portions. Trust me you can gorge yourself on BBQ, wings, ribs, etc. for just $6. I also really like this place because it’s intent on showcasing art and helping local artists. And the kicker is, the art’s actually good. This place is really loved by locals, you can tell because they dominate the bar stools.

The best thing about the Iron Monkey is the rooftop bar and patio seating. If you can walk up three flights of stairs without keeling over you’ll find out where all the action is. In the summer time it’s pretty great for people watching and mingling. If you’re single I would no doubt recommend this spot. The food is typical American bar food, some good some bad. The burgers are the real star of the menu.

The rooms at this B&B are some of the hugest I’ve ever seen. The king-sized room we stayed in had two bedrooms, its own laundry room, and a small family room. We were seriously baffled -- my husband had to pick my jaw off from the floor. All the amenities they provided are as good as any you’d receive at a chain hotel – even more so. The television has a bazillion channels and there’s a spa here too. Sure staying in New York City has its appeal, but this Bed & Breakfast won us over.