Things to do in Jersey City

This is an interesting museum that showcases the history of prominent African Americans. The free museum features an array of galleries and permanent collections and often hosts lectures, etc. I came here with a school group once and it was actually really interesting. One exhibit focuses exclusively on New Jersey’s involvement with slave trade and the underground railroad. That was a real eye opener!

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.

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.

Renting a car and driving to New Jersey from Manhattan is the perfect way to begin The Soprano's Tour.
Tony Soprano himself drives home from the Holland Tunnel passing by some of the streets that appear often on the series. Some of these pathways are:
- Pulaski Skyway and the R7
- Kearny Avenue
- New Jersey Turnpike
Most Soprano's locations can be find at Kearny, Jersey City, Newark, North Arlington, Caldwell and Bayona. However, New Jersey state was like a big HBO set for The Sopranos.