NJ TRIPS AND ADVENTURES

JERSEY CITY / GROVE ST.

JERSEY CITY - Grove St. Stop

Jersey City has changed very quickly. If you haven’t been there in a year or so; go again. It’s changed a LOT in that short amount of time. It’s a fascinating area that can feel like Dumbo with its downtown converted lofts and cobbled streets. Walk a couple blocks and you run into the Grove St. Area with it’s West village vibe. Full of with outdoor cafes and bars. Go a little further and you run into Brownstones that make you feel like you are in BK.

All this freaking charm with prices that are not Manhattan.

Start of the Day

A 9 min walk to Dulce De Leche Bakery for a quick breakfast.

A rasin scone, Avocado Toast w/ Egg and Medium coffee $8.50.

After Breakfast you have a choice. They all depend on how much time and money you have.

You can walk 18 min to the Light Rail (NJ Train)
You can take a lyft/ uber to Grove St.
You can jump on a bus on Bergenline to take you to 49th st.

Exterior of station. The train is below ground. When you buy one-way tickets, make sure to time validate them. The time lasts for 60 min. $2.25 each.

The oddly quiet Bergenline ave. train station. There are a couple of train lines.

There are 2 trains that run on the Bergenline railway. You want the Main line towards 9th st. That being said if you get on the wrong one you can always just get off at the next stop and wait for the next one without penalty.

Map Pdf

SIDE TRIP: NEWPORT CENTRE MALL

If you find that you need to get something only a mall can provide. This one is located right across the street from the train stop on the way to Downtown Jersey City.

Your Stop: Exchange Place Waterfront

You will get off here and then you can either walk straight to the Grove St area or you can take some time walking around the waterfront. The views are quite good.

GROVE ST. AREA

This area has so much to offer! I don’t want to ruin the discovery so I’ll just say explore as many side streets as your feet can take. There is more to discover then my photos below show. I just wanted to show the flavor of the neighborhood; trust me there is more to discover.

I can highly recommend Frankie’s; an Australian Cafe with an awesome interior and delicious food. Also don’t miss walking around in the Van Vorst Park Neighborhood. Those are where some of the more amazing brownstones are. Last but not least sit and people watch. There is plenty of seating on a nice day, which you won’t get in Manhattan.

Japanese w/ Korean spa treatments mixed in.

This is located in Edgewater which is about a 15 min drive from the house. This is a half day experience. During this fall a weekday pass is $50 and it includes all of the pools, spas, saunas and relaxation areas.

I’m going to preface this with don’t go on the weekends or at night. It’s not good. The amount of people you have to deal with basically destroys any relaxation you are trying to have. Ideally you go in first thing in the morning Mon-Thursday. I highly suggest not going if that doesn’t appeal to you. My understanding is that after 3:30 it gets crazy. Nightime is also a “scene”. If that appeals to you go for it, but if you are low key go with a morning trip.

If this is something you think is appealing; go to the FAQ page of their website. You will want to understand the nudity/shoe policy before you go.

Also if you are from overseas, let me warn you that the United States is not super comfortable with nudity. Some are, most aren’t. Not saying that to dissuade you from anything. Just letting you know in case they start acting weird in the locker room.