New Jersey · United States
Newark travel guide
Newark is a city in New Jersey, United States, home to about 312,000 people.
- Nearest airport
- EWR5 km · Newark Liberty International Airport
- Currency
- USDUnited States dollar
- Time zone
- America/New York
- Language
- Carolinian, Chamorro, Hawaiian
About
About Newark
Newark ( NEW-ərk, locally NOORK) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Jersey, the county seat of Essex County, and a principal city of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 311,549.
English is the main language, but the Ironbound area is home to a significant Brazilian and Portuguese population. Newark, NJ, is pronounced "Noo-wirk", as opposed to Newark, Delaware, which is pronounced "Noo-ark". Locals will often pronounce it "Nork" or "Nerk". The city was founded in the year 1666 by Puritans from New Haven Colony. It was named after Newark-on-Trent in England. Three centuries later, the population grew rapidly. Industry also grew constantly. The city even had its own Chinatown.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Newark
See
- Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
- The Newark Museum of Art
- Aljira: A Center for Contemporary Art
- City Without Walls
- Gallery Aferro
- New Jersey Historical Society
- World Cup Corner Mural
- Heal The World Mural (Autism Awareness)
Do
- Branch Brook Park
- Military Park
- Weequahic Park
- Prudential Center
- New Jersey Performing Arts Center
- Newark Symphony Hall
- The Priory
- Greater Abyssinian Baptist Church
- New Hope Baptist Church
- Newark Gospel Tabernacle
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Newark to stay in
The city is divided into five wards, each with its own character. Downtown has retained much of early 20th century architecture and has an iconic skyline. Nearly 100,000 people commute to the central business district on workdays, making for a lively urban landscape. Since the millennium it has become more residential as former office buildings and warehouses are converted to housing. A new performing arts complex and sports/concert venue and restaurants have encouraged visitors to linger longer into the night, particularly along Halsey Street and Edison Street.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Newark
2 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Treat Center | 1916 | 0.7 km |
| Best City Room | 0.9 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Newark
Newark has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; July is the wettest, with about 124 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Newark: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), about 5.1 km from the city centre in a straight line; Teterboro Airport (TEB, 16 km) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA, 26 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
Newark has great transportation, and is very easy to get into and out of. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is about 5 mi (8 km) south of downtown. It is a major hub for United Airlines, and is served by numerous other domestic and international carriers. JFK International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA) are in Queens, New York, and are served by additional carriers who do not fly to EWR directly.
Getting around
The Newark Light Rail runs two lines that originate at Penn Station. The City Subway Line (shown in blue on maps) has service to University Heights, Branch Brook Park and Grove Street (in adjacent Bloomfield). The Broad Street Line (orange on maps) operates between Penn Station and Broad Street Station. There is an extensive network of New Jersey Transit buses, many originating at Penn Station. Taxis are also available and can be flagged.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
EWR · Newark Liberty International Airport
TEB · Teterboro Airport
LGA · LaGuardia Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Newark
Eat
Newark has three "restaurant rows' downtown: Around the Prudential Center, Halsey Street, and Ferry Street in the Ironbound, the latter known for its Portuguese, Brazilian and Latino food.
Drink
There is a liquor store in Penn Station. You can buy individual bottles of beer (including microbrews).
Stay safe
Ever since the infamous Newark riots in the 1960s, the city has been plagued by a somewhat undeserved reputation for high crime and murders. However, crime has dropped significantly in Newark; in fact the city’s overall crime rate is stooping down to record lows not seen in decades. Still, Newark has its share of persisting problems like any other big city. Car theft and car jackings are the biggest crimes in Newark, followed by home invasions. Downtown Newark is crowded and safe during the day. It empties out at night and may seem creepy, but as long as you stay in well lit open areas you should be fine.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Newark: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Newark?
Newark has no month that is both mild and dry by the measure used here. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 30 °C; July is the wettest, with about 124 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Newark?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), about 5.1 km from the city centre in a straight line; Teterboro Airport (TEB, 16 km) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA, 26 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Newark?
United States dollar (USD).
Nearby
Destinations near Newark
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.