Cory Booker, newly elected New Jersey Senator and budding superhero, recently answered a suite of questions during his second Reddit AMA, fielding queries ranging from the stability of Newark and the influence of Harriet Tubman to the cuteness of baby sloths.
The one that caught our eye was his video response to a question about his “favorite place to grab a bite.” Asked to name one, soon-to-be Senator Booker proceeded in “speed round” fashion to heap praise on dozens of Brick City eateries, including Fornos (“I love”), Hobby’s Deli (“On my god, Hobby’s is the Best”), Andro’s Diner (“My favorite diner of all”), Assaggini Di Roma (“I would let someone punch me in the gut if afterwards they gave me their eggplant rollatini, which is phenomenal”) and Applebees (“This Applebees has character, has flavor, has a Newark panache”).
Taking the lead from Mr. Booker, grab a bite to eat during a day trip to Newark, where jet-setters will find this city has a lot more to offer than its runway. Here are a few more suggestions to make your visit a “fantabulous” and “scrumptimonious” (Booker’s words, not ours) time.
What to See
Branch Brook Park
Fans of Central Park and Prospect Park will find a lot to love about Newark’s 360-acre Branch Brook Park, also devised by Frederick Law Olmsted. Visitors come for its iconic Prudential Lions sculptures, unique bridges, and 4,300 cherry blossom trees, the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the country. Bring your bike on the PATH train and pedal under pink canopies and along four miles of well-maintained paths. Order a pastrami sandwich from Hobby’s Deli and picnic in the park.
Riverfront Park
At the end of the summer, Cory Booker opened the stunning Riverfront Park along the Passaic River. “Newark’s long and vibrant history began at the Passaic River in 1666. More than 300 years later, we have come back to the river, graced with renewed glory, to return it to our residents and visitors as a park,” said Booker. Once a contaminated dump, the site is a stunning new green space, with paths for walking and biking. The public park is also used as an outdoor learning, community and performance venue, and is connected to a floating dock for boat access.
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Close to the park on its east side (about a 10 minute walk from the nearby Park Ave Newark Light Rail Station), Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is another beautiful Newark sight. Featuring grand architecture, white granite façade, interior stained glass windows, towering ceilings, and ornately carved stone work, Sacred Heart is America’s fifth largest cathedral.
Newark Museum
Next, move your way back downtown and check out the city’s largest and most eclectic museum. The wide ranging collection boasts pieces of decorative art, Asian and African art, paintings by Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and classical art from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Its collection of Tibetan art, including one Buddhist altar consecrated by the Dalai Lama, is among the best in the country. The museum also hosts a planetarium, garden, and the Newark Fire Museum, a treasure trove of great attractions for both families and the solo visitor.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
End the day with a show at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) or root for Newark’s hometown sports team: the New Jersey Devils. Past performers at NJPAC include the New Jersey Symphony, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello, Jerry Seinfeld, and the Royal Danish Ballet.
What to Eat
A good one-two option is Andro’s Diner followed by some Nasto’s Ice Cream, Booker’s favorite in New Jersey. Both can be found in the Ironbound District, an eclectic neighborhood just recognized by the New York Times as a restaurant bastion, home to a host of interesting fare, especially Italian and Iberian cuisine.
How to get there: Take the PATH train from 33rd Street and arrive in Newark in 35 minutes.
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Photos: Wasabi Bob, Hopefoote, bfaling
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram