{"id":36568,"date":"2013-04-25T09:42:22","date_gmt":"2013-04-25T13:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=36568"},"modified":"2025-09-02T02:58:34","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T06:58:34","slug":"things-to-do-in-newark-nj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/36568\/things-to-do-in-newark-nj\/","title":{"rendered":"Cory Booker’s Newark: The Best Things to Do Beyond the Terminal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cory Booker, newly elected New Jersey Senator and budding superhero<\/a>, recently answered a suite of questions during his second Reddit AMA<\/a>, fielding queries ranging from the stability of Newark and the influence of Harriet Tubman to the cuteness of baby sloths.<\/p>\n

The one that caught our eye was his video response to a question about his \u201cfavorite place to grab a bite.\u201d Asked to name one, soon-to-be Senator Booker proceeded in \u201cspeed round\u201d fashion to heap praise on dozens of Brick City eateries, including Fornos (\u201cI love\u201d), Hobby\u2019s Deli<\/a> (\u201cOn my god, Hobby\u2019s is the Best\u201d), Andro\u2019s Diner<\/a> (\u201cMy favorite diner of all\u201d), Assaggini Di Roma (\u201cI would let someone punch me in the gut if afterwards they gave me their eggplant rollatini, which is phenomenal\u201d) and Applebees (\u201cThis Applebees has character, has flavor, has a Newark panache\u201d).<\/p>\n

\"visit

What to See<\/b><\/h2>\n

Branch Brook Park<\/strong>
\nFans of Central Park and Prospect Park will find a lot to love about Newark\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Riverfront Park<\/strong>
\n\"Riverfront

Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart<\/strong>
\nClose to the park on its east side (about a 10 minute walk from the nearby Park Ave Newark Light Rail Station<\/a>), Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is another beautiful Newark sight. Featuring grand architecture, white granite fa\u00e7ade, interior stained glass windows, towering ceilings, and ornately carved stone work, Sacred Heart is America\u2019s fifth largest cathedral.<\/p>\n

\"Cory

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
\n<\/a><\/strong>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<\/a>. Past performers at NJPAC include the New Jersey Symphony, Herbie Hancock, Elvis Costello, Jerry Seinfeld, and the Royal Danish Ballet.<\/p>\n

What to Eat
\n<\/b><\/h2>\n

A good one-two option is Andro\u2019s Diner<\/a> followed by some Nasto’s Ice Cream<\/a>, Booker\u2019s favorite in New Jersey. Both can be found in the Ironbound District, an eclectic neighborhood just recognized by the New York Times<\/a> as a restaurant bastion, home to a host of interesting fare, especially Italian and Iberian cuisine.<\/p>\n

How to get there: <\/strong>Take the PATH train from 33rd Street and arrive in Newark in 35 minutes. <\/em><\/p>\n