Newark, NJ - A Revitalized City With World Class Attractions And Entertainment

In the shadows of New York City, just five miles andstructure took more than fifty years to build and
a seventeen minute train ride away, Newark, Newearned Basilica status from Pope John Paul in 1955.
Jersey has plenty to offer visitors, or the New YorkLocated near Branch Brook Park on Ridge Street, the
City tourist who chooses to visit or stay nearby atarchitecture closely resembles two of the world's
less expensive restaurants, and hotels. This is not agreat cathedrals at Cathedral Notre Dame at
city to spend a considerable amount of time in, butChartres in France and the Cathedral of Rheims in
it's an excellent destination for a day trip or weekendGermany. Contact: 973-484-2400 The New Jersey
getaway, or even for the budget conscious touristPerforming Arts Center Houses two venues that
looking for a place to stay when visiting NYC. One ofattract the world's best performers in Prudential Hall,
the nation's oldest cities, after Boston and New York,one of the world's great concert halls, and the
Newark was a thriving 19th-century industrial giantVictoria Theater. It is also home to the New Jersey
and at the turn of the century made hugeSymphony Orchestra. Contact: 888-GO-NJPAC The
investments in cathedrals, museums, parks, a majorNewark Museum New Jersey's largest museum
art deco train station, and other art decoprovides experiences in the arts and natural sciences.
architecture, that today stand as world classIn operation since 1909, it includes an 1885
attractions. Newark also has a good Subway system.brick-and-limestone restored mansion, the Dreyfuss
The system is a subway-surface light rail line whichPlanetarium, and a zoo with more than 100 animals.
runs underground downtown and above-ground inTake an inspirational journey through 80 galleries of
outlying areas. The line is 5.3 miles long and runsworld-class collections including American, Asian,
between Newark Penn Station and Grove Street inAfrican and Classical. Take a walk through the
Bloomfield. After World War II, similar to other urbanbeautiful sculpture garden, visit the museum shops
U.S. cities where loss of manufacturing jobs and urbanand enjoy a delicious lunch or snack at the cafe.
decay began to occur, Newark experienced similarContact: 973-596-6550 The Prudential Center This
decline that continued until it reached bottom withnew 18,000 seat arena is one of the finest in the
1960s riots. Since then the city has been slowlycountry and home to the New Jersey Devils NHL
climbing back. While its churches, museums, schoolshockey team and other college basketball, indoor
and public buildings are certainly to be admired, theysoccer, concerts, family shows and special events.
also are off the tax rolls and with brings an unusuallyContact: (201) 507-8900 Riverfront Stadium A new
high burden of tax exemption that has held back the$30 million 6,200 seat, state of the art stadium, is the
pace Newark's revitalization programs. Since thehome of the Newark Bears minor league baseball
sixties, the city has made great strides forward withteam. Situated in the downtown area, the stadium
a major drop in street crime, a downtown that canenjoys a terrific urban setting surrounded on three
be walked around, and the development of majorsides by the city with a view of the Manhattan
downtown entertainment venues and hotels thatskyline off in the distance. Contact: 1-866-55-4BEAR
bring to Newark an arena, a professional NHL HockeyHotels Hilton Newark Gateway The hotel is located in
team, a 6,200 seat minor league baseball stadium andthe heart of the downtown business district in the
a performing arts center with a concert hall andprestigious Gateway Center. The Hilton hotel is
theatre that attracts the world's best performers.directly connected to Penn Station and the Gateway
Coincident with the development of entertainmentCenter, which makes it very convenient for travelers
venues, office skyscrapers have risen as homes toto reach it via Amtrak, New Jersey Transit or PATH.
corporate employers and jobs. These are allContact: 1-973-622-5000 Robert Treat Hotel The
attractions that can be easily accessible by publiccontemporary and elegant Robert Treat Hotel is
transportation or car with plenty of safe, affordablelocated in the heart of the downtown district with
downtown parking. The hub of rail transportation isviews of New York and the city's skyline. Contact:
the restored Penn Station, an art deco landmark,1-800-637-7200 Restaurants The Ironbound section,
used by over 70,000 commuters per day. Majoris a Portuguese neighborhood with Ferry Street,
Attractions Cherry Blossom Festival The secondbeing its commercial hub, is noted for its moderately
largest Cherry Blossom display in the Unites Statespriced Portuguese, Spanish and Brazilian restaurants.
with the National Cherry Blossom display inIn the mood for an ethnic lunch or snack? Try one
Washington, DC being the largest and usually occursof Ironbound's cafes and bakeries. Enjoy a sandwich
about two weeks earlier. Held in Branch Brook Park,or some pastry and a cup of dark South American
there are over 2,700 cherry trees. The blossoms cancoffee. With the revitalization of the city, new
be best enjoyed by a casual walk or picnic in therestaurants are beginning to emerge that offer the
park. The cherry trees usually flower in the seconddiner a variety of different dining choices. Adega Grill
and third weeks of April. This is a weeklong festival- Spanish-Portuguese 130-132 Ferry St 973-589-8830
with many events including a 10K race, trolley busCasa Vasca - Spanish-Portuguese 141 Elm St.
tours, and family Day with Japanese cultural activities,973-465-1350 Maize Restaurant - Traditional American
including demonstrations on origami, bonsai, ikebana,fare Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Pl. 973-639-1200
and martial arts. Contact: 973-268-2300 CathedralTheater Square Grill - Creative American fare. New
Basilica of the Sacred Heart The fifth largestJersey Performing Arts Ctr. 1 Center St.
cathedral in North America. The French Gothic