Looking for skyline views, waterfront charm, and urban energy? Head to Hoboken! Just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Hoboken blends historic streets, trendy eats, and a lively arts scene with small-town appeal. Whether you’re biking the waterfront, exploring Sinatra’s hometown, or brunching with a view, Hoboken offers a perfect day trip or weekend escape with NYC access and Jersey pride.
Hoboken, NJ Highlights:
- For Skyline Seekers: Stroll along Sinatra Park – Take in sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline from Hoboken’s peaceful waterfront promenade.
- For Music Fans: Visit the Frank Sinatra Birthplace and Tribute – Explore the life of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” through monuments and murals around town.
- For Foodies: Explore Washington Street – Sample world cuisines, bakeries, and rooftop dining in Hoboken’s buzzing main corridor.
- For Art Lovers: Tour the Monroe Center for the Arts – Browse studios, galleries, and performance spaces in a converted warehouse.
- For Families: Relax and play at Pier A Park – Open green space, playgrounds, and picnic spots with unbeatable city views.
Best Time to Visit Hoboken, NJ
The best time to visit Hoboken is from late spring through fall (May–October). Warm weather is perfect for riverfront walks, outdoor dining, and seasonal events. Winter brings fewer crowds and a cozy local vibe, especially around the holidays.
How to Get to Hoboken, NJ
- By Train: Take the PATH train from Manhattan to Hoboken Terminal—it’s just 15 minutes from the West Village or World Trade Center.
- By Ferry: NY Waterway ferries run regularly from Midtown and Downtown Manhattan to Hoboken’s 14th Street and WTC terminals.
- By Car: Hoboken is reachable via the Holland Tunnel from NYC or the NJ Turnpike, but street parking is limited.
- By Light Rail: The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail connects Hoboken with Jersey City, Weehawken, and Bayonne.
Where to Stay in Hoboken, NJ
- Recommended for Couples: W Hoboken – Sleek waterfront hotel with upscale rooms, river views, and nightlife nearby.
- For Budget-Conscious Travelers: Hilton Garden Inn – Hoboken – Clean, modern hotel in a convenient location off Washington Street.
- For Extended Stays: Global Luxury Suites – Hoboken Waterfront – Furnished apartments with kitchenettes, ideal for longer trips or workcations.
Best Things to Do in Hoboken, NJ
1. For art lovers: Barsky Gallery
Rating: ★★★★★
Barsky Gallery is Hoboken's gallery of contemporary art, representing a mix of young and emerging as well as established artists from all corners of the world. The gallery shows regular exhibitions of art of diverse techniques and styles. The gallery assists private and corporate clients in choosing or commissioning a piece of art that would suit their needs.
The gallery is also a popular and elegant venue for private events. Public events help expose visitors to contemporary art and artists and entice them to see art as part of their home or corporate space. You can visit the gallery to see their rotating group exhibit.
49 Harrison St, Hoboken, NJ, Phone: 888-465-4949
2. For local culture enthusiasts: Hoboken Historical Museum
Established in 1986, the Hoboken Historical Museum is located in what the residents call today The Shipyard, one of the celebrated old buildings on Hoboken's colorful waterfront. I learned a lot here.
The building used to be the machine shop for Bethlehem Steel. The Museum is dedicated to collecting, displaying, preserving, and interpreting artifacts and oral histories both modern and historic, which reflect the city and its inhabitants.
The Museum organizes educational programs, tours, lectures, films, and plays. Some of the current exhibitions celebrate Hudson River native Frank Sinatra and the role of baseball in the Hoboken history. For those interested in history, this is one of the best things to do in Hoboken, New Jersey.
1301 Hudson St., Hoboken, New Jersey, Phone: 201-656-2240
Attractions for Couples
3. For baking enthusiasts: Carlo's Bakery Classes
Since being featured on TLC’s Cake Boss show, Carlo’s Bakery has become a household name. This venerable bakery and cake shop makes wedding cakes that appear in popular magazines like The Knot and Modern Bride, so when they start a cake decorating school, people pay attention.
Who would not want to learn to make a piece of art out of a simple, modest cupcake? The Carlo's Bakery Classes are currently held in four locations in New Jersey and last about two hours. Carlo’s Bakery decorators will make a cake decorating master out of anyone ten years or older. You get to keep and eat your cake. They also sell baking supplies.
95 Washington Street, Hoboken, New Jersey, Phone: 201-659-3671
4. For romantics: Blue Eyes Restaurant
You cannot see the Manhattan skyline from Manhattan – you have to go to Hoboken, and Blue Eyes Italian Restaurant and Café offers front row seats. Located on the Hoboken Hudson River waterfront on Sinatra Drive, this charming, modern, and tastefully decorated eatery celebrates Hoboken’s most famous native son Frank Sinatra, as well as traditional Italian food that never goes out of fashion.
The wood-fired oven produces not only delicious pizzas but also baked pastas, fish, and chicken. If you are looking for romantic date ideas, this is a great place to visit. Leave room for dessert; you cannot eat in a true Italian restaurant without sampling their canoli. Blue Eyes also has great dessert coffees.
525 Sinatra Dr., Hoboken, New Jersey, Phone: 201-683-6861
5. For fashion lovers: Alba Boutique
Alba Boutique has become one of New Jersey's most stylish shopping destinations since its 2013 opening by Jeanna Palumbo. The hip boutique, which offers five permanent locations and two long-term pop-up shops throughout the East Coast, has been voted as Hoboken's best clothing store and has received the award for Best Fashion Boutique four times by 201 Magazine. One-of-a-kind shopping experiences highlight trendy boutique brands like Blank NYC, Quay, and Veronica M, alongside the company's private label Alba X Dawn. Visitors can shop for contemporary clothing, footwear, and accessories, including designer sunglasses. Private shopping parties are offered with advance reservations, featuring hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and stylist recommendations.
716 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030, Phone: 201-683-3656
Restaurants
6. For foodies: Sorellina
Sorellina is a vibrant Hoboken eatery that was opened in 2016 by restaurateur and sommelier Gabi Lombardi. The lively restaurant, which is named for the Italian word for "little sister," is housed within a converted space with a preserved historic 1930s bar, blending contemporary design elements with rustic flair. Diners can enjoy excellent hearty Italian pasta selections like ricotta cavatelli, saffron bucatini, seafood gigli, and pistachio rigatoncini, paired with elegant entrees like pollo alla griglia and grilled Teres Major steaks. An exclusively Italian wine list is available to complement all meals, along with a selection of imported Italian craft beers and housemade signature cocktails.
1036 Washington St, Hoboken, NJ 07030, Phone: 201-963-3333
7. For casual diners: Tony Boloney's
Tony Boloney brought a breath of fresh air to the world of traditional Italian pizza in Hoboken. In fact, his pizzas are anything but traditional; they are so unimaginable that people come just to try them, and they fall in love. Tony Boloney's makes their own mozzarella and their own yeast.
The fillings range from Bangkok Boardwalk (Thai spicy sauce, hand-battered fried chicken, cilantro, fresh jalapenos, cilantro, crushed honey-roasted peanuts, and toasted black sesame seeds), to French Bird (cordon bleu pizza - chicken stuffed with ham, melted Havarti, and blue cheese).
263 1st St, Hoboken, New Jersey, Phone: 201-222-8669
8. The Brass Rail
The Brass Rail is old-world chic, a characteristic noticeable in its huge downstairs bar and upstairs elegant dining room, which feature dark woods, brass details, padded leather benches, and antique photos. It is a popular place to come to cure your hangover, have a boozy brunch, or an elegant lunch or dinner with business partners.
Executive Chef Douglas Gough offers his own take on modern American cuisine with delicious surprises such as Grilled Chicken Panini with Brie and apples and herbed mayonnaise on multigrain bread. Ingredients are fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced. The Brass Rail has a decent wine list, and some of their wine is even on tap. They also have an excellent selection of craft beers from around the country.
135 Washington Street, (corner of 2nd Street), Hoboken, New Jersey, Phone: 201-659-7074
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