Need a vibrant day trip or weekend escape near NYC? Head to Englewood! Enjoy a blend of suburban charm and urban flair with boutique shopping, performing arts, scenic parks, and fine dining. Whether you love the arts, green spaces, or global cuisine, Englewood delivers big-city culture in a cozy town setting.
Englewood, NJ Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Walk or bike at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center – Discover wooded trails, birdwatching, and peaceful nature escapes minutes from downtown.
- For History Buffs: Explore the Englewood Public Library's historic roots – Built in 1915, this Carnegie library offers architecture, archives, and cultural programming.
- For Shoppers: Browse boutiques on Palisade Avenue – Stroll through the walkable downtown filled with trendy shops and unique finds.
- For Couples: Enjoy a night out at Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) – Catch live concerts, theater, or comedy in a historic venue.
- For Families: Relax and play in Mackay Park – Swim, skate, picnic, or play at one of Englewood’s best all-ages parks.
Best Time to Visit Englewood, NJ
The best time to visit Englewood is from spring through early fall (April through October). Warm months are perfect for outdoor strolls, dining al fresco, and catching live performances or festivals downtown.
How to Get to Englewood, NJ
- If you are traveling by car: Englewood is just off Route 4 and minutes from the George Washington Bridge—ideal for quick access from NYC and surrounding Bergen County towns.
- By Bus: NJ Transit buses run frequently from Manhattan’s Port Authority to Englewood’s central business district.
- By Train: While Englewood has no direct train service, nearby stations in Hackensack or Tenafly connect via bus or ride share.
Where to Stay in Englewood, NJ
- Recommended for Families: Crowne Plaza Englewood – Full-service hotel with a pool and easy access to NYC and local attractions.
- For Couples: Clinton Inn Hotel & Event Center – Boutique-style stay with classic charm near the heart of downtown.
- For a Boutique Hotel Stay: The Time Nyack – Just across the river, this hip hotel offers Hudson River views and artistic flair.
Best Things to Do in Englewood, NJ
1. Flat Rock Brook Nature Center
Rating: ★★★★★
I took a 45 minute drive from NYC to Englewood to visit the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center. Located on the western slope of the Palisades, this is a 150-acre preserve and education center. It was established in 1973 by the local residents to ensure land conservation and provide environmental education. The natural woodland within the preserve is one of the last remnants of the Palisades Forest. The Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, located within the preserve, preserves the lands as a sanctuary for plant and animal life and as a natural environment for the residents for walks, nature study and recreation. The preserve is managed by the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association, which provides environmental education for all ages. A network of 3.6 miles of self-guiding trails runs among streams, wetlands, wildflower meadows, ponds, quarry cliffs, woodlands and a park. Flat Rock Brook trails and picnic area are open to the public every day from dawn to dusk.
443 Van Nostrand Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631, Phone: 201-567-1265
2. Bergen Performing Arts Center
The Bergen Performing Arts Center is a non-for-profit theater located in Palisades Court, Englewood, New Jersey. The Center, which serves diverse community of northern New Jersey, provides live performing arts and arts education and offers a creative home for artists and teachers who entertain, enlighten, inspire, and inform their audiences and students. The theatre offers dance, theater, voice, and music classes at the Center’s Performing Arts School. The theatre has an auditorium that can accommodate 1,367 people, Drapkin Cabaret & Lounge and an intimate Black Box Theater for 49 spectators. Bergen Center opened its doors in the fall of 2004 in the place of the former John Harms Center, which closed in 1973. Sandy Bennett Art Gallery is also part of the Bergen Center.
30 N Van Brunt St, Englewood, NJ 07631, Phone: 201-227-1030
3. Gotham Dream Cars
Gotham Dream Cars is an exotic car rental and experience company with locations in New York, Miami and Los Angeles. The company offers exotic and luxury cars from the world’s exclusive manufacturers such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls Royce and more. They have been in the business of making their clients' dreams come true since 2004. There are many reasons why someone would want to rent a luxury car: for the pleasure of driving it, to treat a friend or to impress a client, The cars can be rented for a day, weekend, week or more and door-to-door delivery is available. Gotham also offers the Dream Car Sprint, an exotic car thrill ride on their specially designed autocross course. Another service provided by Gotham is the Dream Car Tour, a three-hour driving adventure – driving six of the world's greatest car one after another, on the best roads existing.
465 Alfred Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666, Phone: 201-661-9800
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
4. Karma Organic Spa
Karma Organic Spa is an organic nail salon in Ridgewood and Englewood, New Jersey, which provides natural, non-toxic, and recyclable materials in their elegant salon. What makes Karma Organic Spa different from other nail salons is their special attention to pregnant women, children and allergies’ sufferers. What their clients appreciate most is the combination of environmental consciousness and amazing boutique experience. The Salon is a safe place with no harmful chemicals and toxic fumes. Instead, even those passing by Karma Spa can smell soothing fragrance of lavender, geranium, mint or rosemary. They developed a line of non-toxic nail polishes free from regular ingredients such as toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP. Instead, their products include natural ingredients like lavender and tea tree oil.
43 Park Pl, Englewood, NJ 07631, Phone: 201-871-0200
5. One River School
One River School of Art + Design is an art school that is “transforming art education” in America through their innovative program in twelve schools across six states. Their program is designed for people of all ages and skill levels. The school developed a unique method that makes learning fun while producing exceptional outcomes. One River School has been established by Matt Ross in September of 2012 at the location “one river” west of New York City, Teachers at One River are screened for their ability to provide students with the right amount of technical support and personal attention. The school exhibition program has become a testing ground for emerging artists all over the country. The student artwork is presented in the contemporary art space in the school galleries, encouraging not only the exhibiting artists but others in the communities to express their artistic side.
49 N Dean St, Englewood, NJ 07631, Phone: 201-266-5244
Where to Eat in Englewood, NJ
6. Hummus Elite
Hummus Elite is a health-conscious, kosher spot in Englewood, New Jersey, serving mostly hummus in endless versions. You can have hummus with beef, hummus with eggplant, plain hummus and hummus with mushrooms and truffle oil. They now also make other favorite Mediterranean dishes that include roasted eggplant; ground beef-and-lamb kebabs with coriander; and even a fabulous eight-ounce hamburger. The tiny restaurant with only 10 tables is simple and unpretentious, but their ingredients are the best available, including organic produce and eggs. Their hummus is freshly made a few times a day with the imported spices and no preservatives.
39 E Palisade Ave, Englewood, NJ 07631, Phone: 201-569-5600
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