Founded in 1666 by Puritan settlers, Newark grew into one of America’s most vital transportation and industrial hubs. Today it’s a spirited, multicultural city with a deep arts legacy, a proud soccer and hockey fan base, and a dining scene shaped by Portuguese, Brazilian, and Spanish communities in the Ironbound. It’s also a perfect base: five minutes by train to the airport, 20–25 minutes by PATH to Hoboken or Jersey City, and an easy jump into Manhattan.

Newark’s highlights range from the soaring Gothic spires of the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart to the forward-looking Newark Museum of Art and live performances at NJPAC. In spring, Branch Brook Park blushes with more than 5,000 cherry trees—the largest collection in the U.S.—but its lakes and paths are beautiful year-round. Sports and big-name concerts roar at the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils.

Expect hearty meals and warm hospitality: grilled meats and seafood towers in the Ironbound, old-school delis and modern coffee bars downtown, and classic diner plates at famed Top’s Diner. Getting around is straightforward: NJ Transit, PATH, and Newark Light Rail stitch the region together; rideshares are abundant; and walking downtown is convenient by day. As in any city, stay aware of your surroundings at night, and use taxis or rideshares for late returns.

Newark

Newark is equal parts heritage and reinvention. Murals along McCarter Highway paint the city’s story; airy new green spaces like Mulberry Commons bridge landmarks; and the revitalized Halsey Street corridor buzzes with cafes and casual eats between galleries and campus buildings.

• Top sights: Newark Museum of Art and the restored Ballantine House; Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart; Branch Brook Park; Riverfront Park; NJPAC; Prudential Center.
• Food and drink: Ironbound stalwarts like Fornos of Spain, Seabra’s Marisqueira, Adega Grill, Casa d’Paco, and Krug’s Tavern (for a classic burger). Sweet tooth stops include Teixeira’s Bakery and Nasto’s Ice Cream.
• Fun facts: Newark hosts the country’s largest collection of cherry blossom trees; its cathedral is among the grandest in North America; and the Ironbound’s Ferry Street is a decades-old corridor of Lusophone culture.

Where to stay: Browse well-located stays near Military Park, NJPAC, and Ironbound on VRBO Newark and compare hotels steps from Newark Penn Station or Prudential Center on Hotels.com Newark.

Getting in: Fly into EWR (15 minutes to downtown by AirTrain + NJ Transit). Search fares on Trip.com Flights or compare on Kiwi.com. Starting in Europe? Check Omio Flights too. Typical U.S. domestic economy fares run ~$120–$450 roundtrip; transatlantic economy ~$400–$900. From EWR, taxis/rideshares to downtown Newark are ~10–20 minutes ($20–$40).

Day 1: Arrival, Military Park, and an Ironbound Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive and check in near Military Park or Ironbound. Shake off travel with an espresso at Black Swan Espresso (third-wave beans, seasonal pastries) or classic beans at T.M. Ward Coffee, a Newark institution with spice shop vibes. Stroll Military Park’s sculptures and the historic Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument.

Evening: Cross the tracks into the Ironbound for a feast. Try Fornos of Spain for old-school paella and garlic shrimp; or Seabra’s Marisqueira for seafood cataplana and whole grilled fish. Nightcap at All Points West Distillery (small-batch gin and rum flights) or a pint at Kilkenny Alehouse by the Prudential Center.

Day 2: Museums, Murals, and Cathedral Grandeur

Morning: Start at Top’s Diner (yes, it lives up to the hype) for lemon ricotta pancakes or a Jersey Taylor ham, egg, and cheese. Head to the Newark Museum of Art—don’t miss the American galleries, Tibetan art, and the restored Ballantine House. Expect 2–3 hours; the on-site garden is a quiet breather.

Afternoon: Walk Halsey Street to spot street art and grab a quick lunch: Burger Walla (Indian-spiced burgers and masala fries) or The Green Chicpea (shawarma, falafel, salads). Then ride or rideshare to the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart—its French Gothic stonework and rose windows are breathtaking. If time allows, swing through Branch Brook Park for lakeside paths; in April, the cherry bloom is spectacular.

Evening: Check NJPAC’s calendar for jazz, dance, or symphony. For dinner, consider Spanish Tavern (table-side paella and sangria) or Adega Grill (grilled picanha and octopus). Finish at Nasto’s Ice Cream (spumoni, cannoli gelato) on Jefferson Street.

Day 3: Ironbound Deep Dive + Guided Food Walk

Morning: Join the locals at Teixeira’s Bakery for galao (milky espresso) and pastéis de nata right out of the oven. Window-shop along Ferry Street for Portuguese ceramics, tinned fish, and soccer jerseys; pop into grocers for a bottle of vinho verde for later.

Afternoon: Eat your way through the neighborhood on the Ironbound Neighborhood Food Tour—a local-led stroll mixing history, immigration stories, and tastings at bakeries, taverns, and specialty shops. Expect 2.5–3 hours and come hungry.

Evening: Settle into Casa d’Paco for tapas—garlic shrimp, chorizo al sidra, and shishito peppers—or book a table at Fernandes Steak House II for skewered meats carved tableside. Craft beer fans can sample Newark-brewed pints at Newark Local Beer, a friendly taproom with rotating food trucks.

Day 4: American Dream—Water Park Thrills and Ocean Tunnels

Morning: Head to American Dream in East Rutherford (15–25 minutes by rideshare; $25–$45 each way depending on traffic). Kick off with the DreamWorks Indoor Water Park Ticket—the biggest indoor water park in North America—with lazy rivers, family raft slides, and a massive wave pool.

Afternoon: Dry off and continue the fun at SEA LIFE New Jersey, where exhibits riff on NYC icons—don’t miss the underwater tunnel with reef sharks and rays.

Evening: Return to Newark for a relaxed dinner. Try Sabor Unido (Portuguese-Brazilian comfort plates, moqueca, grilled meats) or Mompou (tapas and a solid gin & tonic). If a game’s on, the buzz around the Prudential Center makes for a lively night.

Day 5: Hoboken Waterfront Views + NYC Night Helicopter Tour

Morning: Ride the PATH from Newark Penn Station to Hoboken (about 25 minutes; fare ~$2.75). Grab coffee at Hidden Grounds Coffee (cardamom lattes, inventive cold brews) and stroll the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway with head-on Manhattan skyline views.

Afternoon: Lunch at La Isla (classic Cuban pressed sandwiches, ropa vieja) or Blue Eyes (Neapolitan pies with Statue of Liberty views). Browse Washington Street boutiques, then PATH back to Newark for a rest.

Evening: Cap the day with a bucket-list flight: the New York City Helicopter Tour at Night departing from Essex County Airport in NJ. In 25–30 minutes aloft you’ll sweep past the Statue, One World Trade, Empire State, and Times Square in full sparkle—an unforgettable perspective.

Late bite: Back in Newark, keep it casual at Krug’s Tavern—a beloved, no-frills spot for a griddled burger with onions—or slide into Adega Express for a quick bifana (pork) sandwich.

Day 6: Montclair Charm + Edison’s Labs

Morning: NJ Transit from Newark Broad Street to Montclair Bay Street (15–20 minutes; ~$4–$6). Brunch at Raymond’s (brioche French toast, shakshuka) and wander Bloomfield Avenue’s indie shops. Art lovers can check the Montclair Art Museum (confirm hours; many museums close early in the week).

Afternoon: Rideshare to Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange (10–15 minutes) to tour laboratories where the phonograph and motion picture tech evolved, plus the Glenmont estate when open. It’s a surprisingly immersive step into American innovation.

Evening: Return to Newark for a celebratory Iberian dinner at Sol-Mar (grilled sardines, seafood rice) or Seabra’s if you missed it. Nightcap with a house negroni at Mompou or a tasting flight at All Points West Distillery.

Day 7: Riverfront Strolls, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Black Swan Espresso or a second round at T.M. Ward. Walk Riverfront Park along the Passaic—orange boardwalks, public art, and sunrise views over the water. If you’re near campus, browse galleries or pop into a bookstore on Halsey Street for a souvenir read.

Afternoon: Early lunch at The Green Chicpea (build-your-own bowls) or a final Ironbound classic like Fornos of Spain. Grab pastries from Teixeira’s Bakery for the road. Depart for EWR; plan 45–60 minutes from hotel to gate (longer at peak times), or hop NJ Transit/AirTrain for predictable timing.

Evening: Fly home with a camera roll full of skyline shots and a new affection for Newark’s art, food, and parks.

Local transport tips: PATH links Newark to Hoboken and Jersey City in ~20–25 minutes; fares are ~$2.75. Newark Light Rail is handy between Newark Penn, Riverfront Stadium area, and Branch Brook Park. For American Dream or Essex County Airport, rideshares are usually the quickest option.

Book ahead: For concerts and Devils games at Prudential Center and top NJPAC performances, buy tickets early. Peak times at Top’s Diner and Ironbound restaurants can mean short waits—put your name in and enjoy a nearby stroll.

Where to compare stays again: VRBO Newark and Hotels.com Newark. For flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

In one week, you’ll taste Newark’s Ironbound heritage, admire world-class art and cathedral craftsmanship, and play at American Dream before soaring above Manhattan’s night lights. It’s a compact, well-connected city that rewards curiosity, appetite, and good walking shoes.