Jersey City: What to do in the neighboring big town

• Sam a.m., at 112 Morris St., for a breakfast or brunch that will make you feel as warm inside as the maple cream latte you should order. Sit in the sunny front window or near the back flower garden and order the biscuits and gravy (pictured), French toast, or cheddar grits and steak with a glass of freshly squeezed OJ and you’ll be set for hours.” data-id=”122093970″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7633_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093970″/>

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• Liberty State Park (200 Morris Pesin Dr.) and be prepared to walk awhile if you don’t want to rent one of the Citi Bikes near the station. However you arrive, it’s worth it. Once you hit the water, you’ll see a sweeping view of southern tip of Manhattan to your left and Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty to the right.” data-id=”122093331″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7879_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093331″/>

• National Museum of Immigration are actually closer to New Jersey than Manhattan, and are accessible by the park. Take the bridge and explore the history of American immigration, and potentially of your own family’s journey to the U.S., between 1892 to 1954. More than 20 million people passed through the processing station in that time. The museum is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there’s no entrance fee.” data-id=”122093350″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7792_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093350″/>

• Van Hook Cheese & Grocery (528 Jersey Ave.) for a grilled cheese sandwich sans the fake cheese product. The gooey goodness is unmatched in flavor, and for $7 to $9, you can order the grilled cheese of your dreams, including: aged white cheddar with optional fig jam, soppressata with Taleggio, blue cheese with apple butter, truffle gouda, and raclette and smoked duck. From collections to platters, your cheese needs can be fulfilled.” data-id=”122097918″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7793_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22097918″/>

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• whenever, there’s a lot to see at Another Man’s Treasure (195 Montgomery St.). Vintage junkies should also check out Tah Vintage (9 Erie St.) and Mint Market (339 Grove St.).” data-id=”122093967″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7794_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093967″/>

• Kanibal & Co. (197 Montgomery St.). The staff will tell you they get new items in every day to keep things as fresh and as whimsical as you did on your first visit. Dresses with cats on them, cool buckled leather jackets and cozy sweaters are just a sampling of the apparel that lines the shop’s racks. It’s a unique store with endless gift ideas — and possibly the perfect something for yourself.” data-id=”122093972″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7635_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093972″/>

• Love Locked (353 Grove St.) is primarily a jewelry store, but you can find other artistic treats. From bangles to wedding bands, you can find a bling as well as locally made art and bath products. Its jewels are conflict free and its goods are repurposed and fair trade, which is very important to owner Kerry Lynn. In her 20s, she told us, she worked with a community in Peru to create fair-trade artisan co-ops and give small business loans to owners.” data-id=”122093338″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7795_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093338″/>

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• Torico (20 Erie St.) sells more than 65 flavors; among the most popular of its homemade offerings are banana peanut butter chunks (pictured), pumpkin, and java mocha donut. Seasonal ice cream flavors include chocolate cinnamon brownie, spicy eggnog and red velvet cake for fall and winter, and pineapple coconut, avocado, strawberry cheesecake and lychee for spring and summer. Puerto Rico-born wife and husband Pura and Peter Berrios found a following when, per their website, Peter bought an ice cream machine to make flavors that Pura wanted but couldn’t find. Their ice cream really does taste homemade; we had to make sure, of course.” data-id=”122096975″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7796_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22096975″/>

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• Harsimus Cemetery (435 Newark Ave.). Before it became a burial ground in 1829, the land was the site of multiple Revolutionary War battles, and, during the War of 1812, it housed an ammunition bunker and lookout point, which still stands. The cemetery was even used as a military training ground during World War I and II. Over time, however, the graves became neglected and abandoned. Only more recently, in 2008, did a band of locals start the preservation process. As you walk through, you’ll see that many graves are broken, crooked or covered by grass.” data-id=”122093345″ data-link=”https://amnewyork.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/7637_image.jpg” class=”wp-image-1.22093345″/>

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Just two to three stops from Manhattan on the PATH, Jersey City offers big city experiences in what feels like a small town setting that locals say offers a completely different vibe from New York City.

It’s the second-most populated city in New Jersey after Newark, but JC’s brownstones, small shops, converted factories and picturesque government buildings make it feel more like a New England town.

With history stretching past the Revolutionary War and the Dutch colonies, the city bordered by Newark to the west, Hackensack to the north and Elizabeth to the south, has seen battle, the arrival and decline of industry, and a renaissance of small shops and businesses.

Don’t let the fact that it’s in Jersey scare you — it’s got such character that it may charm you. Bonus: It really is a short trip from NYC. Get on the PATH at the World Trade Center, or Christopher, 9th, 14th, 23rd or 33rd streets, and ride until you get to Exchange Place or Grove Street.

Once you do, don’t miss the following places.