Beyond Manhattan: Jersey City's Urban Renaissance and Skyline Views

Let's start with the obvious showstopper: that skyline. Growing up in Miami, I thought I knew impressive city views—then I walked along the Jersey City waterfront at sunset. The entire Manhattan skyline stretches before you in panoramic glory, from the Freedom Tower to the Empire State Building.

My favorite spot to take it all in is at J. Owen Grundy Park, a pier that juts out into the Hudson River providing unobstructed vistas. For the absolute best photos, arrive about 30 minutes before sunset with your smartphone tripod to capture the golden hour glow on the skyscrapers followed by the twinkling city lights.

For a slightly different angle, head to Liberty State Park where you'll get Manhattan plus Lady Liberty in one frame. The abandoned railroad terminal there adds an interesting industrial element to your shots. If you're feeling fancy, book a sunset dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants in Paulus Hook—Maritime Parc offers stellar views paired with equally impressive seafood dishes.

What initially drew me to Jersey City wasn't the views but its thriving maker scene. As someone who's built everything from camera rigs to drone mods, I felt instantly at home in the collaborative workshops scattered throughout the city.

My weekend centered around visiting Eximius Power, a community makerspace in the Heights neighborhood where local engineers, artists, and tinkerers share equipment and expertise. I spent hours geeking out over their laser cutters and 3D printers while chatting with members about their projects. If you're into making things with your hands, you can purchase day passes at several spaces—just email ahead to arrange access.

For creative inspiration of a different sort, don't miss MANA Contemporary, a massive former tobacco factory transformed into artist studios, exhibition spaces, and workshops. The scale of this place is mind-blowing, and unlike Manhattan galleries, the artists are often present and happy to chat about their work. I left with a sketchbook full of ideas for my next DIY project and contacts from three different collaborative art collectives.

While exploring the maker scene, I found my multi-tool absolutely essential—you never know when you'll need to tighten something or help someone with a quick fix!

If Miami taught me anything, it's how to appreciate a city through its food—and Jersey City delivers a global culinary tour within just a few square miles. The city's immigration history has created neighborhood pockets where authentic cuisine thrives without the Manhattan price tags.

India Square (or Little Gujarat) along Newark Avenue offers some of the most authentic Indian food I've found outside of Mumbai. After spending three weeks in India last year documenting traditional textile techniques, I've become rather picky about my chaat and curry. Sapthagiri's dosas transported me straight back to Chennai's street stalls.

For a different flavor profile, explore the Filipino community in the Five Corners neighborhood. I stumbled upon Phil-Am Food, a grocery and hot food counter where the crispy pork lechon had me coming back daily. Bring your collapsible food container to pack leftovers—trust me, you'll want to save some for later.

Beyond established ethnic enclaves, Jersey City's food scene is booming with chef-driven concepts. The creative energy extends from makerspaces to kitchens, with restaurants like Corto serving handmade pasta in a converted garage space. Their seasonal menu changes frequently, but if the ricotta gnocchi is available, order it immediately.

One of Jersey City's biggest advantages is its exceptional connectivity. After living in Belfast where public transport often left me stranded, JC's transit options feel like a luxury. The PATH train connects to Manhattan in minutes, making it an ideal base for exploring NYC without paying NYC accommodation prices.

Within Jersey City itself, I found the Citi Bike share program perfect for exploring different neighborhoods. The city is relatively flat and has been adding bike lanes consistently over the past few years. I picked up a phone mount before my trip which was perfect for following GPS directions while cycling between destinations.

For rainy days or when carrying maker projects, the light rail system provides convenient connections between major areas. Purchase a reloadable transit card if you're staying more than a day—it works on both PATH and light rail services and saves you from fumbling for cash.

One insider tip: the NY Waterway ferry from Paulus Hook to Manhattan offers what I consider the most scenic commute in America. For roughly the same price as the PATH train, you get a mini harbor cruise with those million-dollar views. I often took it just for the photo opportunities, especially with my polarizing filter which helped manage reflections on the water for cleaner skyline shots.

Jersey City's neighborhoods each offer distinct vibes, and where you stay can significantly shape your experience. For first-timers, I recommend basing yourself in either Exchange Place or Paulus Hook for those killer Manhattan views and easy PATH access.

During my visit, I stayed at an Airbnb in the Hamilton Park area, which offered the perfect balance of residential charm and access to cafes and restaurants. The historic brownstones reminded me of parts of Dublin where I studied—except with better food options! If you prefer hotels, The Westin on the waterfront offers those postcard views right from your window.

For creative types seeking inspiration, consider staying in the Heights or Journal Square where you'll find more artists, makers, and a grittier, evolving urban landscape. These areas are slightly further from the waterfront but offer more authentic neighborhood experiences.

No matter where you stay, I found my white noise machine invaluable for drowning out city sounds and ensuring solid sleep after days of exploration. And don't forget to pack a reusable water bottle—Jersey City has excellent tap water and plenty of refill stations, so there's no need to waste plastic on bottled water.