Though it is small, Hoboken is mighty. When you’re traveling out of state and people ask you where you live, there is a very good chance that they will have heard of Hoboken in some capacity (ahem, hello birthplace of Sinatra, the Oreo, baseball, and more) and for good reason. Hoboken is a small town with a big personality and a very rich history. Whether you’re moving to the Mile Square, moving out of it, or just visiting, here is a must-do Hoboken bucket list to get the most out of what our city has to offer.
Things to Do:
Visit the Hoboken Historical Museum and learn about Hoboken’s past.
Tour the Hoboken Fire Department Museum and sit on the 1932 red Ahrens Fox fire engine.
Kayak at Hoboken Cove Community Boathouse and take in the views of the Hudson from uptown.
Browse books at the Hoboken Public Library.
Take guitar lessons at Guitar Bar.
Buy Hoboken gear from Stan’s Sports Center and wear it around proudly. You can also purchase local merch here and support our team!
Walk along Court Street and snap some photos.
Watch a locally-produced show at the Mile Square Theatre.
Join an outdoor workout class on Pier A with a view of the skyline. Walk over to Pier C for some more world-class NYC views.
Participate in the self-guided Sinatra walking tour and find Ol’ Blue Eyes’ birthplace.
Stroll through the Stevens Institute campus and enjoy the lookout.
Time-travel to the early 1900s by visiting the Erie Lackawanna Terminal waiting room.
Browse the stacks of books at Symposia Bookstore, the only used-bookstore in the area.
People-watch on Washington Street.
Watch a soccer game at Mulligan’s, Hoboken’s only soccer bar.
Pick up rare vinyl records from Tunes.
Rent a bike and pedal around the waterfront.
Food + Drink:
Do an Italian deli tour – Fiore’s, Losurdo Brothers, Lisa’s, M & P Biancamano, Vito’s, and Luca Brasi’s.
Pick a bottle of wine at Amanda’s and pair it with a delicious dinner.
Try any Churrasco dish from La Isla — we’re partial to downtown, but their newer uptown location serves alcohol.
Dig into a Sicilian pie from Torna’s.
Eat lobster from Court Street, a local staple.
Enjoy a wine flight at Bin 14.
Score a reservation at Augustino’s, a celeb favorite and old-school Italian vibe.
Have brunch at the oldest restaurant in Hoboken — Elysian Cafe.
Enjoy the view and dishes from Blue Eyes, an Italian-owned waterfront spot.
Nosh on a bowl of pasta from Leo’s, an 80-year-old restaurant with a shrine to Frank Sinatra.
Order a steak from The Brass Rail and listen to this podcast episode about its ghost story.
Dig into a Snowboken from Dino & Harry’s.
Pick up bread from Dom’s Bakery, a staple bread bakery that supplies the bread to many local restaurants, and used to ship to Frank Sinatra across the country upon request.
Eat coal-fired anything from Antique Bar & Bakery.
Sample cupcakes from Carlo’s Bakery, the world-famous bakery started right here in Hoboken.
Clink drinks at Pier 13, Hoboken’s outdoor waterfront beer garden.
Eat a pizza slice from Benny Tudino’s, whose pizza is definitely larger than your head.
Drink frozen margaritas from East LA.
Try the famous cheesesteaks at Piccolo’s, an Italian sandwich shop that’s been around for six decades.
Order french toast from Anthony David’s and bring a bottle of champagne to mix with their freshly-squeezed OJ.
Dig into some Hungarian sausage at Pilsener Haus & Biergarten and have a pint from one of the beer garden’s local taps.
Indulge in handmade chocolate from Lepore’s, a longstanding family-owned dessert shop.
Sample some of the best Indian food in the area at Karma Kafe.
Festivals, Fairs, + Events to Mark on Your Calendar
Of course, when the world is back to “normal” — there are a few Hoboken events you must mark on your calendar. Here they are:
Mutzfest – January
This is an annual event where local delis and restaurants compete for the best mozzarella {better known as “mutz”} in the Mile Square.
Chili Cook Off + Craft Beer Contest – March
This cook-off is an opportunity for chili chefs and brewmasters alike to test their skills, while simultaneously fundraising for the mentoring organization, TRUE Mentors.
A Wing + A Prayer – March
More than 300 chicken wing connoisseurs will gather to gobble up more than 5,000 wings at this annual competition, all while raising money for the St. Francis Food Pantry.
Hoboken Wellness Crawl – August
This Hoboken Girl event is centered around connecting local residents with wellness businesses in Hudson County to celebrate all of the incredible food, fitness, health, and beauty options available in our community. This year’s crawl will be virtual. Get tickets here.
Hoboken Arts + Music Festival – May + September
Over 300 artists and crafters exhibit their work along Washington Street, all while patrons can enjoy great food, and craft activities for kids.
Memorial Day Parade – May
The Memorial Day Parade has been a long-standing tradition in the community for the past 120+ years that honors the men and women across the country who have lost their lives defending the U.S.
Hoboken Secret Gardens Tour – June
Hosted by the Hoboken Historical Museum, this tour takes you through the Mile Square’s beautiful private gardens. They reflect the diversity of the city’s inhabitants, as past tours have featured English cottage gardens, Japanese Zen gardens, a Moroccan courtyard, and more.
St. Ann’s – July
The line for zeppoles is nearly as famous as the iconic festival itself. For over a century, this Italian festival has featured good eats, live music, kids rides, arts and crafts, and more.
Bark in the Park – September
This animal-friendly event is the largest pet festival in Hudson County. It brings animal-lovers together for a fun-filled day with food and local vendors.
Hoboken Italian Festival – September
This local favorite has been around for over eight decades and was derived from a 600- year-old-festival in Italy. Located on Sinatra Drive, the festival is best known for traditional Italian food, live entertainment, and local vendors.
Hoboken House Tour – October
Hosted by the Hoboken Historical Museum, this tour takes you through a behind-the-scenes-look of some of the best-designed homes. There are up to ten beautiful brownstones and condos, plus historic sites involved.
Ragamuffin Parade – October
This annual Halloween tradition begins on 14th and Washington Street and ends in The Little League field where the best costumes are awarded, followed by city-wide trick-or-treating.
Want a Hudson County bucket list? Click here.
Just a few things that make our little city incredible. Share this far and wide with anyone, new or old, who loves Hoboken — or will soon love Hoboken, after they get through this list.
