With the weather cooling down and the few trees in the city turning shades of red, orange, and yellow, the outdoorsy type may be looking to venture to the woods to get a better picture of autumn in New Jersey. There are miles on miles of trails around the state to explore, so we put together a list of trails that hikers or walkers can access by public transportation. Here are 10 trails to take in beautiful views this fall in New Jersey by bus or train.
South Mountain Reservation Fairy Trail | 197 Glen Avenue, Millburn, NJ
South Mountain Reservation is over 2,000 acres of green space in Essex County. The historic Lenape Trail runs through the park, connecting parts of Essex County with 36 miles of trails through both urban and suburban areas. The Fairy Trail is located just a short walk from the Millburn train station and provides a great access point to the beautiful park. Assuming trains are operating on schedule, trains leaving from Hoboken on the Gladstone line can get to Millburn in 45 minutes.
Read More: 50+ New Jersey Festivals For Your Fall 2024 Bucket List
Overpeck County Park | 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, NJ
In Bergen County, nature lovers can take in the fall colors surrounding Overpeck Creek at Overpeck County Park. It has over five miles of trails for both biking and walking and the park spans over 800 acres. There are several combinations of NJ Transit buses to take to bring hikers to Overpeck Corp Centre, where the park is a short walk away.
Eagle Rock Reservation | Prospect + Eagle Rock Avenues, West Orange, NJ
Visitors can check out the Watchung Mountains change colors this fall at Eagle Rock Reservation. The 400-acre park has several trails for hikers of all levels and ages. Lookout Point looks over tons of trees below, and the New York City skyline is visible in the distance. A quick PATH ride to Newark Penn Station and then a bus ride on Bus 71 brings hikers to the southern part of the park.
Branch Brook Park | Park Avenue + Lake Street, Newark, NJ
When someone reads Newark, New Jersey, they might picture an airport, not a cute park. This hidden gem has a ton of history. It was designated the first county park for public use by the United States and boasts the country’s largest cherry blossom collection. Over 5,000 trees are spread out across the 360-acre park. Hop on a train to Newark Broad Street and then take a short bus ride or Uber ride to the park to see the seasons change among the trees.
Bonus: Nordkop Mountain in Harriman State Park | Hillburn, NY
No, it’s not New Jersey, but it is still a great spot to take in the changing foliage this fall. Hop on the Suffern line at Hoboken and take the train to Suffern, NY. Just a short walk from the train station is the trail to Nordkop Mountain, a 0.6-mile out-and-back trail. It’s part of Harriman State Park, a beautiful park with over 200 miles of trails and over 30 lakes and reservoirs just north of the New Jersey/New York state border.
See More: Northern New Jersey 5ks + Walks Happening for Fall 2024
The Hiking Community in Hoboken + Jersey City
For those looking to explore farther into New Jersey or other parts of the Tri-State area, the Jersey City + Hoboken Hikers Meetup group could be of help. The online group organizes rides to different trails as well as transit-accessible excursions. Jersey City Connects also hosts seasonal hikes throughout the year, exploring parts of New Jersey and New York for a small fee. Another great resource for hikers who may not have access to a car is the NJ Transit to Trails site. The virtual map highlights nearly 40 parks in New Jersey and how to reach them by bus, train, or light rail.
New Businesses Opening in Hoboken + Jersey City in 2025
These past few years, Hoboken and Jersey City have been the hub for new spots. Restaurants, boutiques, dessert shops, fitness studios, and more have made their way to our community. This next year, even more businesses have announced plans to open in the area. Read on for a list of businesses coming to Hoboken + Jersey City in 2025, and some new spots that have opened in December 2024.
Hoboken
Abercrombie + Fitch | 237 Washington Street
Locals have been abuzz about an Abercrombie + Fitch coming to Hoboken. We were able to uncover the rumors by chatting with local real estate agent Bobby Antonicello Jr. who helped broker the deal. Abercrombie + Fitch will be coming to the former Arthur’s Tavern location on 237 Washington Street in Hoboken.
Read More: Is Whole Foods Coming to Hoboken?
Apollo Bagels | TBD
Rumors have been swirling that NYC-based Apollo Bagels is making its New Jersey debut in the Mile Square. HG reached out to the Apollo team, and while a location is still being kept under wraps, the team shared that they will provide more information as it becomes available. The bagel shop is known for its plain, everything, sesame bagels, plus bagel sandwiches, smoked salmon, whitefish, and other spreads.
Baby Girl Speakeasy | 938 Washington Street
Anthony David’s, located at 953 Bloomfield Street in Hoboken, was recently approved to renovate an old tattoo parlor into an upscale bar — located directly next to the restaurant at 938 Washington Street. The speakeasy-style bar will tentatively be called “Baby Girl” and have two levels. One part of the bar will be at ground level, and the other part will be in the basement. We have reached out for more details.
Barry’s Bootcamp | 119 River Street
On Thursday, August 8th, 2024, Barry’s Bootcamp announced on Instagram that it’s opening a Hoboken location. A source close to the developer on the project shared with The Hoboken Girl this September that Barry’s new Hoboken outpost will be located in the former Jos A. Bank storefront at 119 River Street, Suite A. More details to unfold in 2025.
Beach Bum Tanning | 602 Washington Street
Signage has been spotted for a brand new tanning salon coming to Hoboken, Beach Bum Tanning is one of many beauty businesses entering the Mile Square in 2025. While no official opening date has been released, Beach Bum’s website lists a Hoboken location as “coming soon.”
Café la Canna | 159 14th Street
Photo Credit: @_noadar_
While details remain slim, signage for Café la Canna appeared earlier this year at 159 14th Street. The space was formerly home to V Spot Nail Spa, a nail salon that closed in August 2022.
Cafexico | 515 4th Street
New signage at 515 4th Street in Hoboken may indicate the opening of Cafexico. The coffee shop was originally set to open back in June but we are yet to receive further updates. The spot will serve coffee drinks in a cafe-style setting, and renderings shared of the interior space look like a light and airy vibe with lots of natural light.
Cuban Pete’s | 518 Washington Street
Cuban Pete’s, a BYOB Cuban restaurant in Montclair, New Jersey, is moving into the former Charrito’s space at 518 Washington Street in Hoboken. No official opening date has been released but more details are anticipated to unfold in the new year.
Green Pear Cafe | 93 Grand Street
Two Hoboken firefighters and friends are coming together to reopen Hoboken’s Green Pear Cafe on 93 Grand Street. While much of the space will remain the same, the new owners plan to elevate the menu to encompass Italian deli fare. While the official opening date is TBD, locals can look for updates in early 2025.
Ivory Baking Co. | 404 14th Street
Photo Credit: @christian__becker
Signage spotted by locals signaled a new opening in the works for Ivory Baking Co. The Custom bakeshop will primarily have custom orders and pre-order menu items — including cakes, cookies, and seasonal desserts. Official opening dates are TBD.
Julietta Gelato Cafe | 423 Washington Street
in October, the Julietta Gelato Cafe team shared with The Hoboken Girl that it plans to open its Hoboken shop by the end of 2024. With the new year approaching, we are excited to see the traditional Italian gelato cafe set down in Mile Square City in 2025.
Mile Square Cafe | 746 Park Avenue
Per an application to the City of Hoboken Planning Board, a new cafe called Mile Square Cafe is heading to 746 Park Avenue in Hoboken. We have reached out to the team listed on the planning board application and will share any further updates for 2025.
Pariwaar Delights | 616 Washington Street
Pariwaar Delights, which currently resides at 827 Newark Avenue in Jersey City, will open up a second location in Hoboken in the former Mikie Squared space at 616 Washington Street as signage was spotted by a local HG reader. While there is no mention of a second location on Pariwaar Delights’ website or Instagram, we have reached out to the restaurant for further details.
Snack Bar | 520 Adams Street
Photo Credit: Bill Schmitt
Bill and Maren Schmitt, the owners of Schmitty’s and Otok Bakery in Hoboken are creating a new experience for Hoboken residents called Snack Bar. Snack Bar will be a family-friendly space where multi-generational groups can spend time together, enjoying food and drink, and even host parties. More details to come in 2025.
Strand Salon Studios | 1425 Hudson Street
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1425 Hudson Street is soon to be the home of Strand Salon Studios, which is a salon suite enterprise headquartered in New Jersey. This will be the chain’s sixth location, with two more on the way. Official opening dates are TBD.
Stretch Lab | 770 Jackson Street
Stretch Lab provides one-on-one assisted stretches and has over 900 licensed locations around the world. The chain has signage up at 770 Jackson Street in Hoboken and the website says “coming soon.” More details coming in 2025.
Sweetgreen | 218 Washington Street
Popular salad chain Sweetgreen will be making its Hoboken debut in 2025. Back in November 2024, the Historic Preservation Committee meeting agenda revealed an application for Sweetgreen at 218 Washington Street. The application included notes of changes to signage, general repairs/restoration, and other general architectural plans. The space at 218 Washington Street was formerly home to DryBar which closed back in early 2024. The official opening date is TBD.
Urban Market | 1425 Washington Street
Brooklyn-based shop Dumbo Market is officially coming to Hoboken at 1425 Washington Street, under the name Hoboken Market. Construction started at the massive space near the Hudson Tea House on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 and signage is officially up. As of October 30th, 2024, the market is making even more moves towards opening as some food is stocked. The official opening date is TBD.
Van Leeuwen | 537 Washington Street
Van Leeuwen shared on its website that the shop plans to open a location at 537 Washington Street in Hoboken at the former Glosslab location. Van Leeuwen has two other locations in New Jersey including a brand new location in Jersey City. The Jersey City storefront opened this summer at 347 Grove Street, and there’s also another outpost at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford.
Jersey City
Adventure Park | 273 16th Street
Photo Credit: Mary Christian
Adventure Park, an indoor children’s recreational facility, is under construction on the bottom floor of Soho Lofts in Jersey City. Adventure Park will be a roughly 10,000 to 12,000-square-foot project, which can hold up to 600 people at a time. The team is hoping for an early January 2025 opening.
Almost Home General Store | 595 Pavonia Avenue
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Almost Home General Store shared on its website that “We're working on an exciting new cafe in Jersey City, NJ”. Per Jersey Digs, an application was submitted to Jersey City’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for a liquor license for Almost Home JC LLC at 595 Pavonia Avenue. Further details are TBD. Almost Home also opened up a coffee cart in Jersey City’s Hudson House Lofts in 2023.
B Bagels | 367 Grove Street
In early 2024, B Bagels took to Instagram to announce that behind-the-scenes work was underway to prepare for the opening. After much anticipation from locals, the bagel shop’s most recent post indicates that opening may be happening very soon as the team just cooked up its first batch of bagels. Official opening dates are yet to be announced.
Cangiano’s | 615 Pavonia Street + 316 15th Street
Jersey City favorite Cangiano’s is planning to expand in 2025. With two new locations opening at 615 Pavonia Street + 316 15th Street in Jersey City, locals can get their fixes closer to home. The new locations are planned to open during the first quarter of 2025.
Cheech’s Bagels | 176 Erie Street
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Cheech’s Bagels announced via Instagram that it will be “coming soon” to 176 Erie Street in Jersey City. The announcement came on a particular day: National Bagel Day, January 15th, 2024. That same day, SILVERMAN Real Estate Group also announced on its Instagram that a lease was signed between Cheech’s Bagels and Swift + Co. Cheech’s shared on December 9th, 2024 that they are “working on orders now” as locals anticipate an official opening date.
Cheeky’s Sandwiches | 89 Monitor Street
A Southern-style eatery is making its way to Jersey City in 2025. Cheeky’s Sandwiches is a new sandwich shop serving up New Orleans-style eats — including its signature fried chicken biscuits, shrimp + oyster po boys, short rib sandwiches on challah bread, vegetarian foccacia, and other dishes. Cheeky’s is also on track to open two storefronts in NYC at the Essex Street Market and in the Lower East Side soon.
Crumbl Cookies | 318 Grove Street
National cookie brand Crumbl Cookies is making its way to Jersey City. Signage has been up for several months now as locals get excited. While all signs point to “coming soon” we anticipate more details will unfold in 2025.
Don’t Tell Liv | 138 Newark Avenue
Oliva’s Market located at 138 Newark Avenue is expanding to the second floor of the building to open Don’t Tell Live, a speakeasy-style bar. While we caught a sneak peek of the interior on Instagram, further opening details are yet to be announced.
Eggs Up | 270 Johnston Avenue
While we do not know much about Eggs Up just yet, the new breakfast cafe will be situated at 270 Johnston Street. The new spot will be located in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood at the Atlas residential building. While Eggs Up’s website is up and running, we are still awaiting further announcements.
Equinox | 20 Columbus Drive, Jersey City + Hoboken (TBD)
On August 28th, 2024 a source close to the Harborside 4 project shared exclusively with The Hoboken Girl that Equinox will be located in the new Harborside 4 complex, located at 20 Columbus Drive in Downtown Jersey City. Rumors about the Hoboken location are still swirling and will share once we know more.
GTK | 295 Johnston Avenue
Photo Credit: @sayheysocial
After closing their original location at 356 Varick Street in Jersey City, GTK aka “go to kitchen” opened a location in Hoboken at 1014 Washington Street. At the same time, the team announced plans for another location at the 295J apartment building in Jersey City, located at 295 Johnston Avenue in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood coming soon.
Hashi Market | 75 Park Lane South
Hashi Market, a Japanese market based in NYC is crossing the Hudson River to open up its first New Jersey location soon. The market will be located at 75 Park Lane South, inside the Park + Shore Development, and signage has already been spotted in the windows as locals await more information.
Maxwell Alley | 12 Coles Street
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Mark Censits, founder and president of CoolVines, is set to open a new farm-to-table restaurant called Maxwell Alley in early 2025. The endeavor will be a trendy dining spot with world-class food, weekend brunch, coffee creations, and a full bar service six days a week. The new restaurant will take over the former Gringo’s location at 12 Coles Street in Jersey City.
The Medicine Woman | 660-684 Tonnelle Avenue
Rapper and actor Ice-T is teaming up with The Medicine Woman co-owner, Charis Burrett, to open up a cannabis dispensary in Jersey City. The official opening date is yet to be released though in January of 2024, The Medicine Woman was “approved by the state Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) Wednesday,” January 17th, to sell recreational cannabis, per NJ.com.
Millburn Deli | 101 Hudson Street
Essex County staple, Millburn Deli is expanding to Jersey City in 2025. The local sandwich shop will be setting down roots at 101 Hudson Street in Jersey City in the Exchange Place neighborhood. A source shared with HG that the deli hopes to open in the spring.
MilkShake Factory | 175 Newark Avenue
MilkShake Factory, a handspun milkshake, and homemade ice cream chain is set to take over the old Milk + Cream Cereal Bar location at 175 Newark Avenue in Jersey City. Signage spotted by locals on Reddit has locals excited about the Pittsburgh-based chain setting up for its new home in Jersey City.
Mochi Dough + Bober Tea | 66 Monitor Street
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A new doughnut and bubble tea shop will be coming to 66 Monitor Street in 2025. Mochi Dough will serve up premium Japanese rice flour doughnuts, called mochi dough, as well as bubble tea. Some of the doughnut flavors on the menu include taro, black sesame, and funnel cake. The website and Instagram say that the store is coming soon.
MOJO Coffee | TBD
MOJO Coffee, a beloved Hudson County staple, has plans to expand to Downtown Jersey City, near the Grove Street PATH station, in early 2025. This coffee spot, which first opened in 2020, has locations in Hoboken at 230 Willow Avenue and 801 Bloomfield Street. The team behind MOJO shared with HG that they are "excited to add to the JC community." Patrons should expect the menu of this new spot to consist of coffee, pastries, and specialty drinks, as well as additional food options made in-house.
New Brewery from Schmitty’s Team | 1415 Adams Street
A vacant lot at 1415 Adams Street in Uptown Hoboken doesn’t look like much now, but owner Bill Schmitt has big plans for the space. He and his wife Maren are co-owners of Schmitty’s Bar and Otok Bakery and now have their sights set on building a brewery. Official opening dates are TBD as the details unfold.
Panaderya Salvaje | 9 Erie Street
Panaderya Salvaje is a new bakery coming soon to 9 Erie Street in Downtown Jersey City. The bakery items are inspired by flavors from the Philippines and already look absolutely mouth-watering thanks to some sneak peeks on social media. While locals await an official opening date, Panaderya Salvaje can be followed on Instagram.
Paris Baguette | 570 Washington Street
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Paris Baguette, a famed bakery, coffee, and lunch chain, will be setting up shop soon in Jersey City. Signage has been spotted at 570 Washington Boulevard in a Newport office building. A source close to the project shared with the Hoboken Girl that this franchise also plans to open in Journal Square. Paris Baguette also recently opened a location in Hoboken at 1000 Maxwell Lane. The official opening date has yet to be announced.
Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza | 134 Chestnut Avenue
Earlier this fall, signage was spotted by an HG reader in the former Speedy’s location indicating that Paulus Hook Brick Oven Pizza could be making a Jersey City comeback. The pizzeria closed at its original 84½ Morris Street location back in 2020, but now, there’s “coming soon” signage at 134 Chestnut Avenue, per a HG reader.
Root + Nectar JC | 201 Monticello Avenue
Root + Nectar Cafe is making its way to Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood in January 2025. The vegan and vegetarian-friendly eatery will have fresh juices and organic ingredients sourced from local farms in the tri-state area.
Shang Gong Chu | 319 Warren Street
Colorful signage that says "Shang Gong Chu Coming Soon" has been spotted by locals at 319 Warren Street in Jersey City. The space was formerly occupied by restaurant, Teppan but is now under construction for Shang Gong Chu's pending entrance.
Soláz | 70 Town Square Place
Photo Credit: Courtesy of LeFrak
Soláz is a full-service, modern Mediterranean restaurant with a menu curated by celebrity chef David Burke. The restaurant will have indoor and outdoor seating, a full bar, and even golf simulator suites. The restaurant just recently announced on Instagram that its official opening is slated for spring 2025.
Spots That Recently Opened in December 2024
Neroli Boutique | 630 Washington Street, Hoboken
Photo Credit: Neroli Boutique
Neroli Boutique located at 630 Washington Street in Hoboken announced via Instagram on December 17th, 2024 that its doors were officially open and ready to welcome customers with open arms. Stating “The Wait is Over! We’re excited to announce the opening of Neroli – your new destination for elegant and timeless fashion.”
OliJon’s Thrift Store | 138 Park Avenue, Hoboken
On Saturday, December 7th, 2024 OliJon’s Thrift Store officially opened its doors on 138 Park Avenue in Hoboken. The store is stacked from floor to ceiling with affordable finds. The entire store is curated, and organized for easy shopping with prices mostly ranging from $2-$100.
See More: New Businesses Coming to Montclair + Essex County in 2025
Trós Greek Street Food | 686 Bergen Avenue, Jersey City
Trós, formerly known as Plaka Souvlaki, opened its third location on December 5th, 2024 at 686 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. In addition to the new Jersey City location, Trós also has storefronts in Hoboken, 62 Newark Street, and Harrison, 811 Frank E Rodgers Boulevard South.
