Each month, The Hoboken Girl and The Giordano Group highlight one town in Northern New Jersey to share some of the best places to eat, drink and socialize. We’ll outline the different commuting options and fun, family-friendly activities while providing you with the necessary facts and critical insight into the competitive and hot Northern NJ real estate market. This New Jersey real estate series will showcase what makes each town cool, unique, and vibrant. So while you may not be looking to move, we all know stalking Zillow houses is the best hobby — and The Giordano Group is here to make it that much easier.
After visiting Cranford, we are heading to Essex County and the bustling town of Bloomfield. Bloomfield is one of the larger towns in the state and is experiencing historic growth in retail, diversity, residential developments, and entertainment. Noted for its convenient commute to New York City and Newark, and more affordability than nearby Montclair. The mostly colonial-style homes complement the tree-lined streets and plentiful shopping districts. There are also countless things to do for children and adults alike. Read on for your guide to Bloomfield, NJ.
About the Giordano Group
Darren Giordano and his team of realtors have over a decade of experience in Hudson County and Northern New Jersey, achieving the Platinum Level of Excellence every year since 2016. They closed over $300,000,000 over the last decade.
To learn more about the market value for homes in Bloomfield — or if you want to find out the current market value of your home in Hudson County, text CMA to 201-723-3300 to get in touch with the Giordano Group or click here.
The Commute
By Train
Bloomfield is located on the NJ Transit Montclair-Boonton Line and has two stations in town – Watsessing Avenue and Bloomfield Station. NJ Transit operates a train from New York Penn Station to Glen Ridge hourly servicing these two stops. The journey takes about 30 minutes to get into Manhattan. Depending on which stop you use you are only 1 or 2 stops from the Newark Broad Street Station. The Montclair-Boonton line also has direct service to Hoboken on Weekends and occasionally during weekdays.
By Bus
NJ Transit does not have a direct bus to NYC. But the local Decamp Bus Company which operates out of Montclair has two routes that service Bloomfield – Route 33 (with stops on Broad + Liberty, Broad St + Watchung, and W. Passaic + Darling Ave) and Route 44 (Franklin + Montgomery St). You will also find several NJ Transit buses operating up and down Broad Street and Bloomfield Avenue taking you almost anywhere you need to go in Northern NJ including Newark, Paramus, and the Oranges.
By Car
Only 15 miles from NYC and minutes from Hoboken and Jersey City, Bloomfield allows for easy commuting by car. The Garden State Parkway and nearby routes 3, 46, 21, and 17 are all easily accessible.
Where to Eat + Drink
Diverse eateries, diners, coffee shops, and sweet shops line the town center’s busy streets, featuring everything from casual meals to upscale seafood and exotic delicacies from around the world. See below for only a sample of the vast culinary offerings of Bloomfield.
Bloomfield Steak + Seafood House | 285 Glenwood Avenue
Once a Revolutionary War hideout, this historical building is now a chophouse/seafood restaurant. They offer a cozy indoor vibe and even feature a firepit and igloos outside.
Blue Steel Pizza + Rab It Hole | 285 Glenwood Avenue
Blue Steel Pizza took over the spot formerly occupied by The Wooden Spoon and Senoritas. It’s a welcome addition to the bustling and developing Bloomfield Center and is sure to stay. The dark ambiance, cool drinks, and delicious food are worth the visit. And if you’re lucky there is a fun, yet tiny, speak-easy you can access upstairs. The details of the art, specialty cocktails, and furnishings in The RaBit Hole will make you feel like you’re in wonderland.
Holsten’s | 1063 Broad Street
This old-school ice cream shop with classic flavors and sodas, plus a long candy counter was a staple in town long before David Chase concluded the Sopranos. For 75 years, Holsten’s has anchored the busy intersection of Watchung Ave and Broad St and never lost its historic feel. Holsten’s proudly continues to pay homage to the infamous 2007 finale by commemorating Tony’s booth and serving up onion rings.
Popolari | 9 Broad Street
Popolari is a retro/chic Italian Pizza + Pasta Bar, serving Neapolitan pizza, classic American pizza, and homemade pasta. Located in the Brookdale Area bordering Montclair and Glen Ridge they have ample seating inside and out (weather permitting).
Things to Do
When you visit a new town, the restaurants and locally-owned shops are must-visits. But what makes each town special is the different attractions and activities they offer throughout the year. Bloomfield holds car shows, outdoor concerts, and movies in the summer months. Seasonal festivals like their annual Harvest Fest feature live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and festive music. Here are our picks for unique experiences in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Rose Squared Art Show at Brookdale Park takes place two times a year.
^Westminster Arts Center located in Bloomfield College.
Bloomfield Historical Society | 90 Broad Street #3
Bloomfield has a long and storied past, and one of the best places to learn the town’s history is the Bloomfield Historical Society. You’ll find it along Broad Street, a grand Greek Revival building which, also serves as a public library. Inside, you’ll find exhibits and collections of artifacts from various eras featuring furniture, clothing, maps, and more.
Bury the Hatchet | 672 Bloomfield Avenue
We know what you’re thinking if you’ve never done it — axe throwing sounds and looks a little crazy. But with the guidance of the helpful staff, it’s a perfect spot for a date night, team building, or just if you want to blow off some steam and let your inner lumberjack out.
Casa Del Flora Bar | 75 Washington Street
Build your own bouquet and sip some wine, champagne, or coffee at this new black-owned cafe. We highly recommend their lavender latte as you take in the ambiance away from the outside hustle and bustle.
Oakside Bloomfield Cultural Center | 240 Belleville Avenue
The Oakeside Mansion is a 19th Century private estate surrounded by four acres of beautifully landscaped gardens in Bloomfield. This charming venue offers intimate rooms, magnificent chandeliers, and a foyer with a lovely staircase — perfect for photos. Outdoors are the formal gardens and distinct barn that create the perfect backdrop for dining and dancing which is usually on the menu at many events held throughout the year.
Where to Shop
Downtown features local boutiques, men’s hats and streetwear shops, bike shops, salons, and more discount shopping options than in other towns.
Gencarelli’s Bakery | 446 Broad Street
100% authentic Italian bakery with a large variety of pastries, bread, cannolis, and cakes. If you have a sweet tooth, walking in the door will have you satisfied.
Murdoch Shoes | 623 Bloomfield Avenue
In business since 1888, this family-owned business carries the highest quality comfortable footwear and service to clients of all ages and professions.
Pure Love Pies | 1042 Broad Street
Do you wonder what love tastes like? That is their motto, and you will understand why. Pie flavors come in sweet and savory — the Navy Bean Pie is their crowning jewel.
Kid’s Corner
The Schools
^ Bloomfield High School
Bloomfield Public Schools serve students in pre-Kindergarten through twelfth grade. The district has 11 schools made up of eight elementary schools serving Kindergarten through sixth grade — Berkeley School, Brookdale School, Carteret School, Demarest School, Fairview School, Franklin School, Oak View School, and Watsessing School. Bloomfield Middle School houses seventh and eighth graders and feeds into Bloomfield High School. Bridges Academy and Forest Glen provide individualized programs and services for special needs students in grades 7-12.
Bloomfield Tech High School is a regional magnet public high school that offers occupational and academic instruction for students in Essex County, as part of the Essex County Vocational Technical Schools.
Colleges + Universities
Bloomfield College, a liberal arts college founded in 1868, located downtown and near the town green just announced its merger with Montclair State University. It will soon be referred to as Bloomfield College of Montclair State University.
Parks + Recreation
Bloomfield is home to many parks that range in size and amenities. These parks are a wonderful way to spend a sunny day with options for picnics, walking trails, sightseeing, and more.
^ Brookdale Park is the third largest park in Essex County and is home to annual runs, fireworks, a large rose garden, concerts, festivals, and recreational activities including archery.
Brookdale Park
Brookdale Park offers public access to both passive and active recreational activities as well as picturesque vistas. Trails for walking and running, lush groves and extensive lawns, playgrounds, track facilities, tennis courts, and a stadium grandstand are just some of the attractions that make Brookdale Park a magnet for nature lovers and families. A permanent stage is currently under construction which is a sign of more events + concerts to come!
Watsessing Park
This recently renovated park features a senior center, sports fields, a dog park, a splash pad, and a butterfly garden. Like several other parks in town, the Second River meanders through a piece of this park.
Real Estate Corner via The Giordano Group
The Bloomfield real estate market is hot like all Northern NJ Suburban towns. There were 329 sales YTD thru November 18, which was down from 451 at the same time last year. There are also luxury apartment buildings being constructed surrounding Bloomfield Center and the train station.
Homes range in size in Bloomfield with an average sales price of $432,301 with some homes getting into bidding wars and selling for well over asking and the median sales price of $457,000. There are only 39 active homes for sale as of November 18th. Overall, the days on market in 2022 were 30 days YTD. If you’re interested in learning more about Bloomfield or any neighboring towns, you can give Darren and The Giordano team a call, shoot them an email at darreng@kw.com or download their North Jersey Homes app for real-time updates in the market at your fingertips.
Stay tuned for the next town in our North Jersey series, coming soon.
