The 21 best things to do in Hoboken

Hoboken is home to families, young professionals, and hipsters. The square mile of Hoboken in New Jersey is well known for its great restaurants, bars, nightlife, and a lot more attractions. There’s plenty to do if you want to spend one weekend here and it’s actually one of my favorite things to do in New Jersey. 

Today, we’ll find out what Hoboken, New Jersey is famous for and what there is to do in Hoboken during the day and at night. We narrowed down the absolute best things to do in Hoboken for you.

How to get to Hoboken?

In case you’re wondering how to get from NYC to NJ, here’s how. The easiest way to get to Hoboken is the Path Train or the ferry. The Path Train takes you from either WTC or 33rd Street all the way to Hoboken in New Jersey.

• Check the path train schedule here).

If you would like to enjoy the city views while traveling to Hoboken in New Jersey, check out the Hoboken ferry that drops you off right next to the Path Station in Hoboken.

• Here is the ferry schedule for the Hoboken Ferry.

• There are also NJ transit buses running from nearby Port Authority to Hoboken, but we don’t find this as a good alternative. The ferry and the path trains are the best ways to get to Hoboken in New Jersey.

What is Hoboken New Jersey famous for?

In case you didn’t know, Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. It is also the birthplace of modern-day baseball and the site of Stevens Institute of Technology. For the locals and international visitors, Hoboken is vibrant and the go-to spot to go out at night, also Hoboken is known for its various, unique restaurants and its bars. So what is Hoboken like?

It is not a secret that Hoboken is not only home of the best parties in the area, but it is indeed also very family friendly. Lots of young families found their homes in this beautiful area, settled down, while still being very close to the city. Parks, playgrounds, outdoor activities plus an interesting restaurant scene makes Hoboken so attractive in the long run.

What is there to do in Hoboken in the day (+ at night)?

Grab a beer at Hoboken’s Pilsener Haus & Biergarten

Hoboken wouldn’t be Hoboken without its Biergarten. The Pilsener Haus & Biergarten is an Austro-Hungarian style restaurant and bar that has over 70 different beers on draft and in bottles. In the summer you can sit outside and order your food from the BBQ or regular menu. The huge family-style dining tables invite you to bring all your friends. Our favorite day to go is Tuesday at the Pilsener Haus  & Biergarten. Everything is 50% off if you pay cash.

Address: Hoboken’s Pilsener Haus & Biergarten 1422 Grand St, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Enjoy the views at Pier A Park

Bring a blanket and some sunscreen and get comfortable at Pier A Park in Hoboken. The park right by the Hudson River, adjacent to the Hoboken Ferry Terminal, is famous for relaxing summer nights with a view of the city. Fishermen come here on a regular basis and runners are clocking in their miles.

Address: 100 Sinatra Drive Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Go shopping on Washington Street in Hoboken

While visiting Hoboken, make sure to check out the best stores on Washington Street. From vintage stores, small boutiques, book stores, vinyl stores and the cutest toy stores you can imagine, Washington Street in Hoboken is packed with great shopping options.

Address: Washington Street Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Explore the old charm of the Hoboken Ferry Terminal

First opened in 1907, Hoboken Ferry Terminal still kept this very special old charm from the past with its Beaux-Arts architecture. The station was badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy on October 29, 2012, with several feet of water inside the terminals. Until today, Hoboken always experiences floodings that are either coastal flooding or rainfall events.

Even though it feels like the Hoboken Ferry Terminal is always under construction, there’s so much to see when you’re there. Don’t forget to walk into the old school waiting room area and dive into how it must have felt like to wait for a train in the 1900s.

Address: Ferry Terminal Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Climb a wall at Gravity Vault

Hoboken’s 25,000-square-foot rock climbing center, which opened in late 2017, is the place to go when you’re into sports and are looking for a challenge. Located right next to the Pilsener Haus and Biergarten,  Gravity Vault in Hoboken attracts thousands of visitors every month. Test your grip, take your friends and enjoy one of the coolest rock climbing locations in the area.

Address: 1423 Clinton St.  Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Spend the night at the W Hotel in Hoboken

Known for excellent service and rooms with stunning city views, the W Hotel in Hoboken is the place to stay when you are in the area. The path train is about a 5-10 minute walk, so it’s easy to access and convenient to get to and from the city. The W Hotel in Hoboken is located right by Pier A, so you can literally roll out off your bed into the beautiful park and watch the sunrise. We recommend booking through booking.com to find the best rates for the night at the W Hotel in Hoboken.

Address: 225 River St.  Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Explore Hoboken with Lime Scooters

Hoboken offers the chance to get to see the area on an electric scooter. No walking needed. All you need is your ID, a credit card and the downloaded app on your phone to get started. Since the beginning of Lime Scooters in Hoboken, the locals are loving the new way of getting around town. It’s easy, fast and so much fun. Make sure to follow the Lime Scooter rules while riding around Hoboken.

When you’re done riding you can leave the scooter in one of the assigned areas. Find out more about Lime Scooters in Hoboken here.

Pier 13 Hoboken Food Trucks

Another beautiful park with breathtaking views of New York City is Pier 13 Park. It’s a large outdoor area with lots of green space, playgrounds, movie nights under the stars, a family friendly Biergarten, water sports activities, and the best food trucks you can imagine. Pier 13 is one of the best places to go to in the warmer months of the year. Sip sangria, or a glass of wine, have pizza or/and tacos and enjoy life.

Furthermore, Pier 13 is the best spot to do water activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, and jet skiing. There’s a lot going on at Pier 13 every summer night and on the weekends. Make sure to come to check it out.

Address: 1301 Sinatra Dr. N., Hoboken, NJ 07030

Baking classes at Carlo’s Bake Shop

Have you ever heard of the show “Cake Boss”? Carlo’s Bakery has become famous thanks to this show. The bakery is known for its stunning confectionery creations and people are waiting in line in front of the shop to get inside and have a piece of cake. In case you’re really into baking, you can actually schedule a cake decorating class by the owner himself instead of just staring at the storefront as all the others do. Find out how to learn how to bake one of the signature cakes at Carlo’s Bake Shop in Hoboken.

Address: 95 Washington Avenue, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Dance the night away

One of the best things to do in Hoboken at night is heading to one of the famous clubs and bars in town. Many of the regular bars turn into a small club at night. If you’re looking for a night out in town, these are our favorite clubs that we can recommend going to:

• Birch Hoboken (92 River Street)
• The Shannon (106 1st Street)
• Cadillac Cantina (80 River Street)
• The Hub (16 Hudson Place)
• Madison Bar & Grill (1316 Washington Street)

Walk (or run) the Hudson River Waterfront

Another favorite on my list of the best things to do in Hoboken is a walk or run along the Hudson River waterfront. The running community is amazing and regardless of the hour of the day you are heading out for a run or walk, you will always see a bunch of other runners, or people going for a walk enjoying the breathtaking city views and great atmosphere.

By the way, this is also one of my favorite romantic things to do in Hoboken. Come during sunset with a blanket and soak it all in. On a warm summer night, things become truly magical at this place.

Have the best Cuban Food at La Isla Hoboken

Hoboken surely has one of the best Cuban restaurants you can find in the area. One of our favorites and probably also the most popular. La Isla Hoboken has two locations. One is near the Hoboken Terminal on 104 Washington Street with an authentic Cuban style restaurant that you would find just like that in Havanna.

La Isla Uptown (25 12th Street) is a little bit more chic and more of a place you would take your date to. Both have their very own charm with the most delicious Cuban cuisine. Check their website for La Isla Hoboken reservations and the full menu.

Visit a museum in Hoboken

Since Hoboken has so much history, there are two great museums in Hoboken that you should visit when you’re in town. Especially when you are traveling with kids, you’ll be amazed by their creativity to teach history in a fun and interesting way.

• If you want to find out more about Hoboken’s past, make sure to check out the Hoboken Historical Museum. Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the beautiful city of Hoboken sponsored by the Museum. The entrance fee is only $4 for adults and is children admitted free. You’ll receive a very special Frank  Sinatra tour map that gives you a historical perspective on Hoboken.  Open Tues- Thurs: 2 – 7 p.m., Friday: 1 – 5 p.m. and Sat. & Sun.: 12 – 5 p.m. Address: 1301 Hudson St., Hoboken, NJ 07030 

• If you’re looking for things to do in Hoboken for kids the Hoboken Fire Museum is an excellent choice. The little ones get to climb into a fire truck from about 1923 to take a picture. Go back in time and explore more about the history of the fire department in Hoboken. Admission is only $3 per adult and all children under 12 are free. Open weekends from noon – 5 p.m. Address: 213 Bloomfield Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 |