What's it like to live in Hoboken

Hoboken's biggest perk is being one of the only places in the state where you can get your coffee, laundry, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, all in one block. Once you get to know the local gems, don’t be surprised if you find yourself choosing Hoboken over NYC when it comes to exciting food and drinks! For the artsy types, there’s also an incredible art scene thanks to the Hoboken Arts & Music Festival and the Hoboken International Film Festival. Expect the locals to be clad in vintage store finds and the same regulars in your neighbourhood coffee shop. Hoboken has a community feel and everything you would want at your fingertips - whilst only being a stone's throw away from Manhattan.

Where is it?

Hoboken is a city in Hudson County and the state of New Jersey.

What’s the transport like?

Home to the site of Hoboken Terminal, a major transportation hub, it’s easy to navigate your way around and to/from this neighbourhood. The local Transit Bus routes are 22, 85, 87, 89, and 126. The PATH is the main train that will get you from Hoboken and other parts of northern New Jersey into NYC. It also runs 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Where do the locals go?

Parks:

Pier C Park is special because it’s like a little island on the Hudson. While it’s not the biggest park, it’s worth visiting for the 360° views of the river. For the perfect picnic spot, set up on the green at Pier A Park. It has a fountain which you’ll see in action throughout spring and summer, but make a trip down in the evenings to make the most of viewing the Manhattan skyline as it lights up at night!

Events & Activities:

Pier 13 stretches out into the river with an excellent view of the Manhattan skyline on either side. While it’s a fantastic location to drink, it also has an incredible range of food trucks from Jersey locals along its colorful walkway! Join in their activities such as water sports like paddleboarding and jet skiing, as well as weekly events such as half price deals on drinks and table-top games like foosball and ping pong!

What’s the point in being so close to the Hudson River if you can’t make the most of it? On a sunny day, head to The Community Boathouse for free kayaking and paddle boat lessons - provided you can prove that you can swim. Run by a group of kayaking enthusiasts and volunteers, their programs run almost every weekend during the summer and serve an average of 4,000 paddlers per year! It’s the perfect way to spend your Saturday.

The Barsky Gallery has two locations in Hoboken, and was voted the best art gallery in the area in 2022. Visit their showrooms to privately explore the largest, ever-evolving art collection in New Jersey! The gallery showcases a large selection of original art by painters worldwide and is well worth a visit for art lovers!

The best restaurants:

Fiore’s is a classic Hoboken Italian deli serving the Mile Square since 1913! If you find yourself down 4th and Adams on a Saturday morning, you can’t mistake its location for the line out the door. People queue for their fresh mozzarella (or "mutz", to the locals) and legendary sandwiches. Make sure you come hungry because the sandwiches are loaded - a half is plenty, especially if you also order fresh cold cuts and a side of roasted or stuffed peppers. All their sandwiches are delicious, but we recommend their classic roast beef special. Celebrity fans have included Frank Sinatra, Danny DeVito, The Sopranos cast, and the cast from Law & Order SVU. But make sure to run past an ATM on your way as they’re cash only!

Downtown, La Isla has been a local favorite for two generations. Starting off with just 39 seats, the restaurant has expanded to 100 seats due to being inundated with bookings. Open morning, noon and night, this Cuban diner is a colorfully decorated retro space serving meals made as authentically as possible outside of Havana! Join on Tuesdays for their Chino-Cubano night to enjoy incredible Chinese fusion food, or reserve a table on Thursday for fresh Paella.

If you’re after somewhere slightly fancy (a date night perhaps?), check out Bin 14. Order Brussels sprouts and pancetta and Mexican street corn from their menu of small plates, or choose from their wide selection of mains including bruschetta and pizza, as well as special discounts and dishes on selected weekdays. Being the first and only wine bar in the area until recently, Bin 14 know how to do drinks right. Order sangria by the jug, or choose one of their craft cocktails and beer to sip in their outdoor fairylit garden.

The best bars:

Belo is a small tavern with an outdoor patio area where you can expect low lighting, jazz music and a seasonal cocktail menu. If you’re feeling peckish, order from their small menu of sliders, burgers and sandwiches.

Make the most of their happy hour Mondays for discounted drinks and snacks, or get yourself a table between 4-7pm any other day of the week! Be warned: wear comfy shoes as you’re guaranteed to be up on your feet dancing until the early hours when the music gets going.

It’s essential to find your local Irish pub when moving to a new neighborhood, and Mulligan’s fits the bill. This will quickly become your go-to spot to watch premier football with a pint, plus their kitchen serves wings, sirloin burgers and traditional Irish Breakfast (served all day every day!) to keep your stomach lined during the game. Sports fanatics may also want to get involved in their pool and darts leagues too. If Mulligan’s isn’t in your block, McSwiggan’s and Finnegan’s are also worthy contenders.

Schmitty’s serves up local beers and a great selection of ales, sours, stout, IPA and craft cocktails! It’s the bar to watch the game, or catch up with a group of friends. Check out their Instagram to join one of their event nights, which include everything from live music, to paint and sip classes, and free sandwich frenzies during game days! And if you really love craft beer, why not sign up to their Brew Club to get your favourite brews delivered on demand?

The best coffee shops:

Bwè Kafe is a Hoboken family-run cafe that translates to ‘drink coffee’ in Haitian Creole. They opened in 2013 with the mission to create a local cafe, where coffee meets community in creative and meaningful ways. They’ve fulfilled this by collaborating with local businesses such as Park&Bloom to sell fresh plants and flowers, Little City Books to keep the cafe library stocked, and Margo Market, which makes organically sourced organic tees that are hand-dyed with espresso grinds from Bwè! Swing by to order one of their seasonal specials; a blueberry cold brew in summer or an apple pie latte in winter. Why not sign up to their monthly coffee subscription and get delicious ground beans delivered straight to your door too?

For locally sourced coffee, try The Little Local for a cup of Hoboken’s finest. They’ve partnered with neighbourhood bakery Choc O Pain to offer fresh, locally made pastries daily with an Austrian twist! Think fruit turnovers, flourless chocolate ‘heaven’ cake, and fanciers.

Yuki’s Bakery & Coffee is a Jewish and eastern-European inspired cafe, famous for its Babka, filled with your choice of Nutella, cinnamon streusel, or dark chocolate & pistachio. Their coffee is provided by Counter Culture Coffee, and pairs perfectly with any of the on-counter treats including challah bread, Rugelach, cookies, and much more! Additionally, they have a shop that offers delicatessen items like fresh dips, quiches and antipasti, which make the perfect on-the-go lunch.

Stores:

A cult favorite for Hobokenites is Vintage on First. This vintage shop is known for its Instagram drops, and an impressive local collection of vintage items. So, if you’re looking to blend in with the locals, deck yourself out with a new wardrobe from here. Another go-to for vintage-inspired clothing is Mint Market. The store carries fun and bold new designs, and you might just find the occasional Chanel or Gucci item too, if you're lucky enough!

Noellery is the place to go to fulfil all your accessory needs! From earrings to sunglasses, as well as home goods such as soaps and office supplies.

If you’re in a pinch for a gift, you’ll be glad you discovered the Washington General Store. Located on Hoboken's historic Washington Street, this is a one-stop-shop for all your home, gift and celebration needs. Find the most gorgeous coffee table books, scented candles and beautifully decorated glassware and plates, as well as last minute cake toppers and colourful banners and balloons for hosting your roommate’s next birthday party.

What’s it famous for?

Hoboken is most famously the location of the first recorded game of baseball. It’s also known as the birthplace and hometown of Frank Sinatra, who various streets and parks in the city have been named after.