By Crystal Davis
If you’ve ever wondered what to do when you’re not on campus and have some free time, we are the home to many very beautiful parks that unfortunately many of us fail to recognize. Liberty State Park and Lincoln Park are two of our biggest and fanciful nesting grounds for bike-riders and walkers alike. You can visit the 9/11 memorial, the bike path, the playground, Liberty Science Center, Interpretive Center, and even get involved in hiking or fishing.
Your second option can be to explore the Central Railroad of New Jersey [CRRNJ], circa 1920. The Statue of Liberty will be reopening sometime in early 2014. Unfortunately it was closed due to Hurricane Sandy back in October 2012. Lady Liberty is said to be fully accessible, Ellis Island is also said to resume its daily tours near the end of next year, including the prices of taking the ferry from LSP range from $12-20.
If you found that museums are not quite your thing, then you can skim through the first paragraph and read this one for my third hotspot.
Pole Position Raceway [PPR], is a an extremely fun and exhilarating race-car track for adults. If an adrenaline rush is what you are looking for then this should be your number one choice. Why? Because the race-karts reach up to 45 mph! The PPR is about half a mile away from Liberty State Park on Caven Point Road. Prices range from about $22-25 with or without a driver’s licenses. You have the option of going with a group or having a fun date.
And lastly, if you just want to have a night out on the town, explore the budding culture of both Journal Square and the amazing visuals of New York City from the Waterfront. Take a trip to one of our oldest historic sites – the Lowe’s Jersey Theatre, circa 1929; you can enjoy an “old-timey” silent film or volunteer with the restoration of the theatre’s natural beauty.
If you would enjoy something savory, visit Madame Claude’s Cafe for the most amazing crepes you’ll ever taste. The restaurant is elegantly cornered in downtown Jersey City, with evening the hours range 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on most weekdays; if you are thinking about enjoying yourself with your special someone, indulge and spend a bit—the pricier things can be beneficial.
This is as much our city as it is yours so take a load off and go have some fun.