What to do in Newark, NJ

Activities, attractions and tours

Downtown Newark showing outdoor art, a square or plaza and a city
Downtown Newark showing heritage architecture, outdoor art and a square or plaza
New Jersey Performing Arts Center showing interior views, theatre scenes and modern architecture
Military Park which includes a high rise building, a statue or sculpture and a city
Prudential Center featuring a sunset

Newark Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Newark has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Newark is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Newark to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Newark Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Newark.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Newark attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Most fun & popular experiences in Newark

Tours & day trips

See all 1127 activities
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 1858 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $95 per adult
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All OptionsOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 336 activities
Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York

Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price is CA $6 per adult
Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New YorkOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 157 activities
New York: Broadway Comedy Club All Star Stand-Up Comedy Live

New York: Broadway Comedy Club All Star Stand-Up Comedy Live

Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes
8.2 out of 10 with 90 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $34 per adult
New York: Broadway Comedy Club All Star Stand-Up Comedy LiveOpens in new tab

Shows & concerts

See all 82 activities
The Lion King On Broadway

The Lion King On Broadway

Activity duration is 2 hours and 30 minutes
9.6 out of 10 with 1465 reviews
Price is CA $247 per adult
The Lion King On BroadwayOpens in new tab

Adventure & outdoor

See all 66 activities
Central Park New York City Bike Rental

Central Park New York City Bike Rental

7.4 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $9 per adult
Central Park New York City Bike RentalOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Newark

Number of things to do
1396
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in New York: CA $7
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Newark

Discover the most popular places to visit in Newark

Prudential Center featuring a skyscraper and a city

Prudential Center

See everything from electrifying hockey games and huge musical concerts to monster truck rallies and children’s shows at The Rock.

Prudential Center
Photo – crowded soccer stadium, football fans support the team

Sports Illustrated Stadium

Catch an event at Sports Illustrated Stadium during your trip to Harrison. Experience the acclaimed theater scene and entertainment choices in this vibrant area.

Sports Illustrated Stadium
New Jersey Performing Arts Center showing interior views, theatre scenes and modern architecture

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Come for a night at the theater and be dazzled by a Grammy Award-winning symphony orchestra, an international ballet company or a famous rock group.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Seton Hall University from an aerial view

Seton Hall University

Explore the campus of Seton Hall University as part of your travels around South Orange. Experience the entertainment choices or attend a sporting event in this vibrant area.

Seton Hall University
Branch Brook Park featuring a park

Branch Brook Park

The largest park in the “Garden State” features lakes, waterways, forests, meadows and a spectacular cherry blossom festival in spring.

Branch Brook Park
Rubella tortoise in the zoo. Three turtles are standing on their backs, one on one. Trachemys Scripta Elegans .

Turtle Back Zoo

Visit the native and exotic animals who call Turtle Back Zoo home during your travels in West Orange. Attend a sporting event or simply enjoy the top-notch restaurants while you're in the area.

Turtle Back Zoo
Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart showing street scenes, a church or cathedral and heritage architecture

Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Add your name to a guestbook that includes Pope John Paul II when you visit this stunning Gothic cathedral in the heart of Newark.

Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart
Montclair Art Museum featuring interior views and art

Montclair Art Museum

Use the audio guide to learn about historic and modern Native American art and sip wine at a live music event.

Montclair Art Museum
Little fairy dwellings are strewn throughout the South Mountain Fairy Trail

South Mountain Reservation

Explore the great outdoors at South Mountain Reservation, a lovely green space in Newark. Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

South Mountain Reservation

Explore areas of Newark

Downtown Newark showing heritage architecture, outdoor art and a square or plaza

Downtown Newark

4/5(45 area reviews)

Discover cultural venues like New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Newark Museum of Art in this central business district. Easily explore on foot via the Lenape Trail or access public transit at Penn Station and Newark Light Rail stops.

Downtown Newark
Manhattan Financial District at sunset from Jersey

West Side

3/5(4 area reviews)

Lincoln Park offers various recreational facilities, while West Side Avenue boasts shopping options. Easily accessible via West Side Avenue Station and multiple bus routes, the area is undergoing expansion with new residences and retail spaces.

West Side
Default Image

Central Ward

While you're in Central Ward, take in top sights like Prudential Center or New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Warren Street Station or Norfolk Street Station.

Central Ward
Some of the most wonderful bakeries are in Ferry st Newark New Jersey.. Wonderful Portuguese pastry

North Ironbound

North Ironbound might not have many top sights, but Sports Illustrated Stadium and Prudential Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

North Ironbound
NEWARK, NJ, USA - MAY 7, 2019: OUTSIDE OF Penn Station, New Jersey, USA.NEWARK, NJ, USA - MAY 7, 2019: OUTSIDE OF elizbabeth train station, New Jersey, USA.

Ironbound District

Experience a European market town vibe in this Portuguese-influenced area, with waterfront recreation along the Passaic River and parks like Riverfront Park. Easily accessible from Newark Penn Station, enjoy local amenities within walking distance.

Ironbound District
Military Park showing a city and heritage elements

Newark Central Business District

If you're spending time in Newark Central Business District, check out sights like New Jersey Performing Arts Center or Prudential Center and hop on the metro to see more the city at Military Park Station or Washington Street Station.

Newark Central Business District

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Newark

Adobe

Bayonne

Wide aerial view capturing the neighborhoods of Hoboken and Jersey City, with the iconic New York City skyline stretching across the horizon in the background. Overcast skies add depth

Secaucus

Aerial Drone of Homes in Edison New Jersey

Edison

Aerial view of the New Goethals Bridge, spanning Arthur Kill strait between Elizabeth, New Jersey and Staten Island, New York. The New Goethals Bridge carries 6 lanes of I-278.

Elizabeth

Liberty State Park showing cbd, general coastal views and a city

Jersey City

Aerial Drone of Watchung New Jersey

Mountainside

Aerial Drone of Metuchen New Jersey

Iselin

Vanderbilt building

Florham Park

Frequently asked questions

Is Newark worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Newark is visit American Dream. Check this leading sight off your to-do list, then experience more of this area's festivals and culture.
How do I spend a day in Newark?
When you've checked off major attractions like American Dream and DreamWorks Water Park, spend the rest of your day experiencing Newark's retail and food scene.
What is the top tourist attraction in Newark?
American Dream is one of the top tourist attractions in Newark and should feature high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Newark?
Three days in Newark is plenty of time to visit the city's leading attractions. Many travellers stay for two days on average. Turtle Back Zoo, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Loew's Jersey Theatre are among the top-rated sights. Like to discover more? Hang around a little longer to check off nearby hotspots like New York.
Is Newark a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and leading attractions within walking distance of the city centre, Newark is a good destination to experience on foot. Wander between Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart and African Art Museum of the Society of African Missions. Then take a stroll through Newark Central Business District, located 0.32 kilometres from the centre, and Ironbound District, which is roughly 2 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Newark with kids?
Planning what to do in Newark with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're travelling with little ones or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly activities to keep them busy here.

What to do in Newark for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Newark, with activities for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Washington Street or The Manor.
Are there free things to do in Newark?
In Newark, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart is a top spot for anyone planning to tour the city without opening their wallet. Also, stroll around the local neighbourhoods and parks, and ask for ideas from a local tour guide. It's a good way to find out about the best free things to do in Newark.

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