When plotting out your vacation to New York you might not often think of crossing the river to visit one of Manhattan’s original sister cities, Jersey City. Jersey City is home to vibrant culture and impressive high-rises, large in part due to its long history and proximity to the Big Apple. Today, you’ll find several neighborhoods and districts in the city, all boasting their own unique distinction for any visitor to enjoy.
Following in the steps of New York, Jersey City is home to fantastic shopping and dining scattered all throughout the city, with some neighborhoods specializing in fashion, art, and culinary delights. Not to mention endless entertainment ranging from theatre performances all the way to live movie viewings.
Additionally, Jersey City is still looking to expand, with multiple renovation projects still on their way the city might quickly become a must visit during your next vacation.
Jersey’s Districts.
Jersey City contains numerous neighborhoods, ranging from art districts, and even historical sections like P.A.D or The Village. Some parts of the city will even specialize as shopping districts, or financial hubs, such being the case with Newport, and Exchange Place.
The Powerhouse Arts District features excellent entertainment, not only home to several art galleries, but also incorporating performances for every visitor to enjoy. Additionally, Newport is considered to be Jersey City’s main shopping district, boasting a great deal of commercial shopping and outdoor dining. You can even stop by the movie theatre if you’re looking to enjoy some downtime.
Shopping is littered throughout Jersey City, with much of it being located in shopping districts like Newport, however you’ll also find plenty of shopping and dining in some of Jersey City’s other districts.
Endless Shopping.
Exchange Place is considered Jersey City’s financial hub and for good reason, it’s collection of big-name company’s along with large banks have even earned the neighborhood the nickname “Wall Street West“. Thanks to the district’s location it has seen a constant stream of finance flowing in and out of the area, allowing for large-scale commercial retailers to move into the area.
Today, Exchange Place is home to a wide collection of shopping, dining, and entertainment for any visitor to enjoy. The neighborhood even features several shopping centers like, the Exchange Place Centre or the Harbor Side Financial Center. You’ll not only find plenty of shopping near these malls but numerous bars surrounding them as well.
Additionally, Exchange Place will host public events and performances during the summer, you may even catch a movie while visiting some of the neighborhoods public spaces.
Community Spaces.
Speaking of public spaces, Jersey City is filled with community centers and public parks for visitors to check out. Most of these neighborhoods will close off certain blocks to allow for communal interaction, sometimes even hosting parades and street performances for anyone visiting.
Places like Harsimus and the Village are home to beautiful public gardens along with plenty of local dining for every traveler to check out. restaurants in these neighborhoods often specialize in certain cuisines, such as Mexican, Asian, and of course Italian. The Village itself is even known as Jersey City’s “Little Italy”, making it perfect for those looking to try out some new dishes
While there may be a number of options when it comes to finding transit to Jersey City, you may at times feel a little overwhelmed by your choices. The LIRR may seem like a tempting choice but its unreliable, not to mention dangerous, so then what’s the best way to get to or from Jersey City?
If you’re planning on a vacation to New York or simply want to get out of Manhattan then take a taxi down to Jersey City. Home to a variety of shops and restaurants, Jersey City offers all kinds of entertainment and activities for anyone visiting!
Jersey City also houses a collection of shopping malls, parks, and even boardwalks where you can enjoy the New York skyline.
Why should I visit Jersey City?
Jersey City’s shopping and dining are scattered throughout the city with many of its shopping malls being located in the city’s main shopping district, Newport. An extensive range of upscale shops and boutiques making Newport a great destination to visit during your vacation. Zara, Aeropostale, Hollister, JCPenny, and even a Macy’s are all available to visitors looking to get some retail therapy done.
Whether you need long distance transportation from out of town or want to tourJersey City with an hourly service, you’re bound to find a limo service that suits you.
This should leave you with one question on your mind.
What are the rates for a limo or car service to or from Jersey City?
Prices for a limo or car service to or from Jersey City vary depending on specific pick up location. If your coming in from Manhattan general prices are as follows.
Vehicle Class
Lower Manhattan – Jersey City
Midtown Manhattan – Jersey City
Upper West Side – Jersey City
Upper East Side – Jersey City
Upper Manhattan – Jersey City
LUX Sedan
$118.39
$134.27
$133.79
$150.10
$177.48
LUX SUV 6
$137.01
$157.18
$156.57
$177.29
$212.07
LUX SUV 7
$148.82
$171.13
$170.46
$193.39
$231.87
Premium SUV
$217.56
$217.56
$217.56
$217.56
$255.84
Prices will vary depending on specific locations.
Who has the best rates for a limo or car service to or from Jersey City?
Jersey City’s collection of neighborhoods: Bergen-Lafayette
Welcome to Bergen-Lafayette! previously lined with warehouses and factories today the neighborhood is packed with residential, commercial, and even recreation centers.
Bergen-Lafayette is home to multiple mixed-use residential buildings along with a wide selection of parks and squares likely to keep anyone visiting entertained for hours!
Bergen-Lafayette’s location helped the neighborhood develop as an industrial district for much of its history. Luckily, thanks to conservationist, factories and warehouses were kept out of both Journal Square, and The Hudson Palisades.
Today, much of its old warehouses were redeveloped into mixed-use residential and commercial buildings.
What Restaurants are in Bergen-Lafayette?
Bergen-Lafayette’s restaurants were built during the neighborhoods industrial boom. Buildings are often designed with open spaces and large windows allowing for sunlight to come in.
Most of Bergen-Lafayette’s commercial shopping is filled with clothing stores and coffee shops. Some clothing stores in the neighborhood offer more personalized experiences with boutiques or even vintage styling.
Bergen-Lafayette’s wide array of restaurants, shops, and activities make it ideal for touring during your vacation. The neighborhoods close proximity to the Hudson Palisades also grants it access to outdoor activities like hiking and even camping. With so much to see in the neighborhood you’re only concern should be choosing the right limo service to take you there.
Luckily the right service is just around corner, My Destiny Limo provides the perfect black car service for those looking to separate themselves from the masses. Their combination of professional chauffeurs and luxury vehicles are likely to keep you coming back, so book today!
Newark Liberty Airport was opened on October 1st, 1928 and now serves over a million passengers yearly. While EWR is no longer designated a New York City airport, it still experiences a massive amount of flyers going to the big apple daily.
Newark airports location often makes it difficult to easily navigate back and forth, not many train or bus services are reliable enough to allow for easy transport through the states, meaning the only real way to get to Newark airport from the city is through taxi. Luckily both New York and New Jersey are packed with car and limo services.
Newark Liberty international Airport has three separate terminals that instead of being numbered are alphabetized. While not as complicated as other airports, it can still get rather confusing getting around luckily this can be easily offset by ordering a Meet & Greet service from a limo service.
EWR would expand in 1973 with the addition of 2 new terminals for flyers, Terminal A and Terminal B.
Terminal C was completed in 1988 and was designed by Grad Associates, its also exclusively operated by two separate carriers, United Airlines and United Express.
Terminal A is operated by the EWR Terminal One LLC and is a part of the Flughafen Munchen GmbH. Terminal B is uniquely managed directly by Port Authority and has four separate level.
What are the prices for a car/limo service to or from EWR?
EWR may not be considered a New York airport any longer but there’s no doubt that it still serves thousands of flyers going to NYC daily. If you’re one of those flyers, then be sure to make the easy choice of booking a taxi to bring you to or from the airport.
Luckily My Destiny Limo makes it simple with a wide variety of excellent chauffeurs and high quality vehicles making any vacationtour safe and hassle free!
With the countless of limo and car services available the only difficult part might be choosing the right driver!
If you’re looking to get some shopping and dining done then there’s no better place to do it then Downtown Jersey City. Considered to be one of Jersey City’s most desirable neighborhoods to live in, the area has gone through major redevelopment. Largely due to The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District, who worked in conjunction with property owners and local businesses to improve the neighborhood. Today, Downtown Jersey City is made up of the city’s historic downtown section and The Waterfront, which connects the neighborhood with Newport. Thanks to the efforts of both the residents and the local government Downtown Jersey City is now safer and cleaner. The city is now filled with activities that can range from dining, retail, fitness, to even services. With so many new things to do, we recommend taking a vacation to Downtown Jersey City.
Much of Downtown Jersey City’s history is similar to the rest of the state’s. The area would be occupied by the Lenape tribes until the first European settlers would come to the America’s. The neighborhood would be used during key battles during the American Revolutionary War.
Much of the neighborhood would be developed during the 19th century, with many brownstone buildings lined in the area. There would also be a number of industrial buildings constructed in the area, most of these buildings would be converted or redeveloped into residential apartments, a good example of this is the Dixon Mills.
Some old warehouses would even be turned into art districts, such was the case with The Powerhouse Arts District. Most of Downtown Jersey City’s high-rise buildings would go up during the 2000’s, flooding the neighborhood with new retail stores and restaurants. This also allowed for many tourist to visitJersey City with the intention of checking out the new shops and restaurants. there are still new stores opening to this day, such as Bourke Street Bakery, the newest addition to the list of Jersey City bakery’s. Certain neighborhoods have managed to keep their historic buildings, most are lined on Harsimus which lies in between Van Vorst Park and Hamilton Park.
Harsimus Rail Station
Harsimus is a neighborhood within the Downtown Jersey City District and is lined with 19th century row houses. Like the rest of Jersey City, it was previously inhabited by the Lenape, though most of its buildings would be constructed during the 1830’s. Much of Harsimus’ urbanization was done by John Coles, a merchant who expanded the neighborhood during this time. The city’s proximity to its shoreline allowed for the neighborhood to develop into a busy port city.
Harsimus would truly flourish thanks to the development of the railroad industry. During the 1870’s the neighborhood would be land-filled to make way for the addition of railyards. The addition of railroads and terminals allowed for huge stockyards to be built along the waterfront.
The neighborhood would face a wave of political corruption beginning in the early 1900’s. From 1910 to about 1950 Harsimus would be the site of gerrymandering, slowing down any further process of development. Between 1950 and 1970 the area would suffer from massive economic and population decline. Largely due to Port Newark’s development, which is now the main shipping dock of the Greater New York Metropolitan area. It was in the 1970’s that Harsimus would finally go through a redevelopment phase.
Slums would be cleared and many new housing projects would go up, most of which are aimed at middle and low income residents. This renewal had no effect on the 19th century row houses previously built in the neighborhood, largely due to a preservation movement. While the preservation managed to protect the row houses in Harsimus the surrounding area would be redeveloped. Mass transit and affordable rents attracted many artists to the area, many of whom converted their buildings into live/work spaces. The influx of wealth led to High-rise residential buildings being constructed within the area. Most artists would continue their work in the Powerhouse Arts District. The main road running through Harsimus is Newark Ave which houses a pedestrian mall.
The Newark Ave Pedestrian Mall is home to many shops and restaurants, the Mall also hosts a number of seasonal events too. There are current plans to develop the pedestrian mall further, including widening the streets.
West of Harsimus lies a small but wonderful historic neighborhood called the Village. The Village houses many historic buildings that have been preserved thanks to efforts by the local community. The neighborhood was once known as Jersey City’s very own “Little Italy”, many of its roots are still there today.
The neighborhood is littered with many restaurants and cafes for anyone needing some quiet time in the city. You’ll even find a wine tavern in the Village, filled with different types of cheeses and cocktails. The Village is also home to the oldest polish speaking parish in New Jersey, with many Polish worshipers attending the church daily.
Built in order to serve Polish parishioners, the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church serves as the neighborhoods main building of worship and doubles as a historic attraction. Before its inception polish Catholics would often have to take a ferry to the other side of the river just to attend service. The construction of the building allowed residents convenient access to a house of worship. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and is now one of the centerpieces in the Village.
Another one of the Villages historic buildings is the White Eagle Hall, which has been used as a community center since 1910. It was originally built by Polish immigrants who were led by Rev. Peter Boleslaus Kwiatowski. Rev. Kwiatowski would help establish many parishes around New Jersey. Ownership of the hall would be transferred over to the St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic church in 1934. The hall would serve as a bingo hall and practice center for a local basketball team called the Friars, coached by Bob Hurley.
In 1968 White Eagle Hall would serve as the stage for multiple band competitions, Frank Infante would begin his career here. This would go on until about 1975, eventually the building would be put up for renovation. It wasn’t until 2013 that the building would finally see a restoration period, the hall would then be reopened in 2017.
The district itself is located on the Jersey City waterfront overlooking the Hudson River. The Powerhouse Arts District would be converted after many artists began to move into the area due to cheaper rent. Most artists would prefer to live in the same area they worked, this led to the city proposing new zoning laws that would allow people to work where they lived. Unfortunately the districts were never zoned and with a boost in the local economy the neighborhood began to favor high rise buildings. Many of these old buildings would still remain in the area, the most well known being the powerhouse. The main arts center is located in a renovated generating station named the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad Powerhouse, this is where the district would get its name.
Today, the Powerhouse Arts District is being looked at by many in the real estate business. There are current plans to build a new 900 foot skyscraper in the area, which would make it the tallest building in New Jersey. However many believe the area should stay as is.
From 1985 to 2009 the neighborhood would undergo a major real estate development. High-rise rental apartments and condominiums were built allowing for the additions of many new households.
Newport‘s redevelopment plan also allowed for the construction of new hotel buildings, with some hotels using remnants of old warehouses dating back to 1989. The neighborhood also contains a great number of office spaces, over five million square feet of it, with many big named companies residing within the neighborhood. Some of the most well-known companies include L’Oreal, Citigroup, Forbes, and even JP Morgan Chase. Newport is packed with both local shops and big name retail stores that tend to coexist in mixed use spaces.
The Newport River Market is a perfect example of this due to its dining, retail, and service options. The market is located on a river front and is home to stores like Target, Sears, Staples, and many more. If you’re looking for a quick bite, you’ll find the neighborhood loaded with pizzeria’s, cafes, and even houses a steakhouse!
Another great shopping area in Newport is the Newport Centre, better known as the Newport Mall. The mall would open in 1987 with over a million square feet of space and attracted buyers from all over. The Newport Mall was the first of its size in Hudson County and is home to over 150 stores and services.
Paulus Hook would see a major construction boom following the addition of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail. The rail helps connect Hudson County with other neighborhoods in the city, such as Bergen-Lafayette. After the September 11 attack the neighborhood would see major investments going into expanding the area.
The neighborhood is a popular shopping destination with lines of restaurants on Morris Street, and Washington Street. Both these streets are packed with excellent cuisine, from European to Parisian, any visitor will find something they enjoy.
Paulus Hook’s waterfront faces the Hudson River, you’ll find that the waterfront has phenomenal views to offer. Vacation goers will find that many of the locals are from the surrounding neighborhoods, many of who use the light rail for easy access. If you’re looking to avoid the public transit, you’ll be happy to know there are a number of limo services that can take you around the neighborhood.
Another popular stop off the HBLR is Exchange Place, Jersey City’s very own Wall Street, or even Wall Street West.
The district sits on a piece of land that was created by landfilling the shore on Paulus Hook. The neighborhood itself has been a transportation hub for much of its history dating back to the 1760’s. Exchange Place was the original site of the first steam ferry service, which stood at the head of a highway to Newark. The ferry would be established in 1812 and would influence the location of certain terminals built in Jersey City. From 1838 to 1892 the Pennsylvania Railroad would purchase and remodel the terminal in order to expand it. During this time the neighborhood was not referred to as Exchange Place but instead as the Pennsylvania Railroad station.
The addition of the New Jersey Railroad and construction of a new intermodal terminal helped propel the neighborhood into an important transportation center on the East Coast. Local transportation in Jersey City would be the first to refer to the neighborhood as Exchange Place, in order to better identify where passengers wanted to go. At the turn of the century the station would be given to the city, where it would be expanded and renovated. The Hudson and Manhattan Railroad would open tunnels in 1910, and in 1926 the station would officially adopt the name Exchange Place. In 1949 business began to dwindle, ferry service was being discontinued and buses would replace rail lines. Then finally in 1962 the station would officially close down and be demolished, with many of its railyards being eliminated. Now a days most residents would prefer to take a taxi down to Exchange Place, sometimes even as far out as Pennsylvania.
Exchange Place is also home to a waterfront with fantastic views of New York City and still operates as a private terminal. Many trolleys and buses still start and end at Exchange Place and there are still a few ferries that run to it.
North of Harsimus lies Hamilton Park, a quiet, Victorian aged greenspace surrounded by 19th century row houses. The park itself was constructed around 1827 and was founded by a man named John B. Coles. John B. Coles was a federalist from New York who laid out the groundwork for Downtown Jersey City’s foundation. He would name the park after Alexander Hamilton, who on top of being a founding father was also the founder for the federalist party. Hamilton Park is about 5.4 acre square that houses a wide selection of shops, boutiques, and restaurants. Inside the Park you’ll find many activities when visiting, ranging from children’s playground, basketball courts, and even dog parks. Hamilton Park even features a splash pond and sprinklers for little ones to enjoy during the summer!
The park also has a number of events as well, during the summer the community hosts the Hamilton Park Festival where visitors can enjoy music and food in the park. The Park also hosts outdoor movie nights, the schedule can be found on a banner in the entrance, or simply online. Hamilton Park is also home to a Gazebo that has a farmers market set up every Wednesday from May to December. Visitors can enjoy some iced cold lemonade, popcorn, and fresh produce sold in the market. The farmers market also sells jams, green vegetables, and even Empanadas!
The park also has its own preservation group that maintains Hamilton Park clean and safe for all ages. Hamilton Park Conservancy is dedicated to protecting the park’s natural beauty. Hamilton Park is also surrounded with different activities for all ages to enjoy whether that be ice cream shops, gyms or even instrument and dance classes.
You’ll find the park is engulfed with Victorian era buildings with colorful murals all over the neighborhood. If you’re looking to get some food while at Hamilton park grab a bite at Carmine’s Pizza or sit down at a restaurant for some Korean food. Hamilton Park also features a bar and even an hotel in the area, appropriately named Hamilton Inn. If you’re planning a calm vacation, try visitingHamilton Park; its beautiful greenery and friendly residents make it an excellent spot.
Further south of Harsimus is Van Vorst Park, while very similar to Hamilton Park its history is different to the park up north. The park itself was a centerpiece of a township that used to exist in the neighborhood, appropriately named, Van Vorst Township.
The name itself comes from the Van Vorst family, who acted as supervisors to the land and helped in its development during the 1630’s. Van Vorst Park would begin to build row houses in the 1800’s. The Van Vorst family would manage the settlement throughout generations until about 1862, During this time the family would employ local florist, Peter Henderson, to landscape the park. Van Vorst Park would be renovated in the 2000’s thanks to a $2 million fund being raised by the Friends of Van Vorst Park. The park is now filled with playgrounds, sandboxes, a gazebo, and even sprinkler parks!
Van Vorst Park is very similar to Washington Square Park located near SoHo, New York City. However the park in Downtown Jersey City features much more traditional architecture. Today the park is mainly a residential area with many brick row houses and Victorian architecture. While there are still plenty of shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy, the neighborhood is much more of a visual treat. It’s traditional architecture and friendly residents make it a perfect place to escape from the noise, and with so many transportation options to or from New Jersey, getting to Van Vorst Park can be a hassle free experience. While you may be tempted to take public transit to Downtown Jersey City, don’t be afraid to take a taxi. Now a days the Tri State area is filled with limos and drivers that are more than willing to take you to Jersey City.
If you’re planning on doing some shopping in the area than it might be best to contract a limo service. most limos in the area are willing to provide an hourly service for anyone doing a tour of the city.
Welcome to Bergen-Lafayette, one of the six major neighborhoods in Jersey City and home to a number of mix-used residential complexes. The neighborhood used to be home to many industrial facilities but has seen a lot of renovation projects to make it what it is today. Bergen-Lafayette even went through a few name changes, during the early 1800’s it was called Bergen, then Bergen City. It wasn’t until about 1870 where the neighborhood would officially be incorporated into Jersey City. The merger with Jersey City would lead to a massive renovation project that would take years to finally settle. Today, the city is filled with malls and shopping centers for visitors to enjoy, so if you’re planning on VisitingJersey City, take a taxi down to Bergen-Lafayette.
North of Bergen-Lafayette is Journal Square, a multi-use business and residential area that is currently being redeveloped. New high-rises are allowing for wealthier residents to move in. Don’t be surprised if you see a few residents having a driver in their limo.
Journal Square used to be home to many farmhouses and manors, most of which were passed down from the previous residents of the “square”. During the early 1900’s many of these houses were demolished to make way for more modern buildings. Many of Journal Square‘s current buildings were constructed around this time, including the Public Service building and the Labor Bank Building. The Square itself was built in 1923, and was named after the Jersey Journal, who had their original building demolished to make way for Journal Square. From the 1920’s to the 1960’s Journal Square became a hub for vibrant culture and arts within the city. It was known as the “crown jewel” of the city, with many commercial and entertainment districts located in the area. Many of Journal Squares buildings would be constructed during this time, some of the buildings being built as far back as before WWII. The mayor of Jersey City has made it clear that he is looking to change the area. Journal Square is now looking to develop high rise buildings made for commercial and residential use.
Bergen-Lafayette is packed with parks and recreation centers. This makes it perfect for farmers market’s and any nature lovers planning a visit. Arlington Park Farmers Market is one of the many option available during the spring. You’ll find plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to eat, making a vacation to Bergen-Lafayette a must. Arlington Park also holds a number of events during the seasons, making it that much sweeter.
Many urban planners and architects are beginning to flock to the square, most famous of which being the Kushner Real Estate Group. Redevelopment on the square hasn’t begun yet but with residential demand going up so will high rise buildings. This will also lead to load of new shops and restaurants opening in the neighborhood.
Bergen-Lafayette has recently had a few new small businesses open up in the neighborhood. Many of these businesses are either shops or restaurants offering all kinds of services and cuisines. Such is the case with places like Isla Pillipinas, who recently opened their doors to anyone looking to enjoy Filipino food. Most of these shops are part of Jersey City‘s push for its tourists to buy local during their visit, this has allowed for Bergen-Lafayette to expand its collection of shops. Whether its for the dining or shopping, we’re sure you’ll find a reason to hop on the light rail or take a limo down to Bergen-Lafayette.
Bergen-Lafayette has a number of roads that run from north to south through the neighborhood, many of these roads being built along the Hudson Palisades.
The Hudson Palisades is a strip of land well known for its steep cliffside that stretches about 20 miles north of New Jersey. The cliffside is one of New York City’s most famous natural landmarks and is a popular destination for hikers and campers. You’ll often find many New York residents taking transportation to the cliffside around spring times. Whether that be through New York’s extensive rail network or taking a car service to the cliffside.
The cliff also helped map out many road patterns used today. The Palisades first documentation would be around 1541, where it would appear on a European map of the new world. Giovanni Da Verrazzano would describe the cliffside as a “fence of stakes”.
During the American Revolution the cliffside would aid in buying time for general George Washington to regroup his men in Englewood. Then from 1798 to 1845 the cliffside would be the site of many duels, most famous of which being a duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. During the 19th century there was heavy lobbying to preserve the Palisades. This was in response to many railroad companies looking to the cliffside for heavy quarrying. For 20 years there would be many unsuccessful motions to preserve the park until about 1909, where the Palisades Interstate Park Commission was created. For a while, the Palisades would be scouted for multiple building and relocation projects, however each time companies would be met with strong resistance from conservationists. In addition, many powerful people would join in the efforts to keep the Palisades a natural landmark, such as Mary Williamson Averell and even John D. Rockefeller Jr. Thousands of acres of land would be donated to the Palisades in order to keep them safe. One of the only additions made to the cliffside is the addition of George Washington Bridge, which opened in 1931. The bridge would help connect New Jersey with Upper Manhattan, and the palisades would help developers design the city.
Most of these roads make up the Bergen section of the neighborhood. A residential district lined with old Victorian mansions, row houses, and some impressive art deco designs. Some of the buildings here where remodeled for residential use.
Most famous of which being The Beacon, a mixed-use development that went through major changes in the early 2000’s. The building itself was designed during the great depression as a medical center, but after many years it was redeveloped into what is now known as The Beacon. There’s also a shopping district filled with old storefronts located within the area on Monticello Avenue. Bergen has a few buildings that are considered landmarks in the neighborhood, such the YMCA’s Renaissance Revival building and the Fairmount Apartments.
Today Bergen is filled with shopping districts and early 20th century buildings however not all of them stood the test of time. Some sections of Bergen-Lafayette have been around since the earliest settlements of North America. Such is the case with Communipaw, a historic district in Bergen-Lafayette that merged with New Jersey around the 1860’s. Communipaw was urbanized at the end of the 19th century, however most of its buildings were constructed during different time periods.
Whitlock Cordage is an old industrial complex built in the early 1900’s that has been repurposed. Originally, Whitlock Cordage was a rope factory that spanned more than 7 acres of land. The factory would operate from about 1909 to 2003 before a judge ruled for its demolition and resale. Whitlock Cordage was then purchased and renovated into over 200 affordable residential apartments. Whitlock Cordage is not the only industry building that was converted into a residential complex. Ficken’s Warehouse was built in 1910 and was used as a stable until being renovated for residential use around the 2000’s.
Berry Lane Park is another example of a former industrial ground being converted into a residential area. The area was formerly filled with auto shops, warehouses, rail yards, and plenty of industrial facilities. Some of those factories were major contributors to metal contamination throughout the local environment. The former industrial district was renovated from 2012 to 2016 and was opened for public use in June 2016.
Bergen-Lafayette is being reshaped and remodeled into a brand new residential and commercial district. not just filled with commercial business but also packed with parks for visitors to enjoy. Its commercial districts are going through high rise booms leading to an influx of visitors looking to get some shopping done in the area. If you are coming down to visit you’ll be glad to know that Bergen-Lafayette is filled with coffee shops and restaurants, you can even get Caribbean food in the city. Some New York residents already take a limo service down to Atlantic City so its no surprise that they’re stopping by Bergen-Lafayette to do some sight seeing.
Welcome to Atlantic City! with a population of just under 40,000 the city itself is best known for its casinos and beaches, while also have some of the best restaurants going alongside its boardwalk. The city is actually located on Absecon Island, located south of New Jersey. its also known by neighboring states around New Jersey as a hotspot during the summer. Atlantic City has gone through many remodeling and rebuilding phases, however it now stands as one of the most popular tourist destinations on the East Coast. So if you’re planning a vacation, don’t hesitate to take a taxi down to Atlantic City for a visit.
The Tropicana Casino in Atlantic City.
The Atlantic City region was originally the home of the Lenape people, an indigenous tribe in the area. It wasn’t until early 1780’s were Jeremiah Leeds constructed their first home in the neighborhood. Leed’s had actually bought the land from previous owner Thomas Budd, who actually believed the land was worthless. Thomas Budd was a navy veteran who led multiple expeditions around the globe, including some in the South Pole. Budd’s multiple expeditions earned several features to be named after him, one of which being Budd Coast located in Antarctica.
It wasn’t until the 1850’s where the idea for a resort town would come to fruition. Shortly after in 1853, the name Atlantic City was given to the town. soon after developers would move into the area in hopes of building up the city as quickly as possible.
Atlantic City is located in Southern New Jersey which made it prime real estate for anyone looking to build there. Hotels became eager to open their doors, some of which would house guest before the building was even finished with construction. Atlantic City’s first set of hotels would go up the same year the town was named. Then a year later the first railway would begin to bring visitors over.
The first boardwalk was officially built in the 1870’s and it was actually built along the beach in order to keep sand out of hotels. After a while the boardwalk would slowly be removed and replaced and overtime it was made wider and longer in order to make it more comfortable for visitors. In the same year the first road that connected Atlantic City to the rest of the mainland was built. The road itself was tolled, visitors would have to pay a 30 cent fee to pass. Eventually, a new road would be built, this one being toll free.
The Absecon Lighthouse is a lighthouse located north of Atlantic City, and is the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey. Construction of Absecon Lighthouse began in 1854 and first lit up in 1857. The lighthouse was also heavily lobbied by Dr. Pitney after the wreck of Powhattan. The Powhattan sank after encountering a storm off the coast of New Jersey, it was carrying 200 migrants before going down in April 1854. This event led to the creation of the Absecon Lighthouse.
The Absecon Lighthouse ran for more than 75 years before being deactivated. The lighthouse is no longer used for navigational purposes and instead has been turned to a visitation center with an indoor museum. The Absecon Lighthouse also offers several programs to scouts and group tours, including an overnight program. The overturning of the lighthouse was overseen by Jack E. Boucher, an American photographer who made a career of preserving historic sights. Recently, the lighthouse went through an extensive renovation program, going as far as to replicate the living quarters of the lightkeeper’s dwelling. Nowadays visitors can climb the 228 steps to the top of the lighthouse if they so please!
One of the first supermassive luxury hotels to open up in Atlantic City was the United States Hotel. The hotel took up an entire city block and featured up to date amenities at the time. The hotel was known for being one of the most luxurious stays in the nation, even attracting the eye of presidents. The United States Hotel would open up on July 4th, 1854, however it wasn’t fully completed when it first opened its doors. The owners actually tried hiding the unfinished construction by restricting the visitors to only one wing of the hotel. The United States Hotel would operate until about 1900, where it would be demolished. At the time, the only way to truly reach the United States Hotel is through railway, however as transportation improved some tourist began taking taxi‘s to Atlantic City.
In 1944 a hurricane hit the city and completely destroyed the boardwalk, the entire length would have to be reconstructed. Atlantic City saw its biggest explosion in popularity during the early 20th century. During the prohibition tourism was at its peak, this was because prohibitions was never actually enforced in Atlantic City. While people would still go into backrooms and hide the fact they where drinking, it was largely ignored due to the nature of the city.
During this time a conference was called where major organized crime figures had come to create the National Crime Syndicate. This conference was actually attended by Al Capone and numerous other crime families.
After which from the 1930’s to the 1960’s it was an economic heyday as the city began to move into its nightclub era. Keep in mind that during this time segregation was still very strong and it was definitely seen in Atlantic City. In the white-populated side of the city, this being the south side and included places like The 500 Club, The Clicquot Club, and The Jockey Club. On the other end of the spectrum you would have the north side of the city which was home to many different African Americans, and many different entertainment in the segregated city through mainly Kentucky Avenue. Some of the most popular entertainment include four major nightclubs, Club Harlem, The Paradise Club, Grace’s Little Belmont, and Wonder Gardens. These four major clubs had actually drawn in every type of people whether black or white, and during the summer season, tourist enjoy jazz and R&B music along with soul food throughout the avenue.
During World War II Atlantic City became riddled with crime and poverty, it would unfortunately follow the trend of struggling east coast cities at the time. Interestingly enough it was the creation of the automobile that caused Atlantic City to fall into a state of crime and over crowdedness. The automobile allowed any person to be able to drive to Atlantic City. This meant that even taking a taxi would seem old fashioned, This led to the city being known as a playground for criminals and the typical person who would come daily. This eventually led to the vacancy of many hotels in Atlantic City, this lead to an economic decline in the city and forced the city to demolish hotels.
Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City 1930’s.
In 1976 New Jersey passed a law to legalize gambling in casinos, this was done in an effort to revive Atlantic City. Funny enough, moments after this law was passed, The Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel was converted into the Resorts international. it became the first legal casino in the eastern United States and opened on May 26. Donald Trump had actually helped Atlantic City gain popularity by bringing in big names, Mike Tyson being one of these people. Mike Tyson had numerous fights in Atlantic City during the 1980’s, this helped the city become famous not just around the area but throughout the entire nation. This was followed up by the legalization of sports betting in Atlantic City, this made New Jersey the third state to legalize sports betting. New Jersey is now a great destination spot for anyone planning a weekend vacation, some of its guest even opt to take limos to Atlantic City due to its perception.
Atlantic City has risen in popularity substantially, with many of its visitors coming from Jersey City and beyond. With transportation becoming much more viable in the last few years you’ll find visitors from all over the tri state, some visiting from DC and even Massachusetts.
Coast Line view of Atlantic City.
Atlantic City has 9 current casinos that have been up and running since the late 1970’s, the most recent one being opened in 2018. Resorts, the oldest casino, it was opened in 1978 and was located in the uptown section of Atlantic City, it is also features a Roaring Twenties theme. Caesars, opened in 1979 and is located in the Midtown section of Atlantic City, like the name suggest it is based off a Roman Empire theme. Bally’s, this was the last one to open in 1979 and is also located in the Midtown section of Atlantic City, its theme is modern based. Harrah’s is the first of three to be opened in the 1980’s, it is located in the Marina section of Atlantic City and features a Marina Waterfront theme. Tropicana was opened in 1981 and is located in the Downbeach section of Atlantic City, this casino has a Old Havana theme. Golden Nugget, opened in the 1985 and like its name suggest its based off the Gold Rush Era, this casino is located in the Marian section of Atlantic City. Borgata is the first casino to be opened in the 2000’s, it is also set in the Marina section of the city and has a Tuscany Theme for its design. The Hard Rock casino is one of the two opened in 2018 and is located in the uptown section of the city, like its name suggest it has a Rock and Roll theme. Finally, Ocean and like its name suggest it has a Ocean theme and was the other casino to open up in 2018 and is located in the uptown section of Atlantic City.
Overall, Atlantic City has slowly built itself up multiple times and has proven that its perseverance throughout the times leads to success. Atlantic City is now considering a hot vacation and gambling spot for tourist and locals of the East Coast. With its perfect blend of Casinos, Resorts, Shopping Malls, and Exhibits there’s something for everyone in this tourist city. If you plan on going there anytime soon then be sure to book the perfect car transportation company and get there safely and comfortably.
