25 Things to Do in Bergen County, NJ (2026)
The Palisades, Paramus, Westwood, Ridgewood, the Meadowlands and the parks.
Updated November 2026. 25 things to do in Bergen County, New Jersey, grouped by area so you can do three or four in one day: the Palisades and Fort Lee, Paramus and the indoor stops, Westwood and the Pascack Valley, Ridgewood and Glen Rock, East Rutherford and the Meadowlands, and the big county parks. Many are free.
The short answer: walk the George Washington Bridge, hike the Palisades, take the kids to the Bergen County Zoo, spend a rainy day at American Dream, and make something with your group at The Crafty Kit in Westwood.
25 things to do in Bergen County, by area
Updated November 2026. Prices and hours are what each place publishes this autumn; check before you go.
Grouped by area, so you are not driving from Mahwah to the Meadowlands for each one. Every entry lists where, what it costs, how long it takes and who it suits.
The Palisades, Fort Lee and Englewood
The cliffs above the Hudson, the bridge, Koreatown and the theater in Englewood, all within twenty minutes of each other.
Thirty-three acres atop the Palisades just south of the George Washington Bridge, with Hudson and Manhattan overlooks, a reconstructed soldier hut and gun batteries. The visitor center, open Wednesday to Sunday, tells the story of the 1776 retreat.
- Where
- Fort Lee · on the Palisades, south of the GWB
- Price
- Grounds free; check parking fees
- Time
- 1–1.5 hours
- Best for
- History fans, families, skyline photos.
Walk across the George Washington Bridge
FreeSince October 2026 walkers have their own path on the south side and cyclists use the north side, both open around the clock. Walk out from Fort Lee for the river, the cliffs and the skyline, and turn back at the tower.
- Where
- Fort Lee · GWB south walkway
- Price
- Free
- Time
- About 1 hour there and back
- Best for
- Anyone with good shoes; best near sunset.
State Line Lookout in Alpine has wide Hudson views and the Long Path along the cliff top, which is easy walking. The Shore Trail and Giant Stairs below are rocky and sections close after rockfalls, so check park alerts first.
- Where
- Alpine · off the Palisades Interstate Parkway
- Price
- Free; check parking fees
- Time
- 1–4 hours
- Best for
- Hikers, autumn leaves, a big view without a long drive.
Korean food on Broad Avenue, Palisades Park
Broad Avenue is Bergen County's Koreatown: barbecue, tofu stew, noodle shops, bakeries and cafes along a few walkable blocks, with more in Fort Lee next door. Bring a group and order to share.
- Where
- Palisades Park · Broad Ave
- Price
- Varies; check menus
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best for
- Groups, dinner, anyone hungry after the Palisades.
A show at bergenPAC
IndoorThe Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood books touring music, comedy and family theater. This December brings New Jersey Ballet's Nutcracker and Darlene Love's holiday show.
- Where
- Englewood · 30 N Van Brunt St
- Price
- Varies by show
- Time
- 2–3 hours
- Best for
- Date night, families at the holiday shows.
Browse the Abram Demaree Homestead
FreeA historic homestead in Closter whose old buildings hold a rambling consignment antique shop, with a small farm cafe across the road. Stock turns over constantly. Check opening days before you drive up.
- Where
- Closter · 110 Schraalenburgh Rd
- Price
- Free to browse
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- Antique hunters, gift shopping, a slow Saturday.
Paramus and the indoor stops
Paramus is the county's shopping center and home to the zoo. Remember the blue laws: most Paramus stores close on Sundays.
A small, easy zoo inside Van Saun County Park, with a train and carousel ($3 a ride) and pony rides in the park ($5). Open daily from 10am, weather permitting. The park around it has a playground, a dog park and three miles of paths.
- Where
- Paramus · Van Saun County Park
- Price
- $6 adults ($10 out of county); kids $4–7; under 3 free
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours
- Best for
- Families with young kids.
Westfield Garden State Plaza
IndoorThe county's big indoor mall, with department stores, chains and plenty of places to eat. Most Paramus stores close on Sundays under the borough's blue laws, so shop Monday to Saturday.
- Where
- Paramus · Routes 4 and 17
- Price
- Free to browse
- Time
- 2–3 hours
- Best for
- Rainy days, holiday gift shopping.
An aviation museum at Teterboro Airport with a Martin 202A airliner you can walk through in good weather, and Open Cockpit Days when kids sit in real aircraft. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10:30am to 4pm.
- Where
- Teterboro · 400 Fred Wehran Dr
- Price
- $15 adults, $12 kids and seniors
- Time
- 1.5 hours
- Best for
- Kids, plane fans, a rainy afternoon.
The Steuben House, a Dutch sandstone house on the Hackensack River, was Washington's headquarters in 1780. The grounds are free to walk, and the Bergen County Historical Society runs tours and events.
- Where
- River Edge · 1201 Main St
- Price
- Grounds free
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- History lovers, a short stop with kids.
Westwood and the Pascack Valley
The north of the county: a family farm and KraftStories classes at The Crafty Kit, a Latina-owned craft studio in Westwood.
Make hot chocolate bombs
KraftStoriesIndoorTemper chocolate, cast the shells, fill them with cocoa and marshmallows, then drop one in hot milk and watch it open. A cozy indoor class for a family group or holiday party; there is a vegan option.
- Where
- Westwood · 10 Charles St, Unit 2
- Price
- $89 per person, all materials
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Best for
- Families, holiday parties, groups of 10 or more.
Build a fresh holiday wreath
KraftStoriesSeasonalBuild a full-size wreath from real evergreen on a bare ring, then add pinecones, dried orange and berries. You leave with it ready to hang, so it doubles as a holiday gift.
- Where
- Westwood · 10 Charles St, Unit 2
- Price
- $89 per person, all materials
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Best for
- Friends, office teams, anyone hosting for the holidays.
Plant a bonsai
KraftStoriesIndoorPot a living juniper, dress it with pebbles, and learn to water and prune it so it lasts at home. Calm and quiet, and a good team event for people who don't want another happy hour.
- Where
- Westwood · 10 Charles St, Unit 2
- Price
- $89 per person, all materials
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Best for
- Teams, mindful groups, plant people.
Throw an ugly sweater party
KraftStoriesSeasonalEveryone gets a plain sweater and a table of felt, pompoms, googly eyes and trim, with 90 minutes to make it as loud as possible. Everyone wears theirs at the end, so it works as the office holiday party.
- Where
- Westwood · 10 Charles St, Unit 2
- Price
- $89 per person, all materials
- Time
- 90 minutes
- Best for
- Office parties, birthdays, groups of 10 or more.
Demarest Farms
SeasonalA family farm in Hillsdale with a farm market and seasonal pick-your-own: peaches in summer, apples and pumpkins in fall. Check what is in season before you go.
- Where
- Hillsdale · 244 Wierimus Rd
- Price
- Varies by season
- Time
- 1–2 hours
- Best for
- Families, fall weekends, a farm stop.
Ridgewood, Glen Rock and Ho-Ho-Kus
Leafy train towns in the northwest of the county, with walkable downtowns and the county's longest park path.
Dinner and a walk in downtown Ridgewood
A compact, walkable downtown around the train station, with independent restaurants, cafes and shops. Book dinner, then walk it end to end; weekend evenings are busiest.
- Where
- Ridgewood · E Ridgewood Ave
- Price
- Free to walk; dinner varies
- Time
- 2 hours
- Best for
- Date night, dinner with friends, a Saturday stroll.
Van Dyk's ice cream
SeasonalA Ridgewood shop making its own ice cream for more than forty years. It is seasonal, usually early March to late November, so go soon or wait for spring.
- Where
- Ridgewood · 145 Ackerman Ave
- Price
- Check current prices
- Time
- 30 minutes
- Best for
- Kids, a sweet treat after dinner.
The Hermitage
IndoorA Gothic Revival house in Ho-Ho-Kus and a National Historic Landmark. House tours run Friday to Sunday at 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15pm; the five acres of grounds and gardens are free daily.
- Where
- Ho-Ho-Kus · 335 N Franklin Tpke
- Price
- Tours $10 adults, $5 kids; grounds free
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- History and architecture fans.
Saddle River County Park
FreeA 577-acre chain of parks joined by a six-mile path from Ridgewood to Rochelle Park through Glen Rock and Fair Lawn. Start at Wild Duck Pond for the playground and dog park.
- Where
- Ridgewood to Rochelle Park
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Bikes, runners, strollers, dogs.
East Rutherford and the Meadowlands
The south of the county: the giant mall, the stadium and the wetlands with a skyline view.
American Dream
IndoorA huge mall next to MetLife Stadium with Nickelodeon Universe (an indoor theme park), the DreamWorks Water Park, billed as America's largest indoor water park, and Big SNOW, an indoor slope with real snow. Parks are ticketed separately; bundles save money.
- Where
- East Rutherford · next to MetLife Stadium
- Price
- Free to enter; parks ticketed
- Time
- Half a day or more
- Best for
- Kids, teens, rainy and snowy days.
DeKorte Park
FreeA Meadowlands park with 3.5 miles of paths, a boardwalk loop over the marsh with bird blinds, and an overlook facing the Manhattan skyline. A well-known birding spot, open daily 7am to dusk.
- Where
- Lyndhurst · 1 DeKorte Park Plaza
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 1–2 hours
- Best for
- Birders, photographers, an easy walk.
Parks, hiking and the outdoors
Bergen County runs nearly 9,000 acres of parks. These are the big ones, from wetlands to the Ramapo Mountains.
Overpeck County Park
FreeMore than 805 acres along Overpeck Creek in Leonia, Ridgefield Park and Teaneck, with five miles of paths, a kayak launch, playgrounds, a dog park, an amphitheater and riding stables.
- Where
- Leonia and Ridgefield Park · Fort Lee Rd
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 1–3 hours
- Best for
- Families, paddlers, dog owners, outdoor concerts.
A 46-acre urban wetland on an old dumping ground, restored with trails, eco-art and a peace labyrinth. Free, open every day, and leashed dogs are welcome.
- Where
- Teaneck · 20 Puffin Way
- Price
- Free
- Time
- 1 hour
- Best for
- Nature walks, dogs, a quiet hour.
Ramapo Valley County Reservation
FreeThe county's largest park, over 4,000 acres in the Ramapo Mountains: marked hiking trails, Scarlet Oak Pond, river fishing and paddling, and permit camping April to November.
- Where
- Mahwah · Ramapo Valley Rd (Route 202)
- Price
- Free; camping by permit
- Time
- 2–4 hours
- Best for
- Hikers, campers, a proper day outside.
A small county ski area with skiing, snowboarding, lessons and snow tubing in winter, plus hiking trails, disc golf and archery the rest of the year.
- Where
- Mahwah · 200 Campgaw Rd
- Price
- Check lift and tubing rates
- Time
- 2–4 hours
- Best for
- Families learning to ski, tubing groups.
Hours, prices and seasons change, and some places need advance booking on weekends; check before you go. Our workshop prices are exact.
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