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During your Newark vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
The Jewish Museum
Housed in a Gothic-style mansion renovated in 1993 by AIA Gold Medal winner Kevin Roche, this wonderful museum now has the world-class space it deserves to showcase its remarkable collections, which chronicle 4,000 years of Jewish history. The two-floor permanent exhibit, Culture and Continuity: The Jewish Journey, tells the story of the Jewish experience from ancient times through today, and is the museum's centerpiece. Artifacts include daily objects that might have served the authors of the books of Genesis, Psalms, and Job, and a great assemblage of intricate Torahs. A wonderful collection of classic TV and radio programs is available for viewing through the Goodkind Resource Center (as any fan of television's Golden Age knows, its finest comic moments were Jewish comedy). The scope of the exhibit is phenomenal, and its story an enlightening -- and intense -- one. A new random-access audio guide is geared to families (free with admission). In addition to the in-house shop, don't miss the Jewish Museum Design Shop, housed in the adjacent brownstone.
Times Square
There's no doubting that Times Square has evolved into something much different than it was over a decade ago when it had a deservedly sleazy reputation. Yet there is much debate among New Yorkers about which incarnation was better. For New Yorkers, Times Square is a place we go out of our way to avoid. The crowds, even by New York standards, are stifling; the restaurants, mostly national chains, aren't very good; the shopping, also mostly national chains, are unimaginative; and the attractions, like Madame Tussaud's New York wax museum, are kitschy. I suppose it's a little too Vegas for us. Still, you've come all this way; you've got to at least take a peek, if only for the amazing neon spectacle of it.Most of the Broadway shows are centered around Times Square, so plan your visit around your show tickets. For your pre-dinner meal, walk 2 blocks west to Ninth Avenue where you'll find a number of relatively inexpensive, good restaurants. If you are with the kids, the Ferris wheel in the Toys "R" Us store makes a visit to Times Square worthwhile.
Brooklyn Bridge
Its Gothic-inspired stone pylons and intricate steel-cable webs have moved poets like Walt Whitman and Hart Crane to sing the praises of this great span, the first to cross the East River and connect Manhattan to Brooklyn. Begun in 1867 and ultimately completed in 1883, the beautiful Brooklyn Bridge is now the city's best-known symbol of the age of growth that seized the city during the late 19th century. Walk across the bridge and imagine the awe that New Yorkers of that age felt at seeing two boroughs joined by this monumental span. It's still astounding.Walking the Bridge: Walking the Brooklyn Bridge is one of my all-time favorite New York activities, although there's no doubt that the Lower Manhattan views from the bridge now have a painful resonance as well as a joyous spirit. A wide wood-plank pedestrian walkway is elevated above the traffic, making it a relatively peaceful, and popular, walk. It's a great vantage point from which to contemplate the New York skyline and the East River.There's a sidewalk entrance on Park Row, just across from City Hall Park (take the 4, 5, or 6 train to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall). But why do this walk away from Manhattan, toward the far less impressive Brooklyn skyline? Instead, for Manhattan skyline views, take an A or C train to High Street, one stop into Brooklyn. From there, you'll be on the bridge in no time: Come above ground, then walk through the little park to Cadman Plaza East and head downslope (left) to the stairwell that will take you up to the footpath. (Following Prospect Place under the bridge, turning right onto Cadman Plaza E., will also take you directly to the stairwell.) It's a 20- to 40-minute stroll over the bridge to Manhattan, depending on your pace, the amount of foot traffic, and the number of stops you make to behold the spectacular views (there are benches along the way). The footpath will deposit you right at City Hall Park.Tasty tips: The perfect complement to your stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge is a stop for pizza at Grimaldi's, followed by delicious homemade ice cream at the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory (tel. 718/246-3963), located at the Fulton Ferry Fire Boat House on the river and in the shadow of the bridge. The pizza and ice cream will fortify you for your return stroll into Manhattan.
Hilton Newark Penn Station
This first class business oriented hotel is convenienly located within the prestigious Gateway Center in the arts district of Newark, just 10 minutes from Newark International Airport and 15 minutes from Midtown ...
Ramada Inn Newark Liberty Airport
The NEWLY RENOVATED Ramada Hotel at Newark International Airport offers you the comfort and convenience of a large full service hotel. Located directly across from Newark International Airport, and our famous discount shopping malls. The hotel offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, 24 hours daily. Featuring 349 deluxe spacious accommodations, offering either a king-sized bed or two double beds. Amenities include a beautifully landscaped courtyard, outdoor pool and sun ...
Comfort Suites Newark
The Comfort Suites Newark is 4 miles from Newark-Liberty Airport. We offer airport shuttle service, complimentary high speed internet, and meeting rooms available. Our hotel is close to restaurants, public transportation to New York City, theater, stadium, museums, and universities Shuttle Service available to Newark International Airport, 10.00 per person each way. On May 1, 2007, All Comfort Suites will be smoke ...
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