Top 15 Things to Do in Elizabeth, NJ

Plan a visit to these top attractions and things to do that spotlight Elizabeth’s rich history and vibrant international community.

No matter the time of year, Elizabeth offers an inviting and diverse mix of attractions and experiences that make for excellent additions to any itinerary. Tour historic sites, take part in cultural celebrations and savor delicious international cuisine, or just explore the great outdoors in one of Union County's many parks and recreation centers — including sensory-friendly parks for children and adults with special needs. Browse our list below of some of the top things to do in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Pictured Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park

Exterior of historic Liberty Hall in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Liberty Hall Museum

1. Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University

Journey back in time at this 23-acre National Historic site and immerse yourself in over 240 years of American history. View historic furniture, tools, ceramics, toys and other objects from the Livingston and Kean families, descendants of New Jersey’s first governor, William Livingston. TIP: Don’t miss the antique fire engines on display at the Firehouse Museum.

2. Boxwood Hall

Stop by the free-to-visit Boxwood Hall, where you’ll learn more about pre-revolutionary life in New Jersey. The Hall famously welcomed the likes of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and other early American dignitaries.

People bustle about through the interior of a shopping mall in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

The Mills at Jersey Gardens

3. The Mills at Jersey Gardens

Embrace your inner fashionista as you shop (and save!) at New Jersey's largest premium outlet mall, featuring over 200 stores offering unbeatable deals. This shopping oasis features the likes of Coach, Michael Kors, Nike and other top brands.

TIP: Looking for local shopping? Head to The Market at Elizabeth Ave to browse fresh produce and local artisan goods.

4. Warinanco Park

Designed by Frederick Olmsted, the famed architect behind New York’s Central Park, this 204-acre park offers ample ways to explore the great outdoors. Enjoy paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter, or walk and bike the trails, keep the young ones entertained at a playground, or host a picnic or barbecue at one of the pavilions.

5. Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park

Enjoy the stunning views of the New York City skyline from Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park, perfect for fishing, boating, or simply enjoying a sunset. Toss a football or frisbee, or hike, bike or skate along the harborfront on the iconic boardwalk. Kids will love the Where Angels Play Memorial Park and playground, which features slides, climbing walls and replicas of police cars and fire engines. The playground, opened in 2015, honors the young victims of the Sandy Hook tragedy, as well as the local first responders who responded to the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.

TIP:Don't miss the annual Elizabeth’s Memorial Day Waterfront Carnival, hosted in Veterans Memorial Waterfront Park each Memorial Day weekend.

Ritz Theatre

6. Ritz Theatre

Experience the magic of live performance at the historic Ritz Theatre, with a diverse lineup of concerts and shows. Built in 1926, this Art Deco theater seats over 2,700 and has hosted talented artists and performers including Ray Charles, Maya Angelou, and Rodney Dangerfield.

TIP: The theater is also available to book for private and corporate events!

7. Elizabeth River Trail

Admire artwork by local artists as you enjoy a scenic escape on the Elizabeth River Trail, ideal for walking, running, or biking amidst the city's natural beauty.

8. Explore & Admire Local Street Art

Art aficionados will want to fix their attention — and camera lenses — to the many murals that adorn walls throughout Elizabeth. These artworks — commissioned by the non-profit Elizabeth Renaissance Foundation and completed by local artist — not only transform Elizabeth's business corridors into vibrant, colorful tapestries, but also trace the city's history and diverse heritage. A Street Art Mural Tour guides viewers to each mural in Elizabeth while providing additional information on the artworks, the artists' behind them and their significance to Elizabeth's story.

9. Historic Heartline Midtown District Walking Tour

Are you a history buff? Embark on a self-guided walking tour through midtown Elizabeth, where history comes alive through its magnificent architecture and vibrant streets. Along the way, encounter storied structures such as the Belcher-Ogden Mansion, Bonnell House and the aforementioned St. John's Episcopal Church.

Noches de Colombia

10. Diverse Local Cuisine

Hungry for something new? Feast on the diverse flavors of Elizabeth's culinary scene, which includes standout restaurants serving a global array of menus including authentic Brazilian, Portuguese, Colombian, Mexican, and Haitian dishes, among many other international flavors. Many of Elizabeth's celebrated international eateries can be within the Elmora Avenue, Elizabeth Avenue and Morris Avenue shopping and dining districts.

11. Elizabeth Public Library

Originally the Red Lion Inn during the 18th Century — which survived the 1780 raid of Elizabethtown — this grand historic building is the only Carnegie Library Building still in use today and is the first stop on the Historical Walking Tour. Inside, browse an extensive collection of literature and audio and video recordings available in a range of languages, including English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

TIP: Trace the library's history online with an interactive timeline of events.

12. Mattano Park

Perfect for those who entertain an active lifestyle, this sensory-friendly riverside park is home to baseball fields, soccer pitches and basketball courts, as well as one of the newest skate parks in the area, featuring plenty of incredible, grind-ready rails for skateboarding enthusiasts. In the summer months, cool off at one of the splash pads or just relax in the open air and soak in the beautiful views.

13. Union County Performing Arts Center

Take a short trip to nearby Rahway and enjoy a diverse slate of performances at this historic theater. On stage, watch dance recitals and competitions, plays, riveting orchestral performances, hilarious comedy acts, and even canine stunt shows.

14. Snyder Academy, First Presbyterian Church & 313+ Monument

Visit one of the oldest and most historic sites in New Jersey. Throughout its 350+ year history, the Snyder Academy served as a church, a school, and even a hospital during the Revolutionary War, once hosting both Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr during its time as The Old Academy School. Today, the Academy offers a range of community and educational programs, and welcomes the public to tour the building and nearby cemetery to explore its significant role in American history. The cemetery — one of the oldest in the United States — is located at the adjacent Siloam-Hope First Presbyterian Church and is home to the 313+ Project Monument, which memorializes the many free and enslaved Africans buried in unmarked graves within the grounds.

People march in a parade holding a banner for Portugal Day in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

Join Elizabeth's diverse community for cultural celebrations

15. Seasonal Festivals & Events

A true melting pot of global cultures, Elizabeth’s events calendar is filled to the brim with an eclectic mix of exciting cultural celebrations throughout the year. In the spring, watch as hundreds of cyclists compete in the Tour de Elizabeth. During the summer, celebrate Portuguese traditions and culture at the Portugal Day Parade. In September, travel back in time during the annual reenactment of the Battle of Elizabethtown. Click here for the full list of annual events.