Built in 1750, the Belcher-Ogden Mansion was the originally the residence of Royal Governor Jonathan Belcher. Belcher sponsored the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University. Elisha Boudinot (brother of…
Historic Heartline Walking Tour
Are your kids bored with history? Do they have a hard time finding it relevant?
If so, Elizabeth's historical city walking tours can help give them a brand new perspective. With smartphone-enabled audio accompanying historical streets and architecture that span over 350 years, even the biggest history detractors will love learning about Elizabeth's rich past.
What is Elizabeth's Historic Heartline Walking Tour?
Elizabeth's Historic Walking Tour is a self-guided tour through midtown Elizabeth. Stretching 3.5 miles, the walking tour exposes visitors to the city's rich history, starting with the initial land tract sale from the Indians of Staten Island in 1664, and culminating with Elizabeth becoming a transportation hub through railway, highway, and steamboat shipping.
Point of Interest: Elizabeth River Trail
The Elizabeth River Trail highlights the history of Elizabeth with artwork from local artists displayed along its path. The trail restores some of the natural beauty of the urban waters that played an important part in Elizabeth’s development as a city.
Point of Interest: Ritz Theatre
Built-in 1926 and known for its Art Deco design, the Ritz Theatre is one of the largest and oldest fully operational theaters in New Jersey. Over the years, many legendary performers have graced this majestic theater’s stage, from the Marx Brothers, George Burns, and Jack Benny, Ray Charles, Harry Chapin, Maya Angelou, Chaka Kahn, Rodney Dangerfield, Miles Davis, and many others. The theatre was a cultural landmark through the 1960s.
Point of Interest: St. John's Episcopal Church
Founded in 1706, the church is known for its features, including stained glass, rich woodwork and a cemetery. St. John’s Episcopal Church is known as one of the oldest Episcopal Churches in America. Jonathan Dayton, who lived at Boxwood Hall, is buried in an unmarked grave in this church's cemetery. Dayton had served as a lieutenant and paymaster in the Revolutionary War. In 1789, he was one of four signers of the United States Constitution for the state of New Jersey.
How Does Elizabeth's History's Heartline Walking Tour work?
Including tours of Elizabeth Ave and Broad Street, the walking tour uses smartphone technology to bring the historic places of Elizabeth to life for visitors. When taking the tour, simply use a QR code reader app to scan the QR code seen at each historical site. Once downloaded, just press play on your smartphone and hear a description of each site as you explore it.
![](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=4320cc9f926cb3cc7813b946a49adcee 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ad621de9c64272a479ed3946676a6dea 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=e417b5ad1915c99e0da569c23ac3441a 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=5942de9ed4151035ccd58363e8ccbe2a 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=095eddd83e8d7a065b28ac88e4419d76 1200w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=bb2904752f6f27b39dcd01706a806590 1440w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5da791a4020c4385f321c811abe868b1 1920w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2020_07_09_at_10_15_22_AM_55745112-3d9e-47fe-8ad0-c4300d756a88.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=533189172292b0f54f246fbeedbfa13b 2160w)
Elizabeth is full of history, beauty, and fun. Explore the city through not only walking tours, but also by public transportation to visit parks, shops, dining, and nightlife opportunities. Walk among history in Elizabeth, NJ.
Download our "Elizabeth's Historic Heartline" Walking Tour Pamphlet Here!
Discover these sites
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Get Directions (908) 581-7555
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Get Directions (908) 581-7555
The Bonnell House is the oldest house in Elizabeth, NJ and one of the oldest residences in the state. The house represents the carpentry skills of Nathaniel Bonnell, a Hugenot originally from…
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Get Directions No Phone Number Avai
The Elizabeth River Trail highlights the history of Elizabeth with artwork from local artists displayed along its path. The trail restores some of the natural beauty of the urban waters that played…
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Get Directions (908) 351-7575
Built in 1926 and known for its Art Deco design, the Ritz Theatre includes seating for 2,772 people. This fully restored facility is one of the largest and oldest fully operational theaters…
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Get Directions (908) 352-2220
Founded in 1706, the church is known for its features, including stained glass, rich wood work and a cemetery. St. John’s Episcopal Church is known as one of the oldest Episcopal Churches…
![The yellow-painted exterior of Liberty Hall Museum with surrounding trees and benches.](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/LIBERTY_HALL_EXTERIOR_7b5f1e36-956f-4d3f-b270-d59b32fd9e05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=16d28eef4c3e7c14fdad91b449aebaf3 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/LIBERTY_HALL_EXTERIOR_7b5f1e36-956f-4d3f-b270-d59b32fd9e05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=b8b4a6037c3029a4e938b6de43e151f1 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/LIBERTY_HALL_EXTERIOR_7b5f1e36-956f-4d3f-b270-d59b32fd9e05.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=63e324b15f403ce2ed621d0ecbcaab2f 596w)
Liberty Hall Museum
History comes alive at Liberty Hall Museum, where rich history seeps into this elegant historic house museum.
![](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2019_05_22_at_12_20_10_PM_e286e196-0013-46c9-9c5f-036701e9ff0f.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=9de956fab3ab3cc6bf178dffbea403db 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/Screen_Shot_2019_05_22_at_12_20_10_PM_e286e196-0013-46c9-9c5f-036701e9ff0f.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=5db2dd4de02c5fa7863304bd79ada730 477w)
Kean University
If you’re a history buff and you’re looking for things to do in Elizabeth, NJ, consider visiting the campus of Kean University, a public university with an incredibly rich history dating back…
![](https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/History_Tours_e95b8f91-fc8f-49fa-9998-01e3f7c76f67.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=c5bc094a24d82de1dee1309125bb04aa 320w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/History_Tours_e95b8f91-fc8f-49fa-9998-01e3f7c76f67.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=005330be6fec94bb2d669b5320e217d5 540w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/History_Tours_e95b8f91-fc8f-49fa-9998-01e3f7c76f67.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=cb064a1618604eb5988bd46b334d50d8 768w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/History_Tours_e95b8f91-fc8f-49fa-9998-01e3f7c76f67.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=a8a25d7fc4c25ff036e9a24090b400e9 1024w, https://elizabeth-nj.imgix.net/images/History_Tours_e95b8f91-fc8f-49fa-9998-01e3f7c76f67.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=86afe292eec14984b76c2d07ce947c67 1080w)
Elizabeth at the Crossroads Walking Tour
“Elizabeth at the Crossroads” a self-guided walking tour through Historic Midtown Elizabeth.