Newark is changing. The Greater Newark Convention & Visitors Bureau is escalating its efforts to market Newark as a premier tourist destination. From the waterfront, to NJPAC, to the upcoming Dodge Poetry Festival, bureau leaders believe there is plenty to promote in Newark. These attractions can bring in a wide range of visitors, and can help change the city.
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When plotting your visit to North Jersey, Newark should be your first choice. We outlined a few must-visit places to help get you started.
To Play:
NJPAC (New Jersey Center for Performing Arts). New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States and is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey — where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all, Â and showcases the state’s/world’s best artists while acting as a catalyst for the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive arts education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and art enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted over eight million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents. Visit www.njpac.org or call 888.GO.NJPAC for more information.
Prudential Center is a world-class sports and entertainment venue located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Opened in October 2007, the state-of-the-art arena is the home of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) three-time Stanley Cup Champion New Jersey Devils, Seton Hall University’s NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball program, and more than 200 concerts, family shows, and special events each year. Ranked in the Top 10 nationally, by Pollstar, Billboard, and Venue’s Today, Prudential Center is recognized as one of the premier venues in the United States, and welcomes more than two million guests annually. Upcoming performances include: George Clinton & Parliament Funkade, Jill Scott, R. Kelly, Alice Smith and Slick Rick. For more information about Prudential Center, visit PruCenter.com and Facebook, and follow @PruCenter on Twitter.
To Stay:
Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Newark: The Courtyard Newark Downtown boasts an innovative design, modern amenities, and thoughtful services from some of the friendliest hotel personalities I’ve ever met. As one of the newest of downtown Newark hotels, guests will feel welcomed in our modern lobby and new guest rooms, providing greater flexibility and more choices. Guests can take advantage of our multi-functional lobby with communal table for meeting with friends and colleagues, business center with free printing services, and complimentary high-speed internet. Within walking distance to some of the city’s top attractions, why not make it a Marriott vacation?
Hotel Indigo: From the moment you walk into Hotel Indigo Newark Downtown, you will notice the unique connection between this contemporary, upscale boutique hotel and the neighborhood around it. This hotel is a creative re-purposing of the historic National State Bank Building originally designed by celebrated architect, Cass Gilbert, where guests can expect unique accommodations, including plush bedding, spa style bathrooms, hard surface flooring, and free wifi in every room. Guests can enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, with a menu that features freshly prepared dishes that highlight local flavors, then return to the roof top lounge (the only one in the city) for a night cap among the city lights.
Location is everything for this 108-room hotel positioned in the midst of downtown Newark’s revived business, retail, and cultural center. Travelers will appreciate the hotel’s proximity to Newark International Airport; the Prudential Center, and Newark Penn Station that offers easy access to Manhattan.
To Eat
Mercato Tomato Pie: Mercato Tomato Pie is a family restaurant with a rich 50+ year history of its founders serving quality food to generations of customers that offers artisanal coal-fired pizzas and a full bar. Mercato Tomato Pie is part of the revitalization effort that looks to remake the area radiating out from Broad and Market Streets into a neighborhood replete with new residential and retail options. This newest eatery joins Chipotle Mexican Grill and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que A modern take on “luxurious comfort food†Pizza,  The word “Mercato†in Italian which means market, marketplace, and/or plaza.
Duke’s Southern Table: Duke’s Southern Table, an upscale restaurant experience with live entertainment located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, represents the sophisticated swag of urban elegance, with a flair for southern style dining & hospitality. Duke’s will offer a musical experience that embodies the soulful sounds of jazz, aimed to inspire & keep you coming back for more…Southern fare six days a week with a foot stompin’ soul stirrin’ brunch on Sunday afternoons. Located at 11 Clinton Street, Newark, NJ, in the heart of Newark’s business district…nestled between Broad and Mulberry Streets. Please Note: Friday and Saturday dinner starting at 7:00PM will require a cover charge of $5 per person.