There’s visiting a destination, then there’s experiencing a destination—and the best way to do the latter is an immersive class or tour. In Hudson County, they’re brimming with hands-on experiences to make your staycation memorable, magical, and full of stories you can bring home to friends and family. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes tour at Ellis Island or a delicious cooking class with Hoboken’s top chefs, there’s fun to be had—and local food to be enjoyed—and it’s all just a quick public transit ride away from Manhattan.
Immersive tours and classes for the perfect NJ staycation
Hudson Table Cooking Class | Hoboken
Hoboken’s Hudson Table, just a half-mile jaunt from the Hoboken/ 14th Street ferry terminal, is not your average cooking class. These custom and high-end classes take visitors into the heart of the culinary experience, with options for everyone from curious foodies who’d rather watch and learn to budding chefs ready to dabble into new tricks.
Save Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour | Jersey City
Go beyond the typical Ellis Island visit with a Save Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour, a 90-minute guided and narrated stroll through the historic landmark’s rarely seen hospital complex. Start from Jersey City’s scenic 1,200-acre Liberty State Park, where Statue Cruises ferries depart from this skyline-view oasis.
New York City Cycleboats | Jersey City + Hoboken
Enjoy Cuban flavors and fare in spirited Son Cubano restaurant, where upper west side Manhattan views are the backdrop for an evening of stunning—and flavor-packed—fun, just beyond Port Imperial. With culinary genius Chef David Burke at the helm, Son Cubano has long been a staple on the Hudson County waterfront.
MetLife Stadium Tour | East Rutherford
This one’s for you, New York football fans. MetLife Stadium may be the go-to destination come fall Sundays, but during the week and weekend, it’s also a great staycation stop with one of MetLife’s guided stadium tours.
For more great recommendations for New York City and the Tri-State Area, please visit our friends at Time Out New York, who authored this article.