Best of Boulevard East
While travelers flock to rooftops and waterfront parks to soak up that Manhattan skyline, there’s another, oft-overlooked spot to catch Hudson County’s best Big Apple views: John F. Kennedy Boulevard East. This dazzling drive connects Weehawken, West New York, Guttenberg, and North Bergen. It’s perched atop the Hudson Palisades, giving visitors an elevated and expansive Manhattan vista, with parks, restaurants, and cafes along the way. Here’s how to make the most of your tiny Boulevard East road trip.
Tiny Trip Highlights
- James J. Braddock Park
- Park Café & Eatery
- Donnelly Memorial Park
- The Old Glory Park
- Charritos El Charro
- Hamilton Park
Trip Time
2 to 4 hours
Transportation Options
Car is the easiest way to enjoy Boulevard East given it’s several miles long. But, visitors can explore by foot if arriving by either NJ Transit bus or NY Waterway ferry to Port Imperial in Weehawken. (Stairs up the Palisades are just beyond the Port Imperial ferry terminal.)
Trip Overview
James J. Braddock Park is the perfect place to start your trip. This 167-acre park sits on the northern end of Boulevard East, with city views, tennis courts, a dog park, nature trails, and eight miles of walkways. The Boulevard also cuts bisects the northern portion of the park, making it easy to hop on and hop off.
For a quick bite and delicious coffee, head down Boulevard East to Park Café & Eatery, a cozy spot with fresh food available for dine-in or take-away. We highly recommend take-away, because steps from Park Café you’ll find Donnelly Memorial Park. City-view benches make for the perfect Boulevard-East picnic.
After you’ve enjoyed bites with Big Apple scenery at Donnelly Memorial Park, head down to The Old Glory Park, another local favorite that’s directly across from Manhattan’s Upper West Side. From here, one of Hudson County’s most beloved restaurants, Charrito’s El Charro in Weehawken, offers authentic and fresh Mexican fare and cocktails with outdoor seating to enjoy that birds-eye view. Stop here for lunch or dinner before capping off your trip at Hamilton Park, one of the Boulevard’s most southern and scenic spots. And, in addition to scenery, you can soak up some history. Hamilton Park is also the site of the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, circa 1804.