Discover Hudson: Waterfront, History and Culture

Hudson combines waterfront, urban history and a variety of discoveries in Hudson County. Its location directly opposite New York City on the Hudson River makes it an exciting starting point for days spent exploring waterfront paths, museums, historic sites and excursions by bicycle or on the water. Hudson County can be reached by PATH train, bus, ferry or car. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore first consider whether your trip will focus more on walks and views, history and culture, or active activities.

Getting around by the water: walking, cycling and kayaking

Along the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, you can walk, run, cycle, enjoy the views and fish. The walkway is 18.5 miles long. This route provides a practical framework for planning your day without requiring you to commit to just one way of getting around. Those who prefer to explore by bicycle can use the Hudson Bike Loop to discover Hudson County by bike. Another documented option is the 14-mile Jersey City to Hoboken Waterfront Tour through Jersey City and Hoboken.

The water also offers different perspectives. A two-hour kayak tour on the Hudson River Estuary provides insights into the wildlife and habitats of Caven Point. For an excursion with a historical focus, Statue Cruises departs from the scenic Liberty State Park in Jersey City for Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, and then returns. Liberty State Park is a 1,212-acre waterfront park with expansive views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Ferry access to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is also available from there.

History and culture with different areas of focus

Ellis Island can be explored in several ways. The Ellis Island Hard Hat Tour is a 90-minute guided tour through the hospital complex on the southern side of the island. The Ellis Island Museum has three exhibition levels documenting the experiences of immigrants on Ellis Island. The Statue of Liberty Museum displays the Statue of Liberty's historic torch. Together, these sites offer different ways to explore immigration history, symbols and historical experiences.

Hudson County itself also offers opportunities for independent exploration. Self-guided tours focusing on history, culture and food can be explored by smartphone. In Jersey City, Hamilton Park is located at the center of the Hamilton Park Historic District in the downtown area. The 5.4-acre residential square is surrounded by tree-lined streets and rows of Victorian brownstone houses. The Jersey City Art & Studio Tour (JCAST) is taking place for the 37th time and is an open artist studio tour.

For travel planning with an interest in transportation history, Hoboken Terminal is a notable point of interest: it is the last surviving station on the New Jersey shore of the Hudson River that is still operated in its original function. As early as 1811, the first steam-powered ferry service between Hoboken and Manhattan began operating. This historic connection complements today's options for reaching Hudson County by train, bus, ferry or car.

Choose accommodation to suit your own pace of travel

The documented options allow for different daily rhythms: you can plan a longer stretch on foot or by bicycle, choose a guided tour on Ellis Island, visit museums or take an excursion on the water. When searching for a holiday apartment in Hudson, the key factor is therefore the mix of activity, history, views and independent exploration you want. Those who also wish to discover regional products and local goods will find farmers' markets with seasonal products and locally made goods in Hudson County's agritourism offerings.

As additional local pages for your research, you can view Jersey City, North Bergen, Secaucus, Weehawken, Hoboken, Harrison, Union City and Bayonne individually. This allows you to connect your accommodation choice with the experiences that matter most for your trip.

For the overarching travel overview: New Jersey.