Secaucus: Greenway, Marshland and Town History

Travelers looking to explore nature, outdoor activities, and town history during a stay in Secaucus will find a range of options: trails along the Hackensack River, wetlands, and opportunities for paddling or swimming, as well as the Secaucus Town Museum. Families and other travelers can first decide whether outdoor activities, water activities, or the town’s history will be the main focus.

Trails and Wetlands

The Secaucus Greenway is 1.6 miles long. It begins at Millridge Road and ends at the Extended Stay Hotel on Meadowlands Parkway; to the south, it runs along the Hackensack River. With its specific route and named endpoints, the Greenway can be factored into your daily plans. Accessible parking spaces are available along the route. Mill Creek Point Park is also the northern endpoint of the Hackensack Riverwalk. Those interested in trails can consider these two routes as different reference points for their stay.

Mill Creek Marsh provides habitat for shovelers, shorebirds, and wading birds, which breed, overwinter, or occur there during migration. The marsh covers 209 acres. The former NJMC acquired the land from Harts Mountain Industries in 1996 to preserve it. Mill Creek Marsh therefore brings together a natural area and a specific history of conservation. The different stages of the year that shape the habitats of these bird groups make the wetland especially interesting to travelers interested in birdlife and marsh landscapes.

Natural wetlands also feature at Laurel Hill: between Laurel Hill Park and the bedrock of Laurel Hill, the County supports 14.89 acres of these areas. Another named natural area is the Secaucus High School Wetlands Enhancement Site. It lies between Mill Creek Point Park and Secaucus High School. Each of these places offers a distinct perspective on nature: Mill Creek Marsh is known for its marshland and bird habitats, while the areas at Laurel Hill and the school are other wetlands in Secaucus.

Paddling, Swimming, and Town History

NJSEA canoe trips depart from Mill Creek Point Park and explore Mill Creek Marsh. Paddling is also a recreational activity there. Travelers who like to include an on-the-water experience in their plans can make a note of these trips as a separate excursion. The starting point is clearly identified; the trip itself explores the marshland.

For a different kind of water activity, the Secaucus Swim Club has three swimming pools, a children’s pool, a diving board pool, and a water slide. This makes its swimming facilities quite different from the nature and paddling experiences in the marshland. At the Secaucus Green Festival, mini eco-cruises on the Hackensack River and through Sawmill Creek Marsh are offered to festivalgoers. This experience also combines being on the water with views of wetlands, but it is part of the festival program.

The Secaucus Town Museum presents the unique history of Secaucus and the influence of its residents from the past to the present. For travelers who want to learn about the town’s history in addition to enjoying nature and activities, the museum offers a cultural focus of its own. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, you can consider which experiences you want to shape your trip: bird habitats and trails, paddling, swimming, festival activities, or town history. These interests offer different considerations when choosing a location that suits you.

More Destinations

If you’d like to include other places in your travel plans, here are more destinations: Harrison, Weehawken, Hoboken, Union City, Bayonne, Jersey City, North Bergen.

For the main travel overview: Hudson.