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MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY –
DAY TRIP
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Things to do | Lodging |
Dining | Nightlife | Transportation
| Travel Tips
| Map | Montclair Weather |
Montclair Events
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Please note: The
following EscapeMaker.com profile is currently being updated. Please call the attractions,
lodgings, and restaurants listed to confirm information.
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by Tracee Sioux
 If you find yourself craving
quiet suburban life with sprawling lawns and leisurely shopping on a quaint Main
Street, Montclair is a utopia awaiting mere miles from New York City.
Aptly nicknamed "New Jersey's Florence," this town has everything from
minor league baseball to art museums without losing its small-town suburban feel.
It's easy to believe you're a billion and one miles away from the hassles and headaches
of the city—not just 12.
For 100 years Montclair remained a small agricultural village. Construction of the
Newark and Pompton Turnpike morphed the town into a commercial center with several
mills and other industrial ventures. The Newark and Bloomfield Railroad in 1856
made the town even larger. Today, Montclair does double-time as a commuter suburb
and a college town.
 For
those wondering why New Jersey license plates brag about their gardens, Montclair
in May is the place to find out. Montclair celebrates the greening of its trees
in its month-long "May in Montclair" celebration. The museums, shops,
and restaurants all participate by doing something extra-special, such as a unique
exhibit, a seasonal sale, or a two-for-one dinner special.
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THINGS
TO DO
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See more info on these businesses
Montclair Town Center
is the traditional commercial hub of Montclair, running along Bloomfield Avenue
for more than a mile from the Glen Ridge border to Mountain Avenue.
Having fallen into disrepair since its heyday during the trolley car era, the town
center is currently undergoing a revitalization effort to restore its earlier commercial
splendor. For the tourist this means a cornucopia of shopping, antique shops, art
galleries, and bookshops.
Antique lovers pop into
Ivory Bird Antiques on Bloomfield, Garage Sale on Claremont, and The
Montclair Antique Center on Church Street.
 Petal
lovers will bask in what Montclair has to offer. The Van Vleck Gardens are
open between May Day and Halloween every year.
Horticulturists will gasp at the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens during its
three-week blooming season beginning in May and ending in June. Gardeners will enjoy
the Oakside Garden, a colonial revival garden.
Even if you're not a die-hard gardener or horticulturist, you may still enjoy the
Tulip Project, with its 14,000 bulbs distributed and planted throughout the
township.
Art galleries and bookshops
pepper the town. Peek into the Oyo Gallery of African Art on Bloomfield and
The Montclair Book Center on Glenridge.
 Yogi
Berra, the famous Yankee player, moved to Montclair and built himself a museum on
the campus of Montclair State University. The Yogi Berra Museum and Learning
Center is also adjacent to the minor league baseball field of the same name
where The New Jersey Jackals play. Try to catch a game while you're there!
The museum provides unique
educational opportunities using sports and games as a learning tool to teach social
justice, ethics, and sportsmanship. Children in particular will enjoy a visit, and
baseball fans will get a glimpse of the "historic and contemporary role of sports"
in America.
The Montclair Art Museum is a place for high art and student art. The museum
houses an art school and serves as the town's cultural hub. The home of works by
Georgia O'Keefe, Thomas Eakins, and Romare Bearden has recently undergone an expansion
and renovation. For the true art history enthusiast, the museum features one of
only five specialized art library collections in Jersey with more than 14,000 books.
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DINING
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Whatever your taste buds
are screaming for, Montclair's Restaurant Row has something to appease them. Remember,
commuters accustomed to the finest dining in the world in Manhattan inhabit this
town—therefore the food has to be up to par, right? A nifty little Dining
Guide is offered by the Montclair Economic Development Corporation. (The MEDC has
a knowledgeable and helpful staff that can field questions about Montclair.)
 For
eclectic Asian, try Taro (pictured left) on Church
Street. Try 77 Walnut for beautifully prepared country dishes. Raymond's
on Church Street offers an abundant breakfast and lunch menu. For an enchanting
selection of desserts, visit Tartufo on Bloomfield Avenue (they also serve
entrees). And for a quick bite while shopping downtown, hop into Tina's Pizza.
Villa Victoria on Park Street serves homemade pizza with fresh toppings.
See more info on dining
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NIGHTLIFE
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Hear jazz, folk music,
and poetry readings any night of the week at Cafe Eclectic on Bloomfield.
The Page One Cafe, adjacent to the Montclair Book Center, occasionally puts
on musical events as well.
Also on Bloomfield
is "definitely the place to see and be seen," Diva's. Big jazz names perform
at Trumpets at Depot Square, and we hear that the crowd swings all
night.
South Park Bar and Grill (not related to the adult cartoon on Comedy Central)
has a jumping bar at night to enhance its menu.
Theatre buffs will enjoy Theatrefest at Montclair State University
as well as the Studio Players of Upper Montclair. Check out 12 Miles West
Theatre Company in downtown Montclair, above The Claridge (the local movie theater), too.
See more info on nightlife
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TRANSPORTATION
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Although this is not the most pedestrian-friendly
town to visit,
there is a local bus system to enable you to get around.
BUS:
Take De Camp Bus
Lines from Port Authority, Bus #66R. At certain times of the day, the bus drops
off directly at Montclair State University. Otherwise, get off at Mt. Hebron and
Valley roads, turn right (north) on Valley, and walk one block to the Normal Avenue
traffic light, then turn left to campus entrance.
Travel time:
30 minutes.
TRAIN:
Take PATH to Hoboken,
transfer to NJ Transit train to Montclair.
(Service only available
weekdays and evenings.)
Travel time: 40 minutes.
TAXI:
Two taxi options in Montclair
are Montclair Car Service (973-509-0277) and Montclair Yellow Cab Co.
(973-744-7771).
See more info on
transportation
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TRAVEL
TIPS
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The bus is your best option
on weekends. Otherwise we recommend renting a car.
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WEATHER
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