Things to Do in Waldwick, NJ: Parks, History, Shopping, and Arts

Waldwick, NJ (Bergen County, ~10K residents) packs surprising variety into 2 square miles—parks with NYC views, preserved 18th-century houses, and a walkable downtown.

Parks & Outdoors

• Hilltop Park: Ramapo Mountain vistas, picnic groves, playground, sledding. Best sunset spot.
• Veterans Park: Turf fields (soccer, lacrosse), playground, dog park, walking path.
• Westwood Tennis & Recreation Center (shared): 6 har-tru courts, pickleball, fitness, pool (member).
• Waldwick Swim Club: Member-owned, 50m pool, lessons, swim team.

Historic Sites (All National Register Listed)

• The Hermitage Museum (Hohokus): 1847 Gothic Revival, Rosencrantz family. Washington, Burr, Hamilton visited. Tours, events.
• Old Dutch Church (1767): Sandstone, active congregation. Cemetery: Revolutionary War veterans.
• Abraham Hopper House (1780): Dutch colonial, private, tours by appointment.
• Van Orden House (1755): Now Waldwick Public Library. Original beams, fireplace.

Shopping & Dining

• The Shops at Riverside (Hackensack, 5 min): Upscale outdoor mall — Bloomingdale's, Pottery Barn, restaurants (Seasons 52, True Food).
• Downtown Waldwick (Franklin Turnpike): Walkable: Waldwick Bakery (Portuguese pastries), Bistro 73, Sushi House, Deli Planet.
• Waldwick Farmers Market: Thursdays 3-7 PM (Jun-Oct), Gazebo Park. Local produce, baked goods, crafts.

Arts & Culture

• Waldwick Arts Center: Rotating exhibits, concerts, workshops (old train station building).
• Waldwick Theatre Company: Community theater — 3 shows/year (musicals, dramas).
• Waldwick Museum of Art: Contemporary shows, local artists, school partnerships.

Access

NJ Transit: Waldwick Station (Main/Bergen Line) — 50 min to Hoboken, 1 hr to NY Penn. Exit 168 (Rt 17), Exit 70 (GSP). Walkable downtown from station.

Waldwick rewards the curious: history underfoot, nature overhead, community scaled to human pace.