Newark

Newark is the largest city in New Jersey and sits in Essex County, around 8 miles (13 kilometers) west of Manhattan. The city stretches along the Passaic River and is crossed by broad streets that connect older brick buildings, modern glass towers, and numerous residential neighborhoods.

The city was founded in 1666 by Puritan settlers from Connecticut and grew into a major industrial center for leather, beer, and insurance during the 19th century. In the 20th century, the urban landscape changed through deindustrialization and social shifts that continue to shape its development today.

The city hosts a diverse Portuguese and Brazilian community, whose influence shows in the streets with small shops, bakeries, and restaurants serving traditional dishes. On weekends, public squares fill with families, and you often hear Spanish and Portuguese conversations among neighbors meeting on the sidewalks.

Most attractions are concentrated in the downtown area and can be reached on foot if you know the streets and watch for traffic. For visits to different neighborhoods, it is advisable to use public transport or taxis, as distances can be considerable.

The international airport sits directly within city limits and is one of the oldest commercial airports still in use in the country. Additionally, it was here that the first planned urban grid layout in America was implemented during colonial times, which you can still see in the rectangular street patterns today.