Union City

Union City is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey.

Union City is a small city, roughly 1.283 square miles. It is bordered by Weehawken to the east, Jersey City to the south, North Bergen to the west and north, and West New York to the north.

Understand

Because Bergenline Avenue is the main commercial thoroughfare for North Hudson County, driving up or down it can take quite a bit of time, and parking can be difficult. Most areas to park near Bergenline and other commercial avenues are metered, and the rest require city permits to park for more than 4 hours.

Talk

Since most residents in Union City are Latinos, the predominant language spoken is Spanish, though most Spanish speakers also speak English.

Additionally, there is a Hasidic enclave in uptown Union City where Yiddish is spoken.

Get in

By bus

Welcome sign to Union City

From Manhattan, you can catch NJTransit buses from the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street. NJTransit 123 and 125 leave regularly.

Also consider the privately operated minibuses, also known as jitneys (see below). Minibus 51 goes to and from Manhattan on a similar route to NJTransit 125 with better frequency.

By light rail

If you are coming in from Manhattan, or have parked elsewhere in Hudson County, a light rail service running from North Bergen to Bayonne can be used to get into Union City.

Terminating in Hoboken via the PATH from Manhattan allows for quick access to Union City, at the Bergenline Avenue station.

Get around

Minibuses

Minibuses, locally known as jitneys or by the Spanish word guaguas, are private buses that take private routes throughout Union City. The jitneys sometimes offer better frequencies than NJTransit buses, but they can be tricky to catch since there is generally no signage regarding their stops. Jitneys are cash-only; you pay when you get off, and the driver may be able to give change. A good online resource is the unofficial Jitney Buses of New Jersey page.

Walking

One of the best ways to absorb the unique culture of Union City is to simply walk around.

Bergenline Avenue is a bustling main thoroughfare, where restaurants and stores run continuously for dozens of blocks. Many of the shops and restaurants are independently owned. Because Bergenline is a one-way southbound street, it is very congested to drive through during most hours of the day. Starting on the north end of Washington Park, the first several blocks are mostly residential. After walking from the park a few blocks, businesses begin to emerge. Buildings on Bergenline span three centuries; many still standing from the 19th century.

The entire northern section of Bergenline, from 32nd to 47th Street, is particularly interesting to walk, as many buildings from the 19th century and early 20th century are still standing; as a result, this district is listed on the New Jersey Historic Preservation.

See

Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel

• 1 Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel. 19th-century grand church, the largest of its time. National Historic place.  
• 2 Union City Museum, 420 15th St (in the William V. Musto Cultural Center), ☏ +1 646 545 7183, unioncityhistory@gmail.com. M-F 9AM-12:30PM, Sa noon-4PM. Art exhibits, historic artifacts, and a concert hall. (updated Jan 2021)

Do

Parks

• 1 Washington Park. At the southern border of Union City, shared with Jersey City. It features a dog park with scenic views of Hoboken and the New York City skyline, a water park, picnic tables and grills. During the summer there is a festival with carnival rides, live music, and movie nights. Free. 
• 2 Ellsworth Park, Palisade Ave between 24 and 25th St. In central Union City. It features a playground for children and cozy seating areas. Free. 
• 3 Reservoir Park, Highpoint Ave at 22nd St. (updated Apr 2021)

North Bergen

• 4 Braddock Park (take Kennedy Blvd from Jersey City all the way to the end). Marks the border between Hudson and Bergen Counties. Named after James J Braddock whose life was portrayed in the movie "Cinderella Man." The park was also the site of the "Stonehenge Incident," where people reported seeing UFOs from a nearby apartment complex. (updated Jan 2021)

Arts

• 5 Park Performing Arts Center (Park Theater), 560 32nd Street. During the holiday season, home of the longest running Passion Play in the US. It was known as Park Theater in the late 20th century. (updated Jan 2019)

Parades

Cuban Day Parade of New Jersey - on Bergenline Avenue during the summer, thousands of people.

Dominican-American Parade - on Bergenline Avenue.

Historical markers

Placed on street-corners, walls, and on sidewalks throughout Union City, there are numerous historical markers; most offering a brief history. There markers are used to show the location of recognized or notable persons and establishments. Some of the historical markers are used for buildings which still stand, such as the Blue Chapel; others are located where establishments used to stand. Many are to recognize people who have grew up or lived in Union City and have achieved fame. There are many to visit, and with good planning and a fast-pace, you can see them all in one day.

• Bergenline and 15th street. - Childhood home of Erick Morillo, DJ and music producer, most known for the song "I Like to Move It."
• Peter George Urban, 10th degree karate grandmaster.
• 6 Former 19th-century brewery. (updated Apr 2021)
• 7 William Tylee Ranney. (updated Apr 2021)
• 8 Acclaimed American Author, 1215 Palisade Ave. Dedicated to Pietro Di Donato, author of "Christ in Concrete" (updated Apr 2021)
• 9 Joe Jeanette. (updated Apr 2021)
• 10 Blue Chapel. (updated Apr 2021)

Buy

• 1 Columbia Park, 3129 Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen. (updated Jan 2021)

Eat

Union City boasts a variety of Latin American cuisine, both low-priced and high-priced. Wander down Summit Ave south of 14th Street for Mexican, Salvadoran, Ecuadorian, Argentinian, Cuban, and many more cuisines. It helps if you know some Spanish.

• 1 El Artesano Restaurant, 4101 Bergenline Avenue, ☏ +1 201 867-7341. Cuban food. 
• 2 Juana & Gloria, 1801 Bergenline Avenue, ☏ +1 201 866-9843. Moderately priced. 
• 3 Americana Grill & Cafe, 600 Summit Ave, ☏ +1 201 766-4495. Late night diner that delivers. 
• 4 Coach House, 921 Kennedy Blvd, North Bergen, ☏ +1 201-864-8600. (updated Jan 2021)

Sleep

• 1 Shefah, 315 29th St. (updated Apr 2021)
• 2 Xplore Hotel & Hostel NYC, 415 38th St. (updated Apr 2021)

Go next

Routes through Union City

Ends at N S ← Secaucus ←	W  E	→ Weehawken → Manhattan, New York
END ← North Bergen ←	N  S	→ Weehawken → Hoboken
END ← North Bergen ←	N  S	→ Weehawken → Jersey City