Travel with Terri
Hoboken: History, good times and views!
By Terri Farris
Do you know about Hoboken? If you do chances are you know it was the birthplace and childhood home of Frank Sinatra. You may also know it was the location of the first organized baseball game played at Elysian Fields on June 19, 1846. A place of many firsts, Hoboken was the site of America’s First Brewery, the first zipper and the Maxwell House Coffee plant. It was also the place the first Oreo cookie was sold – now that is an important first!
Located across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Hoboken offers the most spectacular views of the city you will ever find. This one mile square town is often referred to as the “sixth borough”. A cosmopolitan community with a diverse population and a rich history, Hoboken is the perfect “off the beaten path” destination for anyone visiting the New York area. Accessible by ferry, bus or the New Jersey Transit PATH train, Hoboken is a short 10-minute ride from Manhattan.
Hoboken was first noticed by a navigator on Henry Hudson’s 1609 voyage up the river that now bears his name. The Lenni Lenape (later known as the Delaware Indians) camped on the island seasonally and used the green-colored serpentine rock in the area to carve tobacco pipes. In 1658 Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor of Manhattan, bought the area from the Lenni Lenape for 80 fathoms of wampum, 20 fathoms of cloth, 12 kettles, 6 guns, 2 blankets, 1 double kettle and half a barrel of beer. So it seems the beer drinking in Hoboken began long before America’s First Brewery!
Speaking of beer drinking, with bars of every type on almost every corner, Hoboken has plenty of nightlife. There are bars with live music, wine bars, trendy bars and neighborhood bars where “everybody knows your name”. Ok, so maybe they won’t know your name when you arrive, but hang out for a little while and you will make a friend or two – that’s Hoboken! Some suggestions for your bar crawl: Scotland Yard where you can listen to blues or Maxwell’s where live music is a regular event. In fact, groups having performed at Maxwell’s in the past include Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Nirvana. For a friendly, no frills, sports watching and drinking place check out Hobson’s Choice – a personal favorite!
If you prefer the trendy bar scene, be sure to visit The Chandelier Room located in the W Hotel. This posh new bar will dazzle you with the breathtaking crystal chandelier suspended from the ceiling while simultaneously wowing you with those amazing views of the Hudson River and Manhattan.
There is more to Hoboken than the nightlife, this is a town full of historical landmarks with interesting stories. The Hoboken Museum is a great start for information. (www.hobokenmuseum.org) A walking tour of Hoboken includes sites such as the Yellow Flats in the 1200 block of Washington Street , circa 1890. These apartments were once home to Hetty Green – the “Witch of Wall Street”. One of the wealthiest women of her day, her reluctance to spend money was legendary. It is said her injured son lost a leg because she was unwilling to pay for his medical attention!
The Hoboken Terminal, a Beaux-Arts style building, was constructed in 1907 as the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Much like the town of Hoboken, the Hoboken Terminal was also a place of “firsts”. In 1930 Thomas Edison was at the controls for the first departure of an electrified train. Also, the first installation of central air-conditioning in a public space was at Hoboken Terminal.
Across from Hoboken’s historic City Hall on Washington Street you will find Carlo’s Bakery, home to TLC’s reality TV show, Cake Boss. Opened in 1910 by Carlo Guastaffero, this family owned business is now managed by his grandson, Buddy a/k/a the “Cake Boss”. Buddy’s cakes are works of art and when the show is filming, you will find long lines of tourists standing outside to get a peek. www.carlosbakery.com
Hoboken has numerous parks including Frank Sinatra Park located along the waterfront of the Hudson River. During the warmer months, the park is the site of numerous festivals and events including “Movies Under the Stars”. It is also another great place to check out those Manhattan views! Visit www.hoboken411.com for details on upcoming events.
With the opening of Hoboken’s first W Hotel along the waterfront in 2009, visitors to the New York area were given yet another reason to cross the Hudson River. The W Hoboken offers an oasis from the hustle, bustle and noise of the city. Reserve a “Spectacular Room” or a “Cool Corner Room” and watch the Manhattan skyline unfold before you with the sunrise in the morning or as the lights of the city begin to sparkle at night!
Head downstairs to the Living Room where you can enjoy signature cocktails, high speed internet access or board games & books. Make an appointment at Bliss Spa for first class pampering or workout to offset those cocktails in the Sweat Fitness Center. With the W Hoboken’s “Whatever, whenever” service policy, your wish is their command! www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels
Dinner at the Zylo Steakhouse located in the W Hoboken is not to be missed. With a menu combining traditional Italian fare and steakhouse options, you are sure find something to please your palette. The décor is inspired by Hoboken’s shipbuilding heritage and combines industrial materials with colorful artwork and back-lit glass walls creating a cozy ambience all against the backdrop of those magnificent Manhattan views! www.cornerstonerestaurants.com/zylo/index.html
Next time you visit New York, get out of the city and head over to Hoboken – you never know what you will find! Did I mention the views?
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. You can contact Terri at tfarris60@hotmail.com.