10 Iconic Landmarks Near Hackensack, NJ You Have to Visit
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Hackensack Sits Minutes From Some of the World's Most Famous Landmarks
Hackensack sits in the heart of Bergen County, a short drive from some of the most recognized landmarks on the planet. From world-famous stadiums to Manhattan icons visible just across the Hudson, this guide covers 10 must-see destinations near Hackensack, along with practical tips for visiting each one.
Table of Contents:-
Times Square
Times Square is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million people a year to its digital billboards and Broadway theaters. Known as “the Crossroads of the World,” it’s the site of the annual New Year’s Eve ball drop and the hub of New York’s Theater District.
Visiting Tips:
- Visit on a weekday morning to avoid the heaviest crowds
- Buy Broadway tickets in advance through official box offices, not street vendors
- Use the Times Square-42nd Street subway station, one of the busiest in the city
- Keep valuables close, as the area draws pickpockets along with tourists
- Check the TKTS booth for same-day discounted show tickets
Highlights:
- Massive digital billboards are lit around the clock
- Broadway theaters show some of the world’s biggest productions
- Street performers and costumed characters throughout the square
- The annual ball drop is broadcast to a global audience
MetLife Stadium
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is the shared home of the NFL’s Giants and Jets and hosted Super Bowl XLVIII. It’s also a confirmed host venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where it’s officially referred to as New York New Jersey Stadium for tournament broadcasts.
Visiting Tips:
- Arrive early on event days, as parking lots fill up fast
- Book stadium tours in advance for a look behind the scenes on non-event days
- Check the event calendar before visiting, since access varies by event
- Use rideshare drop-off zones to skip stadium parking lines entirely
Highlights:
- Shared home field for two NFL franchises
- Confirmed 2026 FIFA World Cup host venue
- Large-capacity concerts from major touring artists
- Modern amenities across multiple seating levels
American Dream Meadowlands
American Dream is one of the largest entertainment and retail complexes in North America, combining an indoor Nickelodeon Universe theme park, the Big Snow indoor ski slope, and a DreamWorks-branded water park under one roof in East Rutherford.
Visiting Tips:
- Buy theme park and ski slope tickets online to skip on-site lines
- Set aside a full day, since the complex is larger than it looks from the outside
- Bring a swimsuit for the water park, even in winter, since it’s fully indoor
- Check individual attraction hours, as they vary from mall retail hours
Highlights:
- Indoor theme park with more than 35 rides and attractions
- Big Snow is one of the only indoor ski slopes in North America
- DreamWorks Water Park for year-round indoor swimming
- Roughly 450 retail stores, including a luxury shopping wing
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium in the Bronx is home to the New York Yankees, a franchise with 27 World Series championships, the most of any team in North American professional sports. The current stadium opened in 2009 and still draws millions of fans each season.
Visiting Tips:
- Buy tickets through official MLB or team channels to avoid inflated resale prices
- Arrive at least an hour before the first pitch to explore the stadium grounds
- Book a stadium tour to see Monument Park on a non-game day
- Check the Yankees’ promotional schedule for giveaway and theme days
Highlights:
- Home of a 27-time World Series champion franchise
- Monument Park honoring Yankees legends
- Concerts and events beyond regular-season baseball
- Modern seating with sightlines closer to the field than the original stadium
George Washington Bridge
The George Washington Bridge connects Fort Lee, New Jersey, to Manhattan and is one of the busiest motor-vehicle bridges in the world, carrying well over 100 million vehicle crossings a year. Its double-deck suspension design makes it a defining piece of the New York-New Jersey skyline.
Visiting Tips:
- Walk or bike the pedestrian path for sweeping Hudson River views
- Visit Fort Lee Historic Park at its base for a closer look at the bridge structure
- Avoid rush hour if driving across, since traffic backs up daily
- Bring a camera for sunset views looking toward Manhattan
Highlights:
- One of the busiest bridges in the world by vehicle volume
- Double-deck suspension design visible from both NJ and NY sides
- Walking and biking paths open to the public
- Panoramic views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline
Prudential Center
Prudential Center, known locally as “The Rock,” is downtown Newark’s home for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils and one of the region’s busiest concert venues. It’s been a fixture of Newark’s revitalized downtown since opening in 2007.
Visiting Tips:
- Take NJ Transit directly to Newark Penn Station, a short walk from the arena
- Check the schedule ahead of time, since events range from hockey to major concerts
- Arrive early for Devils games to enjoy the surrounding downtown restaurants
- Purchase parking in advance during high-demand events
Highlights:
- Home ice for the NHL’s New Jersey Devils
- Regular stops for major touring concert acts
- Modern arena in the center of downtown Newark
- Easy access by public transit from across the region
Central Park
Central Park is one of the most visited urban parks in the world, drawing an estimated 42 million visits a year across 843 acres in the middle of Manhattan. It has served as the backdrop for countless films and remains one of the most photographed green spaces on Earth.
Visiting Tips:
- Enter near a subway stop, since the park spans multiple neighborhoods
- Rent a bike or join a walking tour to cover more ground quickly
- Visit Bethesda Terrace and the Mall for the most iconic photo spots
- Pack water and comfortable shoes, since the park is larger than most visitors expect
Highlights:
- Nearly 850 acres of green space in the middle of Manhattan
- An iconic filming location for countless movies and shows
- Bethesda Fountain, the Great Lawn, and the Central Park Zoo
- Free to enter, with paid options for boating and guided tours
Meadowlands Racetrack
Known locally as “The Big M,” Meadowlands Racetrack is a historic harness and thoroughbred racing venue in East Rutherford. It has hosted the Hambletonian, harness racing’s biggest event, since 1981, and now runs a FanDuel sportsbook on-site.
Visiting Tips:
- Check the live racing calendar, since race nights vary by season
- Arrive early for a table at the on-site restaurant overlooking the track
- Bring ID for the sportsbook, since age verification is required
- Parking is free and typically easy to find outside of major race nights
Highlights:
- Home of the Hambletonian, harness racing’s premier event
- On-site FanDuel sportsbook for sports betting
- Year-round racing schedule with both harness and thoroughbred events
- Restaurant and lounge seating overlooking the track
Overpeck County Park
Overpeck County Park is an 811-acre Bergen County park spanning Leonia, Palisades Park, Ridgefield Park, and Teaneck, just outside Hackensack. Originally proposed to rival Central Park, it’s now a hub for sports fields, walking trails, and competitive rowing.
Visiting Tips:
- Use the Ridgefield Park entrance for the easiest access to walking trails
- Bring bikes, since the park’s paved paths are popular with cyclists
- Visit in the early morning to see local rowing teams practicing on the water
- Check for seasonal events, since the park hosts community gatherings year-round
Highlights:
- Over 800 acres of trails, fields, and open space
- Active rowing programs used by area high schools and colleges
- Playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas throughout
- Close, convenient green space just minutes from Hackensack
Empire State Building
The Empire State Building is one of the most recognized skyscrapers in the world, a National Historic Landmark completed in 1931 that held the title of world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years. Its observatories draw an estimated 4 million visitors a year.
Visiting Tips:
- Buy observatory tickets online in advance to skip the ticket line
- Visit at sunset for daytime and nighttime skyline views in one trip
- Go early on weekday mornings for the shortest security lines
- Consider the higher-floor observatory ticket for a quieter, less crowded view
Highlights:
- Held the title of world’s tallest building for nearly 40 years
- Two observation decks with panoramic New York City views
- Art Deco architecture is recognized around the world
- Iconic lighting displays marking holidays and special events
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Why Hackensack Businesses Choose 360 Networks
- Local presence, right in Bergen County, with a team that knows the area’s businesses and infrastructure
- Fast response times for IT support, since the team isn’t managing clients from across the country
- Managed IT, cybersecurity, and cloud services under one provider, so nothing falls through the cracks between vendors
- A 5.0-star rating across 30 reviews from real Hackensack-area clients
- Direct experience supporting the mix of small businesses and growing companies that make up Hackensack’s local economy
Visit 360 Networks to learn more about how the team supports businesses throughout Hackensack.