Overview
River Vale Township is in Bergen County, in the Gateway region of New Jersey. About a half hour drive outside of New York City, the suburb of River Vale is within driving distance of anything one would ever need. Growing from a rich history dating back to the Revolutionary War, River Vale was established as a township in 1906. It has continued to grow to the point it is at today, with a population of almost 10,000 people today.
Through River Vale and the nearby local towns, there is plenty to do, eat, and discover about what Bergen County has to offer.
2 sights · 4 things to do · 16 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about River Vale
Van Saun Park
The largest park in the area, provides facilities such as a 1.5 mile trail for running, walking, or hiking, a picnic area, baseball and soccer athletic fields. Van Saun Park is definitely a great place to spend time with…
Wood Dale Park
Wood Dale Park is a much smaller area than Van Saun, however, their facilities are top of the line. Between the pedestrian path for walking or running, a picnic area, and two tennis courts, Wood Dale Park offers it all. …
Fritz-Dietl Ice Rink
This small ice rink is perfect for an afternoon with the kids or even for a children's birthday party. Pricing is $10 for a 2-hour session and $3 for skate rentals.
Montvale Lanes Bowling Alley
Another spot perfect for a children's birthday party or to become a member of a bowling league. There is also a snack bar. Pricing is $4 per game bowled after 5PM, $3 before 5PM.
Stonybrook Swim Club
Opens each year on Memorial Day, closes in early September. This swim club is a member-only facility, costing about $500 for a family membership for residents of Hillsdale, and about $900 for out of town residents. Stony…
Pascack Movie Theater
Adult tickets - $9.50, seniors/children tickets - $7.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Sep and Mar. (climate data from nearby Briarcliff Manor)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TEB Teterboro Airport, Teterboro — 10 mi away. Directions
- HPN Westchester County Airport, White Plains — 17 mi away. Directions
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are three major airports near River Vale, all within an hour's drive from the respective airport. To get from these airports to River Vale, a car rental or hitching a ride from a friend would be necessary. Other options from these airports would include hopping in a taxi cab or bus, or a short train ride from Penn Station.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $100–$100 a night (typical $100), from 3 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $10 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$220.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Van Saun Park, Fritz-Dietl Ice Rink
- Lunch The Country Pancake House
- Afternoon Stonybrook Swim Club
- Dinner Ronnie's Bagels
Day 2
- Morning Wood Dale Park, Montvale Lanes Bowling Alley
- Lunch The Ridge
- Afternoon Pascack Movie Theater
- Dinner Bensi
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
There are many food options in River Vale, and in the surrounding towns. Most of the restaurants are very affordable, especially for those in the middle class. There are, of course, the stereotypical fast food chain restaurants in the area in addition to these locally owned and operated options.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Get in
By plane
There are three major airports near River Vale, all within an hour's drive from the respective airport. To get from these airports to River Vale, a car rental or hitching a ride from a friend would be necessary. Other options from these airports would include hopping in a taxi cab or bus, or a short train ride from Penn Station.
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Newark Airport (located in Newark, NJ) is a large international airport that is the closest to River Vale (about a 45-minute drive).
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA): (718) 533-3400, LaGuardia Airport is in Queens, NY, which serves for mostly domestic flights. It is about a 45-minute drive from River Vale.
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): JFK an international airport in Queens County, Long Island, that is about an hour-long drive from River Vale.
By train
NJ Transit - Trains has many train lines and stations all throughout the most of Northern New Jersey. Trains are generally available, running from 7AM - 1AM or later every day. Most trains to New Jersey leave from New York Penn Station (in Times Square) and depart for Secaucus Junction. To get to River Vale, one would need to take the Pascack Valley Line from Secaucus to the Westwood train station. However, there are not many available times that the trains run through this station, especially in the afternoon and night, so one could take a train on the busier Main-Bergen County Line to Ridgewood, NJ, about a 20 minute drive to River Vale. All in all, from New York to River Vale it is about a 45 minute train ride and $10 for a one way train ticket.
By bus
NJ Transit - Buses is New Jersey's public transportation system with 236 different bus routes throughout the state of New Jersey, as well as linking New Jersey to the New York City. From New York City (Port Authority Train Terminal), the closest a bus can take you to River Vale is to Hillsdale, NJ (another small town bordering River Vale), which would take about 1 hr 15 min. One way tickets generally cost $5-10. Buses run on a line by line, day by day basis, so one would need to check online for times.
By car
Since River Vale is a suburban area outside of New York City, to get to River Vale one would need to take a lot of back roads to get in. The closest highways to River Vale are the Palisades Parkway to the east, the Garden State Parkway to the west, I-287 (New York State Thruway) to the north, and I-80/I-95 Junction to the south. Locally, NJ routes 4 and 17 are the larger roadways, providing quick access around Bergen County.
Get around
The best and easiest way to get around in River Vale and its neighbors would be to drive a car. If one does not own a car when in the area, one could either rent a car or order a taxi. Walking is also always an option - sidewalks on the busier roads help facilitate a pedestrian-friendly environment. A bicycle would also be a more cost-efficient option to driving, as well as a faster transit than walking.
By taxi
There are 2 taxi companies located near River Vale, both operate with 24 hour service for local trips or for an airport shittle service. For pricing, both are determined based on the length of the trip in the taxi and the hour of the day.
- Westwood Taxi & Limousine, Inc., +1 201 666-5666
- Ridgewood Taxi & Limousine, +1 201 444-1800
See
Being a remote suburb, River Vale and its surrounding towns have a few recreational parks open to the public:
See Van Saun Park
The largest park in the area, provides facilities such as a 1.5 mile trail for running, walking, or hiking, a picnic area, baseball and soccer athletic fields. Van Saun Park is definitely a great place to spend time with your family.
See Wood Dale Park
Wood Dale Park is a much smaller area than Van Saun, however, their facilities are top of the line. Between the pedestrian path for walking or running, a picnic area, and two tennis courts, Wood Dale Park offers it all. There is also a great children's playground for the kids. Hillsdale is 5 minutes away from River Vale.
- Baylor Massacre Historical Site, in the heart of River Vale, is the location of a Revolutionary War surprise attack on September 27, 1778 on a Continental regiment. Commemorating this historic site are a few plaques detailing the events of the massacre, as well as an American flag. Having such a large part of American history in such a small town of River Vale is very meaningful and beyond cool!
Do
Entertainment
Do Montvale Lanes Bowling Alley
Another spot perfect for a children's birthday party or to become a member of a bowling league. There is also a snack bar. Pricing is $4 per game bowled after 5PM, $3 before 5PM.
Do Stonybrook Swim Club
Opens each year on Memorial Day, closes in early September. This swim club is a member-only facility, costing about $500 for a family membership for residents of Hillsdale, and about $900 for out of town residents. Stonybrook has an Olympic sized pool, a children's pool, playgrounds, an athletic field, and a snack bar.
Buy
Malls
- Garden State Plaza, 1 Garden State Plaza, Paramus. +1 201 843-2121. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Closed Sundays. The Garden State Plaza, or GSP for short, is about a 25 minute drive from River Vale. This mall has it all: a food court and other restaurants (such as Papa Razzi and Grand Lux Cafe, a brand new movie theater, and shopping stores such as Nordstrom's, Banana Republic, and the Gap. Other facilities include the Apple Store, Brookstone, and Williams-Sonoma.
- Paramus Park Mall, 700 Paramus Park, Paramus. +1 201 261-6108. M-Sa 10AM-9:30PM, Closed Sundays. Paramus Park, about a 20-minute drive from River Vale, is the smallest mall in the area. Paramus Park has a food court, Macy's department store, the Old Navy, and the Foot Locker, among others.
Other:
Shop Shaw's Bookstore
Shaw's is a tradition in River Vale's area. Every one knows about it - a small, locally owned small bookstore with excellent service.
Eat
There are many food options in River Vale, and in the surrounding towns. Most of the restaurants are very affordable, especially for those in the middle class. There are, of course, the stereotypical fast food chain restaurants in the area in addition to these locally owned and operated options.
Budget
Breakfast
Eat The Country Pancake House
The Country Pancake House is most well-known for its enormous pancakes, with a large option of toppings. Other breakfast foods, such as French toast, waffles, and eggs, are available here as well. The Country Pancake House also boasts a large menu of homemade mixed fruit juices and slushies.
- Goldberg's Bagels, +1 201 666-9896; 425 Broadway, Westwood. Goldberg's has some of the better bagels in the area, and all of the standard toppings are available. Pricing from $5 for breakfast.
Eat Ronnie's Bagels
Ronnie's is known in the area as having the best bagels in the area. If you are getting breakfast, this would be the place. Pricing from $5.
Eat The Ridge
New Jersey is very well known for its superb diners, and The Ridge is at the top of the line. Fresh off a new renovation, this establishment is the best diner in the area, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. It is also open 24 hours on the weekends. Pricing from $7-10.
Lunch and dinner
Eat Bensi
Bensi offers a large menu of fine classic Italian food options. Pricing from $15-20.
Eat Blue Moon
Blue Moon boasts a menu of Mexican cuisine.
- China Pavilion IV - +1 201 664-7766; 663-D Westwood Ave. China Pavilion is your stereotypical small local Chinese restaurant, usually more of a pick-up option as opposed to a sit down establishment. Pricing from $5-10.
Eat The Country Store
The Country Store, open since 1920, is a family owned and operated small store, offering delicious made-to-order subs and sandwiches, as well as many snacks and drinks. Prices from $7-10 for sandwiches.
Eat Crecco's Cafe
Crecco's Cafe offers delicious pizza and pasta options, as well as great large salads. You can either eat in the restaurant, or take advantage of their delivery services.
Eat The Iron Horse
The Iron Horse is a great family style restaurant with most generic food options.
Mid-range
Eat Davey's Pub
Davey's Pub is a family-oriented establishment, with an Irish style pub feeling. Food options range from sandwiches to hamburgers to salads - you can get whatever you are in the mood for. Davey's also doubles as a bar in the later hours of the night, so if you feel like watching an important sports game or just hanging out with some friends late night, this is a great option.
Eat Francesca's
Open 7 days a week for Lunch and Dinner. Francesca's offers many different specialty pizzas, as well as many traditional Italian heroes and other dinner entrees. BYOB if you plan on eating in the dining room. Pricing from $17 for a pizza pie, and from $7-15 for dinner entrees.
Splurge
Eat Gen Sushi & Hibachi
Gen offers some of the best sushi in the area. In addition to the wonderful sushi selection, Gen offers a fantastic hibachi meal, and many classic Chinese dishes. Also, Gen has a small but tasteful amount of ice cream selections for dessert.
Eat Hanami
Hanami offers sushi, Chinese food, and Japanese food. Eat in for a nice family meal, or get their delivery option if you want to spend the evening at home. Pricing from $20.
Eat The Park Steakhouse
The Park Steakhouse is one of the more higher scale restaurants in the area. Usually, a reservation is needed for dinner. They have many grilled steak and fish options, with the pricing from $30 for dinner.
Dessert
Eat Conrad's
Conrad's make all homemade chocolate and candy treats - simply delicious.
Eat Dairy Queen
One of the oldest Dairy Queen's in the country, this establishment serves some delicious ice cream and other treats.
Eat King Kone
Just over the New Jersey-New York border (about a 10 minute drive) is King Kone, which serves some very high quality soft serve ice cream. It is only open during the spring and summer months, however.
Drink
The local drinking scene in River Vale and its neighboring towns is, for lack of a better word, bleak. There is always the option of taking a train or a bus in to New York City ("The City"), where one can indulge themselves in the many bars and night dance clubs that are in New York.
There is, however, one local drinking hole that many 21 years old enjoy to frequent, called The Cornerstone. In addition to being a bar, The Cornerstone doubles as a restaurant for lunch and dinner. On occasion, The Cornerstone has live bands and/or DJs perform in the nighttime, as well as other special promotional events. +1 201 666-8688; 84 Broadway, Hillsdale.
Sleep
There are not many hotel accommodations in River Vale and its surrounding areas, as the majority of the area is residential. However, the closest hotels are within a 10 minute drive of River Vale:
Go next
For further information on history and/or services, please visit the River Vale Township home page.
Nearby
Westwood
City / town · 1 mi away
Haworth
City / town · 11 listings · 3 mi away
Park Ridge
City / town · 9 listings · 3 mi away
Paramus
City / town · 4 listings · 5 mi away
River Edge
City / town · 1 listings · 5 mi away
Ridgewood
City / town · 9 listings · 6 mi away
Piermont
City / town · 3 listings · 6 mi away
Palisades
Park · 6 mi away
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