Overview
The Oranges are a group of 4 communities in Essex County, New Jersey.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 13 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about The Oranges
Thomas Edison National Historical Park
In 1887 Edison moved his laboratory from Menlo Park to West Orange. He worked there until his death in 1931. In West Orange he improved his phonograph and storage battery and did all of his work on motion pictures. His l…
Eagle Rock Reservation
Historic 400+-acre park with trails, a 9/11 memorial, and NYC views.
Branch Brook Park
Largest collection of cherry blossoms in the United States of America.
Turtle Back Zoo
South Mountain Reservation
entrance off of South Orange Ave. on the left, heading towards Livingston. Commonly referred to as “The Res” by the locals, this land-mark site spans across several towns in the Essex County region. Hiking and bike trail…
The Baird Community Center
A local community center that offers tennis, basketball, soccer and other various family activities. Includes instructors that give lessons for tennis, dance, and swimming during the summer months. The center is mainly g…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby New York City)
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.
- EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 6 mi away (major hub). Directions
- TEB Teterboro Airport, Teterboro — 11 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Eagle Rock Reservation, Turtle Back Zoo
- Lunch La Dolce Vida
- Afternoon South Mountain Reservation, Waterlands Park
- Dinner Chit Chat Diner
Day 2
- Morning Branch Brook Park, The Baird Community Center
- Lunch Town Hall Deli
- Afternoon South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)
- Dinner Bunny S Tavern
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By car
- Garden State Parkway North to exit 145 to Route 280 West. Exit at Exit 11. Follow signs to Center Street, Proceed to South Orange Avenue. Turn right for town center.
- Garden State Parkway to exit 144 to South Orange Avenue. Proceed West on South Orange Avenue to the town center.
- New Jersey Turnpike to exit 15W (Route 280). Exit at Exit 11. Follow signs to Center Street, Proceed to South Orange Avenue. Turn right for town center.
- I-78 East to Exit 49B. Take 1st jughandle to Valley Street. Proceed about 4 miles to town center.
- I-78 West to Exit 50B. Follow ramp to Vauxhall Road. Turn right on Valley Street. Proceed about 3.5 miles to town center.
By train
- New Jersey Transit, 17 Sloane Street. Midtown Direct offers service directly into Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan.
- New Jersey PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson), Offers service between New York and New Jersey. From World Trade Center (Downtown Manhattan) or Penn Station(Uptown Manhattan) proceed to Subway station below. Follow sings for New Jersey PATH to Hoboken. Transfer from Hoboken by proceeding upstairs to the Gladstone line directly to South Orange. [ http://www.panynj.gov/path/ ]
- West Orange also has a commuter rail station on the line to Newark (New Jersey) and New York City.
By bus
- New Jersey Transit Bus #107 from Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York
- Coach USA Bus #31 from Newark Penn Station
- New Jersey Transit Bus #92 from Orange, Bloomfield
Get around
The old Morris and Essex Railroad is still operated today by NJ Transit.
See
See Thomas Edison National Historical Park
In 1887 Edison moved his laboratory from Menlo Park to West Orange. He worked there until his death in 1931. In West Orange he improved his phonograph and storage battery and did all of his work on motion pictures. His lab and home are now preserved by the National Park Service as Thomas Edison National Historical Park, which is 7 miles from downtown Newark, and accessible by public transport.
See South Mountain Reservation
entrance off of South Orange Ave. on the left, heading towards Livingston. Commonly referred to as “The Res” by the locals, this land-mark site spans across several towns in the Essex County region. Hiking and bike trails, playgrounds for children, and a dog park are just some of aspects that the reservation has to offer. The reservation is best known for the clear and up-close view of the New York Skyline at the top of the trails.
Do
Do Branch Brook Park
Largest collection of cherry blossoms in the United States of America.
Do The Baird Community Center
A local community center that offers tennis, basketball, soccer and other various family activities. Includes instructors that give lessons for tennis, dance, and swimming during the summer months. The center is mainly geared towards families, but the basketball court is frequently occupied by teenagers.
Do Waterlands Park
A very secluded park. Includes several baseball/softball diamonds with lights for night games and a children’s playground set. During the day the majority of people who visit this park are local families and sports teams, but during the night hours this park is frequently populated with high school students.
Do South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC)
Set in the middle of the town center, this establishment has a lot more to offer than an average movie theater. Three floors of movie theaters, with film selections ranging from family pictures and blockbusters to independent films. SOPAC also offers a wide range of live performances including plays, musicals, and orchestra concerts. Tickets for films and live performances are available at the door or by order through phone or the SOPAC website.
Eat
Eat Town Hall Deli
Top shelf deli food. Originator of the (New Jersey Style) Sloppy Joe.
Eat Bunny S Tavern
Ste 14. This establishment offers two sections; a family oriented restaurant, and a bar complete with loud music, arcade games, a projection screen (primarily for sporting events), and sit-down areas both indoors an outside. Best known for the thin crust family pizza buffet.
Eat Cryan's
Irish pub and restaurant. Offers a wide variety of brews, including a selection of traditional Irish ales. After 8PM only 21 years and older are permitted. The occasional live entertainment and Wi-Fi connection makes this pub a popular spot for the college students of Senton Hall University.
Eat Neelam Exotic Indian Cuisine
Indian-Pakistani restaurant.
Eat Reservoir Restaurant
Gourmet Pizza restaurants
Eat Village Trattoria
Italian restaurant, and a well-known local favorite. Best known for the original selection of pizza slices. Open 7 days a week. Offers order for pick-up and indoor dining.
Eat Chris's Texas Weiner Family Restaurant
Offers traditional diner breakfast, lunch, and dinner at all times of the day. Open 7 days a week.
Eat Pirates Pizza
A common pizza parlor that offers order for pick-up. Limited menu and little indoor seating.
Eat Grid Iron Waffle Shop
Grid Iron Waffle Shop offers a variety of comfort and specialty food and beverages for those who enjoy a mix of European and American ideas. Serving breakfast, brunch and lunch with an assortment of Liege sugar waffles, Brussels waffles and many unique waffle creations as well as delicious panini, salads and artisan coffees.
Eat Chit Chat Diner
Chic diner with an expansive menu with both classic and novel foods, modern styling, art and decor, and fantasy-like sculptures.
Sleep
Stay Courtyard West Orange
Approximately 3.5 mi. from Seton Hall University in South Orange. Located in West Orange, NJ. This hotel is primarily occupied by people on business trips and visitors exploring Seton Hall University. Rooms are equipped with two queen-sized beds, wireless internet, and movie selections. The Courtyard Lobby Lounge, a restaurant and pub, opens at dinner hours and only permits guests of 21 years and older. The Courtyard Café is open to all quests during breakfast hours and offers sit-down meals as well as a breakfast buffet.
Nearby
Maplewood
City / town · 12 listings · 3 mi away
Newark
City / town · 57 listings · 4 mi away
Montclair
City / town · 4 listings · 4 mi away
Harrison
City / town · 8 listings · 5 mi away
Short Hills
City / town · 3 listings · 5 mi away
Millburn
City / town · 16 listings · 5 mi away
Union
City / town · 2 listings · 5 mi away
Nutley
City / town · 4 listings · 6 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.