Overview
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.
2 sights · 10 things to do · 4 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 Union City
Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel
19th-century grand church, the largest of its time. National Historic place.
Union City Museum
Art exhibits, historic artifacts, and a concert hall.
Reservoir Park
Braddock Park
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 see…
Park Performing Arts Center
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.
William Tylee Ranney
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.
- TEB Teterboro Airport, Teterboro — 6 mi away. Directions
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 8 mi away (major hub). Directions
From Manhattan, you can catch NJTransit buses from the Port Authority Bus Terminal on 42nd Street. NJTransit 123 and 125 leave regularly.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ellsworth Park, Reservoir Park, Acclaimed American Author
- Lunch Juana & Gloria
- Afternoon Park Performing Arts Center, Joe Jeanette
- Dinner El Artesano Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel, Union City Museum, Blue Chapel
- Lunch Coach House
- Afternoon William Tylee Ranney, Washington Park
- Dinner Americana Grill & Cafe
Day 3
- Morning Braddock Park
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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.
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.
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.
Get in
By bus
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
See Monastery and Church of Saint Michael the Archangel
19th-century grand church, the largest of its time. National Historic place.
Do
Parks
Do 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.
Do Reservoir Park
North Bergen
Arts
Do Park Performing Arts Center (Park Theater)
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.
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.
Do Former 19th-century brewery
Do William Tylee Ranney
Do Joe Jeanette
Do Blue Chapel
Buy
Shop Columbia Park
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.
Eat El Artesano Restaurant
Cuban food.
Eat Americana Grill & Cafe
Late night diner that delivers.
Sleep
Go next
- Hoboken — A city on the Hudson River accessible via public transportation (NJTransit Bus 22 or 85) or taxi.
- New York City — The bustling, cosmopolitan heart of the 4th largest metropolis in the world and by far the most populous city in the United States. Accessible via public transportation (NJTransit Bus 123, 125, or various others)
Nearby
Weehawken
City / town · 10 listings · 1 mi away
Hoboken
City / town · 22 listings · 2 mi away
Secaucus
City / town · 10 listings · 2 mi away
Manhattan
City / town · 6 listings · 3 mi away
New York City
City / town · 47 listings · 4 mi away
Jersey City
City / town · 71 listings · 4 mi away
East Rutherford
City / town · 13 listings · 6 mi away
Rutherford
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.