Overview
Wayne is a city in New Jersey and home of William Paterson University.
4 sights · 6 things to do · 5 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wayne
Dey Mansion Museum
George Washington made his headquarters in Northern New Jersey at Dey Mansion. Washington's letters refer to Dey Mansion as "Head Quarters, Pracaness [Preakness]". After the arrival of the French army in July 1780, Washi…
Laurelwood Arboretum
This is a lovely 30-acre rustic arboretum with many trails. It also includes several gardens, one of which is a sensory garden where you can taste, smell, feel and see selected plants.
Schuyler Colfax Historic House Museum
Built in 1695-96 by settler Arent Schuyler, this is the oldest home in Wayne. It is one of a few colonial homesteads built before 1700 on the east coast, which was never sold out of original ownership for eight generatio…
Van Riper Hopper House
Built in 1786 by Uriah Van Riper for his bride Maria (Polly) Berdan, this New Jersey Dutch colonial house offers a rare walk back in time. The farmstead includes an historical herb garden, Archeology Laboratory, and Albe…
Clearview Cinemas
See a movie in one of the 5 theaters. Also enjoy refreshments and candies at the snack bar or play at the mini arcade.
Ice Vault
Go ice skating or play ice hockey on the two ice rinks. Food and refreshments are also offered at the snack bar.
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 — 12 mi away. Directions
- EWR Newark Liberty International Airport, Newark — 17 mi away (major hub). Directions
You can drive a car or take the bus. Three NJ Transit lines run through this pickle of a town: the 197, the 744 and 748, with some others heading to Willowbrook but not serving further reaches of the town. Schedules and fares can be obtained on NJ Transit's website. The trip from Manhattan by bus takes about an hour to 1 1/4 hours.
Full “Get in” guide ↓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 Dey Mansion Museum, Schuyler Colfax Historic House Museum, Clearview Cinemas
- Lunch Positano's
- Afternoon North Jersey Country Club, Santa Train Rides in New Jersey
- Dinner Bensi
- Evening Casey O’Tooles
Day 2
- Morning Laurelwood Arboretum, Van Riper Hopper House, Ice Vault
- Lunch Nori
- Afternoon Preakness Hills Country Club, T-Bowl Lanes
- Dinner Sunrise Bagels
- Evening Greenhouse Cafe
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
You can drive a car or take the bus. Three NJ Transit lines run through this pickle of a town: the 197, the 744 and 748, with some others heading to Willowbrook but not serving further reaches of the town. Schedules and fares can be obtained on NJ Transit's website. The trip from Manhattan by bus takes about an hour to 1 1/4 hours.
See
See Dey Mansion Museum
George Washington made his headquarters in Northern New Jersey at Dey Mansion. Washington's letters refer to Dey Mansion as "Head Quarters, Pracaness [Preakness]". After the arrival of the French army in July 1780, Washington was urged by the French commander against immediately attacking New York City. Washington instead concentrated on coordinating allied war efforts. In 1781 he launched, in cooperation with the comte de Rochambeau and the comte d'Estaing, the brilliantly planned and executed Yorktown Campaign against Charles Cornwallis. The Yorktown campaign was critical in securing the eventual American victory.
See Schuyler Colfax Historic House Museum
Built in 1695-96 by settler Arent Schuyler, this is the oldest home in Wayne. It is one of a few colonial homesteads built before 1700 on the east coast, which was never sold out of original ownership for eight generations. Each generation produced military, medical, legal and governmental representatives, leaving behind records and artifacts. Visitors are invited to schedule an interactive, interpretive tour of the home. This house, which is Wayne’s oldest, was built in 1695 by Ardent Schuyler, one of the leaders of the original settlement. William Colfax, who married Hester Schuyler in 1783, gave the house the Colfax name.
See Van Riper Hopper House
Built in 1786 by Uriah Van Riper for his bride Maria (Polly) Berdan, this New Jersey Dutch colonial house offers a rare walk back in time. The farmstead includes an historical herb garden, Archeology Laboratory, and Albert Payson Terhune Collection. Five lower rooms contain furniture representing different periods. Several artifacts make it easy to imagine succeeding generations living in the house until it was acquired by Wayne Township. Located on its original site, the museum represents the agricultural society that dominated Wayne for over 200 years. This historic house is on the state and national register. This historic building is one of three owned and managed by Wayne Township to preserve and display their heritage. This home was built in 1786 by Uriah Van Riper and is a good example of New Jersey Dutch Colonial architecture. Located at the same address, the Mead-Van Duyne house was built around 1740, and is, like the Van Riper-Hopper House, on the National Register of Historic Homes.
Do
Do Clearview Cinemas
See a movie in one of the 5 theaters. Also enjoy refreshments and candies at the snack bar or play at the mini arcade.
Do Ice Vault
Go ice skating or play ice hockey on the two ice rinks. Food and refreshments are also offered at the snack bar.
Do North Jersey Country Club
North Jersey Country Club is an 18-hole regulation length golf course. This medium-length layout has 3 sets of teeboxes for a fun but challenging golfing experience. Online tee times may be available at North Jersey Country Club or at nearby golf courses, usually offered at a discount from the normal rate.
Do Preakness Hills Country Club
This tree-lined course features narrow fairways. The terrain is hilly, so expect uneven lines. Tee times are only reserved for the weekends. Guests must be accompanied by a club member in order to play this course. This club once hosted a Senior PGA Tour event.
Do Santa Train Rides in New Jersey
They run a 1½-hour ride in early December with Santa Claus & other cartoon characters. Children get a gift from Santa and have their picture taken.
Buy
Shop Willowbrook Mall
Shop around at various stores including Bloomingdales and Macy's. This is a sizable mall with a direct bus link to Port Authority in Manhattan.
Eat
Eat Bensi
Family-style Italian-American cuisine.
Drink
Drink Casey O’Tooles
Mixed drinks or beer.
Drink Greenhouse Cafe
Offers bottled imported beer, beer on tap and wines. Has both a bar menu and a regular menu.
Drink Sushi Lounge
You can have small plates, wines and liquors at the bar at this trendy location.
Drink Tap House
Beers and grill-style food.
Sleep
Stay Ramada Wayne Fairfield Way
Stay Residence Inn Marriott
Two bedroom suites and all include free WiFi, kitchen with appliances, and flat screen televisions. Residence Inn offers free breakfast each morning
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My experience
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