From the largest collection of cherry blossoms in the nation, to pro sports, fine arts, urban retail, and outdoor adventure, it's all happening in Newark. From major ticketed events to spontaneous performances to a romantic dinner for two, people are coming together to experience something unique and leaving with a wholly different perspective on this special city. An ideal destination for those eager to experience maximum fun at minimum expense, Newark boasts plenty of free and inexpensive options and attractions perfect for the budget-minded traveler.

What to Do

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

NJPAC is the anchor cultural institution for the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey. NJPAC delights audiences with world-class performances and a collection of series and festivals including the James Moody Jazz Festival, TD Jazz series, Horizon Foundation Sounds of the City free outdoor concert series, Jazz Jams at Clement’s Place (presented with Rutgers University–Newark’s Institute of Jazz Studies, M&T Bank Dance Series, Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, Classical Series, NJ Symphony Series and North2Shore festival.
1 Center Street, Newark – (888) GO-NJPAC

The Newark Museum of Art

NMOA is the state's largest museum, holding fine collections of American art, decorative arts, contemporary art, and arts of Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the ancient world. Its extensive collections of American art include works by Hiram Powers, Thomas Cole, John Singer Sargent, Albert Bierstadt, Frederick Church, Childe Hassam, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Joseph Stella, and Tony Smith. NMOA also houses the Alice and Leonard Dreyfuss Planetarium, offers a Summer Series of music, and hosts the Newark Black Film Festival.
49 Washington Street, Newark – (973) 596-6550

New Jersey Symphony

Through adventurous performances, hands-on educational experiences, and robust community programming, the Symphony encourages everyone to enjoy the power and creativity of orchestral music in all its forms. They perform free outdoor concerts throughout the state and its Chamber Players hold a series of garden performances at The Newark Museum of Art.
Newark – (973) 624-3713

Newark Arts

Newark Arts serves as the anchor and umbrella for the arts community in Newark, providing leadership, direction, and technical assistance. In collaboration with other organizations, Newark Arts advises, assists, promotes and supports the development of special arts-related and cultural programs through its Newark Arts Festival and for impact-driven, public art initiatives like the 20 murals of Four Corners Public Arts and the Gateways to Newark {Portraits}, a mile-long series of murals on the side of the retaining wall for the elevated train track along McCarter Hwy. (Rte. 21) between Miller St. and Lafayette St.
Mail - 17 Academy Street, Suite 702, Newark – (973) 643-1625

Paul Robeson Galleries

The Paul Robeson Galleries is dedicated to presenting art and cultural artifacts as well as educational and public programming in the spirit of the diverse metropolitan context of Rutgers University – Newark. This mission is carried out in the presentation of visual arts exhibitions, gallery education, and public programs, in a network of exhibition spaces across the Rutgers University – Newark campus.
Multiple sites, Rutgers University, Newark – (973) 353-0707

Newark Basilica Concert Series

The mission of the Cathedral Music Ministry is to lead and uplift the community in sung prayer. The program acknowledges the Church's rich heritage of music, and strives to complement it with the vast resources of music from the current day. The basilica has the largest pipe organ of its kind in the Garden State. Programming includes full-length concerts, half-hour concerts Wednesdays at noon, and livestreams of performances.
89 Ridge Street, Newark – (973) 484-2400

Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District

Lincoln Park is a creative corridor that is a destination for arts and entertainment programming. Its programs include music, film, live performance, literature, photography, mixed media arts as well as outdoor installations, and conversations. The annual Lincoln Park Music Festival (LPMF) is the largest music experience rooted in traditions of the African American and Afro Caribbean diaspora in the tri-state region.
450 Washington Street, Newark – (973) 242-4144

New Jersey Historical Society

This state-wide historical museum, library, and archives collects, preserves, and interprets the rich and intricate political, social, cultural, and economic history of New Jersey. Founded in 1845, it the oldest cultural institution in the state, promoting exploration of our cultures, past, and present.
52 Park Place, Newark – (973) 596-8500

Learn more:

Online Visitor's Guide

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