Top 11 Things To Do In Cranford, New Jersey

1. Step back in time at Crane-Phillips House Museum

Take a trip through the history at Crane-Phillips House Museum. Situated in the Cranford Historical Society, it was founded by a group of Cranford citizens in 1927. The restored Crane-Phillips Museum located in the Cranford Historical Society has since been renovated in October 2005, with new decor and interior. People visit here to look at the collection preserved from Cranford citizens including old photographs, Indian artifacts, scrapbooks, kitchen and farm tools, letters, books, and many other historical items. In addition to this, visitors are also drawn to the new interiors and decor of this renovated space.

Crane-Phillips House Museum

Address: 124 N Union Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Crane-Phillips House Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9:30am - 12:30pm (closed from Fri - Sun)

Price: Free

2. Take a walk in the blissful McConnell Park

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How about taking a step back and soaking in nature for a while? Walk around amid nature and the scenic open space of McConnell Park of New Jersey. Have a fun family picnic or get those beating hearts pumping by going for a run or a jog, this park is as serene and tranquil as it seems. So take a time-out from all the exploring of the city and have a relaxed day at this beautiful park.

McConnell Park

Address: Eastman St, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: McConnell Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

3. Indulge in fun activities at Nomahegan Park

Have a fun family day out at Nomahegan Park and create new memories. Boasting two playgrounds perfect for pre-school and school-age kids, the park features tot swings and regular swings, and the larger playground includes a wall to climb. If you want to get your heart pumping, you can walk or jog or go biking on the 2-mile (3.2 km) loop or that is nestled within the park. As you walk around, you will find a lake over the bridge, home to a lot of ducks and geese, and also a farmers’ market situated on the other side of the park.

Nomahegan Park

Address: Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Nomahegan Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

4. Have a taste of Italy at Garlic Rose Bistro

Craving Italian dishes while in Jersey? Step into the world of Garlic Rose Bistro - a paradise for all the garlic lovers. This unique bistro features an eclectic menu in a relaxed setting and serves mouth-watering Italian cuisine since its inception in 1996. The restaurant is known for serving fresh Italian bread made from scratch, accompanied with garlic rose dip and fresh warm garlic bulbs. All the ingredients used in the dish from the menu are locally sourced and fresh, which makes for a great dining experience. And if you are not into garlic, all you have to do is just say your preference and the attentive staff will pass along the message to the chef.

Garlic Rose Bistro

Address: 28 N Ave W, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Garlic Rose Bistro

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9pm

5. Go fishing at Lenape Park

The 450-acre (183 hectares) Lenape Park of Rahway River Parkway in Union County, New Jersey, is a small county park that has a plethora of activities one can indulge in. While here, make sure to bring your binoculars as you get to see over 660 species in the park. This park also boasts many bike trails, a lake and a river for fishing, and a couple of nature trails perfect for walking or jogging.

Lenape Park

Address: 130 Kenilworth Blvd, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Lenape Park

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

6. Take part in events at Hanson Park Conservancy

To maintain and improve Hanson Park, a non-profit organization was created called the Hanson Park Conservancy by a group of Cranford citizens in 2004. This organization is affiliated with most of the schools, local community groups, and other entities to provide financial aid and volunteer support for the park. And on most days, the park organizes events centered on environmental and cultural topics through events like storytime, square foot gardening, and Hanson Park yoga.

Hanson Park Conservancy

Address: 38 Springfield Avenue, Cranford, NJ, 07016

Website: Hanson Park Conservancy

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

7. Grab a meal at Bar Americana

If you are looking for a place to grab some grub along with tasty drinks, make yourself at home at Bar Americana. Located in the downtown district of Cranford, New Jersey, this gastropub will transport you to the city of New York with its vibe and atmosphere. When you get here, get yourself their renowned burgers, sweet potato fries, shrimp tacos, and more of American comfort food. And no matter what your order, rest assured they will go perfectly with the crafted cocktails.

Bar Americana

Address: 24 N Ave E, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Bar Americana

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 3pm - 11pm; Thu: 3pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 10pm

8. Catch a live show at Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre

Do you have an undying love for live performances? Head to Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre right away to be mind-blown. Established in the year 1919, few of the townspeople got together to share their love for the theatre, which has since grown into a well-respected theatre company. The theatre is known for producing live musicals, plays, and family programming events featuring the area’s brightest talent.

Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre

Address: 78 Winans Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Cranford Dramatic Club Theatre

9. Indulge in art-making at Fire Me Up Studio

Need a place to express yourself? Need to unleash your creative side? Fire Me Up Studio will be your new haven. From kids to adults, this space is an all-inclusive creative art studio open to everyone, located in downtown Cranford, New Jersey. Since its inception in 2013, the studio hosts events, workshops, and classes on pottery painting, canvas, fuse glass, decorating board art, pottery making, and more. So, what are you waiting for? Check out their events calendar to learn more and sign up for a class.

Fire Me Up Studio

Address: 117 N Union Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Fire Me Up Studio

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11am - 6pm; Thu - Fri: 11am - 9pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm

10. Quench your thirst at Yale Terrace Brewery

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There is something significant about how a nice glass of brewed beer can quench your thirst. Located in downtown Cranford, New Jersey, this hip brewery boasts various styles of beer served in a relaxing atmosphere. The area also hosts musical entertainment and features fun games to indulge in while eating and drinking. Besides this, Yale Terrace Brewery is a pet-friendly spot - so now when you crave for a good beer and don’t want to leave your pooches behind, you know what to do.

Yale Terrace Brewery

Address: 26 Eastman St, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Yale Terrace Brewery

Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 4pm - 11pm; Sat: 1pm - 11pm; Sun: 1pm - 8pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

11. Treat yourself at Oriental Eden Day Spa

After touring around the whole city, treating yourself to a spa day is very much needed. With multiple locations across the country, Oriental Eden Day Spa provides innovative massage therapy and foot reflexology combined with techniques from the East and West. So go ahead and choose from an array of services including hot stone, deep tissue, Swedish, signature, and couples massage to provide you with the relaxation and rejuvenation that you deserve.

Oriental Eden Day Spa

Address: 126 S Ave E, Cranford, NJ 07016, USA

Website: Oriental Eden Day Spa

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

Have a memorable vacation in Cranford, New Jersey

With a breathtaking cityscape and vibrant art and cultural scene, there is a lot one can do around and get lost in this admiral town of New Jersey. And if you are planning a visit soon, use this article as a reference for things to see and indulge in while in the city.