HUDSON COUNTY, NJ
Bayonne Neighborhood Guide
Located in New Jersey’s Hudson County, Bayonne is a sought-after suburb secluded from the action of New York City yet immersed in a culture and character all its own. About 20 miles east of Newark and south of burgeoning hot spots Hoboken and Jersey City, Bayonne is a stand-alone gem with peaceful charm on its unique peninsula. With a population of 65,000, this coastal New Jersey neighborhood is convenient for commuters and attractive for young professionals, families, and residents seeking more reasonable real estate rates than Manhattan and its more affluent suburbs.
Bayonne offers an urban-suburban mix of culture, diversity, industry, and entertainment. Its waterfront appeal and proximity to metropolitan Manhattan make it a desirable destination for homeowners and renters looking to live in the NY/NJ area long-term. The neighborhood features numerous nearby parks and recreational activities, a hip local art scene, and prominent bars, restaurants, and coffee shops.
Bayonne Real Estate Stats
MEDIAN SALE PRICE
$557,500
MEDIAN RENTAL PRICE
$2,000
An Abbreviated History of Bayonne
This New Jersey city was named for Bayonne, a city in France’s southwest region where the Nive and Adour Rivers meet. Its “location on two bays” makes it a magnificent, historic neighborhood situated on the shores of Newark and New York Bay.
In the beginning, the Lenape tribes occupied the land until Dutch settlers, led by Henry Hudson, discovered and eventually claimed the region in 1646. It was originally called Bergen Neck, then Constable Hook, and ultimately Bayonne in 1869.
From 1850 and into the early 20th century, Bayonne was known and respected for its yacht-building infrastructure. After World War I, the area advanced into an attractive locale for oil refineries. Over the years, tension and civil unrest ensued among residents and workers. In 1915-1916, the workforce, primarily Polish Americans, staged repeated labor strikes against Standard Oil demanding higher wages and better working conditions. Over the years, the population and economy have persevered and the area serves as a northern point for national pipeline systems still in operation today.
In addition to its partial ownership of the Port of New York and New Jersey, Bayonne depends on an economy driven by manufacturing, maritime, and distribution. The city’s extensive docks and shipyards offer a competitive advantage and profitable potential in producing and distributing chemicals, textiles, and machinery. Its access to New York and vibrant culture cater to Bayonne’s ethnically diverse population and scenic appeal.
NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARIES
- New Jersey Turnpike to the North
- Upper New York Bay to the East
- Kill Van Kull to the South
- Newark Bay to the West
| Hudson-Bergen Light Rail | 45th St., 34th St, 22nd St, 8th St |
Residents Love This Neighborhood Because
- Continual market value growth
- Cultural diversity
- Dining and nightlife
- Local art exhibits and festivals
- Marinas, kayak docks, ferry access
- The New Jersey Peninsula
- Public transportation across NY/NJ
- Waterfront appeal
What to expect
| Cafés |
+11 |
| Community Gardens |
1 |
| Dog Runs |
2 |
| Hospitals |
2 |
| Libraries |
1 |
| Parks |
13 |
| Playgrounds |
13 |
| Restaurants |
+19 |
| Yoga Studios |
15 |
Bayonne Landmarks and Cultural Institutions
A NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR
Get to know the neighborhood by visiting its most notable landmarks and sites. From museums and sculptures, to parks, markets, and hidden neighborhood gems, you’ll find everything you need to know about the neighborhood’s most unique and historical attractions.
Bayonne Bridge
At one time, the Bayonne Bridge was the longest steel arch bridge in the world. Today, it ranks 5th in the world (#1 is West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge in the Appalachian Mountains). This fascinating structure connects Bayonne and the New Jersey Peninsula with Staten Island, New York over the Kill Van Kull tidal strait.
Bayonne Community Museum
Located in Bayonne’s Bergen Point section, this former bank was built in 1912 and maintains much of its Beaux-arts appeal with longstanding granite, stone columns, arch windows, and bronze doors. The structure was remodeled in the 1970s and donated to the city of Bayonne by Fleet Bank (now Bank of America) in 2002. Today, it hosts private and public events and signifies the architectural charm of Bayonne.
Bayonne Truck House No. 1 (Bayonne Firefighters Museum)
Over more than 20,000 square feet across three floors, the Museum of Ice Cream is a sensory experience like no other. With family-friendly daytime exhibits for parents and children and night-time experiences for date night or a Saturday evening out with friends, this museum’s thirteen installation spaces promise a fun, invigorating few hours, not to mention an Instagram-worthy snapshot.
Bergen Point
This point separated from Constable Hook at Port Johnson is a strip of land along Newark Bay’s north side of the Kill Van Kull strait. This former ferry landing offers scenic views of the Bayonne Bridge, the bay, and beyond the city.
Constable Hook
A historic site for marine transfer operations with the Port of New York and New Jersey, this small cape has been repurposed with piers and docks and recreational activities like kayaking, fishing, and family-friendly strolls. A former landfill, Constable Hook and its surrounding area have become residential with some land transformed into a golf course, leisure walkway, and wetland for fish and migrating birds. Its southern portion is known as Port Johnson, which after the Civil War became the world’s largest coal port. Sometimes synonymous with Bergen Point, the region has managed consistent marine, railroad, and oil refinery operations.
Hackensack RiverWalk
This quaint, quiet greenway runs along Bayonne’s west side and overlooks the Newark Bay and Hackensack River. Parks, promenades, and nature preserves are scattered along the water’s edge along the 8-mile walkway.
Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
Breathtaking views of Manhattan and the neighboring waterways encompass this coastal corner of Bayonne. The pedestrian path spans part of the popular 18-mile trek from the Bayonne Bridge to George Washington Bridge.
Robbins Reef Light Station
Offshore from Constable Hook, this caisson “spark plug” style lighthouse was built in 1883 and stands 45 feet tall. Designed to direct harbor traffic across the New Jersey and New York waterways, it was owned, maintained, and effectively operated by the U.S. Coast Guard until the 2000s. Today, it’s restored as a museum and has been automated with solar-powered light and NOAA weather-data equipment. It remains a well-preserved structure with historical significance and sightseeing admiration.
Rutkowski Park
Rutkowski Park is a wetlands reserve devoted to protecting and promoting wildlife and nature. Egrets, blue herons, and other exotic birds and fish can be seen wading and wandering about these 40 acres of land connected by a ¼ mile wooden walkway to Stephen Gregg Park. Once called North 40 Park, it was renamed in 2006 in honor of Bayonne Mayor Richard Rutkowski and his passion for and performance in protecting the environment.
Shooters Island
Offering over 2,400 recreational cooking, baking, and mixology classes, the International Culinary Center has been teaching New York Residents how to cook like professionals since 1975. More than 26,000 New Yorkers try a class each year, rendering the space a wonderful way to meet fellow community members as well as hone your cooking skills. The space also hosts events featuring international culinary stars and local chefs alike.
Tear Drop Memorial
This monument, also known as To the Struggle Against World Terrorism or the Tear of Grief, marks a powerful reminder of the state of the world and how precious, delicate, and unpredictable it can be. Located at The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor with a view of the Statue of Liberty, Manhattan skyline, and where the Twin Towers once stood, the ten-story structure was designed by Russian artist Zurab Tsereteli. It was donated to the US by the Russian Government as a token of tribute to the victims of the 1993 and 2011 World Trade Center terrorist attacks, 26 of whom were Russian.
Architecture In Bayonne
BEAUX-ARTS
Notables
Who Have Lived in Bayonne
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
NBA Hall of Famer & Analyst
JOE BOROWSKI
MLB Pitcher
KENNY BRITT
NFL Wide Receiver
CLEM BURKE
Musician
BARNEY FRANK
Politician
FRANK LANGELLA
Actor
GEORGE R.R. MARTIN
Novelist, Screenwriter, Producer
ED MCMAHON
Artist
JIM NORTON
Comedian
Popular Food & Drink
BAYONNE BATTER
216 Broadway
CAFÉ BELLO
1044 Avenue C
CHORIPAN BAYONNE
589 Broadway
EL AGUILA DORADA
412 Broadway & 830 Broadway
KP SARELLI’S
241 Broadway
PICCOLINO RISTORANTE
552 Broadway
Une Tasse coffee
1052 Broadway
WASABI THAI
897 Broadway
All Notable Bayonne resident photos courtesy of Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Shaquille O’Neal by MarkScottAustinTX; photo of Alicia Keys by Keith Allison; photo of Kenny Britt by Erik Drost; photo of Clem Burke by shiver_shi; photo of Barney Frank by United States Congress; photo of Frank Langella by Georges Biard; photo of George R. R. Martin by Henry Söderlund; photo of Ed McMahon by Christa Chapman; photo of Jim Norton by BoboMejor.
