As summer edges toward fall, Liberty State Park in Jersey City stays a favorite spot for outdoor fun. Google Maps ranked it second among the most popular state parks this summer, based on how many people searched for directions since Memorial Day 2025.
Sitting right on the Hudson River, Liberty State Park offers some of the best views in New Jersey. From its shorelines, visitors can see the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Manhattan skyline. Walkers, joggers and cyclists use the two-mile promenade to enjoy fresh air and a stunning city backdrop every day.
The park took first place nationwide for picnicking. Reviewers mentioned picnics here more than at any other state park. Families and friends spread blankets across wide fields, find shady spots and enjoy cool river breezes. On summer weekends, the smell of grilling fills the air as people gather for outdoor meals.
Covering more than 1,200 acres, the park offers plenty for visitors of all ages. Kids run and play around the playgrounds, while people fish off the piers nearby. Kayaks and small boats head out from the ramps to explore the Hudson. Just a short walk away, the Liberty Science Center offers interactive exhibits that get people excited to learn.
Liberty State Park is also home to the Empty Sky Memorial, New Jersey’s official September 11th memorial. The twin walls of the memorial frame the Manhattan skyline and bear the names of the 749 New Jersey residents who lost their lives in the attacks. It’s a quiet, moving space where visitors come to remember and reflect.
The park is free to enter and stays open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., making it easy to visit early or late.
Liberty State Park ranks alongside other favorite parks like Watkins Glen State Park in New York, known for waterfalls; Silver Falls State Park in Oregon, famous for hiking trails; and Starved Rock State Park in Illinois, loved for its rugged canyons.
In New Jersey, Liberty State Park shows how nature and city life can exist side by side. Despite being close to the busy city, the park offers a peaceful place to relax and spend time outdoors.
Alondra Cabrera is the Editorial Assistant at New Jersey Digest. She recently graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. During her time at school, she discovered her passion for journalism and content creation. In her free time, she loves to create and edit videos for her corgis, Rafi and Toffe, and indulge in culinary adventures with her friends. Alondra also enjoys traveling, cooking, and working out. She is excited to embark on her professional journey in media and looks forward to contributing her skill and creativity to her role here at New Jersey Digest.
