Occupying a bend in the Passaic River, Harrison is an independent town and Newark suburb. It is believed to be named after former president William Henry Harrison, who was elected into office the same year as Harrison’s first township meeting. Harrison was once a major industrial hub, with everything from machinery to beer manufactured here.
Things to do in Harrison
Coincide your visit with a home game of the New York Red Bulls or the NJ/NY Gotham FC soccer teams at the Red Bull Arena. It lies on the bank of the Passaic River and can seat around 25,000 spectators. There are several concessions within the arena where you can grab drinks and snacks during the game.
Dominating the north of Harrison is West Hudson Park, an 18-hectare green space with recreational facilities, walking paths and a fishing lake. It was laid out in the early 20th century and features an array of sporting fields, as well as basketball, tennis and volleyball courts. Kids can let loose in one of the two playgrounds or cool off at the splash pad.
Harrison makes an excellent base for visiting the Newark Museum of Art, which lies just across the Passaic River on Harriet Tubman Square. Georgia O’Keeffe, Hiram Powers and John Singer Sargent are represented in its collection and the Tibetan galleries are among the best in the world. Natural history specimens are showcased in the Victoria Hall of Science, while contemporary sculptures dominate the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden.
Getting around Harrison
Harrison is just 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Newark and 20 minutes from Newark Liberty International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Harrison railway station and buses travel through the town.