A variety of activities to keep you busy for many lifetimes in Bergen County
The first thing visitors of Bergen County notice is its proximity to New York City. It seems ideal to live close enough to take a day trip to see the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building, or a plethora of museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, and the Museum of Modern Art. The idea of spending some of your retirement years catching the latest Broadway shows is a tempting one.
Even so, the advantage of retiring in Bergen County isn’t just about the city you’re close to; it’s about the place where you live. With so many things to do in Bergen County, you may make fewer trips to New York than you expect.
Bergen County has something that will appeal to people of all interests. You’ll have an endless supply of places to go to create magical date nights, fun afternoons with the family, and even solo adventures.
For the history buff
Fort Lee Historic Park in Fort Lee is a 33-acre park area situated on top of a cliff offering breathtaking scenic overlooks, a visitor center, and a reconstructed Revolutionary War encampment. The park hosts a “living history” school program every year, along with a range of special events. The site of the Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge was the strategic bridge crossing the Hackensack River where General George Washington led his troops in retreat from British forces November 20, 1776.
You could also spend a day wandering through local history museums, such as the Mahwah Museum in Mahwah, NJ, and the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey in Teterboro, NJ.
For the nature lover
Bergen County has some of the best nature and environmental centers in the area. Located in Englewood, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center is a 150-acre nature preserve and environmental education center. James A. McFaul Environmental Center in Wyckoff features a waterfowl pond, boardwalk, nature trail, and natural science exhibits. The Teaneck Creek Conservancy Nature Park is a great place to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature as you stroll down the trail or wander in the labyrinth garden.
The meadow habitat and lowland forest of the 28-acre Losen Slote Creek Park in Little Ferry and Moonachie makes it the perfect place to spot migratory birds, as well as small mammals and reptiles. In a review, one visitor said, “A short trail in an urban area, it does a fairly good job of letting you forget you are in the middle of Bergen County.”
Palisades Interstate Park is about 12 miles long and only a half-mile wide, but it contains 2,500 acres of wild Hudson River shorefront, cliffs, and uplands. In a TripAdvisor review, one visitor wrote, “This place is absolutely beautiful. I was just here in the fall, but I could imagine at any time of the year would be amazing. There are places you can walk and there are some pretty challenging hiking trails as well. There is a concession shop there as well.”
For the outdoor recreationist
Spanning more than 800 acres, New Overpeck County Park is Bergen County’s largest recreational venue. There you will find the state-of-the-art Palisades Park Sportsplex, the Bergen Equestrian Center, athletic fields featuring artificial turf and natural grass, fishing and picnic areas, observation decks, a kayak and canoe launch into Overpeck Creek, a grass amphitheater, and five miles of scenic trails. The 4,000-acre Ramapo Valley Reservation in Mahwah is the county’s largest park, where you can hike, camp, or fish, or even go cross-country skiing.
Bergen County is a great place for golf, too. There are several Bergen County Public Golf Courses to challenge almost every serious golfer. If you prefer golfing on a smaller scale, Paramus Miniature Golf is a great place to take the grandkids, or just have fun.
If strolling is more your style, try Bergen County Zoo in Paramus, or visit the market, greenhouse, and petting zoo at Abma’s Farm in Wyckoff, NJ. Both are great family-friendly ways to spend the day.
For the arts lover
Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre in Paramus features a full calendar of live performances of classics and new productions. Other theaters and performing arts centers include Bergen County Players/The Little Firehouse Theater in Oradell, Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) in Englewood, and Hackensack Performing Arts Center (HACPAC) in Hackensack. Located in Paramus, Gallery Bergen creates an inviting environment for experiencing and participating in visual art.
Choosing a community
When deciding which retirement community to select, it’s about more than the neighborhood where you live. At The Vista, dining, entertainment, and fitness options are right outside your door. But just beyond the community, you’ll find a thriving area with so much you can enjoy with your friends, neighbors, and family.
Imagine your life here by taking a virtual tour of The Vista. If you like what you see, contact us online or by calling us at (201) 848-4200. We look forward to telling you about what The Vista can offer you!