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Jersey City and New York are neighboring cities with a lot to offer. While they may not be too far apart, there are major differences between them and lots to see if you’re visiting. However, their closeness makes traveling between them straightforward, and it’s worth seeing both on your trip.
New York is one of the world’s most famous cities and a must-see for any tourist visiting the East Coast. On the other hand, Jersey City may not be as popular, but it still has plenty to see and do. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get the best out of both locations and outline what makes each city a unique experience.
Differences Between the Two Cities
In terms of industry, the two cities also have some major differences. The financial industry has helped New York grow so large, with banks and stock trading significantly impacting the local economy. Furthermore, technology, tourism, and entertainment are important sectors in New York City. Jersey City has a strong industrial base and is well known for housing a lot of pharmaceutical companies.
New Jersey was also among the earliest states to legalize gambling, with online and in-person sports betting and casinos available.
While New York has recently legalized sports betting, Jersey City is still the best place to be if you are looking to find the best real money online casino for US players. Atlantic City is home to the state’s land-based casinos, but you can play online across the whole state.
Things to See in New York
New York has an outstanding reputation among travelers and is one of the world’s most-known cities. You could pay the city a visit hundreds of times and yet find fresh things to see and do.
The Statue of Liberty is perhaps the city’s most famous landmark and well worth seeing, especially considering the history surrounding the monument. Did you know the statue was built to celebrate American Independence Day and was a gift from France? It’s become iconic nowadays, not just in terms of the New York skyline, but for the statue’s status as a hub for immigrants and travelers looking to make New York their home, reflecting the history the city was built on. This is largely due to Emma Lazarus’s poem ‘The New Colossus,’ which reflected this sentiment and was published in 1883.
Another must-see location in New York is Central Park. This green oasis within densely packed blocks of skyscrapers is located between the Upper West and East Sides of Manhattan and offers 843 acres of green space to walk through and enjoy.
Of course, as a tourist in New York, your trip wouldn’t be complete without visiting Time Square. From the neon lights to the iconic billboards, it’s a must-visit. Although it often seems like a simple and attractive place to kill an hour, there’s a fascinating history behind Times Square that you can explore, including its name coming from when The New York Times moved into the square in 1904, in the building now known as One Times Square.
If you’re an art fan, why not check out the Museum of Metropolitan Art? Located in Central Park itself, the museum is among the biggest and most impressive in the world. It contains countless works of art by artists throughout history and across 5,000 years of history.
Things to See in Jersey City
When visiting Jersey City, there aren’t quite as many things to see, but it’s still a popular destination for tourists. One of the best aspects of Jersey City is its accessible location for getting to and from New York. This makes it a terrific choice for a day trip while in the Big Apple.
The Liberty Science Center is perhaps Jersey City’s most famous and well worth the visit. This interactive science museum is perfect for all ages and has a lot of incredible exhibits for you to see. When it opened in 1993, it had the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere, and you can still see it today.
The Empty Sky Memorial is an extremely powerful and poignant reminder of the tragic events of 9/11. It’s found in Liberty State Park at the mouth of the Hudson River and memorializes the 749 people from New Jersey who lost their lives on that day.
