5 Ways To Enjoy Memorial Day Weekend
Staying home? No problem! From fantastic shows to scenic hikes, Bergen has everything you need for a great holiday.
Why stay home for Memorial Day weekend? For starters, you’ll avoid driving on one of the most congested travel days of the year. Another reason is that you’ll be able to host a fantastic barbecue. A third? Bergen County is packed with fun and excitement for everyone.
For instance, you can skip a long road trip and get all the rides and fair food you want at the L.E.A.D. Fest Carnival in Paramus. Or how about a family-friendly cooking workshop at Stew Leonard’s?
Other options? Here are some ideas:
• Dive right in. If you don’t feel like braving the MDW traffic down to the Shore, you’re in luck. Mahwah’s Darlington Park offers a much more nearby beach, and it opens for the season on Saturday, May 24. Bergen also has a wealth of splash pads—playgrounds that spray water—for kids and families to enjoy. Individual town pools also often open this weekend, including Paramus, which offers daily guest passes.
• Start a mini sports tournament. How about some friendly competition? Bergen is home to several pickleball courts, including locations at Overpeck County Park, Riverside County Park and Saddle River County Park, where you and your friends can set up a round robin. You can also check out private clubs such as Bergen County Pickleball Club in Tenafly and Bergen Pickleball Zone in Ramsey. Or challenge them to an old-fashioned mini golf game at Paramus Mini Golf.
• Frolic with flowers. There are few times of the year when being outside is more beautiful than it is right now. The blooms and gardens at public grounds such as Thielke Arboretum in Glen Rock are picturesque and perfect for a relaxed walk, as are the paths at Tenafly Nature Center and Teaneck Creek Conservancy (check out their paint in the park event on Sunday, May 25).
• Take a hike. Immerse yourself in nature and head into the woods for a hike. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll or something more challenging, you’ll find it here in Bergen. For something relaxed, try Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Bergen’s largest park with plenty of wide, woods-road style trails. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, head over to Palisades Interstate Park, where the rock scramble along the Hudson and the Giant Stairs trail are iconic.
• See a show. What live music can you see in Bergen this weekend? Oh, only Beyoncé herself, who’s bringing her “Cowboy Carter” tour to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on May 24 and 25. Looking for something smaller? Head over to “interactive stage show” Bingo Loco presents Name That Song at the Williams Center in Rutherford for lip sync battles, throwback anthems, dance contests and prizes.
How are you spending Memorial Day? Tell us all about it in Instagram @bergenmagnj!
