9 Things For Your Bergen Bucket List
Looking for something new and different to do? Add these experiences to your spring to-do schedule.
Better weather is on the way (we promise!), and Bergen County is ready to show off. Memorial Day is a month away, so it’s the perfect time to get out of the house and experience some of the best that our towns have to offer. There’s something about this time of year that makes even the simplest plans feel like a mini getaway.
To help you make the most of the season, we’ve put together a spring/summer bucket list packed with can’t-miss experiences right here in our county. From outdoor escapes to local gems and just-for-fun outings, consider this your go-to guide for filling your calendar with fresh-air moments and memory-making plans. Go ahead—pick a few, try them all and make this your most fun season yet.
Game day. Watching a live baseball game is a spring/summer tradition for many families, but let’s face it: An outing at Yankee Stadium or Citi Field can cost an arm and a leg. But first-tier ball is being played in Teaneck, where the Fairleigh Dickinson University baseball team sits atop the Northeast Conference standings as of April 22. The Knights return in May for home games against Central Connecticut and Long Island University.
Bird’s the word. Our yards are frequented by colorful feathered friends, from Northern cardinals and blue jays to red-bellied woodpeckers and yellow warblers. But there’s much more to the bird world, and we’re all welcome to explore it. For instance, you can check out the shorebirds at DeKorte Park in Lyndhurst, the songbirds and raptors at Lorrimer Sanctuary in Franklin Lakes or the variety found at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park. If you’re curious about learning more, the Bergen County Audubon Society holds regular bird walks and other events for birders of all skill levels.
In a pickle. No, we’re not talking about playing pickleball. Instead, this is your chance to attend New Jersey’s first-ever Pickle Palooza, happening April 25 at the Teaneck Armory. Whether you love cool cukes, great gherkins, something sour or just appreciate a fun food festive, this is the event for you.
Rock out. You’ll pay big bucks to see big names headline at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, but sometimes all it takes is a small charge to the stars and up-and-comers perform at Teaneck’s Debonair Music Hall. The intimate setting is an ideal venue to hear great music. British pop rock band BBMak plays there tonight, April 24, while the upcoming schedule includes rock guitarist Paul Gilbert and singer/song writer Howie Day.
Hail, Caesar! There’s no better way to celebrate The Bard than sitting for Shakespeare in the Park, open-air performances of Williams Shakespeare’s classical works. Over the years, Shakespeare in the Park has reached towns in Bergen County, including Hackensack, Ridgewood, Englewood and Teaneck. Stay tuned to local libraries, arts centers (Hackensack Performing Arts Center, for instance) and the county website for summer Shakespeare schedules. In the meantime, you can catch the Old Library Theatre’s production of Julius Caesar on April 24–26 in Fair Lawn.
Fly high. Ever dream of sitting in the cockpit and flying the friendly skies? Live out your fantasies (or fuel your kid’s passion) at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum in Teterboro. The center’s Open Cockpit Days give visitors the chance to sit inside some of history’s finest aircraft. The next event is on May 16, but the museum is open every Wednesday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wine that’s mine. You don’t have to travel to Napa Valley to enjoy great wine—New Jersey has fine makers too, including you! That’s right, you can make your own red or white right here in Bergen. Make Wine With Us in Wallington provides everything you need to create wine: You select the grapes, crush and press them, rack and bottle the wine, then personalize the label.
It’s showtime. Bergen County has no shortage of great movie theaters, some with multi-story screens and others with gourmet menu options. But few experiences can beat watching an all-time classic film in a dark cinema. This season, check out the Barrymore Film Center in Fort Lee, which often screens some of Hollywood’s most memorable flicks. Upcoming shows include Free Willy, All That Jazz, Donnie Darko and Terms of Endearment.
Paddle time. Tennis is classic, and pickleball is the new favorite. But the fastest growing paddle sport is called padel, a cross between tennis and squash, and it’s gaining traction here in Bergen. You can try it at Padel United Sports Club in Cresskill, one of the top spots to learn and play, offering lessons and open play all year long.
What are your favorite things to do in Bergen? Share your favorite photos with us on Instagram @bergenmagnj.
