Highland Park (New Jersey) - borough in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States

The Borough of Highland Park is a charming residential community in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It lies between the county seat of New Brunswick and Edison Township and has an area of less than two square miles and a population of approximately 14,000 people (2019). It was first settled by Europeans in the 17th century but began to develop in the late 19th century.

Get in

Highland Park is normally visited by crossing the Albany Street Bridge from neighboring New Brunswick. The main street through town is Raritan Avenue, also designated NJ Route 27. The nearest train station is less than a mile away in New Brunswick. Parking is plentiful along streets and in municipal lots in the shopping district. Regular bus service is provided by New Jersey Transit via the 810 bus (dead link: December 2020) from New Brunswick to Woodbridge Center Mall and 814 from North Brunswick to Middlesex County College.

Get around

Because of its small size, almost everything in Highland Park is within walking distance. Alternatively, personal auto or the bus are other means of transportation.

See

• Donaldson Park along the Raritan River makes for a great family outing with boating, bicycle riding, baseball/softball, and picnic groves among the attractions. It is reached by traveling south on either South Second or South Third Avenues. There is no admission charge.
• Johnson Park, also along the Raritan River, makes for a similar family outing with bike riding, baseball/softball, tennis, five permit-needed picnic grove and several free ones. Playgrounds are provided along with a large petting zoo and a food stand to get snacks. There is no admission charge and access is available along River Road and Cedar Lane.
• Livingston Homestead is a Greek Revival house with Colonial Revival modifications. It was built around 1843 by relatives of the Reverend John H. Livingston, the president of Queens College (now Rutgers University). The grand house is located on a quiet, tree-lined street in a residential neighborhood at 81 Harrison Avenue. Listed in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
• Livingston Manor Historic District is an early 20th century, planned development of houses created by Watson Whittlesey on the former farmlands around the Livingston Homestead. Bounded by River Road, Cleveland, Madison, and Lawrence Avenues, the district is listed in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
• The Castle, 433 River Road. Constructed in 1926 for J. Seward Johnson and his first wife and children. The architect won a silver medal in 1928. The Castle is now headquarters of a private business.

Buy

• Academy of Art of Highland Park & Gallery, 727 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 777-2085.
• GEMS Gallery, 312 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 339-8862.
• B. Beamesderfer Gallery, 6 North Second Avenue, +1 732 249-6971.
• Judaica Gallery bookstore, 300 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 828-7722
• Through the Moongate artisan gallery and gift store, 440 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 729-9344
• Over the Moon Toys specialty toy store, 440 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 729-9344

Eat

• Pithari Taverna, 28 Woodbridge Avenue, +1 732 572-0721.
• The Italian Bistro, 441 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 640-1959.
• Hong Fu Chinese Cuisine, 239 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 247-8813.
• Dish Cafe, 325 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 828-8804.
• Pad Thai, 217 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 247-9636.
• Aposto Pizzeria and Restaurant, 76 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 745-9011.
• Park Deli, 80 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 545-6588. 6AM-10PM. Deli, groceries, coffee, take-out or eat-in. Well known for the infamous “fat” sandwiches. On the corner of South Second and Raritan Ave, the corner store is seen by everybody driving through Highland Park.
• Highland Pizza, 601 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 572-6744. 11AM-midnight. On the corner of North 6th Ave, Highland Pizza has great neighborhood pizza. Being right in the center of town, there is no surprise as to why this little pizzeria is so popular. Competing with Highland Pizza is a challenge, since it is in sight from the High School. The place is packed during lunch and after school, and it has even become somewhat of a hangout. The best part of the restaurant is the man behind the counter, Chico. He just about everyone in town.

Drink

• Pad Thai, 217 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 247-9636.
• Park Pub, 182 Woodbridge Avenue, +1 732 572-2172.
• Polo Pub, 1165 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 572-9511.

Do

• The Fallout Shelter, 320 Raritan Avenue, +1 732 354-4520. Noon-8PM. The only comic book and trading card store in town. The Fallout Shelter holds Friday Night Magic, Board Game Nights, and has numerous comic books. Hours are various, with the standard M Th noon-8PM, W 11AM-8PM, F noon-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM
• Studio @ 808, 808 Raritan Ave, +1 732 819-0088. M-Th 5:30AM – 9:30PM, and F Sa 5:30AM – 8PM. As the only “Gym” in town, there is no surprise why this place has become so popular. Throughout the day, there are people constantly coming in and out, and this individually owned workout facility has become well known in the area. Also available at the Studio are a wide assortment of beverages, including nutritional supplements, and shakes to be enjoyed before, during, and after your workout.

Sleep

• Hyatt Regency, 2 Albany Street. New Brunswick, NJ is about 1/4 mile southwest of the borough.
• The Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, is about 1/2 mile southwest of the borough.

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