Downtown Newark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown Newark
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Central business district and neighborhood
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Aerial view of Downtown Newark
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  New Jersey |
| City | Newark |
| County | Essex |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 13,581 |
| ZIP Codes |
07102
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| Area code(s) | 862 and 973 |
Downtown Newark is the main business area of Newark. It is located in Essex County, in the state of New Jersey. This area is where many important offices, shops, and cultural places are found.
Downtown Newark is where the first settlers of Newark, led by Robert Treat, landed long ago. This was near the Passaic River. A very important spot is the intersection of Broad and Market Streets, called the Four Corners. This place was once known as one of the busiest intersections in the whole country!
Many of Newark's office buildings are in this area. This includes the main office for Prudential Financial. After World War II, the downtown area started to grow towards Washington Park. Later, it began to shift east, closer to Newark Penn Station and the Passaic River. Big companies like Panasonic have built their headquarters here. There are also many other office buildings, and more are being planned.
Downtown Newark is home to many exciting cultural spots. You can visit the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for shows, or the Newark Symphony Hall. The Prudential Center hosts sports and concerts. You can also explore the Newark Museum of Art and Military Park. The New Jersey Historical Society is here too, where you can learn about history.
The area also has Seton Hall University School of Law and art galleries like Aljira. Historic Grace Church (Episcopal) is downtown, along with the Government Center, where city and federal offices are located. If you're visiting, the Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau can help you find fun things to do. There's a special walking path called the Lenape Trail that connects many of these sites. It can even lead you to Branch Brook Park!
The Prudential Center is a huge arena that cost $375 million to build. It opened in 2007 and is the home of the New Jersey Devils hockey team. Many famous musicians, like Bon Jovi and the Rolling Stones, have performed there. It was the first new professional sports venue in the New York metropolitan area in over 20 years when it opened. The 2019 MTV Video Music Awards were also held there.
Four Corners: A Busy Spot
Much of Newark's shopping and business activity happens around Broad Street and Market Street. The place where these two streets meet is called Four Corners. It is known as one of the busiest intersections in New Jersey. It was even considered the busiest in the entire country at one time!
Both Broad Street and Market Street are full of energy, with many shops and street vendors. The city is working to make downtown busy all day and night. Old buildings like the Hahne's and Lefcourt buildings have been turned into places with shops, restaurants, and apartments.
New luxury apartment buildings have also opened. One Theatre Square is a 23-story building with balconies and a rooftop swimming pool. Another, 50 Rector Street, is 21 stories tall and also has many cool features. Rutgers–Newark university has built new dorms for students. Older office buildings have also been changed into modern apartments, like 1180 Raymond and the Walker House.
Thanks to places like the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and the nearby colleges like New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers-Newark, downtown Newark has many new restaurants and cafes. You can find fancy restaurants, Irish pubs, and other unique places to eat.
Most city buses travel through Downtown Newark, making it easy to get around. It's also a main shopping area for many people living in Newark. The Newark Light Rail has several stops in the downtown area, including Washington Street Station, Penn Station, and Military Park Station. Interstate 280 is just north of downtown.
The Main Library is located on Washington Park and can be reached by the Newark Light Rail.
