A Local's Guide on Things to Do in and Around Livingston

Livingston, New Jersey, is a town of nearly 30,000 residents located east of Newark. The city is one of the wealthiest in the entire state of New Jersey, and the area is well-known for its lush green areas and its delightful community. Perhaps you’re thinking about spending some time in Livingston, or maybe you’re interested in shopping for Livingston homes for sale. You can use this list to plan out how you’ll spend your time once you arrive in town. You’ll find that there are a number of exciting things to do in Livingston that are worth checking off your list.

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo sits on 20 acres near the South Mountain Reservation Complex. The Essex County Park System, which is the oldest county park system in the entire country, manages the zoo. The zoo is home to several popular exhibits, including the Sea Lion Sound and the Black Bear Exhibit. It has been open for the last 60 years and is home to nearly 850 animals. Over 750,000 guests will visit the zoo annually, and doors are open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Once the site of a Nike Missile base, Riker Hill Art Park is a thriving artistic community that belongs to the Riker Hill Complex. The local government purchased the park for $1 nearly 50 years ago. Today, the park contains over 38 different art studios spread out across the 42-acre complex. Artists create works of various types, including jewelry, ceramics, fine prints, photography, and sculptures. The art park is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Golfers of all skill levels will want to set aside time to play a round at nearby Cedar Hill Country Club. The course recently celebrated its 100th anniversary, and club staff works hard to provide a family-friendly experience that makes members and guests feel as though they are spending time at their home away from home. The course itself is known for twin par-threes on holes 10 and 16. Hole 10 plays downhill, but hole 16 comes back up the hill for a contrasting experience. The course stretches across 6,447 yards and plays as a par-71. After your round, you can enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant.

Riker Hill Fossil Site sits on 16 acres near the border between Roseland and Livingston. The site is one of only two locations on the Northeastern coast where dinosaur footprints are preserved. The area was designated as a national natural landmark in 1971.

Lithos Estiatorio is a high-end Mediterranean restaurant that serves delicious Greek food. It has won a number of awards from publications such as Wine Spectator and OpenTable. They serve fresh fish sustainably sourced from the Mediterranean, along with quality meats and poultry that will satisfy all types of culinary preferences. The dishes are simple, but the quality of the ingredients is second to none. They are open seven days a week for anyone who wants to enjoy dinner in their recently remodeled dining room. They open at noon on weekdays for lunch, but their hours vary on weekends.

East Hills Park is a great place to spend time outside and reconnect with nature. There’s plenty of open green space perfect for putting out a picnic blanket and enjoying quality time with friends and family. You can also head out on their walking trail to take in the scenery as you go for a walk or a jog. Nearby, there’s a dog park where you can let your four-legged friend off their leash to get in some exercise. They even have separate areas for larger dogs as well as dogs under 25 pounds.

Livingston Mall is a two-story shopping center with nearly one million square feet of leasable shopping areas. They currently house 109 different stores with a number of local merchants represented. They first opened their doors in the 1960s, and they have been a local staple ever since. The mall is open seven days a week, but specific hours vary daily.

Livingston locals love coming to Livingston Diner to enjoy their favorite comfort-style dishes. The classic American-style diner has been pleasing guests for the last 45 years with its Philly cheesesteak paninis and Disco fries. They also serve an incredible breakfast menu with choices such as pancakes and made-to-order omelets. They are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Imagine That is a local interactive museum that encourages fun and creativity for young children. They specialize in providing enjoyable experiences for younger children who are just starting school or in preschool. They started by operating several locations throughout the New Jersey area, but they recently consolidated into one location.

You’ll find over 16,000 square feet of unique exhibits and interactive, hands-on opportunities for learning and play. Children will enjoy the chance to stretch their imaginations as they participate in activities that stimulate their creativity. The staff works hard to keep the facility clean while also providing healthy dishes in the onsite cafe and stocking the gift shop with fun educational toys. They are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. for open play.

Although Ilona Berlaga is one of the top-performing real estate agents in the entire county, she still measures success one client at a time. She often negotiates complex deals and strategically markets properties to ensure they gain maximum exposure. She takes the greatest amount of satisfaction from the relationships she’s been able to form through the years with satisfied customers. Reach out to Ilonga if you’re interested in shopping for Livingston homes for sale. She will support you throughout the entire transaction.