Welcome to Berkeley Heights
Lauded by Money Magazine as one of the Best Places to Live in the nation, Berkeley Heights is the epitome of a small town. In fact, in 2013, it topped out at number 6 in the nation. Situated less than 30 miles from Manhattan, this charming town feels like a world away. Flanked by the Passaic River and bucolic Watchung Mountains, Berkeley Heights boasts beautiful homes, highly regarded public schools, and an abundance of community spirit including numerous festivals and other town-wide events and activities, such as the annual Barn-B-Q Trail Festival in the historic Deserted Village. With plenty of walking trails and green space, as well as a number of shops and restaurants, Berkeley Height is a small town with a giant close knit reputation in close proximity to Manhattan.
Schools
Often ranked as one of the top High Schools in the country by US News & World Report, the Berkeley Heights School District prides itself on academic excellence and college readiness.
Commute
There are multiple commuting options available for residents throughout NJ and into NYC. From the Berkeley Heights Train Station, NJ Transit provides direct service to Hoboken and Penn Station that can get you there in just over an hour. The nearby Summit Train Station provides additional convenient bus and express train routes into Penn Station in about 45 minutes.
By car, Route 78 is easily accessible from Berkeley Heights and provides a direct route to Manhattan in well under one hour, with Route 22 and the Garden State Parkway close by.
Restaurants and Shopping
Berkeley Heights boasts a thriving restaurant scene including a variety of dining options that range from coffeehouses and bistros to fine dining and ethnic specialties. The area has several breweries including Tap Rock Brewery that serve food and feature phenomenal selections of craft brews. The Berkeley Heights Downtown Association organizes an annual Restaurant Week where local restaurants offer special menus and special pricing on breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Downtown Berkeley Heights is located along Springfield Avenue, approximately between the intersections with Plainfield Avenue and Snyder Avenue. Downtown is home to more than 20 restaurants. The area is also home to a multitude of shopping centers from small unique boutiques, vintage stores to large box chains.
Recreation
There is definitely no shortage of activities for the outdoor enthusiast in Berkeley Heights. Bordered by scenic Passaic River and Watchung Mountains, hike, bike, canoe, or ride horses along the many trails and waterways. The Berkeley Heights Recreation Center sponsors activities and programs throughout the year, including after-school programs, mommy & me classes, cooking and fitness class, youth and adult sports leagues. In addition, the Recreation Departments offers an olympic-size swimming pool featuring two diving boards, two slides, and a baby pool. The facility includes a snack bar, horse-shoe, basketball, tennis, and shuffle ball courts. There are also several private aquatic and golf clubs in the area.
- The 825-acre Passaic River Parkway (fishing, canoeing, nature trails, soccer fields, and a picnic area)
- Snyder Field Park (playground, a spray park, hiking trails, and athletic turf fields)
- Watchung Reservation (hiking trails, spraygrounds, dog parks, gardens, ice skating, nature center, deserted village, horse stables, science and nature center, archery range, and golf courses)