Day Trip: Edgewater

A shopping and cultural center along the Hudson.

Courtesy of wikipedia.org.

The Bergen County borough of Edgewater is well-named. Located right along the Hudson River, Edgewater is distinguished by its long waterfront. Stretching along the riverbank, the borough’s main strip of River Road offers a mixture of entertainment and culture with a shopping center, elegant dining, Japanese marketplace, and even a tarot card reader.

Shop till you drop: For the ultimate shopping experience visit City Place (225 River Road, cityplacenj.com), with more than two dozen outdoor outlets, including Anthropologie, Express, the Gap, Pier 1 Imports, and Victoria’s Secret. You can also visit the Kio Spa for a full body massage, and eat an authentic Greek meal at the Greek Taverna (55 Promenade, 201-945-8998, greektavernausa.com).

From drama to comedy: Visit Edgewater’s Multiplex Cinemas (339 River Road, 201-840-0699, showcasecinemas.com) to catch the latest Hollywood fare. With sixteen screens and a food court with more than just popcorn, it’s designed for family fun.

Steak, squid, and squash: Edgewater offers whatever your taste buds are craving. Try a prime porterhouse steak at the River Palm Terrace (1416 River Road, 201-224-2013, riverpalm.com); a crabmeat-stuffed Gulf snapper with shrimp at the Crab House (541 River Road, 201-840-9311, crabhouseseafood.com); or a healthy Asian vegetarian meal at Su (725 River Road, 201-840-7988).

It’s all Asian to me: At the Mitsuwa Japanese Marketplace (595 River Road, 201-941-9113, mitsuwanj.com) you can experience different aspects of Japanese and Asian culture, including food, clothes, literature, and beauty. Eat at Matsushima (201-945-9450) for two floors of Japanese cuisine including hibachi and sushi, then take a trip to Mars New York Inc (201-945-1134) for Japanese toys, accessories, dolls, kimonos, and furniture; Sanseido Bookstore (201-941-1564) for books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and stationary; or Shiseido (201-313-1400) for cosmetics and skincare.

Drink and Dance: The nightlife is also top-notch on River Road with lounges and clubs playing the latest music and serving the trendiest drinks. Check out Lounge Safari (880 River Road, 201-945-3322) for a relaxed atmosphere; Sabor (8809 River Road, 201-943-6366, saborlatinbistro.com) for Latin fare, music, and mojitos; or Sangria (200 River Road, 201-945-0950) for tapas and wine. Want to make your own music? Try Ding Dong Dang (725 River Road, 201-945-0094), a karaoke bar that will let you belt out tunes to your heart’s content.

Just Smokin’: Love a good cigar? Become a member at Habana Cigar Club (1046 River Road, 201-886-1500, habanacigarclub.net), for a private lounge atmosphere, retail store with humidors, more than twenty different types of cigars, and members-only parties.

Future Feelings: If you are wondering what your future holds, drop by Beyond the Stars astrology shop (1088 River Road, 201-886-2299) and try a palm reading, tarot cards, or a magic crystal ball. You will be amazed at what you learn!

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