Secaucus, New Jersey

Secaucus, New Jersey is located nine miles north of Newark, four miles west of New York City and just two miles from the entrance of the Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan. It is best known as the home of the Meadowlands Sports Complex which includes the New York Giant's Football Stadium, Continental Arena and the Meadowlands Racetrack.

This area of Northern New Jersey is a flat marshy area traversed by a complex of interstate highways, roads and intersections. There are a several industrial parks with numerous office buildings, warehouses and light manufacturing sites. The little village of Secaucus has been swallowed up in the midst of it all. Secaucus offers some small shops, filling stations, restaurants, convenience stores, a shopping mall, an assortment of factory discount outlets, a convention center and a nice assortment of hotels.

North Bergen is the next community one mile east of Secaucus. It is only one mile from the entry to the Lincoln tunnels. There are a few budget priced hotels just off route 3 in Bergen. The area is not as convenient as the area around Harmon Meadow Mall. It is primarily a commercial neighborhood with less restaurants and shops within easy access, but the accommodations are typically more bargain priced.

When Driving to New York City…

If you are driving to New York City, this is a great place to stay. The accommodations are typically newer, more spacious and less expensive than in Manhattan. Rooms cost approximately 25% less, and you will save as much as $35 per day in parking.

New Jersey Transit Bus # 320 goes from the Harmon Meadow Shopping Center near many of the hotels directly to the Port Authority Terminal in Midtown Manhattan. The ride costs about $4 and takes approximately 30 minutes. The Port Authority Bus Terminal is on 42nd Street just a four-block walk from Times Square and the Broadway Theater District. Busses run every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on Saturdays until 1AM. Service is limited on Sundays. I would recommend driving into Manhattan on Sundays.

Bus or Ferry to Manhattan

As an alternative, you can take the Weehawken Ferry into Manhattan. You must drive east on Route 3 to the last exit before the Lincoln Tunnel. It is the exit for "Hoboken". Follow the signs that say, "Ferries to New York"! There is a large parking lot along the banks of the Hudson. All-day parking costs $6. The ferry ride to the 38th Street Pier at Midtown costs $5 each way but includes a free shuttle bus ride to many locations around Midtown Manhattan. When you wish to return to your car, you simply board one of the free red, white and blue Waterway busses that loop around Midtown Manhattan. It will take you back to the 38th Street Pier and the ferry back to the New Jersey parking area. Another ferry from Weehawken takes you to Wall Street in downtown Manhattan for $7.

On Sundays, it is more convenient to drive into Manhattan as traffic is usually very light and on-street parking is available. Most parking garages charge greatly reduced rates on weekends.

Hotels in Secaucus:

Courtyard Marriott Secaucus

The Courtyard by Marriott is in the shopping mall area on Harmon Meadow Blvd. It offers moderately priced rooms with or without a breakfast buffet. The bus to New York stops right in front of this hotel.