The Meadowlands experiences four distinct seasons each year, from hot and humid summers to cold and precipitous winters. Book early if you're looking to travel to the area for holidays like Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day, and Labor Day, as demand (and prices) can soar during this time. Springtime ushers in a lot more rain and occasional high winds, so do take that into account from February through April.
If you're in town for an NFL game or a headliner concert in nearby Newark, be sure to book well in advance. You could expect higher hotel rates for game days, so check schedules accordingly and plan ahead.
Only five minutes from The Meadowlands Sports Complex and New York City, Residence Inn by Marriott East Rutherford Meadowlands manages to balance affordability with amenities that appeal to business travelers and families alike. Rooms boast pillowtop mattresses, plus double sofa beds to accommodate children, grandparents, or friends for a weekend of shopping at the outlets or group trip to an NFL game.
Residence Inn by Marriott East Rutherford serves up a free daily hot/cold breakfast buffet, and guests who are heading out for a late night in NYC will appreciate the 24/7 coffee service offered at this hotel. Business travelers love catching up on the day's news with the free daily paper or popping into the hotel business center to print boarding passes before heading to nearby Newark Airport. All in all, the Residence Inn offers an excellent value for a hotel in The Meadowlands, New Jersey.
If you're looking for a hotel with sophistication and a great hotel rate in The Meadowlands, Courtyard by Marriott Lyndhurst Meadowlands fits the bill. This hotel is convenient to the city, but its spacious event rooms are available to welcome conferences, banquets, meetings, and even weddings at a fraction of the price.
When you want the city experience but the convenience of a New Jersey address, book a stay at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson. This riverfront hotel offers spectacular New York City skyline views, and it's situated in walking distance of Downtown Jersey City's much lauded food and cocktail scene. If you're a senior, you can score additional discounts at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City. This four-star hotel is only minutes away from The Meadowlands area attractions, by PATH train, light rail, car, or bus.
At the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson, guests enjoy access to a 24-hour fitness center and indoor pool, and the ease of dining at the onsite restaurant and lounge, Vu. The spacious rooms open to jaw-dropping views of the Empire State Building, Colgate sign, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Comfort comes standard here, with amenities like pillowtop mattresses, free wireless internet, concierge service, and room service.
If you're looking to be more central to The Meadowlands, check out The Westin Jersey City Newport in Jersey City. Newport lies just north of Downtown Jersey City, and it's situated right near Lincoln Tunnel, a PATH train station, and a shopping mall, making this hotel an excellent, convenient choice for business travelers. Seniors and AAA members will also benefit from reduced hotel rates at The Westin Jersey City Newport.
For even more discounts, check out the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Meadowlands Area in Carlstadt. This hotel boasts all the amenities you'd expect, like free breakfast, an indoor pool, and free wireless internet, plus a competitive rate made even lower with discounts for military service members, senior citizens, and AAA members.
If history is your thing, The Meadowlands does not disappoint. Stop into the quaint Meadowlands Museum, housed in a charming historic stone farmhouse, which offers a glimpse into the area's past spanning back to colonial days. Families are also flocking to the new Field Station: Dinosaurs experience. This permanent exhibition is both fun and educational, featuring 31 robotic dinosaurs.
You can walk in the steps of history on the rocky palisades of Weehawken at Hamilton Park, where Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr famously squared off in a deadly dual. Today, it's an excellent location to see the New York skyline, enjoy dinner on the waterfront, or catch the New York Waterway Ferry into the city. You don't have to go to New York to enjoy an urban afternoon. Stroll the Hoboken Waterfront Walkway, then head to the lively bars and restaurants that line Washington Street.
Naturalists will also be pleasantly surprised by the environmental experiences you can discover in The Meadowlands. The area was once used as a landfill, but things have changed dramatically in recent decades, and the area's beautiful marshes and meadows are a testament to environmental conservation and reclamation.
You can tour The Meadowlands on the water with The Hackensack Riverkeeper's eco-cruises and kayak rentals. If you're lucky, you might spot some of the wildlife that calls the area home, including muskrats, rabbits, and numerous bird species. There are also several family-friendly hiking trails under 1.25 miles. Start your hike at The Meadowlands Environment Center at DeKorte Park and set off on the Marsh Discovery Trail, a unique floating boardwalk.