Ridgewood

 

Ridgewood is a bustling village of around 25,000 residents in Bergen County, New Jersey. This diverse commuter town is located 20 miles northwest of Manhattan, where the journey takes less than 45 minutes by train. The village of Ridgewood is focused on arts and is full of character. Ridgewood’s attractive 19th century downtown is packed with upscale restaurants and unique independent retailers. Properties in Ridgewood include beautifully-preserved homes dating back to the 1750s. Ridgewood real estate is mostly comprised of elegant Colonial-style single-family homes with a mix of historic and contemporary properties.

 

Ridgewood is one of Bergen County’s busier communities, offering residents a great range of convenient amenities. From sprawling country parks to trendy downtown restaurants, there is plenty here to keep you entertained. The community is ideal for commuters with access to New York City and other areas in New Jersey via train and highway.

 

Ridgewood’s vibrant village downtown area covers the blocks close to the Ridgewood Train Station with a wide variety of relaxed local restaurants and independent specialty stores. Stella Artisan Italian is a great lunch spot with a menu of homemade pastas, freshly-baked pastries, and gourmet cheeses. S. Egidio serves delicious wood-fired pizzas, pasta dishes, and charcuterie alongside espresso beverages and sangria.

 

Country Pancake House is a bustling all-day diner with a huge selection of breakfast eats. Their extensive menu includes omelets, eggs benedicts, over 20 varieties of French toast, over 50 kinds of Belgian waffles, and over 100 styles of pancakes. Raymond’s Park West Tavern offers great brunch fares as well as mouthwatering steaks and seafood at dinner. Ridgewood Coffee Company is the best downtown spot for freshly-roasted espresso blends and single-origin brews along with tasty toasts and pastries. French-American grill Latour is one of the best choices for date night with elegant décor and masterful interpretations of classic French cuisine.

 

Ridgewood is packed with delightful locally-run businesses offering boutique shopping with a personal touch. Gardiner & Co. is a treasure trove of shoes and handbags from chic designers. Bookends Bookstore hosts frequent author signings and other in-store events. Hot Jewelry Box is stocked with a huge selection of jewelry and other accessories. The Table at Latonas offers a wide choice of handmade homeware and artisanal home décor items, while Backyard Living sells a similarly extensive selection of the finest quality outdoor furniture.

 

Ridgewood offers its residents access to several large parks with an abundance of recreational amenities. Saddle River County Park is the largest, spanning almost 600 acres along the Saddle River and several of its tributary brooks. Saddle River County Park is comprised of five distinct areas with features such as walking and cycling trails, duck ponds, playgrounds, tennis courts, sports fields, and picnic pavilions. Popular activities on the park’s ponds and waterways include fishing and model boating. Gradon Park has an outdoor swimming pool with a sandy beach as well as an outdoor roller rink and baseball and soccer fields. Van Neste Square Memorial Park is a relaxing downtown green space that hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

 

Art in the Park brings live music and art vendors to the sidewalk in front of the park on the first Friday of June, July, and August. Movies in the Park shows classic film screenings at the park on six Wednesday evenings between June and August. Other popular annual Ridgewood events include the Fall Arts & Crafts Street Fair, featuring around 175 exhibitors as well as live music, food booths, and a kids zone with pony rides and a petting zoo.

 

Ridgewood Restaurant Week takes place in January with dozens of downtown restaurants offering special three-course prix-fixe menus. Ridgewood Sidewalk Sale Days are held in the spring and fall with many local retailers setting up stalls and offering steep discounts. Ridgewood Farmers Market is held each Sunday between late June and early October at the Ridgewood Train Station. Ridgewood’s Fourth of July Celebration features a parade through the village followed by a fireworks display at Veterans Field.

 

Ridgewood operates its own public school district. Highlights include: