Upper Saddle River

 

Upper Saddle River is a sprawling Bergen County community offering upscale country living in a quiet peaceful setting. Upper Saddle River has a semi-rural character with captivating natural beauty just 25 miles northwest of Manhattan. This community consisted entirely of rural orchards, farmland, and historic sawmills until the 1950s. All properties are required to have lot sizes of at least an acre and many homes are modern constructions. The real estate mix includes homes in attractive planned communities such as East Hill and Anona Lake. Popular housing styles include Colonials, contemporary farmhouses, and Hamptons-style cottages with elegant gables and cedar shingles.

 

Upper Saddle River is a quiet country retreat within easy reach of New York City. Many local residents commute into Manhattan for work, including C-level executives, finance sector workers, and those employed in the publishing industry. There are also a number of retired and active sports stars and Olympians. Community events throughout the year give Upper Saddle River a strong sense of neighborliness.

 

Upper Saddle River is a bucolic community with little in the way of commercial development. Elmer’s Country Store is the main place to pick up essentials along with tasty lunch eats. Elmer’s is a combination gas station, convenience store, and deli. Their ready-to-eat menu includes delicious Boar’s Head deli sandwiches and hot homemade Spanish-style fare such as burritos, enchiladas, flautas, and tacos.

 

Upper Saddle River Library serves as a social hub with many special programs and community events. Activities at the library include cooking and DIY classes, bridge and go games, books clubs, quizzes, concerts, and baking contests. 

 

Upper Saddle River is immediately north of the community of Saddle River, which offers refined dining in an original 1790s barn at The Saddle River Inn and health-focused seasonal eats at The Saddle River Café.​​​​​​​

 

Upper Saddle River offers lots of outdoor recreation space. Lions Park has sports fields, walking paths, and a children’s playground. The annual Oktoberfest at Lions Park is a family-friendly festival with live music, hayrides, scarecrow contests, scavenger hunts, and vendors selling beer, wine, and food. There are also athletic fields and a playground at Hess Park as well as gazebos, swing benches, and a pond at Liberty Pond Park.

 

Hopper-Goetschius House was built in 1739 and has served as a museum and the home of the Upper Saddle River Historical Society since the 1970s. The Historical Society organizes many events at the Hopper-Goetschius House Museum throughout the year. October’s Harvest Festival features cider pressing and open-hearth cooking demonstrations, a chili cook-off, pony rides, and a petting zoo. There’s also a Spring Art Show in May and Holiday Celebration in December.

 

The annual Strawberry Festival at Bergen Highlands Methodist Church in June features hand-picked strawberries and delicious strawberry cheesecakes as well as a silent auction and other snacks and beverages.

 

The Gravity Vault is an indoor rock climbing gym with diverse set-ups suitable for both novice and experienced climbers.

 

Upper Saddle River is served by the Upper Saddle River School District at the elementary and middle school level, with the Northern Highlands Regional School District covering the high school level.