With a robust university, a bustling downtown, and a metropolitan vibe, I knew Montclair had the ingredients for a city-centric day without crossing the Hudson. But what I didn’t expect was how many family-friendly things there are to do in Montclair and how much my kids would love exploring the sidewalks and feeling like they were in the big city. On a recent visit, we checked out everything from the Montclair Art Museum to downtown Montclair on Church Street, where we hit up spots like Doin’ Dishes, a ceramics studio, and stopped for a bite at the popular Raymond’s, known for its upscale comfort food like baked mac and cheese. Read on for what to do in Montclair with kids and why it’s one of our favorite downtowns for a day trip. (featured photo credit: NJ MOM)

Explore The Town Of Montclair 

For kids and kids at heart

Our first impression of Montclair was that it was like the Big Apple, as you can see signs of New York City everywhere—especially with the city skyline looming in the distance. We zeroed in on exploring the downtown, which felt like a mini Greenwich Village. Our first stop was Just Kidding Around on Bloomfield Avenue, with unique toys for every age, from infants to tweens. Another fun shop was East Side Mags, a toy, hobby, and comic book shop all rolled into one, with new and old single-issue comics, trade paperbacks, graphic novels, action figures/toys, games, cards, and collectibles. After, we spent some time at the Montclair Center with everything from the Alchemy Scent Bar, where you can make your own candles and home and body products, to Doin’ Dishes, which has creative pieces to paint and offers classes for kids or drop-in projects. Other fun kid-approved things to do in Montclair include lacing up your ice skates for classes or free skating at the Clary Anderson Arena, or having a “claydate” at Montclair Mud Clay Studio next to Wellmont Theater. Or, if you want to spend the day exploring it all, you can rent a bike from Diamond Cycle and take a tour of Montclair; rentals are first-come, first-served. 

Engage in the museums and history of Montclair

For culture, Montclair has its fair share of museums, including the renowned Montclair Art Museum at the top of the hill before you get to the downtown. With permanent collections of American art from the 18th century to contemporary, and Native American Art, families can explore the galleries through interactive family guides and a dynamic learning lab. A drive away is the campus of Montclair State University, home to the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center. My son was thrilled to see this museum with its collection of artifacts, interactive baseball experience, and illustrated history of the Negro Baseball League. We spent some time here and found that they have a learning center offering everything from baseball camps to interactive programs that combine baseball with STEM. Although we didn’t make it to the Montclair History Center, you can take a self-guided, guided, or private tour of the Nathaniel Crane House, Clark House, and Library, or the Landsberger Learning Garden & Meadow to get a good understanding of Montclair’s diverse history in New Jersey and its roots in agriculture over a century ago.  

See blooms and wildlife

Every city has green spaces, and Montclair has plenty of parks and gardens for a dash of nature in its urban landscape. From dawn to dusk, 365 days a year, take a walk around Van Vleck House & Gardens for free (with lots of shaded areas to keep cool in the warmer months). My kids loved how we could pull the car up to the gardens, and the gate “magically” opened into what felt like a secret garden just minutes from the busy downtown. Then we visited the “rainbow on the hill” at The Presby Iris Gardens, where about 14,000 irises of about 3,000 varieties bloom from May to June. For more green space, the Avis Campbell Gardens, maintained by The Garden Club of Montclair, is a great stop to take a moment among the blooms. If you’re up for an adventure, the Alonzo F Bonsal Wildlife Preserve is known as NJ’s best-kept secret in Montclair, and it’s a beautiful and peaceful spot to enjoy nature and wildlife.

Eat, drink, and find the sweets

We were getting hungry, and when it came to deciding on where to grab a bite, we were in awe of the choices. There are a bunch of cute cafe-in-the-city spots, but our favorite was Paper Plane Coffee Co. for unique drinks inspired by travel (with seats that resemble a vintage airline lounge). We found lots of ethnic restaurants, too, like Cuban Pete’s for classics like Pollo Cubano or Fisherman Stew, or Egan & Sons, popular for gastropub entrees. For lunch, we went to Church Street to Raymond’s, a retro eatery known for its comfort food and seltzer bottles, where my kids feasted on burgers and grilled cheese. Looking for the sweet stuff? My kids were thrilled to check out ice cream sandwiches and The Pie Store, which is full of sweet and savory delights. We couldn’t resist checking out Chip City, which had everything from chocolate chip cookies to banana cream pie cookies, and next time, we vowed to try something unique like the Thai-inspired ice cream at Absolute Zero Ice Cream.

FAQs

Is it easy to get around Montclair?

Montclair is walkable in some spots, and then it’s easier to drive to other places. The three main areas— Bloomfield Avenue, Church Street, and Grove Street—and it’s best to park the car nearby at a garage or parking lot and explore. As you venture out of the downtown, it can be easier to travel by car to places like Van Vleck Gardens, the Crane and Clark Houses, and Edgemont Park. If you are headed north to stops like the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Upper Montclair or Montclair State University, there is public transportation from downtown if you don’t want to move your car.

Are there any special events?

During the year, mark your calendar for special events like the Montclair Jazz Festival Downtown Jamboree, featuring several stages, food, and artisan vendors. In October, the Montclair Film Festival brings together film lovers and professionals with 10 days of family events, independent films, and documentaries.

Are there local hotels in Montclair?

If you want to stay over, the MC Hotel Autograph Collection on Bloomfield Avenue has a rooftop bar and contemporary rooms, while the boutique hotel The George offers an upscale, chic design in a former historic inn. 

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