Livingston & Hackensack New Jersey...Things to do??

[gwtw428]

Hi,
I am going to be in Livingston and Hackensack New Jersey and I need to know what is there to do there with a 18 month old? We are going for the sole reason of eating at White Mana in Hackensack and the Ritz Diner in Livingston. My husband saw these places on FoodNetwork and now we have to go! lol.....I will follow my husbands stomach anywhere!
Also, is the Ritz Diner even worth going to or is there a better diner to visit?
Thanks

 

[TaraZ]

Hmmm... NJ is FULL of great diners-- haven't eaten at the Ritz though... your 18 m.o. might enjoy Wiggles & Giggles-- an indoor kiddie playground in East Hanover NJ (town or two over from Livingston).

www.wigglesandgiggles.com

I had my DD's 2nd birthday party there and she LOVED it.

 

[janets]

You might try the Turtleback Zoo in West Orange which might be fun.

I've eaten at the Ritz. I worked in Roseland (next town over) and now work in W. Orange (1 town over the other way). It's okay, but as the previous poster said, we have great diners all over NJ. I'm not sure I'd put Ritz at the top, but it's good. It's small and can get very crowded.

Interestingly, we went to the Jefferson Diner in Lake Hopatcong on Saturday since we also watched it and live out that way. It was good (I had the lobster bisque in the bread bowl) but I'm not sure I'd go all that way for it again. It's a bit more expensive than some.

Are you doing a NJ diner tour? Are you local in the area?

 

[MrsBanks]

White Mana has the best burgers - check their hours and try to go on off-hours DO NOT go during lunch, it's absolute mayhem

 

[TaraZ]

Actually... I am a fan of the Tick Tock and the Park West Diners... both are in Rte 3 or 46 W... Taylor Ham, Egg, & Cheese... Fries with Mozz & Gravy. YUMMY.

 

[mwehttam]

The White Mana is very good. Have a change of clothes or leave your coat in the car. The place is very small and with the onions cooking you will smell a little like onions when you leave. Don't let the scare you though. The burgers are delicious.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I'll second the Tick Tock - it's the best diner in NJ.

While in the area you should also stop by Libby's in Paterson for some amazing hot dogs! Or - you can try Rutt's Hut or Johnny and Hanges for the dogs as well.

 

[TaraZ]

I used to live right around the corner from Rutt's... a cheeseburge dipped? So funny-- and tasty!

 

[janey99]

I second Rutts Hut (Rte 3) or the Tick Tock diner (Rte 46W). Those other two are nothing special IMO.

However, if you are in Livingston, you CAN go the Livingston, Riverside Square or Short Hills maaaawwwwls. (Not too much for a toddler, but you'll probably have fun!)

Jane

 

[TaraZ]

Hey-- my 2 y.o. LOVES Short Hills! We drive by the parking garages and she says "That's where we go shopping!"

Guess I am raising a good little Jersey girl.

 

[christianne]

The NJ Children's Museum in Paramus (not far from Hackensack) is good for an 18 mo. old

 

[Nienor]

The NJ Children's Museum in Paramus (not far from Hackensack) is good for an 18 mo. old

The museum in Paramus has a bunch of exhibits an 18 month old would like. A grocery store, dressup area, kitchen area, post office and the full sized firetruck.

There's also an museum called Imagine That near the Livingston Mall. I wasn't really impressed by it. But my son is 8. It's definitely geared for the younger set. That one has a nice always open arts and crafts section. I thought that would be nice for a kid that likes doing crafts (not like my son).

 

[frndshpcptn]

I second Rutts Hut (Rte 3) or the Tick Tock diner (Rte 46W). Those other two are nothing special IMO.

However, if you are in Livingston, you CAN go the Livingston, Riverside Square or Short Hills maaaawwwwls. (Not too much for a toddler, but you'll probably have fun!)

Jane

I hope you aren't including Libby's in the nothing special category! I may be biased (I grew up 10 minutes from Libby's) but I think they are as good at Rutt's!!

 

[mwehttam]

The NJ Children's Museum in Paramus (not far from Hackensack) is good for an 18 mo. old

Thats a good one. Forgot about it. There is also Van San Park, depending on the time of year. They have a decent petting zoo and a train.

Spent the first 30 years of my life in Bergen County and besides all the malls, there isn't much to do. Not really a tourist destination.

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

The Ritz Diner in Livingston is known for their apple pie (as featured on Diners, Drive in and Dives) I used to get that after the Lamaze class at the hospital. Warm apple pie topped with cheddar cheese or sometimes icecream.

If you want to try something really yummy go to Amazing Hot Dog. They have 2 locations -- in Verona and Bound Brook. Great hot dogs and homemade Belgium style French Fries. They have all sorts of topping and combinations. They also have "Egg Roll Dogs" mini hot dogs wrapped in egg roll wrappers. www.amazinghotdog.com

 

[mousebymarriage]

Actually... I am a fan of the Tick Tock and the Park West Diners... both are in Rte 3 or 46 W... Taylor Ham, Egg, & Cheese... Fries with Mozz & Gravy. YUMMY.

Oh yeah, I just love Taylor ham, eggs and cheese on a round roll. Oh, and Fries with gravy and cheese YUM!!!

 

[mousebymarriage]

The museum in Paramus has a bunch of exhibits an 18 month old would like. A grocery store, dressup area, kitchen area, post office and the full sized firetruck.

There's also an museum called Imagine That near the Livingston Mall. I wasn't really impressed by it. But my son is 8. It's definitely geared for the younger set. That one has a nice always open arts and crafts section. I thought that would be nice for a kid that likes doing crafts (not like my son).

I totally agree and I live only a few minutes from Paramus.
Are you aware that the White Mana is a little teeny tiny hole in the wall place? It's not really a diner and most people stand when they eat because you are lucky if you can move when you are in there. A better idea would be to send him in for the food and you and the baby wait in the car, then just eat in the car. At least you won't have any strangers pressed up against you when you are eating, unless you like that sort of thing!

 

[Benducci]

Now I am hungry & since I live in the vicinity of a lot of these, I am going to have to go & get some grub!

 

[gwtw428]

Thanks for all the great info anbd tips everyone! We live on Long Island, NY so going to The Ritz Diner and White Mana will be over a 3 hour trip round trip! But I am sure it will be well worth it. We go to Cracker Barrel and Rutts hut a few times a year also. I am not a fan of Rutts Hut but my hubby loves the relish they use.

 

[janets]

See now I grew up in Queens so when I make the trip to LI (w/ my mom to my dad's grave) we always stop near the old house and get chinese food. We particularly like King Yum on Union Tpke just past St. John's University. My mom says that their chow mein is the best and no one makes it like them. Also, we stop at the local take out place near our old apartment and bring home egg rolls. Not average ones, these are really big around and are a meal in themselves.

While I like the NJ diner thing (I'm a big fan of diners in general), I think that making a 3 hour round trip for the Ritz is a lot. I think that there are better diners around than Ritz, although really the pie is excellent. Tick Tock is great, Americana down near Hightstown is really good. You've gotten some excellent suggestions here.