Savor a rich array of arts, eats, and entertainment in New Brunswick

Savor a rich array of arts, eats, and entertainment in New Brunswick

New Brunswick is on fire.

This bustling city has it all — dog-friendly dining and parks, live music, theaters, restaurants, comedy clubs, trendy boutiques, arts and culture, exhilarating events, and lively nightlife. Easily accessible by train, it’s the perfect spot to dine, shop, play, and stay.

“New Brunswick is a fantastic place to visit,” said Doug Schneider, chairman, New Brunswick City Center, which is the city’s downtown business alliance. “When you come to New Brunswick, you can make a whole experience out of your visit, whether it’s for a day, an evening, or a weekend.”

That includes enjoying a meal at New Brunswick’s many eateries, which range from casual pubs and ethnic restaurants to some of the finest dining Jersey has to offer. Many restaurants pair music with meals and offer happy-hour specials.

During the pandemic, New Brunswick expanded outdoor dining on George Street. This inviting pedestrian plaza is the perfect place to enjoy great food and entertainment. That continues throughout the winter, with many restaurants outfitting their alfresco areas with heaters and other means of keeping diners warm.

“It’s the safest place to eat,” said Schneider, who owns Tavern on George.

Theater and arts take center stage in New Brunswick. With five theaters and stages featuring internationally renowned performers and shows, a vibrant arts scene and curtain-raising extravaganzas, the city’s cultural tradition is in full swing. New Brunswick is also home to The Stress Factory, one of the top comedy clubs in the country, drawing crowd-pleasing comedians.

Shopping options abound in New Brunswick. Trendy boutiques, luxurious spas, and a variety of shops selling all types of wares are part of the city’s shopping scene. New Brunswick merchants are always offering up exceptional deals, in addition to the reduced sales tax of 3.5% in the city center zone — nearly half the state rate.

“We have a lot of small boutique shops that are very interesting and diverse,” Schneider said. “I encourage everyone to come to New Brunswick to see what it means to shop local and support small businesses.”

And, of course, there’s Rutgers University, where football and cultural events draw visitors from across the globe.

During the holidays, New Brunswick transforms into a winter wonderland of festivities, featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, live ice sculpture demonstrations, and Victorian-clad strolling carolers. And there’s no better place to ring in the New Year complete with fireworks at midnight.

With a reputation as the region’s “health care city,” New Brunswick is home to Johnson & Johnson, five nationally recognized hospitals, part of the country’s largest medical school, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and is a hub for biotechnology and world-renowned medical research facilities.

“It’s never been more apparent what it means to be in a city that focuses on health care than over the last two years with COVID,” Schneider said. “We’re proud that people come here to get healthy and throughout the pandemic, we’ve excelled at providing that care.

“People come into town and don’t realize what New Brunswick has to offer until they’re here,’’ Schneider said. “Then they come back again and again.”

Shopping Boutiques and Services

• Shop local for exceptional deals and enjoy a 3.5% sales tax
  
• Relax in comfort at our luxurious spas
• Deals on clothes, beauty, health and nutrition, shoes, electronics, and more

Theatre and Arts

• Internationally renowned theatre performers and shows
  
• Five theaters and stages
• Ballet, concerts, and curtain-raising extravaganzas
• Marvel at inspiring artwork, experience cultural traditions, or learn local New Jersey history
• A vibrant arts scene

Restaurants and Bars

• Experience award-winning restaurants
  
• Explore diverse culinary experiences
• Popular eateries featuring live music
• Happy-hour specials
• The best mimosa-filled brunches around

Health Care

• Earned reputation of being the region’s “Health Care City”
  
• Five nationally recognized hospitals
• Global biotechnology
• Internationally recognized medical research facilities
• Part of the country’s largest medical school

Weekend Stays and Live Entertainment

• Live musicians, karaoke, and comedy shows every weekend
  
• Seasonal events, street musicians, and free jazz
• Vibrant and exciting nightlife
• Book a room at one of our hotels and stay for the weekend
• Dog-friendly dining and parks

Rutgers and Local Events

• Game-day specials and brunch parties
  
• A short walk from Rutgers University campuses with museums, cultural events, and festivals including Rutgers Day
• Keep the tailgate going after the game in New Brunswick’s City Center

Winter Wonderland

• Experience the magic of the holiday season
  
• Horse-drawn carriage rides
• Ice sculpting and glass blowing demonstrations
• New Year’s Eve fireworks

by Susan Kronberg | For Jersey's Best