Most people pass through Hackensack on their way to court, to the hospital or to the bus terminal. Few stop to look around, and that’s a shame.
Downtown Hackensack is the county seat, and it’s older than almost anywhere else in Bergen County. A Dutch church founded in 1686 still stands on the Green. Across the street rises a domed courthouse that could hold its own in a much bigger city. And along Main Street, a new wave of cafes, bakeries and restaurants has moved in next to the old-timers.
It’s not polished like Ridgewood or Montclair. It’s busier, more mixed and more affordable, which is part of the fun. Here’s how to spend a full day downtown: where to park, where to eat and what to see between meals.
Getting there and parking
By car
Downtown runs along Main Street and State Street, between the Green at the south end and Johnson Public Library farther north. The city runs several downtown lots and garages, and its website links to a downtown parking map.
A few things to know:
- Pay by app. Hackensack uses ParkMobile. Lot A and Lot T take hourly payment by phone app only, so download it before you arrive.
- Garages are useful for a full day. The Atlantic Street Garage also has six EV charging spaces at the rear entrance from Lot A. Deck C rose to $2 an hour on October 1, 2026. Confirm the posted rate for the garage and space you choose.
- Meters on Main Street run from 9am to 6pm, according to the Johnson Public Library.
- Sundays: the city lists Monday-through-Saturday enforcement for its parking system. Check the posted meter and lot rules rather than assuming every restriction disappears on Sunday.
Rates and rules change, so check the signs and the city’s parking page on the day you visit.
Without a car
Hackensack is one of the easier Bergen County towns to reach by transit. The Hackensack Bus Terminal, a few blocks from Main Street, is a hub for NJ Transit buses across the county and beyond. NJ Transit’s Pascack Valley Line also stops at two Hackensack stations, Anderson Street and Essex Street. Check NJ Transit for schedules.
Morning: coffee and something sweet
Main Street has a lot of good coffee for a town its size, and each spot has its own personality.
- Coffee Break (71 Main St) is a small, Italian-style cafe near the Green. It’s a good place for espresso, a panino or a pastry.
- Iconic Coffee (157 Main St) has plenty of seating and a relaxed feel, so it works well if you want to sit for a while.
- Café Baires (210 Main St) is an Argentine-style cafe. Try a cortado and a flaky pastry, or empanadas if you’re there later in the day.
- Honey Brewed Cafe on Main Street is for sweet drinks, crepes and desserts. Check its current location and hours before going.
If you’re willing to walk or drive to the north end of Main Street, B&W Bakery (614 Main St) is a Hackensack institution. People line up for its crumb cake. It’s closed on Mondays.
Explore: three centuries in a few blocks
The Green and the Church on the Green
Start where Hackensack started. The Green, at Main and Court Streets, is one of the oldest public squares in New Jersey. It was originally church land.
On its edge stands the First Dutch Reformed Church, known locally as the Church on the Green. The congregation was founded by Dutch settlers in 1686, and the current stone building dates from 1791. Walk around to the churchyard. General Enoch Poor, one of George Washington’s officers, was buried here in 1780, and Washington and Lafayette came to his funeral.
The church and the courthouse across the street are both on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Bergen County Courthouse
Across from the Green is the Bergen County Court House, finished in 1912 and designed by James Riely Gordon. From outside, look up at the dome and the copper figure on top, called Enlightenment Giving Power.
It’s still a working courthouse, so expect a security check if you go in. Weekdays are busy with court business, so be respectful of people there for hearings.
Johnson Public Library
Walk north on Main Street to the Johnson Public Library at Main and Camden Streets. Built in 1900 of brown Belleville stone, with ivy on its walls, it’s one of the handsomest buildings downtown. It’s open Monday through Saturday, and closed on Sundays.
Atlantic Street Park
This small green space next to the performing arts center is where downtown gathers. In good weather, it hosts outdoor concerts, movies, Shakespeare in the Park and other free events. Check the Main Street Business Alliance calendar for what’s on.
Just outside downtown
If you have a car and an extra hour, drive about 10 minutes north to Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge. There, Bergen Dutch sandstone houses sit along the Hackensack River, where Washington’s army crossed in 1776. The grounds are open to walk, but the buildings open only for events and tours, so check the Bergen County Historical Society’s calendar first.
Where to eat
Hackensack eats like the county seat it is: lawyers’ lunches, late-night bars and family places serving food from all over Latin America. A few to start with:
A classic you can’t skip
White Manna (358 River St) is a tiny diner that has been grilling sliders for decades. You sit at a counter wrapped around the griddle and watch the cooks smash the burgers with onions. They’re small, so order a few. It’s up River Street from downtown, a short drive or a longer walk. Allow time for a line at busy times.
Lunch near the courthouse
SideBar Gastropub (45 Main St) sits right across from the courthouse in a building that dates to 1895. It used to be General Poor’s Tavern. Expect pub food, a good happy hour and a crowd that mixes office workers and locals.
Dinner
- Tavern 61 (61 River St) is a comfortable, modern spot with pizza, an Italian-leaning menu and cocktails, and a bar for watching games.
- Blaze on Fire (325 Main St) is a Peruvian restaurant. It also serves sushi rolls. Look for causa, chaufa fried rice and chicha morada on the menu. It’s closed on Tuesdays.
- El Alazan (252 Main St) serves Mexican food and margaritas. Check its current events schedule if you want music with dinner.
- The Whiskey Priest (159 Main St) is a lively sports bar. Check kitchen hours if you’re planning to eat late.
Hours change often, especially in winter, so check before you go.
Evening: a show downtown
The Hackensack Performing Arts Center, or HACPAC, at 102 State Street, is downtown’s big surprise. It has an intimate 224-seat theater, so every seat is close to the stage. The program mixes concerts, comedy, theater and its “PAC the House” headline series. Its gallery shows art and is often open before performances.
Check hacpac.org for the current schedule and book ahead for popular shows.
In warmer months, step outside to Atlantic Street Park next door for free outdoor concerts and movies. The Main Street Business Alliance also runs Music on Main and other downtown events through the year.
A sample Saturday
On a weekday, the courthouse and the library are busier, and parking fills up faster. Saturdays are calmer downtown.
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:30am | Park at the Atlantic Street Garage. Espresso and a pastry at Coffee Break or Café Baires. |
| 10:30am | Walk the Green, the Church on the Green and its churchyard, then admire the courthouse dome. |
| 11:30am | Stroll up Main Street to the Johnson Public Library. |
| 12:30pm | Sliders at White Manna, or lunch at SideBar across from the courthouse. |
| 2pm | Drive 10 minutes to Historic New Bridge Landing for a riverside walk. |
| 4pm | Back downtown for a sweet stop at Honey Brewed Cafe. |
| 6pm | Dinner at Blaze on Fire or Tavern 61. |
| 8pm | A show at HACPAC, or a nightcap on Main Street. |
Frequently asked questions
Where should I park in downtown Hackensack? For a long visit, consider a municipal garage such as the Atlantic Street Garage. Check the posted rate and payment instructions for your space. Hackensack uses ParkMobile for its parking system.
Is parking free in Hackensack on Sundays? The city lists Monday-through-Saturday enforcement for its parking system. Still, check the signs where you park, since lots and other restrictions can have their own rules.
What is there to see in downtown Hackensack? The Green, the 1791 Church on the Green with General Enoch Poor’s grave, the 1912 Bergen County Court House, the Johnson Public Library, and shows at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center.
What is Hackensack known for food-wise? White Manna’s sliders are the most famous, and B&W Bakery’s crumb cake is a close second. Main Street also has Peruvian, Mexican and Argentine spots, plus several good cafes.
Can I get to downtown Hackensack without a car? Yes. The Hackensack Bus Terminal is a major NJ Transit bus hub, and the Pascack Valley Line stops at Anderson Street and Essex Street.
Details checked October 30, 2026. Hours, rates and events change, so confirm before you go.
Keep exploring: See our latest Bergen County stories and local guides.
Sources
- City of Hackensack: parking rules, payment and posted rate updates
- Downtown Hackensack: parking map
- City of Hackensack: history and the Green
- Bergen County: historical museums and sites
- Bergen County directory: courthouse history
- National Register reference: First Dutch Reformed Church
- National Register reference: Bergen County Court House
- Johnson Public Library: visitor hours
- Johnson Public Library: building history
- HACPAC: performances, gallery and visit information
- Main Street Business Alliance: HACPAC and Atlantic Street Park
- Bergen County Historical Society: New Bridge Landing and event calendar
- NJ Transit: Pascack Valley Line
Business names in the guide link to the businesses’ own sites, merchant ordering pages or the local chamber directory used to check their details.
