Jersey City offers a fantastic blend of history, culture, and culinary delights, making it perfect for exploration on two wheels. This guide outlines a captivating three-part bike tour, utilizing convenient Citi Bike stations along the route. Whether you’re a local or a visitor searching for “Citi Bike Near Me” to start your adventure, this itinerary will lead you through some of Jersey City’s most iconic locations. Park your bike at designated Citi Bike stations to take breaks, explore areas on foot, and fully immerse yourself in the Jersey City experience.
Part I: Cruise the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway
Begin your journey at the Newport PATH station, a prime location to find a “citi bike near me”. This first leg guides you along the pedestrian-friendly Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, leading to the historically significant Paulus Hook neighborhood, a key site during the Revolutionary War.
- Locate a Citi Bike at the Newport PATH station.
- Head south onto the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway from Pavonia Avenue.
- Continue southward, enjoying a leisurely ride along the waterfront. As you pedal, take in the breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline to your left.
- When the walkway ends near the iconic Colgate Clock, turn right onto Essex Street.
- Proceed along Essex Street to enter the charming Paulus Hook neighborhood.
Part II: Discover Historic Paulus Hook
Paulus Hook is renowned for its vibrant food scene. Warren Street boasts a diverse selection of restaurants, perfect for a mid-ride snack or meal. If hunger strikes, simply dock your bike at either the Essex Light Rail station (Essex & Greene Streets) or the Morris Canal station (Dudley & Washington Streets), both easily searchable when looking for “citi bike near me” for your next ride segment.
Once you’re ready to continue, find a “citi bike near me” at one of these stations and resume your tour, heading west on Essex Street.
- At the end of Essex Street, make a right turn onto Van Vorst Street.
- Turn left onto Grand Street. While Grand Street is a major road, weekend traffic is generally lighter. However, always remain attentive while cycling west.
- After approximately half a mile, turn left onto Jersey Avenue. You’ll pass a Citi Bike station at the Jersey City Medical Center on your right – another convenient “citi bike near me” location to note.
- Continue south on Jersey Avenue. The road appears to terminate, but proceed straight onto the pedestrian bridge.
- Crossing the bridge will bring you into the expansive Liberty State Park!
Part III: Explore Liberty State Park
If you wish to explore Liberty State Park on foot, proceed straight after the pedestrian bridge onto Phillip Street. Then, turn right onto Audrey Zapp Drive / Johnston Avenue and dock your bike at the Liberty Light Rail station. This station is a handy “citi bike near me” point if you decide to shorten your bike tour here.
To continue your bike exploration within Liberty State Park:
- Immediately after crossing the pedestrian bridge, turn left to stay close to the waterfront, keeping the Morris Canal to your left.
- Cycle for about 3/4 of a mile until you reach the Hudson River and the Empty Sky Memorial, New Jersey’s poignant tribute to 9/11.
- The waterfront path now turns south, with Ellis Island directly in front of you. Follow this path until the boardwalk curves to the left. This point offers the closest land-based view of the Statue of Liberty!
- From here, continue heading south to Morris Pesin Drive.
- You have several options for concluding your ride: (a) Turn right onto Freedom Way to return north to the Liberty Light Rail station, making it easy to find a “citi bike near me” for your return trip; (b) Utilize the Hudson Bergen Light Rail to get back to downtown; or (c) Cycle back over the pedestrian bridge to downtown Jersey City and PATH train stations.
For more detailed park navigation, refer to the Liberty State Park Bike Map.
Each segment of this route typically takes between 20 to 30 minutes for most cyclists. Remember that Citi Bike pricing includes the first 30 minutes of each ride on a classic bike for single ride and day pass users. Annual members enjoy the first 45 minutes included. Visit here for comprehensive information on Citi Bike pricing and pass options, and easily find a “citi bike near me” to begin your Jersey City adventure.
