Blake Walsh

20 Best Things to Do in Fort Lee, NJ

  • Published 2023/04/04

Fort Lee is a charming lakeside city in New Jersey.

Despite its rapid urbanization, Fort Lee has maintained its quaint but charming appeal, making it an ideal place to unwind and enjoy outdoor recreation.

Fort Lee sits along the Hudson River in New Jersey’s Bergen County.

Aside from its picturesque lakeside views and iconic bridge, Fort Lee has become a historic metropolis because of its role in pivotal battles of the Revolutionary War.

Visitors who wish to explore Fort Lee will enjoy a mixture of natural and historical attractions.

You’ll experience its parks, museums, and landmarks.

Meanwhile, its streets offer a wide array of eclectic local businesses which feature local specialties and unique finds.

Are you planning to tour Fort Lee soon?

Here are the best things to do in Fort Lee, NJ:

Take Photos of the Iconic George Washington Bridge

Night lights of the beautiful George Washington Bridge

Mihai_Andritoiu / Shutterstock.com

You don’t need to travel to Golden Gate Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge to take incredible photos of iconic bridges.

It’s because Fort Lee is also home to another such bridge, the George Washington Bridge.

This famous suspension bridge connects Manhattan and New Jersey’s Palisades across the Hudson River.

It so happens that they built the bridge on the shores of Fort Lee.

This engineering marvel is twice as long as any other bridge built during its time.

Aerial view of George Washington Bridge

Mihai_Andritoiu / Shutterstock.com

The George Washington Bridge features a double-decked suspension bridge.

This famous bridge is also considered one of the world’s busiest motor vehicle bridges.

To date, George Washington Bridge has already carried 103 million vehicles, making it an icon in Fort Lee that you should visit.

There are two ways you can experience George Washington Bridge.

You can either cross it on your car or perhaps take photos of it from below, on Hazard Beach or Palisade Interstate Park Commission.

Visiting this bridge is an excellent way to start your journey in Fort Lee.

Side body of the George Washington Bridge

eddtoro / Shutterstock.com

Wander the Scenic Fort Lee Historic Park

A Fort Lee Historic Park canon overlooking the water

Mad Hare Imagery / Shutterstock.com

This lakeside park overlooking the Hudson River, Manhattan, and George Washington Bridge is a romantic place but also offers a wholesome experience to everyone.

The Fort Lee Historic Park and Palisades Interstate Park Commission is a famous outdoor attraction in the city where locals join outdoor recreational activities.

This park in Fort Lee features 33 landscaped acres above the Palisades, just south of the iconic George Washington Bridge.

Paved walkways at Fort Lee Historic Park

quiggyt4 / Shutterstock.com

Most of the time, tourists love strolling through its lakeside paved walkways and enjoying the view of the Hudson River.

In addition, the park has a fascinating visitor center and museum where you’ll see 18th-century military equipment, including numerous gun batteries.

Overall, the Fort Lee Historic Park is a highly-recommended tourist attraction in the city to include on your itinerary.

Revolutionary war encampment at Fort Lee Historic Park

eddtoro / Shutterstock.com

Enjoy the View at the Ross Dock Picnic Area

Scenic view from Ross Dock Picnic Area

Beyond My Ken, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This scenic riverfront picnic area is one of the most famous places to hang out and relax in Fort Lee.

This outdoor attraction north of the iconic George Washington Bridge offers visitors a relaxing ambiance.

It’s perfect for a lovely picnic with the family or with your travel buddies.

Ross Dock features a beautiful picnic area with barbeque grills, tables, restrooms, clean water, and waste receptacles for a convenient visit.

In addition, it’s also where you can find the boat ramps on Carpenter’s Grove and Hazard Beach for boating activities along the Hudson River.

You can top off your picnic at the Ross Dock Picnic Area with the million-dollar view of the George Washington Bridge, the Hudson River, and Manhattan.

Go Diving at Hazard Beach

This beach area in Fort Lee is famous for locals who want to cool down during summer.

Hazard Beach is a famous outdoor recreation area in Fort Lee which meanders along the Hudson River.

It is situated within Palisades Interstate Park’s area, where everyone can enjoy various activities from swimming and boating to fishing.

Some who go to Hazard Beach sit under the trees and enjoy the scenery while passing the time.

In addition, some visitors who want more excitement bring their jet skis and cruise along the Hudson River.

For those curious about Hazard Beach, it got its name from an 1800s explosives company, “Hazard Powder Company,” based in Fort Lee.

Honor the Fallen at Constitution Park’s Veteran’s Monument

This veteran’s monument in Fort Lee pays tribute to the soldiers who perished in or survived the Revolutionary War of 1776.

Constitution Park’s Veteran’s Monument is known for its sculpture which depicts two soldiers, one carrying a war drum to commemorate the American Revolution.

Spending time at this monument in Fort Lee is a solemn experience where you can pay tribute to the brave heroes who claimed the nation’s independence.

In addition, the surrounding area of the monument is beautifully landscaped, making it a perfect place for a picnic with your loved ones.

Spend Time Outdoors at Constitution Park

Aside from the veteran’s monument, Constitution Park is famous for outdoor events such as the “Movies and Music in the Park,” regularly held in the city.

Constitution Park, in general, is where most of Fort Lee’s activities happen, from sports to community-related events.

The park, which spans over six acres, is where most locals pass their time after a tiring day at work.

At the same time, children and adults love to play sports in its vast open field.

You should try spending time at Constitution Park, especially if you’re looking for the perfect spot in Fort Lee to take a break.

Hike the Trails of the Long Path

Trees along the Long Path trail

PoutureByPerree / Shutterstock.com

From the name itself, the Long Path is a famous point-to-point trail that connects New Jersey and New York.

Part of the Long Path happens to pass through Fort Lee; you should try hiking through this famous outdoor attraction if you’re in the area.

This hiking trail features over 700 different hikes suitable for newbies to hardcore hikers, making it a perfect destination for outdoor adventurers.

The Long Path is moderately challenging, taking about five hours to complete. Keep this in mind if you’re a newbie planning to take the trail.

For a one-of-a-kind outdoor activity during your visit to Fort Lee, head to the Long Path.

Bring your Dog to Fort Lee Dog Park

If you brought your dog to Fort Lee, find a special place for them to have fun at Fort Lee Dog Park.

Of course, bringing your dog with you during your travel adventures will surely make them bored in the long run.

You might want to bring them to Fort Lee Dog Park to show them a fantastic time.

This local dog park is the most popular place for locals and visitors to let their furry friends have fun.

It has a secured fence for them to play safely, while there are numerous walkways to have a leisure walk through the park.

Bring Your Kids to Firemen’s Park

Fort Lee’s Firemen’s Park is one of the community parks in the city, but it stands out among the rest for its wading pool.

If you’re looking for fun swimming activities with your family, then you should try Firemen’s Park’s top-notch wading pool.

It’s an excellent place to bring your kids since the pool isn’t too deep for them to enjoy.

At the same time, Firemen’s Park features a vast children’s playground where your kids can also have fun.

Although Firemen’s Park isn’t as big as other parks in Fort Lee, it boasts top-notch park amenities that make your visit there worthwhile.

Watch a Movie at IPIC Theaters

If the movie you’ve been anticipating has been released while you’re in Fort Lee, don’t fret because you get to watch it at IPIC Theaters.

Established in 2010, this upscale cinema shows first-run movies on big screens with top-quality sound, as well as comfortable plush recliners.

If you get the premium seats, you’ll have a complimentary blanket as soon as you step in, or you can request one through the cinema’s ninja servers.

You can also order food and drinks delivered to your seats while enjoying the movie.

IPIC Theaters is located off Hudson Street.

Get Pampered at Paradise Spa & Sauna

After a long day in Fort Lee, there’s a place to relax and get pampered called Paradise Spa & Sauna on Linwood Plaza.

Escape to the natural goodness that the offers, including therapeutic massage and Korean-style sauna rooms, where you can relax, relieve stress, and restore your health.

You can choose from its Salt Room, Hinoki, Bath & Massage Beds, Sleeping Room, and Loess Ball Room.

If you want to get a massage, you can have Aromatherapy, Foot Massage, and Hot Stone, among others.

Paradise Spa & Sauna is the perfect spot for those who want to relax their body and mind in between traveling.

Get Your Caffeine Fix at Roast’d Coffee

Coffee aficionados can chill out and enjoy a cup of coffee at Roast’d Coffee, which roasts its own coffee in-house.

So as soon as you step in, you’ll feel the aroma and vibrancy of its coffee filling your nostrils while surrounded by a warm atmosphere and big smiles.

The coffeehouse roasts 8 to 10 varieties of coffee in small batches to keep its freshness and quality.

And if you have your own coffee machine at home, you can also buy coffee beans here.

Drop by for a coffee at Roast’d Coffee on Bergen Boulevard.

Buy Gifts and Souvenirs at Miss Crazy Boutique

It’s not crazy as it seems, but maybe yes, especially when it’s crazily unique and beautiful!

Before heading back home, head to Miss Crazy Boutique to pick up some gifts and souvenirs for this trip.

The gift shop features many handcrafted items: knitted stuff, jewelry, keychains, art, candles, ribbon bookmarks, bags, phone accessories, and a lot more.

Miss Crazy Boutique is the best place in Fort Lee to get beautiful gifts and souvenirs, especially since you’re supporting local artists!

You can find it off Abbott Boulevard.

Read a Book at Fort Lee Public Library

There’s no need for you to pause your reading habit when traveling to Fort Lee; thanks to Fort Lee Public Library for its wide selection of books and comfortable reading books.

Established in 1919, the library holds more than 130,000 items, including audiobooks, movies, e-books, movies, magazines, and many more.

These are available to kids, teens, and adults in many different genres.

The library also hosts events and programs for all ages in the community.

You can also use its computers and WiFi if you need something for research.

Fort Lee Public Library is located on Main Street.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Explore the Vast Overpeck County Park

A golf course at Overpeck County Park

Joseph M. Arseneau / Shutterstock.com

This 811-acre county park north of Fort Lee is a tributary of the Hackensack River.

You can also find it in Leonia, six minutes from Fort Lee.

It is a vital natural area where local flora and fauna thrive.

From a visitor’s perspective, it is an excellent natural area for outdoor recreation such as sightseeing and wildlife viewing.

The entire county park covers various parks such as Ridgefield Park, Palisades Park, and Teaneck Creek.

Spending time here and exploring its vast wilderness through hiking or perhaps boating offers nature lovers and even casual tourists a wholesome experience.

Bring Back Your Childhood at Field Station: Dinosaurs

Grownups, especially kids, will be mesmerized upon seeing giant dinosaur sculptures and amazing rides at the Field Station: Dinosaurs in nearby Leonia.

It’s eight minutes away from Fort Lee.

Field Station: Dinosaurs is a world-class theme park featuring top-notch exhibits and interactive displays that lets kids and even kids at heart enjoy themselves.

Over 30 life-sized dinosaur sculptures serve as the highlight of this theme park, where you and your family can take photos and get up close.

At the same time, Field Station features a scientific exhibit where visitors can interact with robots.

The Field Station offers a wholesome adventure with the family, perfect for weekend getaways without traveling far from New Jersey.

Immerse Yourself in Nature at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center

View of Flat Rock Brook Nature Center's dam

Jim.henderson, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Another natural attraction you should visit during your tour in Fort Lee is the Flat Rock Brook Nature Center in neighboring Englewood, New Jersey.

It’s also six minutes from Fort Lee.

This 150-acre nature center serves as a preserve and an educational site in New Jersey, featuring the local flora and fauna.

One of the most popular activities to enjoy is hiking through four miles of forested areas.

During your hike, you’ll wander through beautiful wetlands, cascading streams, meadows, and ponds.

They established this substantial nature center in 1973 to protect the natural woodland and wetlands of the area, including the Palisades Forest.

Today, it’s a famous natural attraction where nature lovers from New York and other parts of New Jersey converge to study or immerse themselves in nature.

In addition, the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association conducts educational tours for everyone.

Check Out the Historic New Bridge Landing

New Bridge Landing served as the strategic bridge for George Washington’s troops during the American Revolution.

New Bridge is a mill hamlet strategically situated on the narrows of Hackensack River, north of Fort Lee.

You can find it in River Edge, New Jersey, ten minutes from Fort Lee.

During the Revolutionary War, New Bridge witnessed around a dozen engagements between Washington’s troops and the retreating British army.

Today, it is a famous tourist attraction that you must visit during your Fort Lee adventure.

In 1989, the National Register of Historic Places recognized the historical value of New Bridge Landing by adding it to the record.

Try Korean Food at Koreatown

Fort Lee is also home to more than a thousand Korean-Americans.

They own local businesses, primarily focused on food and beverages.

To complete your Fort Lee adventure, take a side trip to Koreatown, famous for its vast array of delicious and authentic Korean food.

Koreatown’s restaurants are renowned for the best Korean food along the Hudson River.

During your food trip to Fort Lee’s Koreatown, check out Broad Avenue, where you can find most of the area’s restaurants.

Taste Koreatown’s various authentic Korean dishes, from the conventional kimchi, grilled meats, noodles, bibimbap, bulgogi, and more.

Final Thoughts

Fort Lee offers visitors a unique experience featuring its history, locality, and natural wonders.

This small city along the Hudson River is the best example of a laid-back suburban New Jersey community that is an emerging travel destination.

Fort Lee’s romantic and laid-back setting makes it an excellent destination for those who yearn to escape the city’s hustle and bustle.

Start planning your trip today!

© All rights reserved.