Things to Do
in Journal Square:
The Complete Guide
A century-old movie palace is about to reopen, one of the best food scenes in the state is a five-minute walk from the PATH, and most visitors still treat Journal Square as a transfer point. Here's what they're missing.
"Most people know Journal Square as the place they change trains. In a few weeks, it becomes the place 3,000 people show up for a concert."
Journal Square gets treated as infrastructure more than a destination — the PATH hub everyone passes through on the way to somewhere else. That's about to be a lot harder to justify. This guide covers what's actually worth doing here, starting with the biggest thing to happen to the neighborhood in years.
What This Guide Covers
The Loew's Jersey Theatre Reopening
After a $130 million restoration, the historic Loew's Jersey Theatre — a 3,000-seat 1929 movie palace directly across from the Journal Square Transportation Center — reopens as a live entertainment venue on November 13 and 14, 2026, with the Trey Anastasio Band and The War on Drugs headlining opening weekend. It's expected to host around 150 events a year going forward, which means Journal Square is about to become a genuine touring-act destination rather than a neighborhood most visitors only pass through.
The building itself is worth seeing regardless of what's on the marquee — an ornate proscenium arch, a restored theater pipe organ, and one of the last surviving Loew's "Wonder Theatres" from the golden age of movie palaces. If you're planning a visit around a show, book well ahead; opening weekend acts alone are the kind of booking that sells out a neighborhood's hotels.
India Square's Food Scene
India Square, centered on Newark Avenue near the PATH station, is one of the best concentrations of South Asian restaurants, sweet shops, and grocers on the East Coast — sometimes called "Little Bombay." It's dense, walkable, and genuinely built for locals rather than tourists, which is exactly why it's worth a visit. Come hungry and plan to wander rather than follow an itinerary here.
Historic Architecture & Street Life
Beyond the Loew's, Journal Square's transportation center itself and the surrounding plaza reflect the neighborhood's role as a historic commercial hub going back nearly a century. It's dense and energetic rather than quaint, with a mix of longtime local businesses and newer additions that have followed the neighborhood's redevelopment. Walking the plaza and the streets radiating out from it gives a real sense of Jersey City's most transit-connected neighborhood at street level.
Shopping & Everyday Life
Journal Square's commercial strips cover practical, everyday shopping more than curated boutiques — a reflection of the neighborhood's role as a real commercial center rather than a tourist district. That's part of the appeal: you can handle errands, grab a coffee, and pick up dinner all within a few blocks, without needing a car or a rideshare.
Planning Your Time in Journal Square
| Loew's Jersey Theatre | India Square | Newark Day Trip | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Evening shows, architecture | Food, walkable afternoon | A full extra day |
| From the PATH | Directly across the plaza | Short walk | Direct PATH ride |
| Time needed | An evening | 2–3 hours | Half to full day |
Pairing It With a Newark Day Trip
Journal Square's biggest advantage is what it connects to. The PATH's Newark–World Trade Center line runs directly from Journal Square through Harrison and into Newark Penn Station — no transfer required — putting the Ironbound's food scene, Branch Brook Park, and NJPAC within easy reach. For the full breakdown, see our Newark day trip guide.
Flying in for a Loew's show or a Newark day trip? Search flights on Booking.com to compare fares before you book.
Where to Stay
StayJC has two properties directly in Journal Square: SunSuite, a sunlit 2-bedroom with a sunroom and spa ensuite, and Color Burst, a bold, design-forward 3-bedroom that sleeps up to 9 — both an easy walk from the Loew's, the PATH, and India Square.
Browse all StayJC properties and book direct →Comparing hotel options for a Loew's show? Compare Hotel Prices Near Jersey City on Booking.com →
Need a car for day trips beyond Jersey City? Search Car Rentals on Booking.com →
Booking Tours & Experiences
Whether it's a show at the Loew's or the rest of your Jersey City itinerary, we partner with the following platform to help you make the most of your stay:
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you book through them, StayJC may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Event dates and venue schedules are subject to change — check official sources before you go. We only recommend platforms and services we'd genuinely suggest to a friend visiting Jersey City.