Visit Montclair > Montclair Neighborhoods

Visitors to Montclair can explore what the township has to offer by driving down Valley Road, one of Montclair’s main streets, anchored by Montclair State University on the north end. A few blocks south of the University is the business center of Upper Montclair, a charming Tudor-style cluster of shops, restaurants and a movie theater, that fan out from the corner of Valley Road and Bellevue Avenue, and includes lovely Anderson Park just across from the Upper Montclair train station.

From there continue south on Valley Road to Watchung Avenue. Turn left or east on Watchung Avenue (or arrive by train at Watchung Station) to enjoy the centrally located Watchung Plaza, with its boutiques, independent bookstore, cafés and signature gazebo.

Back heading south on Valley Road, pass Edgemont Park’s pond and stop in at Frog Hollow’s stores and eateries, anchored by historic Tierney’s Tavern. Turn right on Van Vleck Street and enter the Van Vleck House and Gardens, which are especially fragrant in the spring when the wisteria are in bloom.

Continue down Valley, when The Montclair Times office is your right, turn left onto Walnut Street and discover the Walnut-Grove District, where you can pick up great bread and pastries, have a drink at Egan’s, eat at one of the area’s terrific restaurants, or listen to jazz at Trumpet’s. If you’re traveling by train, the Walnut St. Station is right there. In the winter, you can even catch a youth hockey game at nearby Clary Anderson Arena!

Return to Valley Road, turn left and proceed south; you will reach Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair Town Center. Up the avenue to the west, take in a play at innovative Luna Stage or an art exhibition at the renowned Montclair Art Museum. Down Bloomfield Avenue, to the east, explore the Historic District: Church Street’s many retailers, the multi-screen cinema, and one of the largest collections of restaurants in northern New Jersey.

Last, but certainly not least, go east on Bloomfield Avenue and turn right at Elm Street. Follow Elm as it turns into Orange Road to reach the South End shopping area shops and services, just a few blocks from beautiful Nishuane Park to the west and the recently renovated Canterbury Park to the east.

To view a map of Montclair, click here.