Your Guide to Westfield, New Jersey, by The Giordano Group

Each month, The Hoboken Girl and The Giordano Group highlight one town in Northern New Jersey to share some of the best places to eat, drink and socialize. We’ll outline the different commuting options and fun, family-friendly activities while providing you with the necessary facts and critical insight into the competitive and hot Northern NJ real estate market. This New Jersey real estate series will showcase what makes each town cool, unique, and vibrant. So while you may not be looking to move, we all know stalking Zillow houses is the best hobby — and The Giordano Group is here to make it that much easier.

After visiting Ridgewood and Chatham, we are heading to Union County and the bustling town of Westfield. Noted for its beautiful pedestrian-friendly downtown area, prestigious school system, and convenient commutes to New York City and Newark, Westfield serves residents an ideal blend of Americana. The Victorian and Colonial-style homes complement the tree-lined streets of this small community. There are also countless things to do for children and adults alike. Read on for your guide to Westfield, NJ.

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About the Giordano Group

Darren Giordano and his team of realtors have over a decade of experience in Hudson County and Northern New Jersey, achieving the Platinum Level of Excellence every year since 2016. They closed over $300,000,000 over the last decade.  

To learn more about the market value for homes in Westfield — or if you want to find out the current market value of your home in Hudson County, text CMA to 201-723-3300 to get in touch with the Giordano Group or click here.

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The Commute

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By Train

Westfield is located on the Raritan Valley commuter rail line, which travels directly to Newark and then to New York’s Penn Station. Although there is a transfer in Newark, commuting time to both Hoboken and/or NYC is about an hour or less. There are also occasionally one-seat rides available on off-peak hours which don’t have a transfer in Newark.

If you will be taking the train from Westfield, annual and semi-annual parking passes are available for the Southside Train Station and at Watterson Street. Day passes are available at the Southside Station, and parking is free after 10AM (when available).

By Bus

Both the #59 and the #113 NJ Transit buses offer service from Dunellen through Plainfield, Scotch Plains, Westfield, Garwood, Cranford, Roselle Park, and Hillside. The #59 will take you to Newark and includes a stop at Union County College. The #113 will take you directly to Port Authority. Boxcar Transit also has a direct-bus service to NYC on the Raritan Rocket route.

By Car

Only 25 miles from New York City, Westfield allows for easy commuting by car. Major roadways such as routes I-78, 22, and I-287 as well as The Garden State Parkway and The New Jersey Turnpike are all accessible.

Where to Eat + Drink

Outdoor cafes, diverse eateries, bistros, coffee shops, bakeries, and numerous ice cream shops line the town center’s colorful streets, featuring everything from casual diners to upscale fine dining, all within a 10-block radius.

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Ferraro’s

16 Prospect Wine Bar and Bistro | 16 Prospect Street

This local bar has a chill atmosphere and often has live music. The Bloody Mary Oysters combine the salty ocean taste with the acidity of a frozen Bloody Mary mix for a unique combination. It also features outdoor seating for the warmer summer nights.

1958 Cuban Cuisine | 301 South Avenue W

This family-owned BYOB eatery has Cuban art lining the walls. It fuses both modern and traditional Cuban food for delicious dishes.

Addams Tavern | 115 Elm Street

Named after former Westfield resident and the Addams Family creator, Charles Addams, this spot specializes in traditional American cuisine and is a well-known local spot. It’s also one of the few places in town with a full-service bar. We recommend the filet mignon or the Addams mac and cheese — and the seasonal cocktails are not to be missed.

Ahrre’s Coffee Roastery | 104 Elm Street

This quaint shop sells roughly 55 coffees and many teas, so it’s not for the indecisive. The most popular coffee options are Sumatra, which is light with a maple syrup flavor, and Morning Blend, which is a robust and complex blend of light and dark roasts. Ahree’s also has options to create your own blend, too.

Chez Catherine | 431 North Avenue

Chez Catherine is an upscale French eatery located in the same building as The Westfield Inn. It features prix fixe dinner menus with 3 course and 4 course options. It also has an extensive wine menu and is a wonderful spot for a more formal meal.

The Chocolate Bar | 112 Quimby Street

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This quaint shop sells authentic Italian gelato, hand-dipped chocolate treats, and specialty cappuccino and espresso beverages. It’s a favorite among the locals and a must-visit — the homemade peanut butter cups are especially delicious. 

Ferraro’s | 14 Elm Street

Owned and operated by a local Westfield family, this Italian restaurant is a big staple among residents and visitors alike. With a huge multi-leveled building including private rooms, Ferraro’s serves up traditional Italian and is a family-friendly eatery.

Fettle and Fare  | 401 West Broad Street

This 100% gluten- + dairy-free facility provides prepared healthy meals, snacks, and drinks as well as some items served to order like soups, daily specials, and baked goods.

Roosterspin  | 251 North Ave West

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At Roosterspin, you can belt out Karaoke in three rooms while eating some of the best double-fried wings and inventive Korean fusion foods. This is a great spot to go for delicious eats and a great time.

Vicki’s Diner | 110 East Broad Street

This beloved 1950s-style diner with its chrome exterior and blue booths has been a staple in the community for over 70 years. It is no surprise that community members rallied behind the establishment amidst the shutting of small businesses during the 2020 pandemic.

Things to Do

When you visit a new town, the restaurants and locally-owned shops are must-visits. But what makes each town special is the different attractions and activities it has to offer throughout the year. Here are our picks for the most unique experiences in Westfield, New Jersey.

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^ Westfield proudly celebrates Charles Addam year-round.   

Addam’s Festival

This month-long, town-wide celebration in October transforms Westfield and pays homage to all things kooky and spooky. But above all, these events celebrate the famous Westfield native, cartoonist Charles Addams, who is believed to have modeled the Addams Family house after his family’s home at the intersection of Elm Street and Dudley Avenue.

Evalyn Dunn Gallery | 549 South Avenue West

This gallery displays artwork from around the world. It holds events year-round and features many Mix & Sips.

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Open Quimby

Unlike other towns which are beginning to limit the outdoor parklets and tents of the COVID-19 era, Westfield continues to embrace outdoor dining and recreation. Quimby Street in the heart of downtown has beautiful new tents for outdoor dining and activities, state-of-the-art bistro lighting, and a neat sign pole displaying the distance between Quimby Street and local and international destinations.

Sweet Sounds Downtown

Live music takes place every Tuesday night (rain date Wednesday) in July and August.

Westfield Farmers Market

The Westfield Farmers Market is located at the North Avenue train station every Saturday from 8:30AM to 1PM for the 2022 season, which is June to the last Saturday in October. 

Where to Shop

Downtown features national department and chain stores (like Gap, Anthropology, and Williams Sonoma) as well as local mom-and-pop shops.

Beyond Trends | 23 Elm Street

Beyond Trends is a women’s boutique with all sorts of clothing and accessories. Its pieces are comfortable, stylish, and mid-range in price.

Blende Beauty  | 106 Elm Street

Celebrity makeup artist Keira Karlin owns Blende Beauty on Elm Street. Blende Beauty offers a Sip and Blende party where a team of professionals guides you through the creation of customized makeup while you sip on signature cocktails (or mocktails, Blende is a kid-friendly location).

The Farmhouse Store | 221 East Broad Street

This 2-story unique home furnishing store has specialized for 15 years in American craft and unique quality home pieces and gifts. 

The French Martini | 41 Elm Street

This mercantile style shop has distinct finds with a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces, jewelry, small goods for home, hats, scarves, candles, and more.

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Patricia and Paul  | 20 Elm Street

Owners Patricia and Paul Hanigan pride themselves on teaching the nutritional benefits of olives while offering the best selection of domestic and imported oils. In addition to their oil offerings, the pair source award-winning pasta, Spanish pottery, and natural fruit spreads.

Ruby + Jenna | 206 East Broad Street

This boutique was started by a mother and daughter duo in 2009 and carries super cute, trendy, youthful styles both in-house and online. From cozy knit sweaters for winter to midi dresses for summer, there’s something for everyone.

Town Book Store | 270 East Broad Street

Since 1934, this independent book store has been a staple in town for any book lover. TBS is brimming with good recommendations and a sweet section for kids with toys and all the best books for every age.

Westfield Service League Thrift Shop | 114 Elmer Street

The Westfield Service League has been serving Westfield for 89 years. ​It features both new and gently used clothing for any consignment and thrift shoppers. Plus, the shop donates a portion of its proceeds to various local non-profits.

Kid’s Corner

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^ Westfield High School

The Schools

All children entering kindergarten start off at the Lincoln Early Childhood Learning Center before moving on to one of six neighborhood elementary schools (Franklin, Jefferson, McKinley, Tamaques, Washington, and Wilson). Upon entering 6th grade, students attend one of two intermediate schools (Edison and Roosevelt) before moving on to Westfield High School. WHS is consistently ranked among the top high schools in New Jersey, with its college-prep courses, vast extracurriculars, music, journalism, and award-winning theatre programs.

Entertainment

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YesterCADES | 151 East Broad Street

Whether you’re a gaming veteran or trying to entertain your children, this location is a worthwhile stop for all gamers. Plus, after the kids have gone to bed, this spot turns into a night scene with BYOB options after 10PM.

Parks + Playgrounds

Westfield is home to many parks that range in size and amenities. With options for picnics, walking trails, sight-seeing, and more, these parks are a wonderful way to spend a sunny day.

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^ Mindowaskin Park

Mindowaskin Park | 385 East Broad Street

Mindowaskin Park is another kid-friendly park in town, complete with small lakes, ponds, and jungle gyms. No day trip is complete without taking a stroll through the park to admire the gorgeous surrounding scenery.

Tamaques Reservation Park | Tamaques Way

This 106-acre reservation and park is a great first stop for a day trip to Westfield. Complete with large, kid-friendly parks, this is an ideal place to bring your little ones along with you.

Gumbert Park | South Chestnut Street

This park is kid-friendly and houses several basketball courts, Little League fields, a playground, and a jogging path. Gumbert Park is also home to a seasonal ice rink.

Real Estate Corner via The Giordano Group

The Westfield real estate market is hot like all Northern NJ Suburban towns. There were 142 sales YTD thru June 1st, which was down from 198 at the same time last year — so again, we have a supply and demand issue.

There are only 44 active homes for sale as of June 1st. The average sales price was $1,025,825 with 43% of the homes selling for over $1,000,000. If new construction is your thing, Westfield is the town for you. More developers knock down homes and build there than most other popular towns in the area. Overall, the days on market were 29 days YTD. If you’re interested in learning more about Westfield or any neighboring towns, you can give Darren and The Giordano team a call or shoot them an email at [email protected].

Stay tuned for the next town in our North Jersey series, coming soon.

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Your Guide to Westfield, New Jersey, by The Giordano Group