West Orange/W.O. area. (Northfield: hotel, safe area, amphitheatre)

[EB2]

I'll be going to W.O. at the end of July and into early August.

Does anyone have suggestions of things to do/see/etc. for that time of year

ALSO - any places I should be warned of? I already know most of the stuff to the east is pretty rough....

what about parts/areas of West Orange - or other parts of Essex for that matter that I should be warned of?

Thanks

[maemam]

Well you are coming to west orange at the right time of year. If you are traveling with family, we have the turtle back zoo which has been recently renovated and is great- there is also a skating rink there.

for adults, there is the OSPAC outdoor amphitheatre which has great shows throughout the summer. fabulous place.

great restaurants in wo as well as montclair- great eats there as well.

if you are interested go to www.westorange.org- (broken link) it will have great info and links to what is going on in west orange this summer.

if all else fails, there is always a trip into ny or to the beach.

[EB2]

Originally Posted by maemam

Well you are coming to west orange at the right time of year. If you are traveling with family, we have the turtle back zoo which has been recently renovated and is great- there is also a skating rink there.

for adults, there is the OSPAC outdoor amphitheatre which has great shows throughout the summer. fabulous place.

great restaurants in wo as well as montclair- great eats there as well.

if you are interested go to www.westorange.org- it will have great info and links to what is going on in west orange this summer.

if all else fails, there is always a trip into ny or to the beach.

That's good to hear (about coming at the right time)...I've been planning a trip there for a while - and was debating when to come.

Any restaurants in W.O. that you personally recommend? (only thing I don't care for is seafood)

Thanks for the link, too

[maemam]

Sorry about not getting back. I was away for a few days.

Anyway, West Orange has alot of nice Italian Restaurants- Primavera in the Wilishire Grand Hotel is one, Reggiano's on Pleasant Valley Way is another. Julios on Northfield is good as well.

If you want fine dining, there is the Manor or the Highlawn Pavillion in the Essex County Reservation- excellent views of Manhattan.

For burgers there is Gaffers on Main Street and Quincy's on South Valley Road.

Pizza- Star Tavern in Orange- an absolute favorite. neighborhood not that nice but have been there 1000's of times no problem or Starlite on Pleasant Valley Way.

Hope that helps.

[EB2]

Originally Posted by maemam

Sorry about not getting back. I was away for a few days.

Anyway, West Orange has alot of nice Italian Restaurants- Primavera in the Wilishire Grand Hotel is one, Reggiano's on Pleasant Valley Way is another. Julios on Northfield is good as well.

If you want fine dining, there is the Manor or the Highlawn Pavillion in the Essex County Reservation- excellent views of Manhattan.

For burgers there is Gaffers on Main Street and Quincy's on South Valley Road.

Pizza- Star Tavern in Orange- an absolute favorite. neighborhood not that nice but have been there 1000's of times no problem or Starlite on Pleasant Valley Way.

Hope that helps.

Are Main Street, South Valley, Pleasant Valley Way pretty safe areas for foot travel?

[maemam]

anywhere is west orange is safe for foot travel. pleasant valley way can be a little busy. south valley road is a little out of the way so it would be hard to walk to. were quincy's is on main street is fine. there is a great bar rock cellar, quincy's, due amici so there is good activity.

[EB2]

Originally Posted by maemam

anywhere is west orange is safe for foot travel. pleasant valley way can be a little busy. south valley road is a little out of the way so it would be hard to walk to. were quincy's is on main street is fine. there is a great bar rock cellar, quincy's, due amici so there is good activity.

Thank you very much for your help.