Discover Verona

HOW TO GET AROUND; WHERE TO DINE; SCHOOLS AND PARKS, AND MORE

A scenic, hilly township nestled between the First and Second Watchung Mountains, Verona is situated 15 miles west of Manhattan, in northern Essex County. Its location makes it an ideal spot for commuters to New York and surrounding areas in New Jersey, as well as for city transplants who don't want to stray too far away. 

Today, Verona is a vibrant, village-like community whose main avenue is lined with specialized shops, traditional and contemporary dining spots, and convivial cafes. It’s also home to a blossoming arts scene. Verona’s residences are an eclectic mix, defined not only by vintage colonials, post-war split levels and capes, but also by grand estate houses, early 20th-century Craftsman and older Victorians.  

the township

Population: about 13,000
Households: around 5,300
Median Household Income: $113,000

Local news sources
My Verona NJ: Editor and co-founder Virginia Citrano is a native Veronan who really knows her stuff.
Verona Patch

Town History
Verona was originally home to the Lenni Lenape indigenous people. Settlers from Newark bought an extensive tract of land in the early 1700s that would become the seven separate towns within Essex County. Verona was officially established as a municipality in 1907.

According to the New York Times: “In the early 20th century, the fresh air at the crest of what is now called Second Mountain seemed ideal for treating tuberculosis patients, and in 1907 the Essex Mountain Sanatorium opened. The institution faced such opposition from local residents that patients had to be sneaked in at night. But as demand grew, so did the facility. Eventually, it comprised 20 buildings spread over 200 acres, serving 700 patients. Between the departure of the final patients in the 1970s and the razing of the buildings in 1993, the site was a popular destination for the ghoulishly curious.”

recreation

Verona Community Pool: A warm-weather gathering place, this public facility features an Olympic-sized pool, a kiddie pool, and a 100-foot water slide. Don’t feel like swimming? Other amenities include basketball courts, beach volleyball and shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, ping-pong tables, a playground, and a snack bar; indeed, you can even rent a gazebo.

Verona Park: Whether it's boating, picnicking, jogging, fishing, playing tennis, or simply chatting with friends in the community center looking out on the lake, this is without doubt a special spot. Its gorgeous scenery and numerous options will keep you coming back throughout the year. On a steamy summer day, however, head to the café in the boathouse, get a refreshing ice tea or ice pop and jump into a paddle boat. In this neck of the woods, there's no better way to cool off!

Verona Public Library: A recently completed restoration and renovation of its historic Carnegie building enabled the library to create “an environment conducive to providing 21st-century library services.” Its physical rejuvenation provides comfortable furnishings, additional computer stations and community meeting rooms, and spaces dedicated to the particular interests of diverse age groups.

The town also contains portions of two other remarkable recreation sites: the 408-acre Eagle Rock Reservation and the 284-acre Hilltop Reservation. Eagle Rock sits atop the mountain that is closer to New York, and has the distinction of being the oldest county-run park in the United States. Hilltop, on the other hand, is among the newest parks in Essex County. Located on Verona’s western ridge, it’s a nature preserve located on Second Watchung Mountain with walking/running/biking trails that follow the ridge line. It was recently certified as a wildlife refuge.  

Fair in the Square: Held in early December, this town-organized event is approaching its 25th anniversary.  Dozens of crafters and other vendors, nonprofit groups and municipal agencies set up displays on the town green in the Civic Center. The fair also features live entertainment, children's activities, and food and beverages from local eateries.

dining

Ariane Kitchen & Bar. Ariane moved her multi-starred restaurant from Montclair and acquired a liquor license along the way. Sophisticated food and a dynamic bar scene.

Verona Inn. An institution in Verona, established in 1950, it’s long been a go-to for families to dine and young adults to celebrate their first legal drink. Good drinks, good food, good times!

Nick’s Salugo Bistro. The small rustic dining room serves gourmet pizzas, a large selection of subs, sandwiches and pasta, an an upscale dinner menu, including entrees such as braciola, skirt steak and veal saltimbocca.

Aroy-D The Thai Elephant. A restaurant that evolved from a hugely successful food-truck operation, The Thai Elephant serves a large menu of that includes fresh salads, rolls, noodle dishes, soups, curries, and stir fries. Don’t miss the Thai pumpkin custart and mango with sticky rice for dessert.

Dolce Marie. A morning and afternoon destination with a delicious breakfast and brunch meu, soup and sandwich offerings for lunch, and a nice selection of baked goods, coffees and teas.

Verona Diner. Conveniently located near the Verona Community Pool – with free delivery to your loung chair – the diner serves all the classics to satisfy your cravings at any time of the day.

schools

Verona's highly-rated public-school system consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. (Before- and after-school programs are offered at some of the elementary schools and by a number of houses of worship.) Several private schools, both sectarian and non-sectarian, are also located in Verona and its adjacent communities.

Click here for more information on Verona's public schools.

transportation

By bus: Though service is currently suspended during the pandemic, DeCamp’s #33 takes you to and from Manhattan’s Port Authority Bus Terminal in about 50 minutes, running from early morning through late in the evening. DeCamp also runs an express bus on Lakeside Avenue at peak times.

In addition, NJ Transit operates a pair of bus routes through Verona that can get you to neighboring towns and shopping malls, as well as Newark's expanding business and entertainment centers.  

Click here for NJ Transit bus and train information.

By car: Verona is just a few miles from major highways such as Interstates 80 and 280, NJ Route 3, and the Garden State Parkway.

Important numbers and links

Town Website
Mayor: (973) 857-4770
Manager: (973) 857-4767
Police Department: (973) 239-5000
Fire Department: (973) 857-1078
Library: (973) 857-4848
Recreation: (973) 857-4830
Board of Education: (973) 571-2029

NEW JERSEY: FUN FACTS

New Jersey has more racehorses than Kentucky.
Two-thirds of the world’s eggplants are grown in New Jersey. 
New Jersey is the world leader in blueberry and cranberry production.  
In 1642, America’s first brewery opened in Hoboken. 
Les Paul invented the first solid-body electric guitar in Mahwah, New Jersey.
We saved the best for last – Bruce Springsteen is our native son! (But then again, don’t we all know that?)