New Jersey Rahway

Rahway, New Jersey, blends classic industrial-era charm with thriving arts-district energy and a proud, tight-knit community spirit rooted in its historic railroad and pharmaceutical heritage, all just minutes from the winding Rahway River and Union County’s vast park system. Locals live for walking or biking the Rahway River Greenway, kayaking Milton Lake, fishing at Rahway River Park, or heading to the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) for world-class shows and community events. The vibrant downtown Arts District and historic Main Street keep the social scene buzzing with seasonal festivals, Art Walks, and events that bring neighbors together year after year.

Hiking, Biking & Trails
Rahway is a hidden trail gem in Union County, boasting the Rahway River Greenway (part of the East Coast Greenway), the 5-mile Rahway River Parkway trail system, and direct connections to the 9-mile Union County Rahway River Trail network. These paved and natural paths wind along the scenic Rahway River, through wetlands, woodlands, and historic neighborhoods, linking residents to Rahway River Park, Milton Lake, Meridia Water’s Edge, and the broader Union County trail system toward Clark, Cranford, and the Watchung Reservation.

Family-Friendly Activities
Families flock to the splash pads and playgrounds at Rahway River Park and Madden Field, the hands-on exhibits at the Rahway Library’s children’s wing and the nearby Liberty Hall Museum at Kean University, and the beautiful gardens and lake at Milton Lake Park. The Rahway Farmers Market (Thursdays June–October on Irving Street) brings fresh Garden State produce, artisan goods, live music, and food trucks downtown, while the city’s spectacular Fourth of July fireworks at Rahway River Park and the annual Holiday Tree Lighting with Santa remain beloved traditions.

Local Breweries & Dining
Rahway’s craft beer scene thrives at spots like Wet Ticket Brewing Company and Ambeli Greek Taverna’s craft bar, both with cozy taprooms, outdoor seating, and frequent live music or trivia nights. For eats, The Irving Inn Social serves elevated American classics with local flair, Luciano’s Ristorante delivers generations-old Italian recipes, and Sabor Peruano keeps it fun and delicious with authentic Peruvian plates in a colorful, family-friendly setting perfect for celebrations.

Rahway is a haven for active lifestyles and sports fans, fueled by Rahway High School’s spirited athletics program and diverse urban recreation along the Rahway River—all just minutes from the bustling Union County parks system and 20 miles from Manhattan.

While Rahway has no major-league teams of its own, big-league action is right next door: cheer for the New York Yankees (MLB), Mets (MLB), Giants (NFL), Jets (NFL), Knicks (NBA), or Rangers (NHL) at Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, MetLife Stadium, or Madison Square Garden, or catch minor-league excitement with the Somerset Patriots (Double-A Yankees affiliate) in Bridgewater or the New Jersey Jackals (Frontier League) in Paterson, both under 30 minutes away. Rahway High Indians football, basketball, and track draw huge crowds at Memorial Field and the Recreation Center gym, with a proud tradition of Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference titles and state playoff runs.

Rahway Public Schools deliver electric high school action at Memorial Field (football and soccer), the Recreation Center (basketball and volleyball), and local baseball diamonds, with frequent sectional championships and rivalries in the Watchung Conference.

The city shines with outstanding facilities and welcoming green spaces. The Rahway Recreation Center offers indoor basketball courts, fitness classes, and youth leagues open to the public, while the YMCA of Rahway provides year-round swimming, climbing walls, and programs. The Parks & Recreation Department runs youth baseball, soccer, and adult softball leagues, and locals flock to tournament-grade fields at Brennan Field or cool off at splash pads in City Park and District Park.

Just minutes from downtown, the Rahway River Greenway and Rahway River Parkway offer biking, running, and walking, Milton Lake provides boating and fishing, and nearby Union County’s Watchung Reservation and Nomahegan Park add hiking and disc golf. With four distinct seasons—spring river blooms, summer trail runs, fall foliage hikes, and winter indoor leagues—Rahway inspires an active, adventure-filled lifestyle year-round.

Rahway, New Jersey, is an outdoor lover’s paradise nestled along the winding Rahway River and surrounded by the lush woodlands, lakes, and rolling hills of Union County is famous for. Bike or walk the Rahway River Greenway and East Coast Greenway, paddle or fish Milton Lake, hike the wooded trails of Rahway River Park, or drive 10 minutes to the 2,100-acre Watchung Reservation for waterfalls, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Thrill-seekers hit the singletrack at the Reservation’s Sierra Trail and the pump track at Rahway River Park, while families love disc golf at Rahway River Park, seasonal strawberry- and pumpkin-picking at nearby Dreyer Farms, and playgrounds plus splash pads at City Park and District Park.

History and culture weave through every outing. Step back in time along the Victorian storefronts of downtown Rahway and the Merchants & Drovers Tavern Museum (a 1790s stagecoach stop), visit the historic Union County Performing Arts Center—a restored 1928 vaudeville palace—or explore the Rahway Arts & Business District’s murals and galleries. Nearby, the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange adds inventor-era excitement to any weekend.

Year-round festivals—from the Rahway Jazz & Blues Festival and Taste of Rahway to the legendary Fourth of July fireworks at Rahway River Park, the Thursday-night Farmers Market, and the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting—keep the energy high and the community tight. Whether you crave a heart-pounding trail run under fiery fall maples or a quiet sunset kayak on Milton Lake, Rahway delivers authentic New Jersey adventures for every age and pace.

Rahway embraces year-round celebrations that highlight its Union County industrial heritage, arts-district energy, and vibrant community spirit.

Spring
As forsythia blooms and temperatures warm, Rahway comes alive with outdoor markets and cultural kickoffs. The Rahway Farmers Market launches its seasonal run (Thursdays June–October) on Irving Street with fresh Garden State produce, artisan goods, and live music, while the annual Earth Day events at Rahway River Park celebrate sustainability with family activities, native plant sales, and educational booths. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in January continue the tradition with marches, speeches, and community gatherings, fostering unity and reflection.

Summer
Summertime in Rahway hums with music, festivals, and riverfront leisure. The Rahway Jazz & Blues Festival brings free live bands and performances to the Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) every July, while First Friday Art Walks fill downtown galleries with new exhibits, food trucks, and artisan booths. The legendary Fourth of July fireworks at Rahway River Park dazzle with patriotic parades, concerts, and family fun, and nearby Rahway River Greenway, Milton Lake, and City Park invite boating, biking, swimming, and picnics amid blooming gardens and river breezes.

Fall
With fiery maples and crisp breezes, Rahway celebrates harvest season through fairs and craft gatherings. The Festival of the Moon (October 4–20, 2025) spotlights local makers with luminous moon installations, music, food trucks, a kids’ zone, and the Moonlit Market for artisan goods and lantern-lit evenings, while Rahway River Park hosts fall foliage walks, hayrides, and pumpkin patches for seasonal family adventures. The ongoing Rahway Farmers Market delivers autumn’s bounty of squash, cider, and crafts, and the Watchung Reservation sets the stage for leaf-peeping hikes, cozy bonfires, and community yard sales.

Winter
Rahway’s winter glows with festive markets and heartfelt traditions during the holiday season. The Tree Lighting returns November 28 for its annual run at City Hall Plaza with a dazzling parade, caroling, Santa visits, and shop-window displays downtown, while the Senior Christmas Party on December 10 features holiday crafts and treats at the Recreation Center. The UCPAC hosts holiday classics like “The Muppet Christmas Carol” screening and orchestral pops concerts, while high school basketball games at Rahway High pack the gym with cheers and hot cocoa tailgates. Theaters stage yuletide shows, and the Sensory Friendly Photos with Santa on November 29 rings in the season with crafts, family activities, and winter fun—nurturing joyful connections in the cozy New Jersey chill.

Throughout the year, Rahway’s calendar brims with farmers markets, art walks, music series, and neighborhood gatherings that reflect its welcoming, resilient character.