Jersey City Staycation with Canopy By Hilton
In life, you really need a group of solid girlfriends. I’ve heard that if you’ve been friends for over six years, these friends will surely last a lifetime. Luckily for me, my two best girlfriends (that I’ve known for over a decade) came to visit, booked the trip the same week, and two days later I was squeezing them in my arms. With COVID regulations in play, we made sure everyone was tested and safe before meeting up and it was the sweetest reunion.
There was absolutely no way we were all going to fit in my small Brooklyn apartment, so our first stop was to check into the hotel, Canopy by Hilton in Jersey City’s Art District.
Our room was flooded with natural light with modern finishes in both the bedroom and bathroom. Bonus points for anticipating my morning coffee using the Nespresso. Canopy by Hilton is central to so many neighborhood favorites, walking distance to local cafes, malls, and nearby parks with breathtaking views.
After we got settled, we explored the Arts District neighborhood and got dinner at Broa Cafe, bringing delicious Portuguese food with its Mediterranean flare to New Jersey. It’s BYOB - use this information wisely!
If tapas are not your style, I would recommend Frankie’s, a natural wine bar and restaurant that transports you right back to summer.
The next day we were craving caffeine and stopped by Lackawanna Coffee . They have two different (but close) locations near our hotel. The one located on 295 Grove St has the cutest outdoor setup. P.S don’t skip out on their matcha!
The next day we took a 30 minute Uber to Long Island since we had all day passes to MoMa PS1. We viewed the Marking Time, Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration exhibit. Truthfully, it was heartbreaking. I witnessed a mere fraction of what their experiences were. It’s hard to grasp, and it never once occurred to me to think of cellmates as artists. I urge you to visit soon. It’s relatable to what’s happening in the world, and opens your eyes to the terrible injustices happening everyday.
After the museum, we went to Liberty State Park to picnic and enjoy some wine.
Went back to the hotel for another glass of wine before heading to the city to meet up with friends for dinner at Sugarfish (my first time!).
Sugarfish handrolls, I can die happy now.
After checking out of our amazing stay at Canopy by Hilton, we worked in their lobby for about 1.5 hours. It was quiet and safely-spaced for guests to get business done. Then we grabbed brunch at Short Grain before heading back to Williamsburg.
This staycation came at the right moment, and now I can’t wait to do it all again! It was such a memorable visit with my girls, exploring Jersey City, and admiring the beautiful city views from the other side. Grateful to share these moments with the ones I love!