Paterson – Travel Guide At Wikivoyage

Paterson was the nation's first planned industrial city. It was established in 1791. The Paterson falls were a key element in the success of Paterson as the industrial leader of the nation during this time. The 77-foot falls' power was harnessed and provided power for the many industries in Paterson. Paterson was a rich city and enjoyed success throughout the late 1700s, 1800s and early 1900s (up until the 1950s). Paterson was nicknamed the silk city for its dominant role in the production in silk during the mid 1800s.

The city began to decline during the 1960s and 1970s was due to several factors. Many industries during this time began moving to the Midwest, and at the same time, many African Americans were moving into the city from the south. Factories were closing at the same time African Americans moved in looking for employment. Many white residents began leaving the city due to the declining economy. The opening of malls in nearby Paramus and Wayne also took away significant business from the city's downtown shopping district.

With a crippled economy and high unemployment rate, Paterson was becoming a ghetto. During the 1980s, crime increased significantly in the city. Crime rates dropped in the 1990s, but still remain high. There are many efforts underway to help revive the city. Despite the city's bad reputation, high crime rates, and poverty, there are a lot of places to go and things to do in this city. The city is very diverse and contains a very high population of Hispanics of all nationalities, African Americans, Italian Americans, South Asians and Arabs. There are numerous parks, ethnic places to eat, shop, hang out, and see.

Neighborhoods

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This city has a number of distinctive neighborhoods:

Great Falls District This is the district in which the Great Falls and Paterson Museum is located. This section is just west of Downtown and is near I-80. Though the area fell on to hard times as jobs from the mills moved out, there are many plans to revive the area and some redevelopment has already taken place as of 2023.

Downtown Paterson is the main commercial area of the city. The Paterson Bus Station is on Broadway. The Paterson Train Station is on Market St. Through this isn't the shopping mecca that it once was, many people still flock to the Downtown Area to buy clothes, items, and various goods. Paterson City Hall, The Passaic County Court House Annex, and various buildings are architectural landmarks that are relics of Paterson's Golden Age. There is a Little Italy subsection on and near Cianci St. That have many Italian shops, clubs, and food store. Also, a "Little Lima" subsection is on Market St., just west of City Hall. It is home to one of the largest Peruvian sections in the nation. There are many Peruvian restaurants that serve ceviche (Peruvian sushi) and chifa (Chinese Peruvian food) on market. The City Center mall opened in 2008.

EastSide Park in the city's 3rd Ward, EastSide Park is known for its mansions and colonial style homes. The eponymous park is where many Patersonians come to enjoy the nature and large homes that were once home to Paterson's rich and political leaders. This area was once home to many Jewish families. There is still a massive synagogue on E. 33rd St. that is a landmark in the city.

Manor Section is a quiet tree line area of Paterson, that is located near Eastside Park. North of Broadway and Southwest of McLean Blvd. (Route 20). This is in the city's 3rd Ward.

South Paterson in the city's 6th ward, is just south of 1-80 and North of the city of Clifton. This is a thriving Arab area that is said to be home to the second largest percentage of Arab population in the country, behind Dearborn, Michigan, which is how the district got its nickname, Little Ramallah. Many restaurants that offer falafel, gyros, pitas, and many other types of Arab cuisine. Shops, and retail stores are located on Main Street. There is also a large Spanish population in that area along Main Street, and Railroad Ave. St. Joseph's Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the state, is on Main St.

LakeView in the city's 6th ward is a quiet, middle class area that is east of South Paterson and south of the Eastside. Paterson's Farmers Market, one of the largest in New Jersey, is on and near Railroad Ave. It is an area where residents and visitors alike buy fresh produce and meat from the many shops and markets.

Hillcrest, in the 2nd ward, is a middle class to lower middle-class area near Totowa, NJ. Union Ave., and Chamberland Ave., are main streets for this area. West Side Park is in this area.

People's Park, near 21st Ave (South of Market St. North of 23rd Ave), is a major Spanish and Italian neighborhood. Restaurants, shops and all types of business are in this section. One can enjoy Columbian, Peruvian, Dominican, or Italian foods by walking down or near 21st Ave.

Wrigley Park is a mostly African-American section that is known to many Patersonians as "Fourth Ward". It is one of the poorest areas in Paterson. Broadway, Madison Ave, 12th Ave, Hamilton Ave, have been known to be not safe at times, crime and drugs are known are frequent throughout this section. It is still one of the most dangerous sections of an already quite dangerous city.

Sandy Hill, in the city's 5th ward, is a mostly Dominican section of Paterson. Le Fe Restaurant is one of the most popular throughout the city.

North Side is a mostly African-American and Latino section. The North Side suffers from the same effects as Wrigley Park. This section has many hills that offer views of Manhattan on a clear sunny day. This area is in the city's 1st Ward.

Totowa Section, on and near Union Ave., near the North Side, is a mostly Spanish area with a rising Bengali population. Shops and restaurants are located on Union Ave. This section is in the city's 1st and 2nd ward.

Stoney Road, near the falls and downtown, is Paterson's most south-west section. It is home to the Lou Costello Pool which is packed during the summer. Also, Pennington Park and Hayden Heights. Murry Ave, and McBride Ave, are main streets in this section. This area retains a strong Italian presence. This section is in the city's 2nd Ward.

Riverside, one of Paterson's largest section by area, is bounded by the Passaic River which separates the city from Fair Lawn and Hawthorne. This area can go from being quiet and middle class, to urban and industrial in some parts. Madison Ave is the main street for this area. This area is home to many Spanish and African-Americans. As well as a sizable white community. This area is in the city's 3rd and 4th Ward.

EastSide is another large area of Paterson. Mostly made up of smaller districts (Wrigly Park, Sandy Hill or parts of Riverside, and Eastside Park "Eastside"). Eastside is a section to itself north of South Paterson and Lakeview, east of downtown and west of the Passaic River. This is mostly a working class to middle class section of the city.