TLDR
A great Montclair weekend involves: Saturday morning farmers market on Walnut Street, brunch at Raymond's or Pig & Prince, an afternoon at Eagle Rock Reservation, and a show at the Wellmont Theater. Add the Montclair Art Museum for a cultural anchor.
Things to Do in Montclair NJ This Weekend
Montclair has more going on per square mile than almost any other suburb in New Jersey. Whether you're a long-time resident or visiting for the first time, here's how to spend a weekend here like a local.
Saturday Morning
Walnut Street Farmers Market
Open Saturdays May through November. One of the best farmers markets in Essex County — local produce, baked goods, flowers, cheese, and prepared foods. Gets crowded after 10am so go early.
💡 Get there by 9am for best selection
Coffee at Fournos or Café Vero
Fuel up before exploring. Fournos on Bloomfield Ave has the best espresso in town. Café Vero is the classic local institution for a quick cortado.
💡 Order ahead on weekends
Montclair Art Museum
Open Tuesday–Sunday. Rotating exhibitions of American and Native American art. The permanent collection includes work by George Inness, who lived in Montclair. The Sunday Family Art Lab is great for kids.
💡 Free admission first Sunday of each month
Saturday Afternoon
Eagle Rock Reservation
A 408-acre county park on the ridge overlooking the NYC skyline. The view from Eagle Rock is genuinely spectacular — you can see the Manhattan skyline clearly on a good day. Well-maintained trails, dog-friendly, and never feels crowded on weekdays.
Bloomfield Avenue Walk
Montclair's main commercial strip has excellent independent retail — Watchung Booksellers, small boutiques, wine shops, and galleries. The stretch from Bay Street to Upper Montclair is walkable and interesting.
Yogi Berra Museum (nearby Montclair State)
Just outside town on the Montclair State campus. A surprisingly excellent baseball and cultural history museum dedicated to one of the game's legends. Worth 90 minutes for any sports fan.
Saturday Evening
Dinner on Bloomfield Ave
Fascino for a special occasion. Mesob Ethiopian for a group. Samba for casual Latin food and cocktails. The restaurant strip is dense enough that you can walk in and find something without a reservation mid-week.
Wellmont Theater
One of the best mid-size music venues in the state. Hosts national touring acts in an intimate 2,500-person theater. Check their schedule before visiting — show nights transform the whole downtown area.
Tierney's or The Gaslight
Tierney's Tavern is the classic Montclair bar — unpretentious, local crowd, good beer selection. The Gaslight is livelier with more of a late-night scene.
Family-Friendly Weekend Activities
Turtle Back Zoo
West Orange (10 min)
One of the best zoos in NJ — walkable, well-maintained, and not overwhelmingly large.
Anderson Park Pool
Montclair
Outdoor community pool open summers. A neighborhood institution.
Montclair Library Story Times
Downtown Montclair
Free programming for young kids throughout the week and on weekends.
Presby Iris Gardens
Upper Montclair
Free, stunning iris garden — best in May when everything is in bloom.
FAQ
What is Montclair NJ known for?
Montclair is known for its vibrant arts scene (Montclair Art Museum, Wellmont Theater, Montclair Film Festival), diverse dining on Bloomfield Avenue, excellent public schools with a magnet system, and its position as one of NJ's best NYC commuter towns.
Is Montclair NJ worth visiting?
Yes — especially if you appreciate walkable downtown areas, good food, and cultural programming. Bloomfield Avenue rivals many urban commercial strips. It's easily reachable from NYC by NJ Transit in under an hour.
When is the Montclair farmers market?
The Walnut Street Farmers Market runs Saturdays from approximately late April through November. Hours are typically 8am–1pm. Check the Montclair Farmers Market website for the current season's schedule.