High above the Hudson River. Boulevard East snakes along the crest of the Palisades. This isn’t just any road. It’s a journey through time. A captivating blend of history and stunning views.
Boulevard East officially John F Kennedy Boulevard East. It’s a scenic thoroughfare. It winds through Weehawken West New York Guttenberg and North Bergen. Imagine the thrill of driving this road in 1913. It was considered perfect for motoring then.
Before its Kennedy era name. Boulevard East was known as Hudson Boulevard. The idea of a county-long road was discussed as early as the 1870s. Parts opened in 1896. By 1913 the entire route was complete. A remarkable feat of engineering for its time.
The road offers breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Since 2009 when Macy’s started its Fourth of July fireworks. Parts of Boulevard East close. Spectators enjoy the spectacular show from the best seats in the house. The road was even proposed for a Grand Prix race circuit.
Boulevard East’s southern end is crucial for accessing the Lincoln Tunnel. It passes the Art Deco toll plaza. The road curves and climbs northward. It reaches the Boulevard Curve. Then it follows the edge of the Palisades. The Hamilton Memorial is just south of the curve. Relocated from the Burr-Hamilton duel site. It stands as a reminder of history.
Further along. You’ll find Hamilton Plaza. Once home to El Dorado. A pleasure garden with casinos and exotic gardens. Now gone but not forgotten. At Liberty Place. You cross a defunct streetcar cut through. It once connected to an elevator and ferries at Weehawken Terminal.
Pershing Road connects the waterfront to Boulevard East. It was part of the Lincoln Highway. At the southwest corner of 49th Street. You’ll see the gabled house. Edward Hopper painted it in 1934. East Wind Over Weehawken. One of his most celebrated works.
Old Glory Park is near the West New York border. Much of the boulevard is lined with parks. There is a statue of Thomas M Donnelly. He was instrumental in preserving the Palisades. The trap rock walls are from quarry operations. Donnelly and the NJ Federation of Women’s Clubs worked to curtail them.
60th Street the main cross street. Became Hillside Road. Named for Anthony DeFino a mayor who served for 24 years. It connects Boulevard East to River Road. The road reaches a height of nearly 260 feet. Near the highest point in Hudson County. A fountain in the park at 60th Street. It honors the victims of September 11th.
The Galaxy Towers dominate Guttenberg. A Brutalist trio of octagonal buildings. They rise from the foot of the Palisades. Ferry Road runs underneath. In North Bergen’s Woodcliff Section. Once Hudson Heights. You’ll see a mix of homes and high-rises. Stonehenge a round modernist building is a notable feature.
Numerous bridges cross clefts in the cliffs. Many are nearly 100 years old. A section closed for six months in 2013. For bridge repairs. Boulevard East is more than just a road. It’s a living testament to New Jersey’s rich history. A scenic drive. A place for reflection and celebration.