New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a vibrant city with history, culture, and entertainment. Home to Rutgers University and known for its diverse community, this charming city offers many activities for visitors and locals alike. Let’s explore 38 fun things in New Brunswick that showcase its parks, museums, and more.

New Brunswick offers a rich tapestry of experiences for visitors and residents alike. The city’s parks provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. With its expansive grounds and historic buildings, Buccleuch Park invites visitors to step back in time while enjoying nature. Johnson Park, stretching along the Raritan River, offers a perfect blend of recreational facilities and natural beauty.

For those seeking a more immersive nature experience, the Rutgers University Ecological Preserve provides hiking trails and the chance to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. The city’s cultural scene is equally impressive.

The Zimmerli Art Museum stands out as a world-class institution, housing an extensive collection that spans various periods and styles. Theater enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice, with venues like the State Theatre New Jersey, Crossroads Theatre Company, and George Street Playhouse offering diverse performances throughout the year. New Brunswick’s connection to Rutgers University significantly enhances its educational and cultural offerings.

The university’s museums, including the Geology Museum and the Physics Lecture Hall Museum, provide fascinating insights into natural history and scientific progress. The campus, with its historic buildings and beautiful green spaces, is worth exploring.

Stroll through Buccleuch Park. This 78-acre park features beautiful gardens, walking trails, and historic buildings. Visitors can enjoy picnics, sports, or relax in nature.
Visit the Zimmerli Art Museum. Housing over 60,000 works of art, the Zimmerli is one of the largest university-based museums in the country. It showcases American, European, Russian, and Soviet nonconformist art.
Catch a show at the State Theatre in New Jersey. This historic venue hosts a variety of performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, and comedy acts. The theater’s stunning architecture adds to the experience.
Explore the Rutgers Gardens. Spanning 180 acres, these beautiful botanical gardens offer a peaceful retreat. Don’t miss the bamboo forest and the rhododendron collection.
Learn at the Geology Museum, Part of Rutgers University; this museum houses an impressive collection of minerals, fossils, and dinosaur tracks.
Enjoy a performance at the Crossroads Theatre Company. Known for its focus on works by and about African Americans, this theater company offers thought-provoking and entertaining productions.
Visit the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum. This museum, part of Rutgers University, houses an extensive collection of Soviet nonconformist art and American prints.
Take a stroll down Easton Avenue. This bustling street is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes, perfect for a day of exploring and dining.

Attend an event at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. This state-of-the-art facility hosts a variety of performances and events throughout the year.
Explore Johnson Park. Located along the Raritan River, this park offers walking trails, sports facilities, and a small zoo.
Visit the Rutgers University Geology Museum. Discover fascinating geological specimens and learn about the Earth’s history at this small but informative museum.
Enjoy a show at the George Street Playhouse. This professional theater company produces various plays and musicals throughout the year.
Take a campus tour of Rutgers University. Explore the historic campus of one of America’s oldest universities, founded in 1766.
Visit the Kirkpatrick Chapel. This beautiful 19th-century chapel on the Rutgers campus is known for its stunning stained glass windows.
Explore East Jersey Old Town Village by taking a step back in time at this collection of restored and reconstructed 18th—and 19th-century buildings.
Enjoy a meal at one of New Brunswick’s diverse restaurants. The city is known for its culinary scene, which offers everything from fine dining to casual ethnic eateries.
Visit the New Brunswick Free Public Library. This historic library, built in 1903, offers a quiet place to read, research, and host community events.
Take a walk along the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail. This scenic trail follows the historic canal and offers walking, biking, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Attend a Rutgers sporting event, Cheer on the Scarlet Knights, at a football game at SHI Stadium or a basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
Visit the Rutgers University Ecological Preserve. This 316-acre preserve offers hiking trails and the chance to observe local flora and fauna.
Explore the New Brunswick Cultural Center. This complex houses several arts organizations and hosts various cultural events yearly.
Visit the Kilmer House. Learn about the life of poet Joyce Kilmer at his childhood home, which is now a museum.
Enjoy live music at the New Brunswick Jazz Project. This organization hosts regular jazz performances at various venues around the city.
Take a cooking class at Elijah’s Promise Culinary School. Learn new culinary skills while supporting a local non-profit organization.
Visit the Christ Church in New Brunswick. This historic Episcopal church, dating back to 1742, offers beautiful architecture and a rich history.

Explore the Rutgers University Art Library. This specialized library houses an extensive collection of art books and resources.
Attend the Hub City Sounds Festival. This annual summer music festival showcases local and regional talent across various genres.
Visit the New Jersey Folk Festival, held annually on the Rutgers campus. This festival celebrates folk music and traditions from around the world.
Explore the Rutgers University Geology Hall, a historic building that houses geological specimens and exhibits, including a mastodon skeleton.
Take a ghost tour of New Brunswick. On a guided tour, learn about the city’s spooky history and alleged hauntings.

Visit the Rutgers University Physics Lecture Hall Museum. This small museum showcases historic scientific instruments and apparatus.
Enjoy a picnic at Donaldson Park. This riverside park offers beautiful views, sports facilities, and plenty of space for outdoor activities.
Take a class at the Rutgers Center for Adult Education. Learn something new through courses ranging from art and language to technology and business skills.
Visit the New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee Museum. Through exhibits and programs, learn about the city’s African American history and culture.
Explore the Rutgers University Voorhees Mall. This historic area of the Rutgers campus features beautiful architecture and green spaces.

Attend a farmers’ market. The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market offers fresh, local produce and artisanal goods.
Visit the Rutgers University Mason Gross Galleries. These galleries showcase work by the Mason Gross School of the Arts students and faculty.
Enjoy a performance by the American Repertory Ballet. This professional ballet company performs classical and contemporary works throughout the year.

The city’s culinary scene reflects its diverse community. From fine dining establishments to casual ethnic eateries, New Brunswick offers a gastronomic journey worldwide. The New Brunswick Community Farmers Market showcases the bounty of local farms and artisans, connecting residents and visitors with fresh, locally sourced products.

Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy in New Brunswick. The New Brunswick Jazz Project brings regular jazz performances to various venues around the city, while the annual Hub City Sounds Festival celebrates a wide range of musical genres.

The New Jersey Folk Festival on the Rutgers campus offers a unique opportunity to experience folk traditions worldwide. For those interested in history, New Brunswick has much to offer.

The East Jersey Old Town Village provides a glimpse into 18th—and 19th-century life, while the Kilmer House celebrates the legacy of poet Joyce Kilmer. The New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee Museum honors and explores the city’s African American heritage.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a culture vulture, a food lover, or a history buff, New Brunswick has something to offer. The city’s diverse attractions, vibrant community, and rich history make it a destination worth exploring.

New Brunswick invites visitors to discover its many facets and create lasting memories, from its beautiful parks and world-class museums to its thriving theater scene and culinary delights.