'''The Borough of Highland Park''' [http://hpboro.com] is a charming residential community in Middlesex County, New Jersey. It lies between the county seat of New Brunswick and Edison Township and has an area of less than two square miles and a population of approximately 14,000 people. It was first settled by Europeans in the seventeenth century but began to develop in the late 19th century. Highland Park High School, home of the Owls, is known for its fine academic program.
Get in
Highland Park is normally visited by crossing the Raritan River Bridge from neighboring New Brunswick. The main street through town is Raritan Avenue, also designated NJ Route 27. The nearest train station is less than a mile away in New Brunswick. Parking is plentiful along streets and in municipal lots in the shopping district. Regular bus service is provided by New Jersey Transit [http://www.njtransit.com/sf_bu.shtml].
Get around
Because of its small size, almost everything in Highland Park is within walking distance. Alternatively, personal auto or the bus are other means of transportation.
See
'''Donaldson Park''' along the Raritan River makes for a great family outing with boating, bicycle riding, baseball/softball, and picnic groves among the attractions. It is reached by traveling south on either 2nd or 3rd Avenues. There is no admission charge.
'''Livingston Homestead''' is a Greek Revival house with Colonial Revival modifications. It was built around 1843 by relatives of the Reverend John H. Livingston, the president of Queens College (now Rutgers University). The grand house is located on a quiet, tree-lined street in a residential neighborhood at 81 Harrison Avenue. Listed in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
'''Livingston Manor Historic District''' is an early 20th century, planned development of houses created by Watson Whittlesey on the former farmlands around the Livingston Homestead. Bounded by River Road, Cleveland, Madison, and Lawrence Avenues, the district is listed in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
'''The Castle''' at 433 River Road. Constructed in 1926 for J. Seward Johnson and his first wife and children. The architect won a silver medal in 1928. The Castle is now headquarters of a private business.
'''Former Cenacle Retreat House''' at 411 River Road. This is Highland Park's most historic site. The house was constructed as a summer house for a wealthy New Yorker, A.V. Hoffmann around 1840. The Johnson family (of Johnson & Johnson) owned it from 1890 to 1950, when Robert Wood Johnson, Jr. gave the estate to the Sisters of the Cenacle.
Buy
'''Academy of Art of Highland Park & Gallery''', 727 Raritan Ave, (732) 777-2085
"'''Centerpiece Gifts''', 312 Raritan Ave, (732) 418-2000
'''B. Beamesderfer Gallery''', 6 No. 2nd Ave, (732) 249-6971
'''Judaica Gallery''' bookstore, 300 Raritan Ave, (732) 828-7722
'''Through the Moongate''' Artisan Gallery and Gift Store, 425 Raritan Ave, (732) 729-9344
'''Over the Moon Toys''' Specialty Toy Store, 427 Raritan Ave, (732) 545-0096
Eat
'''Charlie Brown's Steakhouse''', Raritan and 3rd Ave., (732) 545-1778
'''Pithari Taverna''', 28 Woodbridge Ave., (732) 572-0721
'''Seven Hills of Istanbul Mediterranean Grill House''', 441 Raritan Ave., (732) 745-1316
'''Shanghai Park''', 239 Raritan Ave., (732) 247-8813
'''The Dish Cafe''', 325 Raritan Ave.
'''Pad Thai''', 217 Raritan Ave., (732) 247-9636
'''Aposto Pizzeria and Restaurant''', 76 Raritan Ave., (732) 745-9011
Drink
'''Pad Thai''', 217 Raritan Ave., (732) 247-9636
'''Charlie Browns''', 247 Raritan Ave., (732) 545-1778
'''Park Pub''', 182 Woodbridge Ave., (732) 572-2172
'''Polo Pub''', 1165 Raritan Ave., (732) 572-9511
Sleep
'''Hyatt Regency''', 2 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ is about 1/4 mile southwest of the borough.
The Heldrich Hotel, 10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ, is about 1/2 mile southwest of the borough.