'''Paramus''' is a major shopping town in New Jersey. Many people from all over the New York metropolitan area (especially people from New York City and Westchester) come here to shop along New Jersey state highways 4 and 17, as well as at the Westfield Garden State Plaza, Paramus Park, and (by extension, because it's actually in Hackensack), the Riverside Square malls. This is because of New Jersey's lower tax than New York overall, and because New Jersey does not tax clothing.

It is important to note that Paramus is in Bergen County, New Jersey, which still continues its traditional blue laws on Sundays. '''Every shopping destination is closed on Sunday except for restaurants'''. This is to have at least one day a week where the traffic is light.

Get in

There are many ways to get in to Paramus. Many New Yorkers take the George Washington Bridge to the Garden State Parkway or straight onto state route 4. Overall, Paramus is extremely accessable due to a large network of major roads surrounding it, including Interstates 80 and 95, the Garden State Park, and state routes 4, 17, and 208.

Get around

Car or bus. Everything is within about 3 square miles, maybe even a bit less, but a car is necessary.

See

Do

Buy

Paramus has the highest per-year retail sales in the United States, at more than five billion dollars. There are three major malls: the Garden State Plaza, the Paramus Park Mall, and the Riverside Square Mall. Many major department stores actually have locations at more than one of these malls because of shopper convenience. IKEA has a major store here as well, across from the Garden State Plaza.

Eat

The malls themselves are eating meccas, especially the Riverside Square Mall, which recently underwent a huge renovation that included the addition of a Rosa Mexicano, PF Changs, and Maggiano's, to go along with the Cheesecake Factory, Houston's, Thai Kitchen, McCormick and Schmick's, and Morton's Steakhouse. Ironically, on any given weekend night except Sunday, the wait at each restaurant is '''at least''' one hour long. Overall, Houston's seems to have the longest right now, as I've waited there for two hours before being seated. So, in essence, the three new restaurants hasn't eased the strain on the old ones.

The Garden State Plaza has a Grand Lux Cafe (a more upscale and larger offshoot of The Cheesecake Factory), a Papa Razzi, a California Pizza Kitchen, and a Chili's.

The Paramus Park Mall has a food court.

Drink

  • Houlihans. oute 4 West. Most places in New Jersey cease to serve alcohol shortly before 2. Houlihans on Route 4 West operates solely as a bar from 2am to 3am. It's a nice place to hang out and have a drink. However, watch your personal belongings. Some shady things have happened there.

    Sleep

  • Comfort Inn & Suites - Paramus, NJ. 11 Route 17 South. 01-261-8686. ttp://www.comfortinnparamus.com/.

  • Marriott Courtyard Paramus. 20 Route 17 North. 01-599-1414 . ttp://www.marriott.com/EWRCP .

    Contact

    Get out