10 Things to Do in Fort Lee NJ (2026 Guide)
Fort Lee sits at the western foot of the George Washington Bridge in Bergen County, New Jersey, zip code 07024. It is a well-connected borough: a short walk to the bridge, direct bus access to Midtown, and Palisades Interstate Park running along its eastern edge. If you are living here, moving here, or considering a home in Northern New Jersey, this guide covers the practical, the scenic, and the local.
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1. Hike and Picnic at Ross Dock Picnic Area
Ross Dock Picnic Area sits along the Hudson River just north of the George Washington Bridge inside Palisades Interstate Park. It is one of Fort Lee's main outdoor destinations, with open views across the Hudson. The area includes riverfront picnic tables, grills, restrooms, water access, a large playground, and direct entry to the Carpenter's Loop Trail (5.5 miles, moderate, approximately 2.5 hours round-trip). You can fish and crab from the riverfront. The views across the Hudson to upper Manhattan are unobstructed. Metered parking is in effect from April through October, so arrive early on weekends. The park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Local detail: Ross Dock is the southern entry point for Henry Hudson Drive, the riverside cycling and driving route that runs north through the park. The outdoor carnival scene from the Tom Hanks film Big was filmed here.
2. Explore Fort Lee Historic Park
Fort Lee Historic Park is a National Historic Landmark located at the top of the Palisades in Fort Lee, directly above the George Washington Bridge approach. The park preserves the site of Fort Constitution, the Revolutionary War fortification where General Washington's troops held the Hudson River crossing in 1776. The visitor center, open Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, includes two floors of exhibits on the 1776 campaign, replica artillery pieces, and a reconstructed army encampment. Entry is free. The overlook provides one of the clearest views of the George Washington Bridge and lower Manhattan available from New Jersey.
Important note as of June 2026: Fort Lee Historic Park is currently closed for assessment of potential rockfall hazards. No reopening date has been established. Check njpalisades.org for current status before visiting.
3. Take the Bus to Manhattan (It Takes 30 Minutes)
Fort Lee is served by several NJ Transit bus routes. NJ Transit routes 154, 156, 158, and 159 run from stops along Main Street, Center Avenue, and Bridge Plaza to Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown Manhattan and to the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Washington Heights. Rockland Coaches (Coach USA) also serves Fort Lee with commuter runs to Port Authority. Bridge Plaza, located at the foot of the GWB on the Fort Lee side, is the central transit hub with frequent departures throughout the day. Typical ride time to Port Authority is approximately 30 minutes under normal conditions. For real-time arrivals, use NJ Transit's MyBus app.
Commuter detail: The GWB Bus Station on the Manhattan side (at West 178th Street) connects directly to the A train subway line, giving Fort Lee residents a one-transfer path to most of Manhattan without driving.
4. Walk Main Street and Lemoine Avenue for Restaurants and Shops
Fort Lee's Main Street and Lemoine Avenue corridor functions as the town's walkable commercial center. Standout categories include Korean BBQ, Japanese ramen, and Korean fried chicken, with multiple well-reviewed independent restaurants concentrated between Main Street and Palisade Avenue. The area also includes Korean grocery stores, bakeries, and specialty food shops, destinations in their own right for residents and visitors from surrounding towns. The Jack Alter Fort Lee Community Center on Whiteman Street runs ongoing programming including fitness classes, recreation programs, and community events throughout the year. Check fortleenj.org for the current schedule.
5. Check the Fort Lee Film Commission and Cultural Events
Fort Lee has a documented historical claim as the birthplace of American cinema. Before Hollywood, early film studios including Edison, Fox, and Biograph operated in Fort Lee during the 1900s and 1910s. The Fort Lee Film Commission maintains this history and periodically hosts screenings, walking tours, and educational events connected to the borough's film heritage. The community also holds seasonal events including a summer concert series and the Fort Lee Business District's annual programming through bdafortlee.com. For current listings, check the borough events calendar at fortleenj.org/calendar.
6. Visit the George Washington Bridge and Bridge Plaza
The George Washington Bridge is Fort Lee's defining landmark. The lower level opened in 1962 and added a second deck to what was already the world's busiest motor vehicle bridge. From Bridge Plaza on the Fort Lee side, pedestrians and cyclists can access the bridge walkway, a 4,760-foot crossing with direct views of upper Manhattan, the Hudson River, and the Palisades cliffs. The walkway is open year-round. Bridge Plaza is also the departure point for the Columbia Transportation shuttle to Columbia University Medical Center in Washington Heights, serving Fort Lee residents who work or study at the medical campus.
7. Use the Palisades Interstate Park Trail System
Palisades Interstate Park runs north from Fort Lee along the Hudson River for 12 miles through Bergen County into Rockland County, New York. The park covers more than 2,500 acres and includes over 30 miles of hiking trails, riverfront cycling routes on Henry Hudson Drive, fishing access, boat launch facilities at Hazard's Ramp, and the Englewood Boat Basin farther north. Entry to the trail system from the Fort Lee side is at Ross Dock Picnic Area. The Shore Trail is the primary north-south hiking route, running along the base of the Palisades cliffs from Fort Lee to the New York state line. The park is managed by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
8. Access Fort Lee via Multiple Transit Connections
Beyond the NJ Transit bus routes, Fort Lee residents have several secondary transit options worth knowing:
- Private jitney service runs along Route 4 and through the GWB corridor.
- NY Waterway ferry at Edgewater Ferry Landing, 989 River Road (approximately 10 minutes south by car) provides an alternative Manhattan connection via the Hudson River, with stops in lower Manhattan and Midtown West.
- The A train at 175th Street in Washington Heights is a 10-minute walk from the GWB Bus Station, providing subway access to the full length of Manhattan.
- Path Train at Journal Square in Jersey City (approximately 20 minutes south) offers a direct connection to the World Trade Center and 33rd Street.
Fort Lee residents who know these options use different combinations depending on their Manhattan destination and time of day.
9. Shop at Palisades Center and Hudson Lights
For larger retail and entertainment, Fort Lee residents have two regional options within close range:
- Palisades Center Mall (West Nyack, NY, approximately 20 minutes north via the George Washington Bridge) is a large enclosed mall, with over 200 stores, a bowling alley, and indoor attractions.
- Hudson Lights (Fort Lee, on Route 1-9) is a mixed-use retail and residential development at the southern end of Fort Lee with restaurants, a movie theater (AMC Dine-In), and direct access from the GWB approach road.
10. Plan Your Civic Calendar Using Fort Lee Borough Resources
Fort Lee Borough holds regular Planning Board meetings, Zoning Board meetings, Mayor and Council sessions, and community events at Borough Hall at 309 Main Street, Fort Lee, NJ 07024. The borough's online calendar at fortleenj.org/calendar lists upcoming meetings, community programs, and Jack Alter Community Center events. The Fort Lee Public Library at 320 Main Street offers programming, event space, and digital resources. For residents who want to stay engaged in the community, these are the primary access points for local government and civic programming.
Why Fort Lee NJ Homeowners Work with Scott Selleck
Scott Selleck is a Bergen County REALTOR, SRES, e-PRO, with The Selleck Group at Keller Williams City Views Realty. Licensed since 1993. 500+ transactions, counting buyer and seller sides. NJ Real Estate Broker / Sales Associate #9236275. Licensure does not imply endorsement. His office is at 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, Fort Lee, NJ 07024, inside the borough. Scott specializes in home selling services, expired and cancelled listing solutions, and NJ to Florida transition advisory.
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5 Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Lee NJ
What is the best way to get from Fort Lee NJ to New York City? The most practical option for most Fort Lee residents is the NJ Transit bus from Bridge Plaza or Main Street stops, with routes 154, 156, 158, and 159 connecting to Port Authority Bus Terminal in approximately 30 minutes. Rockland Coaches also runs commuter service. Driving across the George Washington Bridge is feasible off-peak but adds significantly more time during rush hour. The NY Waterway ferry from Edgewater (10 minutes south by car) is a good alternative for destinations in lower or midtown Manhattan.
What bus lines serve Fort Lee NJ? NJ Transit routes 154, 156, 158, and 159 serve Fort Lee with service to Port Authority Bus Terminal and the GWB Bus Station in Washington Heights. Private jitney service also runs through the GWB corridor. Bridge Plaza at the foot of the GWB is the main transit hub for Fort Lee. Use the MyBus app from NJ Transit for real-time arrivals.
What parks and outdoor activities are available in Fort Lee NJ? Fort Lee has direct access to Palisades Interstate Park, which includes Ross Dock Picnic Area (picnicking, fishing, crabbing, playground), Fort Lee Historic Park (currently closed for safety assessment as of June 2026), and over 30 miles of hiking trails including the Shore Trail running north along the Hudson River cliffs. The park is open daily 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
What is Fort Lee NJ known for? Fort Lee is known as the western terminus of the George Washington Bridge, as one of the original American film production centers (1900s-1910s), for the Korean restaurants and food shops along Main Street and Lemoine Avenue, and for Palisades Interstate Park running along its eastern edge. In Bergen County real estate, Fort Lee (07024) is recognized for its commuter access to Manhattan and high-density residential options along the Palisades.
What is the zip code for Fort Lee NJ? Fort Lee, NJ is zip code 07024. It is located in Bergen County on the Hudson River, directly adjacent to the George Washington Bridge approach.
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Contact Scott Selleck
Keller Williams City Views Realty, Real Estate Broker
Scott Selleck, REALTOR, SRES, e-PRO
Broker / Sales Associate | The Selleck Group | KW City Views Realty
2200 Fletcher Avenue, Suite 502, Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Cell 201-970-3960 | Office 201-592-8900
[email protected] | SelleckSellsNJ.com
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NJ Real Estate Broker / Sales Associate #9236275. Licensure does not imply endorsement.
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