A small memorial on Palisade Avenue near Lafayette Avenue preserves the memory of the famous amusement park that once straddled Cliffside Park and Fort Lee.
Hudson Palisades · Local history · NYC access
Visit Cliffside Park, New Jersey
Cliffside Park is primarily a residential borough, but it offers a distinctive North Jersey visit built around Palisades Amusement Park history, Anderson Avenue dining, local parks and immediate access to the Hudson waterfront and Manhattan.
There is no major conventional hotel district inside Cliffside Park itself, so most overnight visitors use nearby Edgewater or Fort Lee while spending time in the borough.
What to see in Cliffside Park
Walk the borough's main commercial strip for cafés, bakeries, international restaurants, salons and neighborhood businesses.
A recognizable local green space that reflects the borough's compact neighborhood character.
Named for Cliffside Park brothers Anthony and Stanley Zalewski, who were killed during World War II.
Explore the eastern side of town and the transition toward cliff-edge residential areas and views beyond the borough.
The Cliffside Park Public Library and community history resources help connect today's borough with its trolley-park and amusement-park past.
Palisades Amusement Park legacy
Opened as a trolley park in 1898, Palisades Amusement Park grew into a nationally known destination with roller coasters, a huge saltwater pool and live entertainment. It closed on September 12, 1971. The property was divided between Cliffside Park and Fort Lee, and high-rise residences now stand on much of the former site.
Little Park of Memories: the Palisades Amusement Park Historical Society places the memorial in Cliffside Park on Palisade Avenue north of Lafayette Avenue, in front of Winston Towers building 300.
Nearby lodging
Current hotel directories do not show a conventional hotel inventory within Cliffside Park. These nearby properties in Edgewater and Fort Lee provide practical alternatives. Basic NJTGO lodging references do not include private booking links.
725 River Road
Edgewater, NJ 07020
201-943-3131
10 The Promenade
Edgewater, NJ 07020
201-941-4700
3 Pembroke Place
Edgewater, NJ 07020
201-945-5440
2117 Route 4 Eastbound
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
201-461-9000
NJTGO lodging policy: hotel references are factual basic listings. Direct private booking links, hotel website links, promotional photography and expanded sales copy are reserved for enhanced paid placement.
Transportation
A primary bus route through the Anderson Avenue corridor. Current service includes trips signed for Cliffside Park/Winston Towers and Manhattan-bound service.
Current NJ Transit service alerts identify Cliffside Park-to-Port Authority trips on Route 156 as well.
The Borough publishes a Free Ferry Shuttle link for residents. Verify the current schedule, stops and eligibility directly with Cliffside Park before planning around it.
Route 5, Anderson Avenue, Palisade Avenue, Gorge Road and Edgewater Road connect the borough to Fort Lee, Edgewater, North Bergen and regional highways.
Newark Liberty, LaGuardia and JFK are the major regional airports. Travel time varies substantially with tunnel, bridge and city traffic.
The borough's compact size makes Anderson Avenue and many neighborhood destinations walkable, although the Palisades terrain creates steep grades toward Edgewater.
Parking
Visitors should read posted curb rules carefully. Cliffside Park uses resident parking permits in regulated areas, while commercial areas include metered and municipal parking. The Towne Centre area has a municipal parking facility serving Anderson Avenue destinations.
Event and commuter parking: do not assume resident-permit streets, private lots or condominium parking are available to visitors. Signs and enforcement rules control.
Build a half-day or day trip
Visit the Palisades Amusement Park memorial, then walk or drive to Anderson Avenue for lunch, coffee or bakery stops.
Pair Cliffside Park with Edgewater's Hudson River waterfront, shopping and ferry area below the Palisades.
Add Fort Lee Historic Park and the George Washington Bridge area for Revolutionary War history and dramatic Hudson views.
Visitor resources
Borough of Cliffside ParkCurrent events, notices, public services and municipal information.Parks & RecreationSeasonal programs and recreation updates.Resident Quick LinksParking, ferry shuttle and other practical resources.Palisades Amusement Park Historical SocietyHistory, photographs, maps and memorial information.
Reach Cliffside Park Visitors on NJTGO
Hotels, restaurants, transportation services, attractions and visitor-focused businesses can use enhanced NJTGO placement for stronger visibility, photos, expanded information and direct website links.
Visitor AdvertisingContact NJTGOVisitor, transportation and lodging information was reviewed in September 2026. Hotel operations, parking, transit and shuttle schedules can change; confirm time-sensitive details before traveling.