Discover Hackensack
9 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Hackensack Mural
A large, colorful public mural on Main Street—great for bold color, pattern and community portraiture. Easy street-level access with curbside views; no entry fee. Best at golden hour for warm side light, and at blue hour if the mural or nearby storefronts are lit. Weekday mornings have fewer pedestrians; limited street parking and nearby municipal lots.
Hackensack River County Park
Riverside park with tidal marshes, boardwalks and river vistas ideal for reflections, migratory birds and urban-nature contrasts. Best at golden hour and low tide for exposed mudflats. Easy access from Central Ave with limited parking; wheelchair-accessible boardwalk sections. Free entry; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Watch for mosquitoes in warm months; seasonal waterfowl and salt-marsh plants make it special for intimate nature and waterscape shots.
Foschini Park
Small riverside municipal park centered on multiple baseball fields, open lawns, a walking loop and a short nature walk. Shoot sports action, wide-open parkland at golden hour, candid community scenes during Little League or the July fireworks. Weekday mornings and off-season offer quieter compositions; spring/summer evenings are busiest with games. Ample parking; no indoor restrooms (portable toilets). Easy access from River St., mostly flat terrain and partly under renovation at times.
The Esplanade Park
Small waterfront park on the Hackensack River offering river reflections, pedestrian paths, benches, mature trees and views of nearby bridges and urban skyline. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm light and dramatic reflections; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Easy, free public access with nearby street parking; paths are wheelchair accessible. Seasonal changes (fall color, spring blooms) add variety; local events occasionally bring crowds.
Borg's Woods Nature Preserve
Small urban woodland with winding trails, wetlands and river-edge views — good for intimate forest scenes, seasonal foliage, birdlife and reflective water compositions. Free entry from Allen St/Fairmount Ave; limited street parking nearby. Best visited at golden hour or after rain for rich colors and reflections. Weekday mornings are quieter; spring and fall offer peak interest. Trails can be narrow and muddy — wear sturdy shoes.
Hackensack river county park little entrance
Small riverside access with a boardwalk and views across the Hackensack River to urban-industrial shorelines — good for water reflections, skyline silhouettes, migrating/water birds and mixed nature+urban compositions. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm side lighting and calm water; evenings bring colorful skies. Accessible from Riverside Square Mall with free parking; flat, paved paths are wheelchair-friendly. No entry fee; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded.
Veterans Park
Small riverside memorial park on the Hackensack River featuring veteran monuments, manicured lawns, walking paths and river reflections. Great for intimate memorial detail shots, riverscape reflections at golden hour, and seasonal foliage. Easily accessible with street and municipal parking nearby; no entry fee. Best light is sunrise/sunset for warm side-light and calm water; Veterans Day and Memorial Day bring ceremonies and flags—expect crowds then.
Staib Park
Small riverfront park on the Hackensack River offering marshland, boardwalks, and city-river vistas — good for intimate waterscape and nature shots, seasonal foliage, and reflections. Best at golden hour or overcast for mood; early weekdays avoid walkers and dog traffic. Easy access from Hackensack with street parking and short paved paths; mostly flat and stroller/ wheelchair-friendly. No entry fee; respect wildlife and leash rules.
Atlantic Street Park
Compact urban greenspace flanked by State St — good for intimate event and street-park scenes. Photograph performers, food-truck stalls, and festival crowds at evening events; capture quiet compositions of benches, paths and traffic-lined edges at golden hour or weekday mornings. Small, flat site with no restrooms; street parking and nearby municipal lots; accessible paths. Expect city noise during performances (actors often unamplified).