Discover Newark
32 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Branch Brook Park
Branch Brook Park (360 acres) is famed for the nation’s largest cherry‑blossom collection, ornamental lakes, bridges and views of the Cathedral Basilica. Ideal for spring bloom panoramas, reflective waterscapes, and landscaped paths by Olmsted Brothers design. Multiple entrances, on‑site parking; peak bloom draws crowds—weekday sunrise or late afternoon is best. Accessible paths and picnic areas; no entry fee. Check festival dates for crowds and permits for organized shoots.
Prudential Concert Grove
Small, landscaped concert grove in Branch Brook Park notable for cherry blossoms and classical pavilion views. Photograph flowering cherry canopies, formal pathways, seasonal reflections on nearby ponds. Best in spring (late March–April) at sunrise or golden hour for soft light; weekdays are quieter. Free entry, limited on-street/park parking; paths are wheelchair-accessible. Good for intimate nature and formal garden framing amid Newark’s urban park context.
Weequahic Park
Large urban park centered on a 2-mile lake with wooded shorelines, resident herons, squirrels, sports fields and event spaces. Best for reflections, wildlife and seasonal color (notably vivid fall foliage). Open public park—no admission; park at nearby lots along Elizabeth/Meeker Ave. Weekday mornings and golden hour give calm water and few people; expect some litter in spots and occasional events that can add interest.
Newark Riverfront Park, Orange Sticks
Small urban riverfront with boardwalks, kayak launches and skyline reflections — great for waterscape and street-park combos. Visit at golden hour or blue hour for warm light on the Passaic River and colorful reflections. Flat, ADA-friendly paths; free entry. Nearest transit: Newark Penn/Light Rail and local parking nearby. Community-built park with seasonal foliage and occasional events — weekday mornings are quieter.
Military Park
Triangular, tree-lined urban greenspace anchored by a large war memorial, statues and a vintage carousel — ideal for architectural close-ups, environmental portraits and event/street coverage. Free entry and fully paved paths; underground parking available at 51 Park Pl (metered). Best light at sunrise/golden hour for soft directional light on monuments; evenings and summer weekends offer festival lighting and lively crowd scenes. Weekday mornings are quieter for clean compositions. Note some od
Essex County Riverfront Park
Compact 12-acre riverfront with trails, athletic fields, playgrounds and sweeping views of Passaic River bridges plus the Newark and NYC skylines. Photographers get waterscapes, urban reflections, public art (the orange sticks) and birdlife. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm light on bridges and skyline; weekdays or early mornings for fewer people. Accessible paved paths and benches; parking exists but can be confusing—use nearby street parking or park maps. Note variable maintenance and a
Newark Makerhoods at the Krueger-Scott Mansion
Late-19th/early-20th-century Krueger-Scott Mansion offers rich architectural detail and a compelling story of restoration and community reuse (Makerhoods). Exterior shots from MLK Blvd capture ornate woodwork, turrets and masonry; interiors may be closed except during events. Best at golden hour or on overcast days to reveal texture. Street and nearby lot parking available; request permission for interior or event access. Weekday mornings have fewer passersby.
Newark Riverfront Park - Somme Street Entrance
Riverfront Park at the Somme St entrance offers paved trails, sports fields and river-edge viewpoints with distant city/skyline and arena glimpses. Best at sunrise or golden hour for warm skyline light, and at blue hour for illuminated bridges. Free entry, accessible paths, limited street/lot parking; weekdays are quieter. Popular for community events and casual strolls — bring layers for winds off the Passaic.
Independence Park
Small neighborhood park in Newark’s Ironbound with a lighted gazebo, playground, sports fields, hockey rink and frequent food trucks — great for community and family scenes, action sports shots and evening light. Visit golden hour or early evening when field lights and food vendors create atmosphere; weekdays/early mornings are quieter for portraits and playground details. Easily walkable from surrounding streets; limited on‑site parking and public transit nearby. No entry fee; family-friendly,活
The Feigenspan Mansion
Feigenspan Mansion is a grand early-20th-century brick/stone residence with ornate facades, cornices and aging textures that make it a strong subject for architectural and urban-decay photography. Best shot from the public sidewalk and nearby parks; interiors are likely private or boarded — avoid trespassing. Visit at golden hour or blue hour for warm facades and dramatic skies. Street parking and public transit nearby; check local rules and respect neighbors. Its mix of historic detail and pat‑
Jesse Allen Park
Small urban recreational park with turf fields, basketball courts, playground and a kid’s sprinkler—great for candid community life, sports action and environmental portraits. Best visited weekday mornings or late afternoon for softer light and fewer crowds. Accessible by transit; limited street parking. No entry fee. Avoid after dark; be respectful of families and ongoing games.
New Jersey Historical Society
Small, well-curated museum showcasing New Jersey artifacts, WWI posters, river exhibits and archival displays — ideal for detail shots, documentary storytelling and intimate gallery compositions. Visit weekday mornings or early afternoons to avoid groups; low indoor light means no flash or tripod without permission. Affordable entry; street parking and nearby lots in downtown Newark. Staff are friendly and can help with context for shots.
Lincoln Park
Small triangular colonial-era green in downtown Newark with shade trees, statues, plaques and surrounding period buildings. Good for portraiture, monument detail and event coverage. Visit golden hour for warm light on stone, weekdays mornings for fewer people. Easy street parking; public transit nearby; no entry fee.
Battery Park
Small waterfront oasis beside the Liberty ferry — good for intimate nature shots (squirrels, pigeons), waterfront compositions with ferry and skyline, and candid travel portraits. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light on water. Easy access by car or public transit; limited parking nearby. No entry fee. Weekday mornings quieter; watch for wind off the river.
Rebellion Park
Small, intimate memorial park marking lives lost in Newark’s July 1967 unrest. Photograph close-up plaques, inscriptions and the old precinct building façade; include surrounding streetscape to show context. Best at golden hour or overcast for even tones; weekday mornings have fewer passersby. No entry fee; accessible from nearby public transit and limited street parking. Be respectful — this is a solemn historic site.
Great Lawn Picnic Area
A large open lawn ideal for wide, minimalist compositions, seasonal tree lines and event shots. Best at golden hour and blue hour for soft light and skyline glow; spring brings flowering trees, fall adds warm color. Easily accessible from US‑22 with street parking and nearby transit; wheelchair‑friendly paths. No entry fee; expect weekends to be busiest.
Clinton Park
Small historic plaza in Newark's post–Civil War Lincoln Park district centered on a replica of a V'errocchio statue. Good for intimate portraiture, detail shots of bronze sculpture and contextual wide angles that include surrounding period architecture and tree-lined paths. No entry fee; ADA-accessible paths. Best light: golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm tones and soft shadows. Weekday mornings are quieter; street parking and nearby public lots available. Compact size makes it a 1
Ivy Hill Park
Small urban green space with mature trees, open lawns, a small pond and walking paths — good for seasonal color, intimate landscape frames and candid community/street scenes. No entry fee; street parking on Manor Dr and nearby residential lots. Best at golden hour or overcast for even light; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Accessible paths but limited facilities; combine with nearby Newark neighborhoods for urban-context shots.
Vailsburg Park
Neighborhood greenspace with mature trees, paths, lawns and small recreational features—good for seasonal foliage, intimate landscape frames and documentary shots of local life. Best at golden hour or soft overcast light; spring and fall bring color. Easily accessible (no entry fee), street parking and nearby transit; weekdays are quieter. Community events can add human-interest moments.
Waverly Park
Small, well-kept neighborhood park in Newark with lawns, tree-lined paths, benches and a playground — good for intimate urban-nature scenes, environmental portraits, and seasonal foliage. Easy public access with street parking nearby, no entry fee. Best light at golden hour (sunrise/sunset) and softer overcast days for even tones. Weekday mornings are quieter; expect local community use on weekends.
Douglas Park
Small neighborhood green space in central Newark with playgrounds, mature trees, walkways and occasional community activity. Best at golden hour or early morning for soft light and low foot traffic. Easily accessible from Somerset St; street parking and transit nearby. No entry fee; family-friendly scenes and urban park details make good documentary and environmental portraits.
Mulberry Commons
Small urban park near downtown Newark offering clean lawns, playground features, paths and occasional events — good for candid street-style portraits, architecture frames with surrounding buildings, and park-detail shots. Visit early morning or golden hour for soft light and fewer people; weekdays are quieter. Note mixed reviews about safety—stay aware, keep gear minimal, and park in nearby paid lots or street parking. No entry fee; accessible paths and close to public transit.
Hennesey Street Park
Small neighborhood park in Newark’s Ironbound/West Ward offering intimate urban scenes — playground structures, mature trees, benches and local life. Best photographed at golden hours for warm light on foliage and empty-playground shots. Easily accessible from local streets; limited on-street parking and public transit nearby. No entry fee; be respectful of residents and busy hours after school. Good for capturing community detail, textures, and candid street portraits.
Raymond A. Brown Park
Small urban park beside Route 21 with grassy lawns, benches and event space — good for intimate environmental portraits, small community events and urban juxtaposition shots (green space against highway). Accessible and handicap-friendly; easy parking. Best at golden hour or during scheduled pop-up events for people and atmosphere; weekdays mornings are quiet but watch for litter and occasional safety concerns. No entry fee.
Nat Turner Park
Small urban recreation park with a playground, outdoor pool, football field and running track—good for candid community life, youth sports, night-lit games and colorful summer activity. Best mornings or late afternoons for softer light; evenings for floodlit sports. Accessible from 18th Ave with on-street parking; expect seasonal crowds and local etiquette around pool hours.
Mildred Helms Park
Small neighborhood park with playground equipment, walking track and green pockets — good for candid portraits, community life, detail textures and low-angle compositions. Best visited daytime and golden hour for warm light and safer activity; weekday mornings and late afternoons have fewer crowds. No entry fee; access on foot or via street parking/public transit nearby. Expect imperfect maintenance — shoot close details, people interactions and contrasts between worn surfaces and greenery.
West Side Park
Small urban green space in Newark's West Side neighborhood with mature trees, walking paths, benches and community-use lawns—good for intimate park scenes, seasonal foliage, street-to-park transitions and environmental portraits. Best light is early morning or late afternoon golden hour; weekday mornings have fewer people. Easily reached by street parking and nearby transit; pathways are accessible. No entry fee; respect local residents and weekend community events.
Friendship Park
Small historic urban green in downtown Newark offering tree-lined paths, benches and an intimate civic atmosphere — good for environmental portraits, street scenes and close-up studies of urban nature. No entry fee; accessible by foot or bus from nearby stops. Visit weekday mornings or golden hour for softer light and fewer people. Be aware of mixed neighborhood conditions and pack minimal gear for mobility.
Badger Ave Park
Small neighborhood playground and green pocket in Newark offering candid family- and child-focused scenes, playground structures, benches and seasonal street trees. Easy access from Belmont Runyon Way with street parking; no entry fee. Best light: golden hour or soft overcast for even skin tones. Weekday mornings or late afternoons reduce crowds; expect typical urban background (cars, buildings).