Englewood: Culture, History and Nature

If you’re looking for a hotel in Englewood, the city’s history, nature and local recreational amenities can help guide your decision about where to stay. bergenPAC and Liberty Pole represent different chapters of local history, while Flat Rock Brook combines conservation with environmental education. Mackay Park adds an ice-skating arena and a public swimming pool to these attractions. Which one shapes your stay depends on whether you want to focus on theater history, nature or a particular recreational activity.

Culture and History in Englewood

The Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) has 1,367 seats and reopened in fall 2004 in the former John Harms Center. The theater from which bergenPAC evolved opened on November 22, 1926, as the Englewood Plaza movie theater. bergenPAC is a community theater that aims to improve quality of life through the arts.

The history of Liberty Pole also dates back to the Revolutionary era. In 1776, the Liberty Pole Tavern was the center of economic, political and social life. During the American Revolutionary War, General Washington led his army to the tavern. Leaders of the Continental Army held meetings at Liberty Pole; at a conference on July 16, 1779, General Anthony Wayne planned the capture of Stony Point. Englewood House also lies along the historic route of George Washington’s retreat.

The Taylor-Bliss House offers another perspective on the city’s transformation. In 2023, the house, then 147 years old, was moved from its original location at the northeast corner of Engle Street and East Hudson Avenue to the city-owned Eleanor Harvey Park. The house’s history thus connects a precisely identified former location with its destination in the park.

Nature and Recreation

Flat Rock Brook is a 150-acre nature preserve and environmental education center in Englewood. The site also includes a Nature Playground. This nature- and environment-focused destination contrasts with Mackay Park, which is more focused on park amenities. New Jersey Transit bus routes 171, 175, 178 and 186 serve Flat Rock Brook via the stop at Route 4 and Jones Road in Englewood. Check the route and schedule before traveling.

Mackay Park covers 28.6 acres in central Englewood, just south of downtown. It is home to the Mackay or John T. Wright Ice Skating Arena and a public swimming pool. The park amenities offer a different focus from the nature preserve. Operations and seasonal availability may vary; check the latest information about the facilities before planning a visit.

Worship and Concerts

Saint Paul's Church offers a choral service with Communion at 10:30 a.m. in the historic sanctuary. Free concerts are also held in the historic sanctuary throughout the year. Service times and concert programs may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest schedule before visiting.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Fair Lawn, Woodcliff Lake, Tenafly, Edgewater, Fort Lee, Little Ferry, Palisades Park, South Hackensack Township.

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