Discover the Charm: 9 Quirky and Exciting Fun Facts About Newark, NJ

1. Flamingle at Turtle Back Zoo

In Newark, New Jersey, you'll find a real life Flamingle: a hot-pink haven for fabulous feathered friends who love to play and nest, and also enjoy luxurious indoor vacations! But seriously, folks: The Turtle Back Zoo in Newark has recently added a new flamingo exhibit, complete with a pool, nesting island, and indoor facility for the birds to relax when they're not on display. Additionally, the zoo has revamped its leopard exhibit and opened a North African fortress-inspired habitat for lions and hyenas.
Source => patch.com

2. Cherry Boss of the USA

Don't be bamboozled, Newark's the cherry boss of the USA: Branch Brook Park in Newark, New Jersey, boasts the largest and most diverse collection of cherry blossom trees in the nation, with an annual Cherry Blossom Festival that attracts over 10,000 visitors. The park is home to over 5,200 cherry blossom trees in 18 varieties, thanks to the 1926 gift of "Oriental cherry trees" from Caroline Bamberger Fuld. The festival features cultural events, live music, and food vendors, offering a truly blossoming experience!
Source => njspotlightnews.org

Did you know that New Jersey is a major ingredient in America's fruit salad? Discover how its 9,800 farms play a crucial role in supplying delicious fruits and veggies across the nation! 🌱🍇🍑

=> Fun Facts about New-Jersey

3. A Century for Gothic Beauty

They say good things come to those who wait, and in Newark, they apparently waited for almost a century for a gothic beauty to grace their city: The Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, a French Gothic Revival masterpiece, took a whopping 95 years to plan and build, before being dedicated in 1954. Home to the largest Schantz Organ Co. pipe organ and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark, this stunning site went from humble cathedral to a certified minor basilica, all thanks to a little visit from Pope John Paul II in 1995. Let the heavenly music play on!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Rockin' at The Rock

The next time you feel the need to "rock out" with Queen Bey or "Cry Me a River" alongside Timberlake, you might find yourself "Elton John-ing" over to New Jersey for an unforgettable night: Newark's Prudential Center, affectionately nicknamed "The Rock", not only hosts nail-biting NHL and NCAA games but is also a prime stomping ground for legendary live music performances from icons like Beyonce, Elton John, and Justin Timberlake – serenading up to 18,711 folks in its bustling basketball arena.
Source => goelizabethnj.com

5. Container Crane Skyline

In an epic clash of urban heights, Newark's skyline is ruled by the most unexpected of heavyweights, the masters of all things shipping – the colossal container cranes: Standing at a jaw-dropping 561 ft (171 m) high, the three ZMPC Super-Post-Panamax container cranes at Port Newark reign supreme, overshadowing landmarks like the historical National Newark Building, which has been the tallest building in the city since 1931, with a height of 466 ft (142 m) and 35 floors.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Ballantine's Beautiful Brewery

You know what they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder," and there's no denying that Newarkers once had a beautiful eye at the Peter Ballantine and Son's Brewery: In 1840, this iconic brewery became the largest in the city and supplied beer enthusiasts nationwide well into the mid-1900s, and now the heritage lives on in the Newark Museum's Ballantine mansion, waiting to be explored.
Source => nj.com

7. Sakura Surprise in New Jersey

It turns out that cherry blossoms don't just reign (and rain) supreme in Japan, but in Newark too! Who would have thought that the most densely "treepulated" place stateside for these beauties would pop up like a fresh bloom in urban New Jersey? Behold the Sakura surprise: Branch Brook Park in Newark is home to the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States, gifted by philanthropist Caroline Bamberger Fuld in the 1920s. The park boasts over 4,000 trees and hosts an annual festival that attracts thousands of visitors eager to bask in their pink and white glory.
Source => njrpa.org

8. America's First Major Airport

While the Wright Brothers might have been first in flight, Newark Liberty International Airport swooped in to steal the title as America's first major airport, setting the precedent for all those inevitable flight delays and layovers: With over 34 million passengers in 2012, Newark Airport holds the distinction of being the busiest airport in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, offering a plethora of options for travelers and serving as a hub for major airlines like United and FedEx Express.
Source => flickr.com

9. Cherry Blossom Uprising

When cherry blossoms decided to stage an uprising in America, they chose Newark, New Jersey as their battleground: Newark boasts the largest collection of cherry blossom trees in the United States, with over 5,000 trees adorning the splendid Branch Brook Park, the oldest county park in the nation. Visitors travel from all corners of the globe to experience the park's annual Cherry Blossom Festival and revel in its floral splendor.
Source => en.wikipedia.org