(Visited 06/27/2025 FR @ 5:00pm and 06/28/2025 SA @ 2:00pm): I loved an historic cemetery any time…read moreof day or night!
In my quest to explore the various cuisine scenes and things to do throughout Jersey City and specifically the Heights, I made my way to Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery where the 2025 Goatchella Music Festival was being held. If you knew me, I loved the lore and mystique of an old cemetery, especially one that had some history tied to it. I've walked by this place numerous times on my way to downtown Jersey City but never had the urge enough to venture in. Finally, it took a local fundraising music festival to grab my attention. How would this historic cemetery in Jersey City compare to others I've visited!?
PURCHASE
(N/A): Nothing to spend money on that directly affected the cemetery - 'nuff said.
EXPERIENCE
On these dreaded humid sunny days, I made my way to the cemetery gates, went inside and gravely read the stones of all these people and those lives as I wondered where they were now. With the utmost respect https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=aVeSAJGD1OPhiQV9u7m0ug for the dead, I slowly made my way along each barely-managed uneven pathway https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=zhtA3qcW7tIauEGDOUraDQ as I solemnly gave appreciation to each person whose spirit has since passed. The oldest dates I saw were from the mid-1800s to recent times, the ethnicities/nationalities ranged from predominantly Caucasian (older) to Hispanic (newer). I roamed about as much as allowed, and I could see myself packed with a lunch as I sat on a bench. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=CzJLdWFXj88A0NGa-C_gkQ
SERVICE
Once I passed through the check-in table for the Goatchella Music Festival, I was left to my own devices to explore the grounds at my leisure. Other than the staffing who was mainly associated with the music festival, I dealt with no one directly with the cemetery which was perfectly fine. Sure, I would've loved to have a docent guide me through since I didn't see any literature anywhere to read, it was completely fine to casually walk among the many sections and rows. Apparently, it was a volunteer staff that managed and took care of the place. All was good!
PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance)
Generally speaking, this was an easy flat-to-downhill 20-minute walk from my friend's place. Otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of spots (no known private lot) along the main drag of Newark Ave. and all surrounding roads - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A sprawling ramshackle spooky-esque undulating field of tall grass and weeds pocketed with headstones https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=48&select=pJ_P5tcVC32zuxDdAYy2mQ of all shapes and sizes reminiscent of Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. During the daytime, the place was harmless enough, but once nighttime came, I imagined this place turned into a spookier ground of souls and spirits. It was a very no-nonsense cemetery placed in the middle of an urban wasteland. Plenty of natural lighting since you were completely outside while the only electric lights I saw were the ones along the street. There were noTVs while the only background noise was the whirls and whiz of the passing vehicles. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=72&select=TnalYkQ5N7Pa9RbUw9pCVA
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Cemetery was pretty cool, and I felt it was a nice place to spend an hour or two to relax, get some retrospection, and escape from the world for a bit. It wasn't very decorative (e.g. fountains, monuments, murals), but at the end of the day it was a place for loved ones to pay their respects to those who have gone before them. It needed a ton of TLC (hence, the goats, which will be covered in my next review), and more historical marketing. And, I always loved supporting small businesses whenever possible. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience between the two visits was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, unless they accepted online donations to help with the upkeep, I wasn't aware whether or not they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS
