Sports & Recreation

Elizabeth’s vast green spaces and access to the water make it a sports lover’s paradise.

From baseball fields and skate parks to golf courses and a fishing pier, there’s something for every kind of visitor; athlete or spectator. With so many sporty things to do in Elizabeth, NJ, you’ll probably want to extend your trip to try them all.

Jump down to learn more about:

Where to Get ActiveWhere to Compete
Where to Relax
Where to Catch a Game

Get Your Heart Pumping

Elizabeth is a hotspot for adrenaline-pumping activities like biking, rollerblading, and skateboarding. Catch some major air at Mattano Park’s skate park, featuring dozens of ramps, rails, and stairs for every skill level. For a riverside adrenaline rush, bike as fast as you can for more than a mile along the Elizabeth River Trail, a waterway that played a vital role in the development of our city.

During wintertime, trade your rollerblades for ice skates and practice your figure eight inside Warinanco Park's indoor ice skating rink. The seasonal rink sees tens of thousands of visitors every year, and also hosts high school hockey games.

Enjoy Some Friendly Competition

With more than 45 parks and playgrounds in Elizabeth, NJ, plus a micro farm, there’s surely a venue for the team sport of your choosing.

Grab your friends and make new ones with a friendly game of football or soccer at Todd Bowles Waterfront Sports Complex. The athletic hub is located right on the water with views of New York and features two large fields.

If golf is more your thing, play a round or two at a nearby course like Union County’s Galloping Hill Golf Course known for its challenging hills and valleys. It’s just a short car ride away from Elizabeth in Kenilworth, NJ.

For indoor fun, play a friendly game of soccer on the turf fields of Warinanco Park's sports center, which has soccer leagues for kids and adults. This park also features outdoor volleyball and basketball courts. Make sure to take a water break under the magnolia trees of this beautifully landscaped park designed by the architect behind New York City’s Central Park and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. You won’t be disappointed.

If bar games are your idea of a team sport, then make sure to stop by 1 & 9 Billiards & Entertainment. The lounge features 20 pool tables, plus ping-pong and arcade games.

Soak Up the Sun

Summers can be just as brutal as the winters here in Elizabeth. If you’re visiting us in the summertime, be sure to take your kids to any one of the splash pads at Elizabeth, NJ parks. Mickey Walker Spray Park, for instance, features fun slides and water arches. Warinanco Park also has a splash pad area with more than 100 jets to keep your family cool during the summer.

For a more leisurely water activity, hop on an hour-long paddle boat ride around Warinanco Park’s picturesque lake, which is also a perfect spot for anglers. If you’d like a view of the port and New York City skyline, cast a line instead at Veteran’s Memorial Waterfront Park’s fishing pier. You can also take the little ones to the Where Angels Play Memorial Park to get the same spectacular view while the kids burn off some energy at this playground honoring first responders.

Be a Spectator

If you’d rather watch a game unfold than be in it, catch a football game at MetLife Stadium in Rutherford, home of the New York Giants and Jets. If hockey is more your thing, cheer on your favorite hockey team at the Prudential Center in Newark, home of the New Jersey Devils. Both sports venues are within driving distance from Elizabeth.

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