Commute
Eats
There are two shopping centers on Prospect Avenue, Essex Green and West Orange Plaza. There’s a Shop Rite (at the lower level of Essex Green) and a Whole Foods market at WO Plaza. It is the only Whole Foods in the area that makes fresh tortillas!
Take your pick of family diners, pubs and fine restaurants. Many are clustered in the main intersections of town, which serve as small “Main Street shopping districts. There is a diverse cluster of eateries at the intersection of Main Street, Harrison and Eagle Rock Avenues. Egan & Son is a friendly pub, Due Amici for highly rated Italian, Pepe’s BBQ and Goodfellas for pizza. Several other small restaurants and take out shops representing cuisines of the world are along Main Street.
The county recreational area on Northfield Avenue includes McLoone’s Boathouse a branch of the popular McLoone’s at the shore. There’s a McDonald’s across the street.
West Orange is the unofficial regional center of conference, banquet and wedding centers. Large, impressive buildings on beautifully landscaped grounds are perfect for grand occasions. They include Highlawn Pavilion, Mayfair Farms and The Manor. Restaurants at Highlawn and The Manor are open to the public for lunch and dinner.
Neighborhoods
Schools
- Seton Hall Prep School is located in West Orange (in the old WO high school building). It is a private, Catholic high school for boys known for its competitive sports programs.
- Golda Och Academy, a Solomon Schechter School, is a private, Jewish school. There is a Lower School for grades K-5 and an Upper School, grades 6 & 12.
- Blessed Pope John XXIII is a private, Catholic school offering pre-school through 8th grade.
Many preschool programs are offered by local religious congregations and private companies.
Family Fun
West Orange’s Degnan Park has a playground, tennis courts, softball field and basketball court. Vincent’s Pond is nestled in the park and includes a fishing dock. The park is also the home to the Katz Community Center. The town pool is named after Olympic swimmer and West Orange High School graduate, Ginny Duenkel. The township also offers numerous sports programs for all ages.
For recreation and exercise there’s also the JCC Metro West with a spacious campus and lots of activities, educational programs and fitness options.
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is such an institution in West Orange that you will see green stripes painted down the center of the streets along the parade route, all year long. Every May there’s the Annual Street Fair including Taste of Downtown with music and events for kids.
AMC Dine-In Theatre is located at Essex Green, one of two shopping complexes along Prospect Ave. Here you can get more than a movie, choose a sandwich and beer, a full meal with a glass of wine or soda and popcorn. Eagle Rock Lanes is the local bowling alley.
OSPAC, the Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center, is an outdoor amphitheater offering low cost and free performances. The theater and surrounding acreage was donated to West Orange with the stipulation that it be named for Schindler who save 100s of Jews during the Holocaust, including the donor’s father. An annual jazz festival highlights local, world renowned musicians.
Luna Stage in the Valley District of West Orange and Orange, strives “to produce thought-provoking theatre that gives voice to emerging American playwrights and re-examines contemporary and classic plays that speak to our times. The Valley is emerging as an arts community through the efforts of the towns and nonprofit organizations.
