Things to Do in Ramsey, NJ: A Practical Visitor Guide

Ramsey’s borough destinations include community services as well as places to visit. The borough identifies the library, municipal pool, Ramsey Farmers’ Market and senior center among its visitor-facing destinations and services. Its municipal offices are at 33 N Central Avenue, Ramsey, NJ 07446.

The senior center is in Finch Park and offers regularly scheduled activities, trips, luncheons and special events. The farmers’ market schedule is available through its own website, and Main Street Train Station is a market location.

Ramsey’s centre is about 10 minutes by car from Ramsey Inn & Suites near the town centre. The borough’s Main Street commuter lots are restricted to Ramsey residents, require proof of residency and prohibit overnight parking, so check eligibility before planning to use one.

Main Street permits run from August to August. The borough charges $50 for the first car and $25 for each additional car. These permits do not cover parking at the NJ TRANSIT station at Route 17 and Spring Street; NJ TRANSIT sets that station’s parking fees.

NJ TRANSIT identifies Ramsey Route 17 as a station on the Main-Bergen County rail lines. Lot 1 at Route 17 and Spring Street has 1,221 standard parking spaces and 25 accessible spaces. The station has accessible facilities, Wi-Fi and bike racks or lockers; its inbound platform has a ticket vending machine, and there are no ticket agents.

For current weekday and weekend station-to-station train schedules, use NJ TRANSIT’s schedules-and-fares service.

For more on train travel, parking and connections, use this Ramsey Station travel guide.

The Hermitage is a historic house at 335 Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus. Its original section dates to the mid-18th century; George Washington and his staff visited during the Revolutionary War. Architect William Ranlett transformed the house in 1845 into a Gothic Revival example.

The grounds have free access Tuesday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Guided tours run Friday–Sunday at 1:15 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.; Thursday tours are by appointment for groups of four or more.

Tours take one hour and cost $10 for adults and $5 for children; children under 5 enter free. Arrive 15 minutes before your tour, which departs promptly. The building is accessible only by guided tour, and much of the interior is not accessible to visitors with mobility impairments because of stairs, narrow doorways and uneven flooring.

For more on the house’s visiting arrangements and history, read this visitor guide to The Hermitage.

Ramsey’s rail stations offer a way to plan regional travel, but schedules vary by day. Before choosing a train, check NJ TRANSIT’s current weekday or weekend station-to-station schedule and confirm the parking rules for the station you plan to use. For an itinerary centred on South Street Seaport, plan your travel around the current rail schedule.

At The Hermitage, guided tours pause on special event days, and self-guided house tours are unavailable. Tour and programming details can change, so check the official site before you go.

Where is The Hermitage?

The Hermitage is at 335 Franklin Turnpike in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey.

Can you visit The Hermitage house without a tour?

No. Access to the building is by guided tour only, and self-guided house tours are unavailable.

Does Ramsey Route 17 station have parking?

Yes. NJ TRANSIT provides standard and accessible spaces in Lot 1 at Route 17 and Spring Street. Parking fees are set by NJ TRANSIT.

Can visitors use Ramsey’s Main Street commuter lots?

The borough restricts those lots to Ramsey residents, requires proof of residency and prohibits overnight parking.