Scotch Plains
Scotch Plains is a town in Union County, New Jersey. This article also covers the neighboring communities of Fanwood and Plainfield.
Understand
🌍 Fanwood, named after the daughter of a railway official, is the transportation hub for Scotch Plains and other neighboring towns. The town is small in area. It is possible to walk to parts of Scotch Plains, but to get much further, a car or at least a bike will be essential.
🌍 Plainfield was a getaway from New York City in the early 20th century, and a place of residence for the rich and famous There are still many buildings in town that reflect its former history. Plainfield was affected by the riots that centered on Newark in the 1960s and became a victim of white flight and economic depression. There have been efforts to restore some of the town's former grandeur.
Get in
By car
If you are from the tri-state or New England area the best way to get to Scotch Plains would most likely be by car. There are tons of parking spots throughout the town, none of which are metered.
By plane
The closest airport to Scotch Plains is Newark International Airport. It is a 15- to 20-minute drive from the center of town. Once landed, you will most likely have to rent a car or take a taxi to your destination in Scotch Plains.
By bus
If you are coming in from New York City, the 114 Bus, part of the NJ Transit is a great way to get into Scotch Plains. However, you should not rely on the bus system to take you around the town of Scotch Plains. Chances are you could walk to your destination in town faster than the bus system.
By train
You can take the NJ Transit Line into Fanwood, the town directly next to Scotch Plains. Amtrak trains do not go directly into Scotch Plains; they arrive at the Metropark Station in Iselin, NJ. This is about a 10- to 15-minute drive from the center of Scotch Plains and there are always taxi services available outside of Metropark.
NJ Transit trains on the Raritan Valley Line between Newark and Raritan call here; there are at least hourly departures in each direction.
- 🌍 Fanwood railway station, South Martine Avenue.
Plainfield is served by NJ Transit via its Raritan Valley Line between Penn Station in New York City and Raritan. There are two stations in Plainfield, both with historic charm. The centrally located 🌍 Plainfield station, built in 1902, is next to downtown while 🌍 Netherwood station, built in 1894, is mostly used by commuters.
Get around
By car
Getting around Scotch Plains and its surrounding neighborhoods is best to do by car, especially in the colder months.
By bus
The area is served by NJ Transit buses. However, using a car might be necessary as buses are generally aimed at commuters with limited services outsides rush hours and on weekends.
Walking
Scotch Plains is not a very large town. It is very easy to get places by foot, especially in the downtown area.
See
- Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Avenue, ☏ +1 908 322-5487. The Scotch Plains Baptist Church was built in 1747. 26 Revolutionary soldiers are buried here along with many other people that lived during the time of the Revolutionary War. Visiting this church and its graveyard is makes for a very educational and interesting experience for the entire family.
- Cannon Ball House Museum, 1840 Front Street, ☏ +1 908 322-6700. Also the home of the historical society of Scotch Plains and Fanwood New Jersey. The museum was built in the early 1700s and has been an eyewitness to many events in its history. In fact, the British and American troops marched past this building during the Revolutionary War. Today the Historical Society has restored and furnished the Cannonball House so that visitors can come look and learn about the house's history.
- 🌍 The old Fanwood train station. The station, which is still on the platform where trains stop every day, is a notable sight, and there are also pretty houses in the area. The old station, built in 1874, is open from 2-4PM on the first Sunday of every month in the guise of a museum and, otherwise, is viewable from the outside.
- 🌍 Drake House Museum, 602 W Front St, Plainfield. Built in 1736 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The most famous piece in the collection is the painting The Death of General Sedgwick, painted in 1887 by Julian Scott.
- 🌍 Saint Mary's Catholic Church Complex, 516 W 6th St, Plainfield.
- 🌍 Grace Episcopal Church, 600 Cleveland Ave, Plainfield.
Do
- Scotch Hills Country Club Golf/Mini Golf Course, 820 Jerusalem Road, ☏ +1 908 232-9748. It has a miniature golf course that is connected to its 9-hole golf course. Golfing at either one of these courses is a great summer activity for visiting families. Enjoy a nice game of night mini golf and end it with some delicious homemade ice cream from Scoops!
Buy
There are not many places to shop in Scotch Plains; however, the neighboring town of Westfield has a great downtown area with stores, restaurants and a movie theater. Downtown Westfield is about a 2-10 minute drive from most places in Scotch Plains.
Eat
- Scotchwood Diner, 1934 US Highway 22, ☏ +1 908 322-4114. The Scotchwood diner is the epitome of an old-fashioned American diner. It is open 24 hours a day and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner options. All of the food is in inexpensive and delicious. It offers quality, fast and polite service.
- Stagehouse Tavern, 366 Park Avenue, ☏ +1 908 322-4224. The Stage House Inn in Scotch Plains is an upscale restaurant that serves rustic American food. On the other side of the restaurant is the Tavern. The Tavern is not as upscale as the Stage House but the food is still delicious. The Tavern offers a full bar that is always filled with locals and good music. Join them every Wednesday for the band Amp’d or every Friday and Saturday for live music until 1AM.
- Ginger Sushi, 266 South Ave., Fanwood, ☏ +1 908 490-0021. Ginger Sushi is a tiny sushi restaurant in the center of the towns Scotch Plains and Fanwood. They provide quality service and every employee is kind and accommodating. Ginger Sushi offers a wide variety of sushi and cookie authentic Japanese meals. It is a bring your own alcohol facility, so feel free to bring a nice bottle of wine and enjoy their high quality food.
- Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, Scotland Street, ☏ +1 908 322-4550. This is a small family run ice cream parlor that offers a wide variety of homemade ice creams and Italian ice. It is a great place for all ages to enjoy some delicious, inexpensive dessert.
- Nunzio's Pizzeria, 2387 Mountain Avenue, ☏ +1 908 889-4464. Nunzio’s Pizza and Pasta is a small pizzeria/restaurant that serves delicious homemade Italian food and amazing pizza. Along with being able to eat in or take out they offer a very efficient delivery service.
Drink
- Vienna 60, 375 Park Ave., ☏ +1 908 322-8000. Vienna 60, also called the “Love Bar” by many locals is a very tiny dive bar in the center of Scotch Plains that is always filled with locals. Upon entering this bar you feel like you have been warped back to the late 1960s. Everything is psychedelic and the only music played is from this period of time. This bar offers crazy but delicious drinks, dancing and an all around good time. Vienna 60 creates a carefree atmosphere. From their homemade flavored vodka to the complimentary cheese and fruit platters that circle about the place, Vienna 60 is a “groovy” place to go for a night on the town in Scotch Plains.
- Flannery's Pub, 200 South Avenue in Fanwood, ☏ +1 908 322-3700. Flannery’s pub is open from noon to 2AM 7 days a week. Flannery’s pub is a tiny bar/restaurant that is always filled with locals. They offer delicious and authentic Irish food along with daily drink specials. If possibly try to head to Flannery’s Thursday nights for live acoustic music by PJ Farely.
Sleep
- Best Western Westfield Inn, 435 N Ave W, Westfeld, ☏ +1 908-654-5600. In Westfield, the town right next to Scotch Plains. It is about 1.9 miles from Scotch Plains and right next to the Westfield train station. Parking is very efficient. Upper-mid scale hotel.
- Hotel 304 West, US 22, ☏ +1 973-376-9400. Hotel 304 West is 3.6 miles away from Scotch Plains. It has a pool, spa, bar and lounge.
Stay safe
Plainfield still has an iffy reputation for safety, so take precautions when visiting.
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