Top Landmarks in Hackensack

Hackensack, New Jersey, is the seat of Bergen County, and its landmarks reflect that dual identity: a working county government center layered over a settlement with colonial-era roots. Visitors who spend time downtown will find a compact core where civic buildings, a centuries-old church, and a public library sit within a few blocks of one another, while a short trip toward the Hackensack River adds a different kind of landmark—open, green space along the water. This guide walks through the city's most recognizable sites, how they're grouped geographically, and how to link them into a single outing.

For a broader overview of the city before diving into landmarks specifically, the Hackensack Travel Guide: Things to Do, Landmarks, Food, and Itineraries is a useful starting point, and the Best Things To Do in Hackensack page rounds out attractions beyond this list.

The Green and Its Historic Cluster

The heart of landmark-viewing in Hackensack is The Green, the city's historic town square in the downtown core. This open plaza has served as a civic gathering point since the area's earliest colonial settlement, and it remains the anchor for several of the city's most notable buildings.

Facing The Green is the Church on the Green, home to the First Reformed Church of Hackensack congregation, whose roots trace back to the late 1600s. The current stone church building, with its tall steeple, is a recognizable feature of the downtown skyline and one of the clearest physical links to the city's colonial history. An adjoining burial ground contains markers dating back generations, offering a quiet contrast to the county offices and traffic nearby.

A short walk from the church is the Bergen County Courthouse, a Beaux-Arts civic building known for its dome and classical detailing. As the county seat, Hackensack has long been the administrative hub for Bergen County, and the courthouse—along with the surrounding Bergen County Plaza government complex—reflects that role. These buildings are active government facilities rather than museums, so visitors should treat them primarily as architectural landmarks to view from the outside rather than as stops with visitor amenities.

Also within this cluster is the Johnson Public Library, Hackensack's main library building. Its early-20th-century architecture and central location make it a familiar downtown landmark in its own right, distinct from its ongoing role as a working public library.

Because the church, courthouse, county plaza, and library all sit within easy walking distance of The Green, this area works well as a single, unhurried loop—park once, and cover several landmarks on foot.

Anderson Street Historic District

A few blocks from downtown, the Anderson Street Historic District offers a different landmark experience: a residential streetscape rather than a single building. The district includes a collection of well-preserved homes reflecting late-19th- and early-20th-century architectural styles, and it gives visitors a sense of how Hackensack grew as a residential community alongside its role as a county seat. It's best appreciated as a walking route rather than a single stop, and it pairs naturally with a broader downtown walk since it sits within a reasonable distance of The Green cluster.

Borg's Woods and the Riverside Landmarks

Hackensack takes its name from the Hackensack River, and the waterway remains part of the city's identity even though much of its immediate riverfront is shared with neighboring municipalities. Parkland along and near the river gives visitors a chance to see this natural landmark up close, with paths and open space that contrast with the density of downtown.

Inland from the river, Borg's Woods is a wooded nature preserve within city limits, notable for being a rare pocket of mature forest in an otherwise built-up part of Bergen County. Trails through the preserve make it a low-key complement to the architectural landmarks downtown, and it's a reasonable stop for visitors who want a slower-paced, outdoor portion of their visit.

Because the riverside and Borg's Woods sit outside the compact downtown core, they're best treated as a separate leg of a visit—either a morning spent downtown and an afternoon near the water, or vice versa—rather than folded into the same walking loop as The Green.

How to Combine a Landmark Walk

Given how these sites cluster, a practical approach is to start at The Green, taking in the Church on the Green, the Bergen County Courthouse, Bergen County Plaza, and the Johnson Public Library on foot. From there, the Anderson Street Historic District is a short extension for visitors interested in residential architecture. Save Borg's Woods and any time along the Hackensack River for a separate stretch of the day, since the setting and pace are different from the downtown government and church cluster.

Visitors piecing together a fuller day should check the Hackensack 1-Day Itinerary for a structured route, or the Hackensack 3-Day Itinerary for a slower pace that spreads landmarks, food, and green space across multiple days. Since comfort for walking varies by season, it's worth reviewing the Best Time to Visit Hackensack guide before planning an outdoor-heavy day around Borg's Woods or the riverfront.

Practical Notes for Visiting

As in any city, ordinary urban awareness is worth keeping in mind—stick to well-traveled sidewalks downtown, be mindful of vehicle traffic around the county government buildings on weekdays, and keep valuables secured, especially in parking areas near The Green. Because the courthouse and county plaza are active government facilities, security procedures and access can vary, so it's a good idea to check official county sources before planning a visit that depends on entering those buildings.

For dining after a walk through downtown landmarks, the Where to Eat in Hackensack guide covers the variety of options near Main Street and the surrounding blocks. And for any other logistical questions—parking, transit connections, or general planning—the Hackensack FAQ page is a good reference before setting out.

Taken together, Hackensack's landmarks tell a layered story: a colonial-era church and burial ground, a Beaux-Arts seat of county government, a historic residential district, and pockets of preserved woodland near the river that gives the city its name. None of these sites require a car to connect once you're downtown, which makes Hackensack a reasonably walkable stop for visitors interested in county history and small-city architecture in northern New Jersey.