Bridgewater (New Jersey)

Bridgewater is a township in New Jersey with a population of 44,000. It has a long history, having been created in 1749 and incorporated in 1798, and according to tradition was where the first official U.S. flag was unfurled. It was primarily rural until the mid 20th century, but today it is a fairly developed suburban community, with traces of its rural past concentrated in the northwest of the township.

By plane
The nearest major commercial airport is Newark Liberty International Airport, about 30 miles away. Locals also use John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York City, as well as Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia. From the Airport, take the TransBridgeLines bus to Branchburg, NJ (this is a park and ride stop so arrange for a cab pickup or a friend to meet you here ahead of time, the Branchburg stop has no facilities). The Branchburg stop is around 3 miles from central Bridgewater. Another option is to take the NJ Transit Train, which will require a connection at Newark Penn Station (see below).

By train
Bridgewater is served by the Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Somerville, and Raritan stations on the Raritan Valley Line. Because it is not electrified, the Raritan Valley Line terminates at Newark Penn Station, and a connection is required to go to New York City. If you are coming from Newark Airport, take any train headed towards New York, get off at Newark Penn Station (the very next stop), and board the next Raritan Valley Line train towards "Raritan" or "High Bridge." The most connections are available locally at Somerville Station, which is also most convenient to most of the corporate parks and business locales within Bridgewater. Cabs are usually available to meet trains at Somerville Station, and local busses run on weekdays to the Bridgewater Commons Mall.



By bus
Commuter Bus Service is provided by TransBridgeLines to a park-and-ride facility in Branchburg, NJ on US 202. This service usually takes just over one hour from NYC and sometimes stops at Newark Airport on the way. Certain runs make a stop at the MetLife office building in Bridgewater, but most go straight to Branchburg, which is just 3 miles away. Heading west, TransBridge provides service to/from Flemington, Frenchtown, Lambertville, and Bethlehem, Pa. This is by far the fastest transit option from NYC or Newark Airport to the Bridgewater area. However, as noted above, the Branchburg bus stop is a highway park-and-ride facility with no indoor waiting area - make previous arrangements for a ride or a cab. NJ Transit runs Bus 114 from New York City, however this is a local service and takes over two hours - use this if you are headed to other NJ towns, such as Plainfield. Susquehanna Trailways runs busses twice daily to/from Williamsport, PA (going to New York). This bus stops in downtown Somerville NJ. WHEELS 884 is a local service that provides service to/from Clinton, NJ which is approx. 15 miles away.

By car
Despite proposed transit improvements for Central Jersey, private car remains by far the easiest way to get to Bridgewater. Interstate 287 (exit 17 if you are approaching ON 287 south, exit 14B if you are approaching ON 287 north) provide access to the town. US 22, US 202/206, and NJ 28 all converge at the Somerville Circle, a major (and notoriously dangerous) intersection in Central Jersey.

Get around
Bridgewater is a relatively car dependent town. If you find yourself car-less in the 'burbs, NJ Transit can get you around to a certain extent. Rail service on the Raritan Valley line has stations at Bound Brook, Bridgewater, Somerville, and Raritan. The Bridgewater station is located in the far eastern end of the town, and Somerville station is probably more convenient for most purposes. If you are looking to get a cab, they are usually available to meet trains at Somerville Station. If you are elsewhere and need to call for a cab, SkyView Cab serves the area, call +1 908 725-2233. Local buses do exist to take you between Somerville and the Bridgewater Mall, but they do not traverse much else of the town.

Do




Eat
There are numerous restaurants in Bridgewater, as well as the greater Bridgewater/Central Somerset County area. In addition to the Food Court at the Bridgewater Commons Mall, there is a Chipotle Mexican Grill in "The Village," a shopping center that is connected to the mall. Thai Kitchen, a high quality, but relatively inexpensive Thai restaurant has branches on Prince Rodgers Ave. as well as at the Somerville Circle. The shopping center on Prince Rodgers Ave, between the mall and the public library also contains "Bombay Diner," an Indian restaurant.