Scotch Plains

Scotch Plains is a town in Union County, New Jersey. This article also covers the neighboring communities of Fanwood and Plainfield.

Understand
, 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.

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.

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.



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, built in 1902, is next to downtown while , built in 1894, is mostly used by commuters.

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.

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.

Stay safe
Plainfield still has an iffy reputation for safety, so take precautions when visiting.