Union on the Road: Exploring Harrison, New Jersey

With the Philadelphia Union advancing to the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after a thrilling 3-2 win over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday evening, the Union will head on the road to Harrison, New Jersey, and Sports Illustrated Stadium (formerly Red Bull Arena) to take on their rivals to the north for the second time this week.

If you’re heading to the match, I’ve put together a few recommendations to check out while you’re in town before kickoff. If you’d like additional suggestions, feel free to reach out to me at kyle@madhatteradv.com via my travel advisor email—I’d be happy to assist!

About Harrison, New Jersey

The area that includes the town of Harrison was originally part of a land grant given to Captain William Sandford of the Barbados Islands. The 30,000-acre grant was situated between the Passaic and Hackensack Rivers and extended from Newark Bay to what is present-day Rutherford. Sandford named the region “New Barbados Neck” after his home. He sent his nephew, Major Nathaniel Kingsland, to enter into an agreement to purchase the land from the Unami tribe, a branch of the Lenni Lenape, the original inhabitants of the area.

With that said, here are a few recommendations to check out before or after the match.

The Newark Museum of Art

The Newark Museum, the largest museum in New Jersey, invites you to enjoy unforgettable experiences in the arts and natural sciences. Take an inspirational journey through 80 galleries featuring world-class collections including American, Asian, African, and Classical works.
Website: https://newarkmuseumart.org/

Sea Life New Jersey

Escape into a breathtaking underwater tunnel, come face-to-fin with sharks and rays, touch a sticky anemone, and explore more than 10 exciting exhibits inspired by New York’s most memorable landmarks and experiences. No flippers required.
Website: https://www.visitsealife.com/new-jersey/

Liberty Science Center

A 300,000-square-foot learning center located in Liberty State Park on the Jersey City bank of the Hudson near the Statue of Liberty. The Science Center houses 12 exhibition halls, a live animal collection with 110 species, giant aquariums, a 3D theater, live simulcast surgeries, hurricane- and tornado-force wind simulators, K-12 classrooms and labs, teacher-development programs, and the Western Hemisphere’s largest planetarium—the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium and LSC Giant Dome Theater.
Website: https://www.lsc.org/

Food and Drink

Looking for a place to hang out before or after the match in Harrison? Check out a few of these spots:

O’Donnell’s Pub
At O’Donnell’s Pub, it’s all about Real Guinness, real single malt whisky, real micro-brewed beers, real live and original music, and most importantly, a real Scottish welcome.
Website: https://www.odonnellspub.com/

Keepers
Some places just feel like home. Keepers is one of those places. With warm lighting, easy laughter, and good times, this neighborhood bar and grill is inspired by great company, unforgettable moments, and a touch of nostalgia.
Website: https://www.keepers-nj.com/

Spanish Pavilion
Discover Spain in your neighborhood at Spanish Pavilion. Enjoy exclusive happy hour daily from 3 pm to 7 pm with handpicked drink and food specials. Sip on sangrias, premium beers, and wines crafted to perfection—all at wallet-friendly prices.
Website: https://spanishpavillion.com/

The Parc Tavern
erving American comfort fare and craft cocktails in a welcoming atmosphere, The Parc Tavern is a great spot to catch your favorite sports teams and pay-per-view events. The menu has something for everyone, including vegan options.
Website: https://theparcnj.com/

That’s all for today’s travel article! If you have any suggestions or recommendations for places to visit in Harrison, please send them my way so they can be included in a future article. Jillian and I will be in town covering the match, so if you see us around, be sure to say hello. I hope you have a safe and enjoyable experience during your time in New Jersey.

Main article photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Union