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Paramus is the shopping capital of northern New Jersey, a borough of about 26,000 people regularly ranked among the busiest retail zip codes in the United States. Routes 4 and 17 cross here in a tangle of malls, big-box stores and diners, about 20 minutes from Manhattan via the George Washington Bridge.
The twist is that Bergen County keeps strict blue laws, so almost all stores in Paramus close on Sundays and the highways fall quiet. Before the postwar boom, Paramus was a farming town known for celery and Dutch settler homes, a few of which, like the Harmon Van Dien House, still stand along its roads.
Green space balances the shopping: Van Saun County Park holds the Bergen County Zoo, a miniature train and a carousel, and the Saddle River County Park pathway follows a shady stream through the west side of town. Westfield Garden State Plaza, among the largest malls in the country, anchors a shopping day.
One of the largest shopping centers in the United States, with over 200 stores, department stores such as Nordstrom and Macy's, a cinema and a big dining terrace. Like the rest of Paramus it is closed on Sundays under Bergen County blue laws, so plan around that and arrive early on Saturdays.
A two-level enclosed mall on Route 17 that is smaller and less hectic than Garden State Plaza, with a skylit food court, mainstream chains and big anchor stores. It suits a quick stop for practical shopping. Parking is easy except in the weeks before Christmas, when every lot in town fills up.
An outlet-style center along Route 4 with off-price fashion and home stores, discount chains, groceries and casual restaurants in one walkable complex. Bargain hunters can easily spend a few hours here. Combine it with Garden State Plaza across the highway, but remember both close on Sundays.
Route 17 through Paramus is lined for miles with furniture showrooms, electronics stores, outlets and classic North Jersey diners and Asian restaurants. Jughandle turns and the median make it tricky to switch sides, so map your stops in order before you drive, and expect heavy traffic on Saturdays.
Bergen County's busiest park has a miniature train, a carousel, playgrounds, ponds, sports fields and walking paths, plus the Washington Spring linked to the Revolutionary War retreat of 1776. It is the best family break from shopping in town. Weekend parking fills by late morning in summer.
Inside Van Saun County Park, this small, affordable zoo focuses on animals of the Americas, such as bison, bald eagles and South American species, plus a farmyard barn with goats and cows. A visit takes about two hours, making it ideal with young kids. It is open year-round with seasonal hours.
The Dunkerhook section of Saddle River County Park offers shaded picnic groves along the river and access to a paved multi-use pathway that runs for miles through neighboring towns. It is popular with cyclists, runners and dog walkers, and a pleasant spot for a quiet lunch away from the highways.
A picturesque stone tower beside a small dam and pond on the Saddle River, built in 1900 for the estate of Edward D. Easton to house water equipment. Now part of the county park, it is a favorite spot for photos, wedding portraits and a short walk along the riverbank pathway.
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