Welcome to South Orange
A gracious community, peacefully tucked away.
As one of New Jersey’s more picturesque towns with cool urban amenities, South Orange is a stone’s throw away from the Big Apple. Impressive Colonial and Tudor-style homes lie protected beneath dense layers of mature, shady trees. And with over 1400 gas lamps lighting the streets, South Orange has one of the largest collections in the United States
The first of more than a dozen Essex County communities to reclassify themselves as townships, South Orange became much more accessible with the construction of the railroad in 1837. Today, South Orange is a short drive from New York City and each of its major international airports, easily connecting the community to the rest of the world in an instant.
What to Love
- Mere miles from Manhattan and multiple international airports and excellent public transportation to get around New Jersey and into New York City
- Impressive and varied residential architecture from mid-century modern to classical to tudor style set on large spacious lots
- Outdoor recreation, great schools, and a plethora of dining options
Quick Links
Maplewood & South Orange
Transportation
Like its neighbor Maplewood, South Orange is less than 20 miles from NYC and is serviced by NJ Transit. Commuting into New York is simple, thanks to the NYC direct Morris-Essex train line.
Local Lifestyle, Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Residents of South Orange enjoy a convenient commute to New York City as well as to the major corporate parks situated in western NJ. Great schools, creative atmosphere and access to nature are the signatures of Essex County towns. Weekends are enjoyed in the company of Mother Nature, getting lost in local bookstores, attending a show at SOPAC, or enjoying a meal out locally or in nearby Millburn or Maplewood.
South Orange boasts a varied culinary scene, with a variety of eclectic cuisines. However, some of the more basic classics are still the most popular. Jackie & Son is a favorite spot for breakfast and brunch, served in a bright, charming space and has perfected French toast. Another popular option is The Order. Locals have called The Order “a gem,” “scrumptious,” and “impeccable.” Brooklynites will recognize Miti Miti South Orange outpost and know that they are about to sample amazing latin street food.
South Orange is home to several sweet boutiques, and a newer addition to the retail scene, Sadie’s was opened in 2017 to bring ethically sourced apparel, accessories, decor, and self-care treats to the community. For children’s clothing, head over to nearby MOD Studio, where youngsters can find anything needed for cute and casual occasions.
Kitchen gadgets, both basic and highly specialized, isf Kitchen a la Mode. This full-service shop will professionally sharpen your knives, teach you how to season cast iron skillets, and introduce you to gadgets guaranteed to make even the most tedious kitchen tasks a breeze.
Things To Do
New Jersey enjoys the beauty of the changing seasons and the South Mountain Reservation is arguably one of the best places to experience our changing nature. Almost 2,110 acres, the nature preserve is home to a zoo, five trails, enchanting views of the New Jersey countryside, and colorful scenery to match the changing seasons. The Orange Lawn Tennis Club is New Jersey’s second-oldest tennis club and one of the few remaining grass-court tennis clubs. The first host of the U.S. Open, the Club was established in 1880 and also features a pool, two restaurants, summer tennis programs, and private event space. For occasional chilly days spent inside, the South Orange Performing Arts Center is an exciting place to see popular comedy and music shows. Or check out the kids art classes and workshops at Oh Canary!
Schools
South Orange is home to high-ranking, award-winning public and private schools. South Orange-Maplewood School District, prekindergarten-12th grade; schools within this district perform higher than others on state exams, place an emphasis on readiness for the next education level, and boast highly qualified teachers and staff members.
Private School Options include:
- Newark Academy, grades 6-12; Newark Academy offers the International Baccalaureate program, several honors courses, advanced placement programs, and dozens of extracurricular options
- Seton Hall Prep
- Kent Place School, kindergarten-12th grade; this private all-girls school has been named as the best all-girls school in New Jersey, the third-best overall private school, and fourth-best private college preparatory school by Niche.com
- Montclair Kimberley Academy, prekindergarten-12th grade; one of the best private schools in the region boasts a staggeringly low student-teacher ratio, above-average scores on college entrance exams, and is highly rated on several of Niche.com’s rankings
- Golda Ochs Academy, prekindergarten-12th grade; this private Jewish day school is located on two campuses and has been ranked as the second-best Jewish school in the state
