{"id":233433,"date":"2026-02-08T21:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T02:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/?p=233433"},"modified":"2026-02-17T18:13:03","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T23:13:03","slug":"things-to-do-paramus-nj","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/things-to-do-paramus-nj\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Spend a Day in Paramus (Not at the Mall)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"custom_featured_image\" style=\"display:none;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-800x533.png\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"spend a day in paramus\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-263x175.png 263w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall.png 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/div><div id=\"custom_category\" style=\"display:none;\">activities<\/div><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While most people head to Paramus to visit one of its four major malls or its many commercial centers, there is so much more to explore. If looking for something a little less mainstream + have a passion for <a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/9-new-businesses-bergen-county-nj-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">shopping small<\/a> (as long as it\u2019s not on a Sunday), this article will have all the info needed to spend a day in Paramus without setting foot into a single major mall. <strong>Keep reading for things to do, places to shop, and food spots in Paramus, NJ.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-233501 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall.png\" alt=\"spend a day in paramus\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall.png 1000w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-800x533.png 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-585x390.png 585w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/How-to-Spend-a-Day-in-Paramus-Not-at-the-Mall-263x175.png 263w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><strong>All About Paramus&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paramusborough.gov\/283\/Paramus-History\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Paramus<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> became its own borough in 1922, celebrating its centennial only a few years ago. Early inhabitants included the Lenni Lenape Indians, who granted Paramus the name we know today. Originally, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cperamsepuss\u201d the term meant \u201cland of the wild turkeys.\u201d&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While finding wild turkeys may not be as easy today, Paramus didn\u2019t start to become the shopping center it is until post-World War II. This shopping journey includes two of NJ\u2019s first malls: Garden State Plaza + Bergen Town Center.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Things to Do<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/bergencountynj.gov\/bergen-county-department-of-parks\/bergen-county-zoo\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Bergen County Zoo<\/a> | 216 Forest Avenue&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bergen County Zoo is open seven days a week + admission is free. There is a train ( open on Saturdays + Sundays)&nbsp; + carousel (open Friday &#8211; Sunday) ride available for $3 per person. The zoo holds over 30 different types of animals, mammals, + reptiles.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/centerstagedancenj.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Center Stage Dance Studio<\/a> | 176 Route 17<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Center Stage Dance is in its 32nd season. Classes at the studio include ten different styles of dance, including tap, ballet, jazz, hip hop, + zumba, to name a few. Classes are available for ages as young as two.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>Read More:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/tommys-tap-tavern-paramus-nj\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tommy\u2019s Tap &amp; Tavern Expands to Paramus, NJ<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.humdingersnj.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Humdingers<\/a> | 64 East Midland Avenue<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-233443 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Humdingers-Paramus.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Humdingers-Paramus.png 527w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Humdingers-Paramus-200x200.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If visiting the area with friends or family of different interests, Humdingers has fun for all. The facility has an arcade, batting cage area, bowling alley, + food hall. For those looking to be a bit more active, there\u2019s also Lazer Maze, which is a laser tag arena.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mgofbc.org\/index.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Master Gardeners of Bergen County<\/a> | Multiple Locations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Those with green thumbs will have a blast spending time at the Master Gardeners of Bergen County. While there are 15 different locations across Bergen County, the ones that exist in Paramus are located at Bergen County Zoo in Van Saun County Park, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, + Washington Spring in Van Saun County Park. Contact info is on the website to acquire more information about volunteering.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/monsterminigolf.com\/locations\/us\/nj\/paramus\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Monster Mini Golf<\/a> | 49 East Midland Avenue<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monster Mini Golf has mini golf + mini bowling options available for patrons. There are also arcade games available to explore within this establishment. Packages are available to combine fun options into one price.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/golfbergencounty.com\/our-courses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Orchard Hills (Bergen County Golf)<\/a> | 404 Paramus Road<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Something Paramus is not short of is golfing. Orchard Hills is part of Bergen County Golf. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/golfbergencounty.com\/tee-times\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tee times<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are available online when courses are in season. For those looking to improve their game, instructions + lessons are available.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.paramusgolfcourse.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Paramus Golf Course + Country Club<\/a> | 314 Paramus Road&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If it\u2019s a hard decision between a full golf course + mini golf, try stopping by Paramus Golf Course + Country Club for the best of both worlds. While golf courses are full of beautiful greenery, its mini golf (when in season) is a fun experience with playful stops along the way. There are also packages available for group rates.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swarcheryteam.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SW Archery<\/a> | 365 Route 17 South<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If looking to pick up a new hobby or perfect an old one, stop by SW Archery. There are several types of classes available, including classes for adults, summer camps, + a class for complete beginners. Private lessons are also available.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Place to Shop<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.campmor.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Campmor<\/a> | 810 Route 17 North&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Campmor is a camper\u2019s delight. With brands like Yeti, Stanley, Cotopaxi, Marmot, + Osprey, this establishment provides trusted brands to its patrons. There are options for getting waterproof gear for rainy hikes, running + hydration gear for those who are looking to be super active outdoors, + furniture + kitchen gear for a full camping experience available.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thejewelrycenter.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Jewelry Center<\/a> | 327 Route 4 West&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether it\u2019s to keep or to share with a special someone, The Jewelry Center is a great place to shop for jewelry of all kinds. This establishment is not only a fantastic space to shop but also to get educated on jewelry + gems. With \u201c44 expert jewelers in the largest jewelry store in the world,\u201d it\u2019s valuable to have this insight when getting tennis bracelets, necklaces, earrings, precious stones, engagement rings, + wedding bands.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thesuitstore.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Suit Store Outlet<\/a> | 328 Route 4 East<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s never a bad time to wear a suit. Whether it\u2019s grabbing something nice for a wedding or prepping for that next job interview, The Suit Store outlet has suits + tuxedos available for every dressy occasion. In addition to suits + tuxedos, the store also has accessories available like belts, shoes, suspenders, lapel pins, + ties.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/viktoriastass.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steven Corn Furs<\/a> | 358 Route 17 North<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-233440 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Steven-Corn-Furs-Paramus.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Steven-Corn-Furs-Paramus.png 525w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Steven-Corn-Furs-Paramus-200x200.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steven Corn Furs is a massive building with three floors covered in furs. Options are available in top-tier furs like mink, shearling, + rabbit, to name a few. Vintage lovers will especially enjoy&nbsp; this storefront, as there is a whole section dedicated to vintage fur finds.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/thumbody.world\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ThumBody<\/a> | 80 Route 4 East<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-233442 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Thumbody-Paramus.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Thumbody-Paramus.png 526w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Thumbody-Paramus-200x200.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cafe meets record store at ThumBody. This cafe has a large seating area, making it a nice spot to grab some breakfast pastries and a coffee with friends, or a new WFH place. ThumBody has a variety of coffees + teas available. A secret door covered in art + photography opens to expose a whole room dedicated to vinyl records.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Places to Eat<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biagios.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Biagio\u2019s Ristorante<\/a> | 299 Paramus Road<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Biago\u2019s serves \u201cauthentic Italian cooking\u201d to its patrons. The restaurant has menus for lunch, dinner, late-night specials, + Sunday brunch. <em>BG<\/em> recommends trying the Chicken San Marino (with oven-roasted tomato, spinach, artichoke, + mozzarella).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/elcidrestaurant.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">El Cid Restaurant<\/a> | 205 Paramus Road<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Cid opened its doors in 1993 and has traditional Spanish dishes on its menu. A menu is available for dinner as well as one for lunch specials. A dinner option we recommend is the Marisacada Green (lobster + shellfish combination cooked in a Spanish green sauce).&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/greenloungenj.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Green Lounge<\/a> | 314 Paramus Road&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the same address as Pramus Golf Course + Country Club, it\u2019s hard to pass on The Green Lounge for its beautiful view + Americanized cuisine. Menus are available for lunch, brunch, happy hour, + a mini menu for dinner. The restaurant also has hookah available in flavors like mint, watermelon, orange, lemon, + peach.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suburbandiner17.com\/contact-us\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Suburban Diner<\/a> | 172 NJ-17 North<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-233441 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Suburban-Diner-Paramus.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Suburban-Diner-Paramus.png 511w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2026\/01\/Suburban-Diner-Paramus-200x200.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Suburban Diner is open seven days a week and has something special on the weekends. Friday + Saturday, the diner is open 24 hours, bringing New Jerseyans back to their historic 24-hour diner roots. This diner has a large menu, a specials menu, + also has a bar available.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tomsawyerdiner.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tom Sawyer Diner<\/a> | 98 East Ridgewood Avenue<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family-owned since 1974, Tom Sawyer Diner offers American, Italian, + Greek foods. There are three menus: a breakfast menu, a main menu (for lunch + dinner), + a to-go menu for those who can\u2019t stick around. If searching for an authentic diner feel, try dining in + ordering the chocolate chip pancakes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><em>See More:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/best-grocery-stores-specialty-shops-farmers-markets-hoboken\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Best Grocery Stores, Specialty Shops, + Farmers\u2019 Markets in Hoboken<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Follow @thebergencountygirl on <a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thebergencountygirl\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/thehobokengirl\/?hl=en\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">Instagram<\/a> for the latest Bergen County updates, <a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thebergencountygirl.myflodesk.com\/uu0mgpgtm0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/view.flodesk.com\/pages\/62f92877e5ea6b3d8aea50ad\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">sign up for our email list here<\/a> that shares everything you missed each week, and check out our <a class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.hobokengirl.com\/events\/\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">events calendar<\/a>, which has over 30+ events weekly to peruse.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/category\/lifestyle\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-120157 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/02\/1-e1658249565719.jpg\" alt=\"read more lifestyle button\" width=\"451\" height=\"135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/02\/1-e1658249565719.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/02\/1-e1658249565719-800x240.jpg 800w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/02\/1-e1658249565719-1024x307.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/02\/1-e1658249565719-768x230.jpg 768w, https:\/\/thelocalgirl.com\/bergen\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2022\/02\/1-e1658249565719-585x176.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 451px) 100vw, 451px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>activitiesWhile most people head to Paramus to visit one of its four major malls or its many commercial centers, there is so&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":412,"featured_media":233501,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[9720,764,7997,9721,8824,8818,567],"tags":[9706,9702,9783,9709],"class_list":["post-233433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bergen-county-towns","category-food-drink","category-lifestyle","category-paramus","category-restaurants","category-shopping","category-travel","tag-food-drink","tag-lifestyle","tag-tlg","tag-travel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6 (Yoast SEO v27.6) - 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