South Orange and Maplewood NJ
Maplewood and South Orange are often grouped together because they share a school district and some common history.  The midtown-direct train line, instituted here in 1996, decreased the commute into the city from 50 minutes to 30, and popularity of the two towns boomed. South Orange has a college-town feel as it is home to Seton Hall University and “a collection of shops that cover a little bit of everything,” according to NJ Monthly. Its new performing arts center–created in conjunction with SHU–is a triumph and has been increasing its influence every year. Maplewood has maintained the small-town vibe in its downtown “village” since the 1950s, with a movie theater, local stores, and several upscale and midscale restaurants. The town even has a reputation as a center of recreational invention, being the birthplace of both Ultimate Frisbee and the wooden golf tee.
Schools
Public Schools
- School District of South Orange/Maplewood
- South Orange/Maplewood Education Foundation
- NJ Department of Education Report Card for South Orange/Maplewood
- High school rankings in 2008, according to NJ Monthly survey
- Results of standardized tests, published in Star-Ledger/NJ.com
Private schools in or near South Orange/Maplewood:
- St. Joseph Preschool and Elementary School
- Our Lady of Sorrows School
- Seton Hall Preparatory School (West Orange)
- Far Brook School (Short Hills)
- Newark Academy (Livingston)
South Orange/Maplewood Preschools
- South Orange
- South Orange Country Day School
- Preschool of Beth El
- Mickey Fried Nursey School of Oheb Shalom
- Weekday Nursery School – 973-762-7879
‎
- Maplewood
Continuing Education
Community
- Township of Maplewood
- Township of South Orange
- Maplewood/South Orange Coalition
- SO/Maplewood Adult School
- SO Public Library
- Maplewood Memorial Library
- South Orange Village
- Main Street South Orange
- NJ Farmer’s Markets (includes South Orange and Maplewood)
- South Orange Recycling Schedule
- Maplewood Recycling Schedule
- Essex County Community Information
Press and Media
- Maplewood Patch
- South Orange Patch
- South Orange Local Source
- Maplewood Local Source
- The Local, NY Times Maplewood/South Orange/Millburn blog
- Maplewood Online
- New York Magazine “Top 10 Affordable Suburbs”
Parks and Gardens
- Parks in South Orange
- Maplewood Parks and Recreation
- Maplewood Garden Club
- South Mountain Reservation
Arts and Entertainment
- South Orange Performing Arts Center
- Paper Mill Playhouse
- Maplewood/SO Coalition Community Arts Calendar
- ArtsMaplewood
- Seton Hall University Arts Council
- Pierro Gallery of South Orange
- Maplewood 1978 Arts Center
- Jazz at the Baird
- Maplewood Glee Club
- Youth Orchestras of Essex County (located in Maplewood)
- Underground Concert Series
- Dreamcatcher Repertory Theater
- The Strollers Community Theatre
- What Exit Theatre Company
- Global Heritage Theater Arts Project
- “A Day Trip to South Orange,” NJ Monthly, February 2009
Walking, Hiking, and Green Living
- Ethical Culture Society of Essex County
- NJ Farmer’s Markets (includes South Orange and Maplewood)
- South Orange Recycling Schedule
- Maplewood Recycling Schedule
- Environment South Orange
- Maplewood Environmental Advisory Committee
Recreation
- Disk Jockeys: A history of Ultimate Frisbee (invented in Maplewood), NJ Monthly, January 2008
- Sports and Fitness at the Baird, South Orange
- South Orange Online Recreation Registration
- South Orange Community Pool
- Maplewood Recreation Programs
- Maplewood Community Pool
Favorite Local Businesses
- Words Bookstore
- Milk Money Children’s Consignment
- No. 165 Boutique
- Village Belle
- Geralyn’s Art Studio
- Bee and Thistle Gifts
- Mia Cose Bella
- Springfield Avenue Business Directory
- Maplewood Village Alliance Business Directory
- South Orange Business Directory
Favorite Restaurants and Food Shops
- Suncrest Farms Milk Delivery
- Bagel Chateau
- Village Tratoria
- Arturo’s Osteria and Pizzeria
- Harrar Café, Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
- New World Catering and Food Boutique
- Bunny’s Restaurant
- Cent’ Anni Restaurant
- Gaslight Brewery
- St. James’s Gate Publick House (via Yelp)
- Eden Gourmet Market
- Restaurant Lorena’s
- Verjus Restaurant
- The 25 Best Restaurants in NJ, NJ Monthly, July 2008 (the latter two listings are on there)
Transit to NYC
- NJ Transit
- Train: Morris & Essex Morristown line, M&E Gladstone Branch line
- Bus: #107, South Orange to NY (pdf)
- Montrose jitney (pdf)
- Newstead jitney (pdf)
- Maplewood jitney (pdf)