Edison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2025)

Edison is a city in Middlesex, New Jersey. The city is named after Thomas Alva Edison who carried out most of his life's work, including the invention of the phonograph and the lightbulb, here. Menlo Park, where Edison's laboratories were located has a Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Museum honoring him. The town of Edison now has a large concentration of Asians, and Oak Tree Road in Edison is the place to visit if you are looking for Indian food or Indian stores.

Get in

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Edison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2)

Map of Edison

By plane

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Edison is a 40-minute drive from the nearest airport, Newark Liberty International Airport. Drive down the Garden State Parkway and take exits 130 or 131 to Iselin/Rahway/Metuchen.

By train

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The Northeast Corridor line of NJ Transit provides a rail link. It might be convenient to get off at the Edison, Metuchen or even Metropark stations depending on where you need to go.

Get around

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Edison has many walking-distance restaurants and attractions depending on which train station you get off at.

See

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  • 1 Thomas Alva Edison Memorial Tower and Menlo Park Museum, 37 Christie Street, +1 732 549-3299. Tu-Sa 10AM to 4PM. Built on the location of Thomas A. Edison's laboratory at Menlo Park, the museum showcases many of Thomas Edison's inventions including the phonograph, some light bulbs and a 1929 Edison 'Light-O-Matic' Radio. Free, but donations welcome.

Do

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  • 1 Roosevelt Park. Opened in 1933, it's the oldest park in Middlesex County. (updated May 2021)

Buy

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  • 1 Oak Tree Road, County Route 604. Oak Tree Road near the border with Iselin has a large number of Indian restaurants and stores: people from all over come here to shop . Whether you're looking for Bollywood videos, bhel puri, or a sari, you'll find it here. Many stores are closed on Mondays. The best way to get here is by taking the Garden State Parkway to Exit 131 (on-street parking is available), or taking the train to Metropark (it's about a 15-minute walk from the train station; exit the station, turn left onto Route 27, and then turn left again at the intersection with Oak Tree Road). (updated Nov 2022)
  • 2 Worldwide Piano and Music, 804 US-1. A piano store. (updated Nov 2022)
  • 3 Menlo Park Mall, 55 Parsonage Rd. A two-level super regional shopping mall. As of 2022, it is anchored by Macy's Nordstrom, Barnes & Noble, and an AMC Dine In Movie Theater. The mall has additional storefronts including Zara, Forever 21, Apple, francesca's, Kay Jewelers, among others. (updated Nov 2022)

Eat

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  • 1 New Keum Ho Jung, 518 Old Post Rd #12. Good Korean food located in the shopping center at the intersection of Old Post Road and Vineyard Road. (updated May 2021)
  • 2 Super Duper Deli II, 2257 Woodbridge Ave. Good sub shop to get a quick bite to eat. Cold cuts are usually better than hot subs. (updated May 2021)
  • 3 Harolds New York Deli, 1173 King Georges Post Rd. A Jewish deli that has huge sandwiches but also a very good salad bar and desserts. A little pricy but worth the money. (updated May 2021)
  • 4 Skylark Diner, 17 Wooding Ave. Generally, most entrees are good. The best item is the Lebanese Wrap at around $9. One of the few diners in New Jersey with a liquor license. Then again, New Jersey has a lot of diners. (updated May 2021)
  • 5 Le Peep, 561 US-1. A very good breakfast place. (updated May 2021)
  • 6 Ferraros Restaurant & Pizzaria, 1601 Amboy Ave. One of the better pizzerias in Edison. A little bit pricy but well worth the money. Dinners are also very good. (updated May 2021)
  • 7 Akbar Restaurant, 21 Cortlandt Street #1. Quality Indian food located off US Highway 1. Also has a lunch Indian buffet at around $8. (updated May 2021)
  • 8 Mithaas Edison, 1655-170 Oak Tree Road (At the intersection of Oak Tree Road and Wood Ave.), +1 732 947-3014. The name means "sweetness" in Hindi. Serves Indian desserts, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks it is in fact possible to make a meal out of some of the snacks. The Paneer & Veg Kathi Roll is passable, but the mango lassi is just right. Completely vegetarian. $10-15.
  • 9 Ming Far Eastern cuisine, 1655-185 Oak Tree Road (at the intersection of Oak Tree Road and Wood Ave), +1 732 549-5051. For a sample of what the Indians have done to Chinese cuisine, this place is worth a visit. The restaurant is well-patronized and if you do not call ahead for a reservation, you are looking at a wait of around 20 minutes. $20 for a meal.
  • 10 Menlo Park Diner, 1475 US-1. (updated May 2021)
  • 11 Edison Diner. (updated May 2021)

Drink

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  • 1 Elixir Bar & Grill, 2222 Woodbridge Ave. (updated May 2021)

Sleep

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Go next

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  • New York City is a 40-minute ride away via the NJ Transit train.
  • New Brunswick is a short drive through Highland Park and across the Raritan.

Routes through Edison

New York City Perth Amboy NEdison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (11)Edison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (12)S East Brunswick Philadelphia
Parsippany Bridgewater NEdison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (13)S Becomes N
New York City Woodbridge NEdison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (15)S New Brunswick Philadelphia
Newark Woodbridge NEdison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (16)S Highland Park New Brunswick
Jersey City Woodbridge NEdison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (17)S Becomes N
Trenton New Brunswick SWEdison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (19)NE Woodbridge New York City
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Edison – Travel guide at Wikivoyage (2025)

FAQs

What percent of Edison is Indian? ›

It is the largest and most diverse South Asian cultural hub in the United States. In Middlesex County, election ballots are printed in English, Spanish, Gujarati, Hindi, and Punjabi. As part of the 2020 Census, 34.9% of Edison residents identified themselves as being Indian American, an increase from 28.3% in 2010.

What did Edison, NJ used to be called? ›

Edison, formerly known as Raritan Township, was first settled in the late 1600's, when it was part of Woodbridge and Piscataway townships.

What are some fun facts about Edison NJ? ›

Edison Was Originally Known As Raritan Township

Originally, Edison was named after the Raritan tribe of the Lenape Native Americans, who lived in the area. "Raritan" is actually how the Dutch settlers pronounced "wawitan," which means "forked river" or "overflowing stream."

What is the elevation of Edison, NJ? ›

EDISON GEOGRAPHY

Its highest elevation is at Grandview Avenue which reaches a peak of about 220 feet. Its lowest point is at sea level on the Raritan River. Edison is located somewhere in the middle between Midtown Manhattan and Trenton, the capital city of New Jersey state.

What celebrities are from Edison NJ? ›

Throughout the 20th century, Edison, NJ has been home to various other notable residents, including Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon, astronaut Mark L. Polansky and world-famous pop star Halsey.

What is the poverty rate in Edison NJ? ›

The average household income in Edison is $146,529 with a poverty rate of 5.95%. The median age in Edison is 38.8 years: 39 years for males, and 38.6 years for females.

What was the old name for New Jersey? ›

It was called New Netherlands. (Meet some of the explorers with Professor Foulkii in the Cartoon History.) Small trading colonies sprang up where the present towns of Hoboken and Jersey City are located. The Dutch, Swedes, and Finns were the first European settlers in New Jersey.

Is Edison NJ a small town? ›

The township was originally founded as the settlement of Piscatawaytown, a small neighborhood that still exists within it, and incorporated as Raritan Township on March 17, 1870. As of the 2020 United States Census, Edison had a total population of 107,588, making it the sixth-most populous municipality in New Jersey.

What is the population of Edison New Jersey in 2024? ›

Edison township has a 2024 population of 106,674. Edison township is currently declining at a rate of -0.15% annually and its population has decreased by -0.37% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 107,066 in 2020.

Where does Edison NJ get its water? ›

Water for the Edison System is purchased from New Jersey American Water (Raritan Water System) and Middlesex Water Company. Source water for the Raritan and Middlesex Water Systems is surface water that comes from the Millstone River, the Raritan River and the Delaware & Raritan Canal.

Is Edison NJ a town or city? ›

Edison township, Middlesex County, New Jersey is a city, town, place equivalent, and township located in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

Is Edison NJ walkable? ›

This location is Very Walkable so most errands can be accomplished on foot.

What town has the highest elevation in NJ? ›

High Point (New Jersey)
High Point
Coordinates41°19′15″N 74°39′42″W
Geography
High Point Wantage Township and Montague Township, Sussex County, New Jersey
Parent rangeKittatinny Mountains, Appalachians
7 more rows

Why is Edison NJ named? ›

The Township of Edison was named for Thomas A. Edison, who holds more than 300 patents for work he did in his Menlo Park laboratory. These included the phonograph (right) and the incandescent lightbulb. Our County has been part of many notable 'firsts' throughout history.

What is the crime rate in Edison NJ? ›

-Edison Township: The overall crime rate was 125.06, with a violent crime rate of 11.84 and a property crime rate of 113.22.

Is Edison, NJ a good neighborhood? ›

Edison Township is a suburb of New York City with a population of 107,018. Edison Township is in Middlesex County and is one of the best places to live in New Jersey. Living in Edison Township offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes.

What percent of Indian households have electricity? ›

As per IRES 2020, nearly 97 per cent of Indian households are electrified. India has made a commendable effort on household electrification, as 96.7 per cent of Indian households are now connected to the grid, with another 0.33 per cent relying on off-grid electricity sources.

What is the highest elevation in Middlesex County NJ? ›

The elevation ranges from sea level to 300 feet (91 m) above sea level on a hill scaled by Major Road/ Sand Hill Road near Route 1 in South Brunswick Township. Another area with higher elevation in the county is the Perth Amboy Moraine, left by the southern limit of the Laurentide Ice Sheet.

Does Edison, NJ have a downtown? ›

Until the later part of the 20th century, the township comprised several rural crossroad communities, the borders of which became less distinct with suburban development. The sprawling township does not have an actual "downtown".

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