West Orange Township lies just north of South Orange, Maplewood, and Millburn and west of the city of Orange. While it doesn’t have a train station of its own, parts of town are only a few blocks from the Mountain, Highland and Orange train stations. There is also a jitney bus system to the Mountain, South Orange and orange stations.
West Orange is a sprawling Township draped across First and Second Watchung mountains, in places offering breathtaking views of New York City skyline. At the foot of First Watchung mountain and the Eastern edge of the town lie the Valley Arts District and Downtown Business District along Valley Road and Main Street. These are the parts of town closest to the train. Here you can find Luna stage, the historic Llewellyn Park gated community and Thomas Edison’s Workshop now a National Historic Park.
Above this and adjacent to South Orange is the Gregory District along Gregory Avenue, with turn of the century Colonials in the lower part and mid-century modern homes near the summit. This area provides some of the most sought after views. At the North End of the mountain the Eagle Rock Reservation provides the best view of Manhattan from anywhere in New Jersey.
Between First and Second Watchung mountains lies the Saint Cloud and Pleasantdale neighborhoods with mid-century modern and newer homes along with Essex Green Shopping Center. Pleasant Valley Way, the road up this valley was made famous in the 1960s by Carol King’s song for the Monkeys, Pleasant Valley Sunday. King lived in the neighborhood at the time. South Mountain Reservation also lies in this Valley and includes Orange Reservoir, the Cody Arena for ice skating, the Turtle Back Zoo and Treetop Adventure Course.
Across Second Watchung Mountain, West Orange abuts Livingston, Roseland and Essex Fells. This part of West Orange features the newest developments in town including several large townhome developments.
