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Voykit pocket guide · United States
Union
Spend a half‑day in Union to see historic sites and the Watersphere, then head to NYC or Newark; no overnight needed.
Union is a small New Jersey township of about 57 000 people, known for Revolutionary‑War landmarks and the 212‑ft Watersphere. It sits 10 km from Newark Airport and 15 min by train to New York Penn, making it a quick stop rather than a base.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Feb (cold, occasional snow)
- Stay
- 0.5 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–70 excl. lodging · Mid $70–120 excl. lodging (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | $2–3 |
| Hot dog (Galloping Hill Grill) | $3–5 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | $15–20 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- EWR · Newark Liberty International
- 10 km (6 mi) north; 10‑minute drive via Garden State Parkway6 mi (10 km) north; 10‑minute drive via Garden State Parkway
Typical fares
- NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line, Union → New York Penn
- about $12 one‑way, 30 min (check schedule)
- Taxi Newark Airport → Union
- $30–40, 15 min (check traffic)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line serves Union station; local bus routes stop at 1007 Stuyvesant Ave; taxis and rideshare operate from 2034 Morris Ave.
See and do
Known for
- Caldwell Parsonage (Revolutionary War site)
- Washington's Headquarters
- Liberty Hall Museum
- World's Tallest Watersphere
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line to Newark Penn, then transfer to NJ Transit Northeast Corridor; total ~30 min | About 45 min total travel |
Sleep
- Union area hotels
- Several budget chains near Route 1; convenient if staying after a late train
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Thank you | Thank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Parking at the Watersphere can fill quickly on weekends; arrive early.
- Some historic sites have limited winter hours; check before visiting.
Union is a low‑crime suburban area; standard US safety precautions (stay aware of traffic, keep valuables secure) apply.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Union yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Caldwell Parsonage (Revolutionary War site)
- Washington's Headquarters
- Liberty Hall Museum
- World's Tallest Watersphere
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Union township official site: www.uniontownship.com/
- Wikidata – Union, NJ: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Union (Union County), revision 4269664 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4269664
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Union
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
All phrases are in English; local accent may vary.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/union-union-county). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.