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If your bus is arriving near Newark Penn Station or Raymond Plaza East (just outside of Penn Station), then two of the closest neighborhoods are Downtown Newark and the Ironbound District.

Downtown you’ll find a number of hotels for reasonable prices (especially considering how expensive it is to stay in nearby New York City). Staying downtown, you’re close to the Prudential Center, home of the New Jersey Devils and a popular concert venue.

South of Penn Station, the Ironbound District was formerly an industrial area settled by European immigrants. Today it’s an awesome place to stay, with tons of good food and activities you can easily walk to.

To get into Manhattan from Newark Penn Station and Raymond Plaza, you can easily take a number of different train lines departing out of Penn Station itself. Among them, the North Jersey Coast Line and the Northeast Corridor, both of which are operated by NJ Transit. The trip takes between 20 and 25 minutes, which makes staying in Newark a cheap and convenient alternative to Manhattan when visiting New York City.

In general, public transportation is pretty robust in and around Newark. There are various bus lines and trains to transport you within Newark itself, and to nearby areas like New York City and greater New Jersey.

A great place to visit is The Newark Museum of Art — the largest museum in New Jersey. Its collection includes American art, contemporary art, and international art from Africa, Asia, the Americas and the ancient world.

Another awesome spot to visit is Branch Brook Park. The site itself has 360 acres of pristine woodlands, and is a terrific place to enjoy the outdoors. (Even better, it’s free.) In the fall, it’s especially charming with the colorful fall foliage.

Near Penn Station and Raymond Plaza East is the Ironbound neighborhood, deemed by Eater New York to be “Newark’s Culinary Gem.” It’s full of delicious international food, including Spanish, Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine. Some of the best options include classic spots like Brasilia Grill (especially if you’re a fan of meat skewers) and Iberia Peninsula (for some delicious paella).

If you are looking for something a little more elegant, Fornos of Spain (also in North Ironbound) is excellent. It stays open till 10:30 p.m. and serves Spanish cuisine with fine wines. If you’d prefer a good meal on a budget, South BBQ in the Ironbound is another local favorite. This spot is known for being family owned, with a really inviting atmosphere.