NJPAC – New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Description

Checklist

Doors:  several sets of double glass doors
Number of floors:  5
Elevators:  to all levels
Ramps:  excalators to all levels
Steps and staircases:  to all levels
Width of aisles:  spacious
Places to sit:  benches in lobby
Location of restrooms:  on all levels
Type of restroom:  **multi-stall, handicapped accessible
Ease of entry and exit:  good
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  *** kiosks selling drinks and snacks
Friendliness of staff:  everyone was lovely
Notes:  *Parking is available at several garages and parking lots close by. Check NJPAC website for details. **A single-occupancy, family restroom can be made available. Contact Guest Services. *** Two dining venues are located within the Center. NICO Kitchen+Bar and Tier 3 Cafe. Call (973) 642 - 1226 or www.nicokitchenbar.com for details.

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As big fans of the NPR Radio Show, “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me,” we were excited to find out that they were coming to the NJPAC for a taping.  Knowing nothing about this venue except that it is in Newark, we went online to gather some information.  We found out that we could purchase discount garage parking under Military Park in advance (which we did) and that the venue has two restaurants within the building.  We should have made a dining reservation when we purchased the tickets but…we did not. So…I can only suggest that if you want to dine in the building, make your reservation in advance because they regularly sell out (which they did).  We were able to get seats at the bar, but that is not the most relaxing thing to do.  There appears to be several restaurants close to the theater, but we did not want to walk in the cold.  The NICO Kitchen+Bar has direct entry to the lobby (see NICO in our dining section).  On some occasions, a buffet restaurant, Tier 3 Cafe operates before the performance (see NJPAC website). It was not open the night we were there.

There is no parking garage either directly under or attached to the center itself.  The garage we parked in is directly across the street from the Center.  There are some handicapped spaces.  When I asked at the theater about handicapped parking I was told that wheelchair parking is available directly in front of building, with a permit. So…call to check before you go.

Access to the building is easy, with several sets of double glass doors at street level. Escalators and elevators go to all levels.

When we arrived the lobby was open but we were not yet able to get to our seats. We found benches in the carpeted, spacious lobby and many kiosks offering a variety of snacks and drinks.

There is “designated seating…for anyone who uses a wheelchair and wants to remain in their wheelchair, and for patrons who prefer to transfer from their wheelchair to a theater seat.” (website) Companion seating is available.  The Guest Services Staff can assist you.

Multi-stall, handicapped-accessible restrooms are located on all levels. We were told that a single-occupancy, family restroom can be made available if needed.

NJPAC opened in 1997.  The Center is one of the largest performing arts center in the U.S.  Prudential Hall has 2,800 seats with no poles or obstructions to one’s view.  A NY Times architecture critic said, NJPAC is…”one of the best modern concert halls on the Eastern Seaboard – handsome in appearance, warm in sound.”  We certainly found all of this to be true.  Our seats were quite spacious and very comfortable.  Although we were at the back of the orchestra section seeing and hearing were easy.  We found the Hall to be modern, yet comfortable, and not stark.

“Wait, Wait” was great fun, and we had a lovely first experience at this venue.

As always, we at Destination Accessible advise you to check a venue’s website, www.njpac.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby