Bergen County is one of the original four counties in New Jersey, and it has a long and storied history that dates back to the days of the Lenape Nation. With nearly 9,000 acres of parkland, it's no surprise that Bergen County is a popular destination for outdoor activities. From Van Saun Park and its Bergen County Zoo to the George Washington Bridge, there are plenty of attractions to explore. The county also has a unique set of laws known as 'Blue Laws' that prohibit certain retail items from being sold on Sundays.
The Blue Laws have been in place for decades and have been difficult to repeal. This has caused some issues for residents of Paramus, who consider them to be the main quality of life problem due to their impact on reducing traffic one day a week. At one point in New Jersey history, Blue Laws were applied across the state, but since 1985, Bergen County has been the only one that still enforces them. Van Saun Park is a great place to visit when you're in the area.
It has plenty of green spaces and picnic spots, as well as sports fields. But the main attraction is the Bergen County Zoo, which is home to a variety of animals such as spider monkeys, alligators, wildcats, and rare birds like the Andean condor. The zoo is open all year round and admission is charged between May and October. Bergen County itself is an interesting area with no big towns or cities that dwarf its neighbors.
This means that wherever you travel within the region, you're sure to find something interesting nearby. In the 17th century, Dutch settlers considered the area comprising the current counties of Bergen and Hudson to be part of New Holland, their colonial province of the Dutch Republic. The Bergen County court system consists of several municipal courts that deal with traffic courts and other minor matters, in addition to the Bergen County Superior Court which deals with more serious offenses. From Edgewater to Mahwah and points in between, Bergen County offers a diverse range of lifestyles for its residents. Whether you're visiting a museum or enjoying some of the county's best restaurants and bars, there's plenty to do in Bergen County. In addition to its parks and zoo, it also has an environmental center where you can learn more about nature and conservation efforts in the area. Bergen County was also involved in skirmishes during World War I when armies from both sides maneuvered through the countryside.
To organize troops upon entering the war in April 1917, Camp Merritt was created in eastern Bergen County. The George Washington Bridge opened to traffic in October 1931 and has had a major impact on life in Bergen County ever since. In the northwestern part of the county, it shares the Ramapo Mountains with Rockland County, New York.
