Named by the Native Americans for its location “between mountains and water,” the quiet suburb of Totowa is tucked between the winding Passaic River and the Watchung Mountains in North Jersey’s Passaic County. This borough features much more than natural scenery; Totowa is home to a vibrant main street, a thriving shopping district, and easy access to Interstate 80, making Totowa both a viable commuter suburb and a bustling commercial hub of its own.
Totowa means “between mountains and water”.
Totowa is tucked between the winding Passaic River and the Watchung Mountains.
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Diverse housing and a community with deep roots
Totowa has a long history, dating as far back as the 1690s. Realtor Jocelyn Russo says, “Totowa was established in 1898, and it gets its name from the Native Americans who settled here. One of the most beautiful historic landmarks is the Dey Mansion down the road; it was George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War.” Totowa evolved from an agricultural community into a suburb during the “boroughitis” of the fin de siècle of the 1890s-1900s, and many of its homes date to the early decades of the 20th century. Vintage family homes sit beside bungalows on quiet side-streets, built in a grid pattern to accommodate Totowa’s rapid growth. Homes in Totowa sell for between $400,000 and $1 million, reflecting the diversity of housing and living styles within this close-knit suburb.
Totowa's Bungalow houses are common in the neighborhood.
Spacious, three-level homes are available in Totowa.
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Thriving Main Street with retail and dining
While Totowa may be primarily residential, this small town has a thriving main street. Russo says, “Union Boulevard is the main street that runs through Totowa, and there is so much to do from shopping to eating.” Among Union Boulevard’s diverse restaurants are Mama Ana’s Empanadas – a local favorite for freshly-baked empanadas and Cuban sandwiches – and Cyndia’s, a breakfast restaurant popular for its large omelettes and its Southern-style chicken-and-waffles. For a sweet treat, you may also be tempted to visit Gelotti Ice Cream, a decades-old establishment that has served homemade ice cream, Italian ice, and gelato to the community since the 1980s.
Enjoy fresh-baked empanadas for lunch at Mama Ana’s in Totowa.
Totowa is home to a vibrant main street with a thriving shopping district.
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Farmers market and concerts in summer
Russo adds, “During the summer months, you’re definitely going to want to check out the farmer’s market, which is every weekend, and, every week, they have a musical concert with really nice local music and bands to check out. You can also spend the whole day at Totowa Village.” Totowa’s shopping center is home to several major amenities, including an Aldi supermarket and a Marshalls department store, ensuring that your home needs are met.
Totowa has an Aldi's and Marshalls in nearby strip malls.
Totowa is full of good retail shopping and strip malls.
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Sports courts at the Totowa PAL recreation center
This small borough has also undertaken great efforts to provide locals with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Russo says, “There’s so much to do here, and the town just installed a brand-new turf field where all the children’s sports activities are held.” The Totowa PAL recreation center includes a football field, tennis courts, and baseball fields, enabling athletically inclined locals to play their favorite sports just around the corner from home. Russo adds, “The town also gives a lot of activities for summer camp, community events, and even a gorgeous nature trail to keep healthy and fit.”
Totowa's PAL is a sports facility with a football field and baseball field.
Baseball is available for all ages at Totowa PAL.
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Attending Passaic Valley schools
Totowa’s students attend Memorial School for elementary school, Washington Park School for middle school, and the Passaic Valley Regional High School. Russo says, “All the Totowa schools have recent renovations, the facilities are newer, and they’re great places to go to school.” Passaic Valley has an A-minus rating on Niche, with special recognition for the diversity of both its student body and its extracurricular programs.
Washington Park School in Totowa teaches students in grades 4-8.
Passaic Valley High School has a student teacher ratio of 10 to 1.
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Getting to and from Manhattan
Totowa residents have easy access to the Garden State Parkway, enabling them to commute into Manhattan within an hour.
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