Welcome to Ramsey
A charming city with tree-lined streets, parks, and a farmers market
Ramsey is a small city with streets lined with mature oak and ash trees crisscrossed by multiple brooks. The city is primarily residential, with a few shopping areas and restaurants. Established in the mid-1800s, Ramsey used to be an agricultural city well known for its strawberry production. Architecture styles include ranch, Victorian, colonial, contemporary, and Cape Cod-style homes. Residents love being only a 45-minute drive or a quick bus and PATH train trip from New York City.
Ramsey is well known for its centrally-located Ramsey Farmers Market, with vendors selling locally and sustainably sourced or foraged food items and homemade baked goods and products. Ramsey is also home to three parks and a golf course, and it is a short drive to Campgaw Mountain Ski Area. Ramsey borders Ramapo County Valley Reservation, a park covering more than 4,000 acres of preserved natural areas with hiking trails, lakes, and the Ramapo River. Highly esteemed schools and preschools are within the city’s limits, including a preparatory high school. When it comes to fun, residents love to participate in or cheer one another on in the city’s annual Jack McKeown Memorial Ramsey Run. When fall colors begin to pop, be sure to witness the city’s creative flare by showing up for Ramsey’s Halloween Parade and Costume Contest, an event enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
What to Love
- 45-minute drive to New York City
- Home to three parks and two golf courses
- Near downhill ski area
- Old-growth trees and picturesque brooks
- Thriving farmers market
Local Lifestyle
Ramsey has a quaint, suburban feel with lush pockets of neighborhood tree groves, parks, and playgrounds. Ramsey’s independently-owned restaurants and well-attended farmers market puts quality over quantity or showiness. Residents value the strong sense of community they share, supported by the city’s annual events and festivals enjoyed by all ages.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Chef Anthony DeVanzo of Bici, an Italian restaurant featuring a seasonal menu, is a Ramsey native. After graduating from culinary school, he returned to Ramsey in 2016 to open Bici. Giovanna’s Cafe is a wonderful place to dine and dash or grab a tasty bite to-go for yourself or a group of people, offering a “Grab & Go” menu and catering option. Though dishes are primarily Italian, Giovanna’s Cafe offers gluten-free options, like their gluten-free French Toast.
Varka is a Mediterranean restaurant with an exclusive Martini Menu of craft martinis, such as the Chocolate Raspberry Espresso Martini, served with Stoli Vanil, espresso, Chambord, a Godiva liqueur, and a cocoa powder rim. Or check out Smyrna Mediterranean Mezze Grill and share an appetizer of Avoganush, a twist on baba ganoush with avocado freshly blended into it, then sprinkled with sumac and parsley.
Things to Do
Children love the Spring Egg Hunt every year, with over 3,000 eggs to find and a golden egg that comes with a special prize. Finch Park Summer Camp is a great place for children from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade to enjoy a month’s worth of outdoor activities with one another. A summer swim is fun for all ages at Darlington County Park.
Schools
