New Jersey
Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

A Drone Flew Over American Dream In New Jersey And Captured Mesmerizing Footage

The American Dream mall project, started in 1994, has faced numerous delays and changes but is now set to open in late 2019.

Published May 12, 2019

Written by 

Kristen

We all know that the "American Dream" mall has become somewhat of an American Nightmare. The project got its start all the way back in 1994 but over 25 years later, the site still hasn't had a single customer. The complex was to be known as Meadowlands Mills and would be comprised of 2.1 million square feet of retail space, a hotel, and 1 million square feet of office space on 206 acres. This plan did not pan out, and evolved into what would be known as Xanadu.

Set to be "a new standard for bringing lifestyle, recreation, sports and family entertainment offerings together in one location," Xanadu was proposed in 2002. Ground broke in 2004 with an expected opening in 2006. In 2009, when the complex was approximately 80 percent complete, construction came to a halt. Lenders backed out and the structure itself gained notoriety for being an eyesore. You may remember it looking something like this...

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Millertime83/Wikipedia

Things have changed, for the better. In 2011, Triple Five Group breathed new life into the project. Experienced mall developers, they renovated the structure and set an opening date in 2014. Changes to the project included an expansion to 3 million square feet, an 8.5-acre indoor glass-domed amusement park, water parks, and an ice skating rink. The ski slope would remain. Of course, bonds fell through, construction was delayed and the mall is not yet open. Here's what we can expect:

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  • 450 retail shops
  • 6 anchor retail tenants with more than 50,000 square feet
  • 12 major retailers (20,000 to 50,000 square feet)
  • 339 smaller shops (up to 20,000 square feet)
  • More than 100 eateries21 full-service restaurants
  • 45 specialty food retailers
  • 18-vendor food court, including a kosher food hall (38,000 square feet)
  • Indoor ice rink (NHL-sized)
  • Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park
  • DreamWorks Water Park – A year-round indoor water park
  • Concert hall – 2,400–3,000 seat performing arts and concert venue
  • Indoor ski slope
  • Miniature 18-hole golf course
  • CMX premium dine-in cinema
  • KidZania
  • Lucky Strike bowling alley
  • Legoland Discovery Center
  • Sea Life Aquarium
  • Observation Wheel
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NJ.com/YouTube

The current opening date is set for late 2019, despite recent news that the mall would open in April. If you're interested to see what the complex currently looks like, check out this incredible video from NJ.com, uploaded to YouTube in March. It's just a minute long:

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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

8 Abandoned Places In New Jersey That Nature Is Reclaiming

Explore eight abandoned places in New Jersey that nature is reclaiming.

Updated Jun 6, 2024

Written by 

Kristen

In such a densely packed state, it can be difficult to find abandoned buildings. Many abandoned properties are simply knocked down to make room for more malls or upscale apartment complexes. When you're tight on space, every square foot matters. Even still, if you know where to look, there are a treasure trove of abandoned places just waiting to be explored. Many of these buildings are on public property; as for the ones that aren't, we'll just have to live vicariously through these photos. Enjoy the following photos of eight abandoned places in New Jersey that nature is reclaiming.

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1. Rail Car, Lambertville

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Flickr/Peter Miller
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Flickr/Peter Miller

Once used to transport passengers, this train car is now home to local wildlife and rebellious teenagers.

2. Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook

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Flickr/Peter Miller

This former Army base was active between 1874 -1974.

3. Factory, Paterson

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Flickr/Mike Rastiello

Paterson is a populous city, but this factory sits on the outskirts untouched.

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4. Church, Spring Valley

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Flickr/Dennis

The ruins of this church now serve as a house of worship for woodland creatures.

5. Home, Walpack

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Flickr/Danni Suplicki
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Flickr/Danni Suplicki

The lines between building and nature are blurred in Walpack; nearly the entire town has been abandoned. At the time of the 2018 census, there were only 11 residents.

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6. School, Lambertville

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Flickr/Danni Suplicki
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Flickr/Danni Suplicki

This abandoned schoolhouse has since been demolished. For years it was a favorite haunt of high school students on the hunt for ghosts.

7. Ruins, Hope

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Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli

Though we don't know what type of building once stood here, we do know that these rocks have found their way back into nature.

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8. Mansion, Kinnelon

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Flickr/jgurbisz

Once a stunning mansion owned by stockbroker Milton Untermeyer, the building burned down in the late 1960s. All that remains now is brick and vines.

In the end, nature always wins. That may be reassuring for some, though it may be unsettling for others. Either way, the significance of nature reclaiming urban sprawl and industrial progress does not go overlooked. What's your view on abandoned buildings being left to nature? Are there any abandoned buildings in New Jersey near you? Let us know in the comments and feel free to share your own photos!

If you love abandoned places, check out this abandoned places road trip in New Jersey. While chilly and exciting, just make sure you don't forget the yummy snacks for the journey!

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Experiences|Sights & Landmarks

The One Unforgettable Attraction In New Jersey You’ll Want To Cross Off Your Bucket List ASAP

Published Jun 5, 2024

Written by 

Raymond Goldfield

American Dream might be one of my favorite spots in New Jersey - this long-building mega-mall has so many stores, attractions, and restaurants in it that the odds are I'll be back time and time again until I've tried everything. But until recently, I've never done maybe the most iconic attraction in the complex. This would be the Dream Wheel, the massive Ferris Wheel looming over the mall and providing maybe the best skyline view in New Jersey. Built on top of the wall, the wheel provides incredibly clear views of New York City like few other places in the Garden State. I'm sure soon I'll find another must-visit destination in American Dream that I need to experience next, but for now, the Dream Wheel is one iconic NJ attraction I'm happy to have knocked off my bucket list.

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American Dream has enough in it to spend a day or more here, but there's one spot you shouldn't miss.

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Management/TripAdvisor

Head to the third floor and look for the place that makes you feel like you've just stepped into a retro carnival. That's how you know you've arrived at the Dream Wheel.

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Dream Wheel/Google Local

It's only a small corner of the mall, but it leads to the massive ferris wheel that you can see from miles around.

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Dream Wheel/Google Local

You just give them your ticket, then board your climate-controlled private ferris wheel booth for a relaxing ride.

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Mendy S/Google Local

The wheel will take you soaring above the massive mall, with an incredible view of the nearby New York skyline.

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Dream Wheel/Google Local

This attraction is even more beautiful at night, when the whole area is illuminated in the city lights.

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American Dream

Before you head out, make sure to stop at Deep Fried Love, the attraction's fast food concessions. After all, what goes better with a ferris wheel than some deep-fried fair treats?

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American Dream/Facebook

Have you ridden the Dream Wheel at American Dream before? What do you think is the best skyline view in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments section, and head on over to the American Dream website's page for the Dream Wheel to buy tickets and reserve your time. You'll also want to follow American Dream on Facebook so you can see all the latest announcements about what's coming to the mall. If you want a more grown-up bucket list experience without leaving the mall, we highly recommend a visit to Vinoteca, New Jersey's first and only self-serve wine bar.

Need a place to stay in the area? Homewood Suites by Hilton East Rutherford gets great reviews, and offers wonderful amenities including a free hot breakfast buffet!

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