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Westfield, NJ with Meaghan Murphy

My media bio says that I’m known for my “high-energy, upbeat personality and YAY lifestyle.” That sounds pretty accurate. I’m also a longtime magazine editor, author, podcaster, and on-air TV personality as seen regularly on Today. You can catch me as the fairy-godmother-style host of the brand-new reality show My Perfect Day on the Hearst-owned Very Local streaming network. (Just download the Very Local app on your smartphone or connected TV to tune in.) I’m currently the editor-in-chief of Woman’s Day following 7 years as the Executive Editor of Good Housekeeping and I wrote the happiness handbook Your Fully Charged Life (Penguin-Random House), which Oprah Daily calls a book “that’ll make you feel good at the turn of every page.” A New Jersey native, I married my younger brother’s best friend, Patrick, and we live in Westfield (aka @bestfieldnj) with our three kids and labradoodle Dempsey. When I’m not getting my 10K steps, I’m busy decorating for all the holidays and coming up with MacGuyver-style life hacks.

Five Quick Tips:

Go-to coffee spot

Boxwood coffee is a great place for a coffee catch-up with friends.

@boxwood_coffee

Best place for a cocktail

I love a seasonal Moscow Mule from Addams.

Kid-Friendly Activity

YESTERcades is an OG arcade. Great for rainy days!

Favorite place to get pampered

I love Face Aesthetic Artistry for my twice yearly Botox and skin treatments. @face_atesthetic_artistry

Favorite spot for a Scenic Stroll

I do laps around Mindowaskin Park with my labradoodle Dempsey.  

What makes Westfield special to you?

When I got pregnant with our 3rd child (surprise!), my husband and I knew our Jersey City apartment wasn’t big enough for the 5 of us. Suddenly, the nesting phase kicked in bigtime and I had my heart set on a yard, a fence and a swingset. We had grown-up in a nearby town and thought Westfield would be the perfect place to raise our growing family. We were charmed by the downtown and walkability. I didn’t want to feel trapped in the burbs.

What are your go-to lunch spots in Westfield?

I love sitting outside at Ferraro’s on a sunny day. They have the best gluten-free menu around. I’m celiac, so the fact that I can order anything from fried calamari to chicken parm, is a total treat.

Favorite dinner restaurants?

We live one block from the heart of downtown, so we can walk everywhere for date nights. I love sitting at the bar at SweetWaters—their pork chop is my favorite! I’m obsessed with the Prasini salad and Shrimp Santorini at Limani. I can’t get enough of the Addams Rotisserie Pulled Chicken Salad at Addams Tavern and sometimes we’re just in the mood for a cocktail and sushi at Akai. So many options!

What are your top hotel recommendations?

I have always wanted to stay at The Westfield Inn. It’s super charming and is connected to a fancy French restaurant called Chez Catherine. Now I’m giving myself ideas for a birthday getaway!

Favorite local boutiques, vintage stores, etc.? 

Patricia & Paul has fine oils and balsamics. It’s a great place to buy a gift. I can always do some damage in South Moon Under and our Urban Outfitters is in a giant old bank—the dressing rooms were vaults! We just got a surf-inspired shop called Faherty and 2nd Street for designer thrifting. Sole Shoes is the ultimate boutique for unique finds direct from Italy. (The owner Anna snapped my pics for this!) But my most favorite store is Baron’s. It’s an old-timey mom + pop drugstore where I can pick up my Rx and just about anything else I didn’t even know I needed!

What are your can’t-miss recommendations for friends visiting from out of town?

Come in October! We are known for AddamsFest, a unique Halloween festival honoring cartoonist Charles Addams, creator of the Addams Family, who grew up in Westfield. You’ll also want to check out the Center for Creativity at the Rialto. There’s always something exciting happening in this home of the arts. Right now my book is on display. Yay!

 

A touristy attraction that you’d actually suggest?

There is some really cool art hanging out in Westfield. There’s the Central Avenue Mural Gallery; an incredible work depicting Langston Hughes, Paul Robeson and Zora Neale Hurston, pioneers of the Harlem Renaissance who live in Westfield, by our very own Ricardo Roig; the “Dream Create Inspire” painting on the brick face behind the Center for Creativity at the Rialto; fiberglass butterflies celebrating remaining from the town’s 300th anniversary in 2020 and many more Instagrammable treasures to discover.

Favorite activities for an ideal day in the sun?

My boys just started fishing! They dig for worms in the backyard and then head out to the pond in Mindowaskin Park or Brightwood Park. It’s such wholesome, off-devices, fun!

Any other Westfield hidden gems you’d be willing to share?

We have the most charming and exquisite boutique bakery created by a French mother and daughter duo. Victoria’s Cake has the most glorious homemade pastries, cupcakes, macaroons, plus they offer baking classes!

How would you style Sunshine Tienda for a day in Westfield?

I’m often running from a Bar Method class to tackle errands, so I need to chic-up my gym clothes. There’s nothing like a Sunshine Tienda hat, fun earrings or a flowy caftan to make me look like I actually showered and tried to look good on-the-go.

And finally, tell us what makes you “Vacation Happy"?

Sun on my face and no phone!




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