You’re driving down Route 4 in Paramus. You see the massive Whole Foods sign. You see Target. You think, "Cool, I'll just park and walk the whole mall." Then you get inside and realize you have no idea where you are or how to get to the other side of the building without crossing a literal highway or a massive parking lot. Honestly, the Bergen Town Center map is one of the most confusing things in New Jersey retail, and if you don't understand the "split" layout before you arrive, you’re going to spend forty minutes just looking for an exit.
It’s not a traditional "loop" mall like Garden State Plaza. It’s a hybrid. Part of it feels like a high-end outlet center, part of it is a suburban power center, and part of it is basically a grocery store attached to a gym.
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The Great Divide: Understanding the Bergen Town Center Map Layout
If you look at a digital Bergen Town Center map, the first thing you’ll notice is that the property is essentially bisected. You have the "East" side and the "West" side, separated by a massive parking structure and access roads. Most people get stuck in the main indoor mall area near Marshall's and Burlington, thinking that's the whole thing. It isn't.
The main indoor corridor is where you find the heavy hitters like H&M, Nike Factory Store, and Old Navy. It’s a long, slightly curved hallway. But here’s where it gets tricky: if you want to go to Whole Foods or Target, you are technically in the same complex, but the physical walk involves navigating levels that don't always line up.
You’ve got the Lower Level, the Concourse, and the Upper Level.
The Lower Level is basically the "Value Hub." This is where you find the massive Burlington and some of the smaller service shops. If you enter through the deck near the 24 Hour Fitness, you're starting at a completely different elevation than if you park near the Ruth's Chris Steak House. It’s confusing. It’s annoying. But once you realize that the mall is built on a slope, the map starts to make sense.
Why the "Center" Isn't Actually in the Center
Most malls have a "Center Court" with a fountain or a giant elevator. Bergen Town Center doesn't really have that. Its "center" is more of a transition point between the indoor shops and the outdoor-facing anchors.
The Target is a massive anchor, but it sits on its own corner. You can get to it from the inside, but most regulars know that parking in the specific Target deck is the only way to keep your sanity. If you park near Saks OFF 5TH and try to walk to Target with a full cart of groceries, you’re going to have a bad time.
Parking Hacks That the Maps Don't Tell You
The official map shows a sea of grey for parking. It looks simple. It's a trap.
The North Deck is your best bet for the main mall shops. If you’re hitting the outlets—Gap, Banana Republic, J.Crew—park there. But if you are there for the "service" side of the mall (Whole Foods, the post office, or the bank), do not park in the deck. Use the surface lots near Route 4.
The traffic flow here is notoriously bad on Saturdays. Because Bergen County still observes Blue Laws, the mall is closed on Sundays. This means Saturday is a literal gauntlet. The Bergen Town Center map doesn't show you the gridlock that happens at the intersection near Chick-fil-A.
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- Entering from Forest Ave is usually faster than trying to turn off Route 4 East.
- The "secret" parking is often on the rooftop of the West deck, which stays empty even when the lower levels are packed.
- If you're going to Ruth's Chris, just valet or park in the designated restaurant spots; don't try to hike from the Marshalls entrance.
The Outlet Factor: High-End vs. Deep Discount
Bergen Town Center used to be the "Bergen Mall," a classic 1950s shopping center. When it rebranded, it leaned hard into the "Outlet" concept. This is why the store directory looks a bit schizophrenic.
You have Saks OFF 5TH and Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Store at one end. These are the "prestige" anchors. Then, as you move toward the middle of the Bergen Town Center map, things get more "everyday." We're talking Kohl's, Marshalls, and HomeSense.
This creates a weird shopping vibe. You’ll see someone carrying a designer bag from Saks walking past someone else buying a 24-pack of toilet paper at Target. It’s peak New Jersey.
Navigating the Food Situation
The food court is located on the Upper Level, near the Marshalls entrance. It’s fairly standard—think Auntie Anne's and Sarku Japan. But the real food is on the periphery.
Bobby’s Burger Palace (Bobby Flay’s spot) and Ruth's Chris are separate from the main food cluster. If you’re looking at the map, look for the "outparcels." These are the buildings not attached to the main mall. Chick-fil-A is its own beast across the parking lot, and the line for the drive-thru often messes up the entire south-side traffic flow.
The Whole Foods Anomaly
The Whole Foods at Bergen Town Center is one of the largest in the region. It’s so big it’s basically its own destination. It occupies a massive footprint on the western edge of the property.
If you are looking at a Bergen Town Center map specifically to find the grocery store, note that it has its own dedicated entrance and parking area. While you can get there from the inside of the mall, it requires walking through a long, somewhat sterile corridor past the gym. It’s a lot of steps. Great for your Fitbit, terrible if you’re in a rush.
Reality Check: What the Official Maps Miss
The PDF maps you find on the official website are often outdated by a few months. Stores in Paramus move fast.
For instance, the "Lower Level" near Burlington often has "Coming Soon" signs that stay up for a year. Also, the map doesn't clearly show the elevators. If you have a stroller or a wheelchair, Bergen Town Center is a bit of a nightmare. The elevators are tucked away in corners, often near the restrooms, and they are slow.
One thing most people miss? The Post Office. Yes, there is a full USPS branch inside the mall. It’s on the lower level, tucked away like a secret base. It’s actually one of the most convenient places to ship packages in Paramus because you can do it while you’re out for a Starbucks run.
Surviving the Paramus "Blue Laws"
You cannot shop at Bergen Town Center on Sunday. This is the most important "map" detail of all: the map is useless on the seventh day of the week.
While the restaurants (like Ruth's Chris or Zinburger) and the grocery stores (Whole Foods) are open, all the retail stores are legally required to be closed. Don't be the tourist who pulls into the parking lot on Sunday morning wondering why the doors are locked. The gates will be down. The lights will be dim.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To make the most of your time and avoid wandering aimlessly, follow this logic:
- Identify your "Anchor" first. Are you there for groceries (West side), high-end outlets (North side), or discount hunting (Lower level)?
- Park specifically for that anchor. Do not park at Target if you need to go to Saks. It sounds like a short walk; it’s not.
- Check the digital directories. The physical boards inside the mall are more accurate than the printed flyers. They are interactive and will actually show you the path to take.
- Watch the clock on Saturdays. The mall gets exponentially more crowded after 2:00 PM. If you want to navigate the Bergen Town Center map without bumping into a thousand people, get there at 10:00 AM.
- Download the store apps. Stores like Target and Whole Foods have "In-Store" maps within their own apps that are far more precise for finding specific aisles than the general mall map.
The Bergen Town Center isn't a "pretty" mall in the way that the Short Hills Mall is, but it’s functional. It’s a workhorse. It’s where you go to get stuff done. Just make sure you know which level you're on before you start walking, or you'll find yourself trapped in a parking garage wondering how a single building can have so many different "first" floors.