Princeton, NJ Road Trips

Princeton is a town filled with college students, beautiful scenery, and historical features. The University's Nassau Hall served as the capital of the United States for a single summer in the late 18th century. Princeton counts among its former residents Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann.

The University Campus, with many attractive buildings in "Collegiate Gothic" style as well as colonial-era Nassau Hall (the temporary capitol of the United States for a summer) and the strikingly modern Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (formerly known as the Woodrow Wilson School) building. Don't miss the stately University Chapel with its stained glass and stone arches. The Princeton University Library has spectacular exhibits and standing collections you can get up close and personal. The Princeton University Art Museum also features an impressive collection of works by an array of well known and highly touted artists from throughout history. College tours start at the Frist College Center building; check website for times. The Fountain of Freedom, outside the white marble-columned School of Public and International Affairs building. The fountain is surrounded by a large pool. The pool is less than 2 feet deep, and there will often be children playing in the fountain. It is also a tradition for the University's marching band to play while standing in the fountain after Princeton football victories. The Princeton Public Library, corner of Wiggins and Witherspoon. The library has been at this location since the 1970s, but has been rebuilt as a state-of-the-art facility. It offers free Internet access to all if you need to check email or print a ticket. Its wireless network reaches out to the plaza for 24/7 access. Near many cafes and less than a quarter mile from Palmer Square. 19th century mansions on Library Place, Elm Street, and nearby.

Whether with family or by yourself, there is a variety of things to do throughout the duration of your stay in Princeton. From walking Princeton University campus grounds, to visiting the Princeton art museum there are many cultural activities to take part in. 1 McCarter Theatre, 91 University Place, ☏ +1 609-258-ARTS (2787). Located on the campus of Princeton University, this Tony-award winning theater showcases several productions before they arrive on Broadway. Additionally, many famous musical and dance troupes perform at McCarter each year. 2 Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, 91 University Place. University-affiliated research laboratory and a world leader in plasma physics. Offers tours of the facilities on certain dates, check the website for more information. 3 Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau St, ☏ +1 609-683-7595. Movie theater on Nassau Street that shows a great interest in independent movies as well as popular flicks. Showing only two movies at a time, this theater provides a quaint, relaxing atmosphere.

Agricola Eatery, 11 Witherspoon Street, ☏ +1 609-921-2798, [email protected]. (updated Sep 2017) the bent spoon, 35 Palmer Square West (Located next to the "lion statue"), ☏ +1 609-924-BENT (2368). M Tu 1-6PM, W Th 1-9PM, F-Su noon-10PM. Features artisan ice-cream with a gelato-like texture and European-style hot chocolate. Ice cream and sorbet flavors range from dark chocolate habenero to olive oil or avocado. Uses locally sourced, organic ingredients, but the price is rather high. (updated Sep 2022) Blue Point Grill, excellent seafood (among the best in Princeton), but served with a meager selection of side dishes. On Nassau Street between Hoagie Haven and Tiger Noodles. Very popular in the evenings. Offers outside dining experience. Chuck's Cafe, near Nassau and Witherspoon. Offers casual quick meals. Tremendous chicken wings; locally revered for its wings Conte's Pizza, 339 Witherspoon Street, ☏ +1 609-921-8041. Often said to be Princeton's finest pizzeria. Others find the pizza to be dry and dull, but if you're looking for pizza and a beer this is the place. One of the few with a liquor license. Elements, 66 Witherspoon St (above Mistral (sister restaurant)), ☏ +1 609-924-0078, [email protected]. (updated Sep 2017) Fruity Yogurt, 166 Nassau Street, ☏ +1 609-921-8787. This adorable yogurt shop is in the heart of downtown Princeton. They make a variety of different flavors of yogurt which you prepare for yourself and even add on your own toppings. They also sell bubble tea. Halo Pub/Halo Fete, 9 Hulfish Street, ☏ +1 609-921-1710.

Triumph Brewing Company, 138 Nassau St, ☏ +1 609-924-7855. This is the only spot in town that brews their own beer as they have a large unique selection of beers to choose from. Not to mention they have a great, hip, atmosphere that offers live bands every weekend. The Alchemist and Barrister, 28 Witherspoon St, ☏ +1 609-924-5555. Yankee Doodle Tap Room, The Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square, ☏ +1 609-921-7500. Gennaro's Restaurant, 47B State Rd (on Rt 206, between Mayflower Cleaners and Premier Video), ☏ +1 609-497-2774. Lunch: Tu-F 11AM-3PM, dinner: Tu-Su 5-9PM; closed Mondays. BYOB

Travelers on a shoestring budget should be aware that it is difficult to secure inexpensive lodging in town. There are no known hostels or lodging-houses in the Princeton area. Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square (Palmer’s Square), ☏ +1 609-921-7500. A full service hotel featuring 203 elegant guestrooms, 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space and the historic Yankee Doodle Tap Room- where Albert Einstein sipped on a brew and then carved his name into one of the booths. 1 Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Ln, ☏ +1 609-924-1707. Erdman Center, 20 Library Place. The Princeton Theological Seminary lets out rooms to individuals (usually for conferences at the university or seminary) for $80 a night. There are a number of hotels and motels along Route 1 to the east (outside of actual town limits), but those without cars must note that there are no public transportation links to downtown Princeton from this area. AmeriSuites Princeton/Carnegie Center West, 3565 US Highway 1, ☏ +1 609-720-0200. Courtyard Princeton, 3815 US Route 1 at Mapleton Rd, ☏ +1 609-716-9100. Hyatt Regency Princeton, 102 Carnegie Center, ☏ +1 609-987-2584. Close to the train station and Route 1. Complimentary shuttle to nearby attractions and business centers. Princeton Marriott Hotel & Conference Center at Forrestal, 100 College Road East, ☏ +1 609-452-7800. Residence Inn Princeton at Carnegie Center, 3563 Route 1, ☏ +1 609-799-0550. Wyndham Princeton Forrestal Hotel and Conference Center, 900 Scudders Mill Road, ☏ +1 609-936-4200. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.

Princeton has an eponymous airport located in Montgomery, less than 2 miles from Nassau Street and Princeton University. Princeton Airport serves mostly general aviation (i.e. hobby) flying, but it also sees its fair share of business charter flights. It has one runway, fuel stations, lots of aircraft tie-down space, and hangars. This makes the airport a very cost-effective solution for travelers who pilot their own airplanes. Car-rental service is located on-site. Other nearby airports include the Somerset Airport, Central Jersey Regional Airport, and Teterboro airport (TEB IATA). These airports, like Princeton, do not operate commercial flights, but anyone with his/her own airplane can fly in. The larger Trenton Mercer airport offers some air-taxi options. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA) is in Newark and is about 1 hour away by car. New Jersey Transit trains stop at EWR, so it's possible to reach Princeton from EWR without a car or taxi. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA) is the largest airport in the Delaware Valley region and in Pennsylvania. It is about 1½ hours away by car. A small rail station in close proximity to both the University campus and the downtown district provides a shuttle service, known locally as "the Dinky," to the nearby Princeton Junction train station. At Princeton Junction, you can transfer to either Amtrak or New Jersey Transit trains. New Jersey Transit trains usually arrive and depart from the station every half-hour on weekdays, and hourly on weekends.

Everything in the downtown area is easily accessible on foot from the main parts of the campus or the two hotels in town. A physically fit visitor can reach any part of town with a bicycle. The only public transit is a single bus line that makes a leisurely loop around the outer parts of the town. Taxis are easily available by cell phone, or at the taxi stand on Nassau St and Witherspoon. The university operates several buses between campus, university housing, and several campus parking lots. These buses are for faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors, but no checking is done. See also the real-time bus map.