We'll highlight a few favorites below: Old Man Rafferty's George Street Ale House- an excellent brunch spot on Sundays (bottomless Mimosas, anyone?) Ramen Nagomi Catherine Lombardi's Clydz Martini Bar Harvest Moon Brewery
This is the second prime spot for nightlife with locals and college students, complete with an array of grungy bars, classy cocktail clubs, and informal spots for international cuisine. A few favorites below: Hansel & Griddle PJ's Pizza Stuff Yer Face Efe's Meditteranean Grill La Catrina
Looking for breakfast or a "TQC" (tasty, quick, and cheap meal)? Look no further than Dish Cafe, located in Highland Park. Separated from NB by the Raritan River, this eatery is just over the bridge (about a 5 minute drive). The hash browns/potatoes are to die for! The town is also super cute if you want to walk along the main street.
The original site of Rutgers University circa 1776. Legend has it that if a student walks beneath the gate before graduation, they will not succeed in their studies or future endeavors. Therefore, this is a very popular spot for pictures of graduating students. Across the lawn is a statue of "Whistling Willie". We'll let you Google what he's about.
One of the first women's colleges at the turn of the century, Douglass boasts well educated, worldly, and highly successful graduates for 21st century leadership (Mary Elizabeth included). Douglass is the only residential women’s college in the nation that is housed within a world class public research university. The college is an intellectual community that inspires its students to learn, lead, and live with conviction, creativity, and critical insight.
Another lovely site if you're on a walk about downtown. Since 1873, Kirkpatrick Chapel has sat on the historic Old Queens Campus of Rutgers. Now a nondenominational chapel that hosts weddings, baptisms, memorial services, lectures, and other events. Built by local architect Henry Janeway Hardenbergh (great-grandson of the first Rutgers president) and named after a local politician/board member's wife, Sophia Kirkpatrick. The chapel was designed in the High Victorian Gothic Revival style. According to the New Jersey Historic Trust, the chapel's stained glass windows feature "some of the first opalescent and multicolored sheet glass manufactured in America." Four of the chapel's windows were created by the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Thanks, Wikipedia!
Looking for a place to attend mass before the big party? Just interested in beautiful historic buildings? St. Peter's Catholic Church is a gorgeous gothic revival inspired cathedral located in the heart of Old Queen's Campus, directly next to a large Barnes & Nobles for last minute travel needs and the train station (a direct line to Manhattan). Designed by Patrick Charles Keely, an Irish-American architect and prolific designer. He designed LOADS of churches and institutions in the USA and every 19th-century Catholic cathedral in New England. The present church was built from 1854 through 1865. In 1870, a magnificent chime of bells was installed, one of only three of its kind in New Jersey, which is still played on significant feasts and other special occasions.
For art lovers! The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University is one of the largest and most distinguished university-based museums in the country. It collects, preserves, researches, and exhibits world-class works of art to provide the university community and diverse regional, national, and international audiences with direct experience of the visual arts. Scholarly activities make art intellectually accessible through exhibitions, publications, and educational programs.
Like the engagement photos? Head over to see that magic for yourself. Take a lovely stroll through this beautiful botanical garden- a popular spot for outdoor theatre, farmer's markets, horticultural students, and locals. A bamboo forest, pine woodland, lotus pond, sculpture garden, and rolling meadows await! Depending on your preference it can be a 10 minute or two hour experience.
For history buffs! East Jersey Old Town Village is a collection of historic structures that were relocated to Johnson Park in Piscataway. The village is comprised of sixteen reconstructed and replica 18th and 19th century structures that represent architecture typical of farm and merchant communities once found in the Raritan Valley. Visitors today can explore the site and meet the historical interpreters that bring the Village to life through their historic trades and crafts. A gateway site for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area, situated along the Washington-Rochambeau National Historic Trail, the Village offers awarding winning exhibits, living history, and seasonal programs. FREE ADMISSION – Open Year-Round, excluding Holidays, Rutgers Football game days and Rutgers graduation. Historical Interpreters on-site April – October.
This site offers a multitude of cultural events in the area. The office provides grants to hundreds. of arts and history organizations, therefore having a direct thumb on what's happening throughout the county (where and when). Follow the link to see local concerts, festivals, workshops, conferences, and historical re-enacments.
In town for the weekend? Have some laughs at the comedy club with celebrity headliners or open mic night locals.
Where the party is at... also where Mary Elizabeth and Joe met! Central New Jersey’s largest non-profit arts presenter, the historic State Theatre New Jersey is a magnificently renovated silent-film palace that flourishes today as a premier non-profit venue of the Northeast. The 1,850-seat theatre presents a diverse lineup. Each year over 200,000 people attend the world-class programming and over 35,000 children participate in the education programs each year. Built in 1921 and designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb, the historic State Theatre thrived well into the 1960s. Transformed back into a handsome facility for live performance after a period of neglect, the venue reopened as a non-profit performing arts center in April 1988, and the press and public raved about its visual and acoustical splendors. They have just completed a $24.5 million dollar renovation! Congrats, team!
What we lovingly refer to as "The Monolith", this towering sky scraper forever changed the skyline of this city. Located next door to State Theatre, NBPAC features two state-of-the-art theatrical venues in the Elizabeth Ross Johnson and Arthur Laurents Theaters, dedicated rehearsal studios, collaborative work spaces for arts organizations across the region, as well as 207 residential rental apartments and public parking.
If it's not reopened by the big day, you can at least take a look at their online shows!
A historic site not to miss! The beautiful campus and surrounding community is a delight. Stroll through campus to admire the gothic revival style buildings and soak in all that smart people air, or head to Nassau street for some boutiques, art shops, and eateries (an outstanding ice cream parlor, the Big Spoon, is a local favorite). Morven Museum & Gardens (aka the Governor's Mansion), Battlefield State Park, and McCarter Theatre Center are other popular spots.
What can we say? The world's best, The Big Apple is located north of New Brunswick about 45 minutes by car or an hour by public transit. We recommend taking the train from New Brunswick or driving to Secaucus and catching the train from there. Other destinations on the way include the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Science Center, and our state's newest attraction, the American Dream super mall.
If you'd like to hit the casinos, see a show, or have some intense nightlife, this is your spot. It's relatively expensive but a fun place to see, as well as an important part of Jersey Shore history (think Boardwalk Empire). That said, our advice is to stay in the tourist area with the exception of White House Staton for some DELICIOUS "hoagies" (southern NJ and the CORRECT term), "subs" (northern NJ and a somewhat acceptable alternative depending on the person), or "grinders" (for the attending midwesterners.... Mary Elizabeth has no words).
If you arrive early and want to take a dip in the Atlantic, we recommend the following beaches: Asbury Park (a hub of cultural activity, Jersey Shore history, and nightlife... the sister city to NY's Coney Island) Monmouth Beach (a quieter spot away from the crowds), Sandy Hook (also relatively quiet and near the Atlantic Highlands Twin Points Lighthouse) Point Pleasant (standard Jersey Shore boardwalk complete with small amusement park and Boardwalk fries) Ocean Grove (a cute victorian suburb of Asbury Park with adorable main street ice cream parlor, gift shops, and boutiques) Historic Cape May (about 2 hours south of New Brunswick).