Home of the Tigers! The 23-stop, virtual tour (https://www.youvisit.com/tour/princeton) of the main campus is available in English, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish and includes 360-degree panorama photos and videos. Princeton can also be toured from different perspectives via the GuidiGO mobile app: African American Life at Princeton “Firsts” at Princeton Traditions at Princeton Women at Princeton Stories of Asians and Asian Americans at Princeton Sonja highly recommends that you head to the center of campus to find the Prospect Gardens!
The woods and fields about a mile from modern day Princeton University served as the site of one of the fiercest battles during the American Revolution in 1777. The battle ended when American troops commanded by General George Washington defeated British Regulars. The Battle of Princeton marked Washington’s first victory against the British. An old oak, today called the Mercer Oak, stood in the middle of the battlefield near the spot where General Hugh Mercer was wounded during the battle. He died nine days later in the Clarke House. The house, built by Thomas Clarke, stands today as witness to the fierce fighting, and it is filled with war exhibits and furniture pieces from the period. Besides the battlefield, Mercer Oak, and the Clarke House, Princeton Battlefield State Park contains the Ionic Colonnade designed by the architect Thomas U. Walter, as well as a stone patio that marks the graves of American and British soldiers who died in the battle.
Only a few minutes outside of historic Princeton you will find rolling hills, orchards bursting with fruits, cows and horses peacefully grazing, and rows and rows of grapes ready to be turned into great wines. There are also delicious apple pies and cider, but there is much more you can do there: you can pick your own apples and pumpkins, play with farm animals, visit the Farm Store, and, of course, stock up on their apple pies.
The Bent Spoon makes the kind of ice cream that will have you trudging through deep snow in your snowshoes to get to in the middle of January. It is beyond ice cream – it is pure indulgence, an irresistible treat with flavors that are not at all what you expect to find in ice cream, though they are absolutely divine (Sonja's favorite is the corn ice cream and lavender mascarpone). With hundreds of flavors of ice cream, sorbets, and gelatos, you will find exciting combinations such as Ricotta Pistachio Gelato, earl grey, chili, lavender mascarpone, chocolate habanero, cardamom ginger, and the heirloom tomato sorbet. All ingredients are organic and come from local suppliers and farmers.
Teresa Caffe is a delightful neighborhood Italian trattoria with a small, unassuming but cozy dining room with a friendly family vibe and several distinct dining areas. Their outdoor patio is romantic and cool, and it is situated in the shade of an old tree, making it the best spot to relax and sample Teresa’s fresh, seasonal dishes. Most of the produce comes from their own Canal Farm, and Teresa’s manages a fine harmony between the tradition and innovation, creating classic dishes prepared with modern interpretation. The best examples are their starters, which are designed for sharing, and include choices such as bruschetta with goat ricotta cheese, apple, butternut squash, and chestnut honey. The best time to come is the weekend when you can stop by for their famous brunch featuring fabulous fritatas and pizzettes with organic eggs and their strong Italian roasted coffee Bristot.
Three words... Brussels Sprout Tacos! (Don't knock it 'til you try it!)
Sonja-approved place for doubles and roti!!!
This is where Aki proposed. Lots of cute areas for photos and short flat nature trails too.
The privately-owned Princeton Tour Company offers visitors numerous ways of exploring everything Princeton has to offer, from private and group walking and bike tours to pub crawls and ghost tours. The company also has tailor-made packages for school trips and corporate events. Steering away from the norm, the Princeton Tour Company offers some unique Princeton-style experiences: visitors can dine with Nobel Prize winners in private events, have supper in a private dining club, participate in a scavenger hunt in downtown Princeton, or investigate Princeton’s paranormal activities in the town’s haunted inns, buildings, and cemetery
Marquand Park is a lovely place to spend an evening exploring the nature in Princeton. The 17-acre park and arboretum offer a variety of recreational experiences, from walking the paved trails to playing in the playground or at the baseball field. There are benches and picnic tables scattered throughout the park, encouraging visitors to pack a picnic basket. The hallmark of Marquand Park is its trees – over 140 different native and exotic specimens can be found in this historic preserve of trees and woodlands.
A tour through Drumthwacket, the official residence of the Governor of New Jersey, will give visitors a glimpse of all of the history and culture Princeton has to offer. Built in 1835 by Charles Smith Olden, the 28th Governor of New Jersey, Drumthwacket has undergone a number of expansions, most of which were brought about by its former owner Moses Taylor Pyne. Visitors can view the original structure comprising a center hall and a large portico – some of Pyne’s additions include wings on each side of the house, a paneled library, greenhouses, dairy farms, and a large landscaped garden. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Drumthwacket can be toured at no cost on Wednesdays.
Grounds For Sculpture provides a safe outdoor haven that aims to inspire, thrill, and rejuvenate all who visit. Sculptures as tall as a building, sometimes on a building, hiding in bushes, delighting the visual senses. If you are into art, walking, nature, this is a great choice for a nominal fee. Rotating exhibits means there is always something new to see. Also look out for the peacocks freely roaming the grounds, including an albino one!