This Enchanting And Historic Town In New Jersey Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination
By Meghan Byers|Published February 13, 2023
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Meghan Byers
Author
A New Jersey native, Meghan is passionate about travel and enjoys finding off-the-beaten path destinations. You're most likely to find her at a coffee shop, or hitting the trails with her dogs. She graduated with a creative writing degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and has been writing professionally for over a decade.
With charming streets to wander, a beautiful university campus to explore, and a rich colonial-era history, the town of Princeton, New Jersey makes for a wonderful day trip. From strolling the grounds of Princeton University to stopping in at iconic shops and restaurants in the heart of downtown Princeton, there’s so much to see and do.
Your first stop should be Nassau Street. This is the heart of Princeton, serving as the boundary between the town and the university campus, and offering lots of shopping and dining options.
For a caffeinated pick-me-up on Nassau Street, be sure to stop by Small World Coffee. Indulge in a sweet specialty latte, or try the signature house blend.
Small World Coffee, 254 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
Bookworms should make sure to drop by Labyrinth Books. It’s a community bookstore boasting an eclectic selection of new, used, and rare books, and even has a small selection of gifts.
Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
On nearby Witherspoon Street you’ll find The Alchemist & Barrister, a popular restaurant and pub. It’s been consistently named one of the best restaurants in Princeton.
Alchemist & Barrister, 28 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
And of course, you’ve got to visit Princeton University. Visitors are generally welcome to stroll the grounds and admire the historic architecture. During the Revolutionary War, this was a battleground – in fact there’s still a scar visible from a cannon ball that hit Nassau Hall.
Built in 1756, Nassau Hall is the oldest building on Princeton University’s campus and served as both a barracks during the Revolutionary War, and as the capitol building of the United States between June and November of 1783.
The Princeton University Chapel is a newer construction, having been completed in 1928 after its predecessor, the Marquand Chapel, burned down. It welcomes people of all faiths and is stunning with its beautiful stained glass windows and soaring Gothic architecture. Usually the public is welcome to go inside the University Chapel, though you can check the official Princeton visitor policy for the latest updates.
For a sweet way to end your trip, head back to Palmer Square and visit Thomas Sweet Chocolate. This charming chocolate shop always has unique window decorations for every season, and its hand-crafted, decadent chocolates make for a mouthwatering souvenir.
Thomas Sweet Chocolate, 29 Palmer Square W, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA
