Guidebook for Princeton

Julie
Guidebook for Princeton

Food Scene

Note: Liquor licenses in New Jersey are notoriously expensive and scarce. Many places in Princeton are BYOB. No alcohol is sold, but customers can bring their own bottles and the waitstaff will provide glasses. You can make reservations for many of these restaurants online at OpenTable. When in doubt, make reservations to avoid long waits or disappointment, particularly on weekends.
Enjoyable farm-to-table spot. Attractive decor and bar. Reservations strongly suggested, and can only be made through their website or by phone.
30 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Agricola Eatery
11 Witherspoon St
30 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Enjoyable farm-to-table spot. Attractive decor and bar. Reservations strongly suggested, and can only be made through their website or by phone.
Baked goods and coffee less than a 5 minute walk away. Breakfast sandwiches and bowls. Menu features locally sourced ingredients. Opens at 7am on weekdays and
LiLLiPiES Bakery
301 N Harrison St
Baked goods and coffee less than a 5 minute walk away. Breakfast sandwiches and bowls. Menu features locally sourced ingredients. Opens at 7am on weekdays and
Serviceable Chinese food only a few minutes walk from the house. Quick service for take-out. BYOB. You’ll find their menu in our house manual.
Shanghai Park
301 North Harrison Street
Serviceable Chinese food only a few minutes walk from the house. Quick service for take-out. BYOB. You’ll find their menu in our house manual.
It’s worth putting up with the proprietor, who is sometimes moody. When it comes to croissants, he *really* knows what he’s doing. The official opening time is 830am, but can be a little later. In any event, get there before they sell out.
Little Chef Pastry Shop
8 S Tulane St
It’s worth putting up with the proprietor, who is sometimes moody. When it comes to croissants, he *really* knows what he’s doing. The official opening time is 830am, but can be a little later. In any event, get there before they sell out.
Top notch crepes. Local jams and produce. On the weekends, there could be a wait, if you don’t get there early.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Jammin' Crepes
20 Nassau St
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Top notch crepes. Local jams and produce. On the weekends, there could be a wait, if you don’t get there early.
Wood-fired pizza in a bustling and trendy, sit-down setting. They have a fuseball table. BYOB. Get there early on weekends. They don’t usually take reservations and get busy.
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nomad Pizza
301 N Harrison St
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Wood-fired pizza in a bustling and trendy, sit-down setting. They have a fuseball table. BYOB. Get there early on weekends. They don’t usually take reservations and get busy.
Much more casual than Nomad. A decent option for kid-friendly pizza and pasta dishes. Takeout is usually very fast. Single slices available.
Nino's Pizza Star
301 N Harrison St
Much more casual than Nomad. A decent option for kid-friendly pizza and pasta dishes. Takeout is usually very fast. Single slices available.
Fresh seafood. Lively. BYOB. Reservations suggested.
24 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Blue Point Grill
258 Nassau St
24 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Fresh seafood. Lively. BYOB. Reservations suggested.
Finally some real Greek food in Princeton! In additon to the lunch and dinner menu, they serve brunch and fantastic sweet and savory Greek pastries. From the house about a 5 minute drive or 25 minute walk. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays they open at 8am. The rest of the week they open at 10am. BYOB. Reservations strongly suggested, especially on the weekends.
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
LOCAL GREEK
44 Leigh Ave
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Finally some real Greek food in Princeton! In additon to the lunch and dinner menu, they serve brunch and fantastic sweet and savory Greek pastries. From the house about a 5 minute drive or 25 minute walk. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays they open at 8am. The rest of the week they open at 10am. BYOB. Reservations strongly suggested, especially on the weekends.
An outpost of the casual Middle Eastern eatery that has been a Greenwich Village institution for nearly half a century. Tasty falafel, kebabs and cold mezze, such as hummus and baba ghanoush. Multiple vegetarian options. Counter service.
Mamoun's Falafel
20 Witherspoon St
An outpost of the casual Middle Eastern eatery that has been a Greenwich Village institution for nearly half a century. Tasty falafel, kebabs and cold mezze, such as hummus and baba ghanoush. Multiple vegetarian options. Counter service.
Watch the Amish employees make donuts and soft pretzels- and then chow down. They have separate stands with prepared foods, baked goods, jams, produce, a butchers and so on. There is also a counter service casual restaurant. Open only on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, from 930AM. Closes at 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 4pm on Saturdays. In Kingston, about 4 miles away.
Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market
4437 NJ-27
Watch the Amish employees make donuts and soft pretzels- and then chow down. They have separate stands with prepared foods, baked goods, jams, produce, a butchers and so on. There is also a counter service casual restaurant. Open only on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays, from 930AM. Closes at 6pm on Thursdays and Fridays, and 4pm on Saturdays. In Kingston, about 4 miles away.
A sit down restaurant that also does take out. (See the menu in the hard copy of the house manual.) They specialize in rich, Northern Indian fare. Just a few minutes walk from the house. BYOB. Vegetarian friendly.
Cross Culture
301 N Harrison St
A sit down restaurant that also does take out. (See the menu in the hard copy of the house manual.) They specialize in rich, Northern Indian fare. Just a few minutes walk from the house. BYOB. Vegetarian friendly.
Princeton has no shortage of ice cream shops. The offerings here are more artisanal with some unusual flavors. They also serve indulgent hot chocolate.
31 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The Bent Spoon
35 Palmer Square W
31 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Princeton has no shortage of ice cream shops. The offerings here are more artisanal with some unusual flavors. They also serve indulgent hot chocolate.
Old fashioned ice cream parlor. In the summer there is sometimes live music outside.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Thomas Sweet Ice Cream
183 Nassau St
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Old fashioned ice cream parlor. In the summer there is sometimes live music outside.
Ice cream made locally at Halo Farm. Cute cow themed decor. Reasonable prices. The adjacent Halo Fête sells ice cream based pastries and cakes.
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Halo Pub
9 Hulfish St
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ice cream made locally at Halo Farm. Cute cow themed decor. Reasonable prices. The adjacent Halo Fête sells ice cream based pastries and cakes.
UPDATE: the restaurant is temporarily closed due to the pandemic. A recommended New American place that does everything well. They make a great Dark and Stormy. About 8 minutes away by car in charming Rocky Hill. Reservations usually necessary.
ONE 53
153 Washington St
UPDATE: the restaurant is temporarily closed due to the pandemic. A recommended New American place that does everything well. They make a great Dark and Stormy. About 8 minutes away by car in charming Rocky Hill. Reservations usually necessary.
The menu is more Chinese than Japanese. They offer dishes which are more interesting than a typical takeout restaurant.
Lan Ramen
4 Hulfish St
The menu is more Chinese than Japanese. They offer dishes which are more interesting than a typical takeout restaurant.
Well prepared Italian-American dishes in a comfortable and spacious environment. There is a pleasant patio. The bar and Happy Hour are popular with the over 40’s. Easy, free parking. They accept reservations.
Metro North
378 Alexander St
Well prepared Italian-American dishes in a comfortable and spacious environment. There is a pleasant patio. The bar and Happy Hour are popular with the over 40’s. Easy, free parking. They accept reservations.
Steaks and more. Nice service. Try to get a table overlooking Hinds Plaza when the weather is good, especially if there is a concert. Reservations recommended during peak times.
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Witherspoon Grill
57 Witherspoon St
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Steaks and more. Nice service. Try to get a table overlooking Hinds Plaza when the weather is good, especially if there is a concert. Reservations recommended during peak times.

Essentials

While there is no washer and dryer available in our house, the laudromat is only a 4 minute walk away. If you are not in the mood for doing laundry yourself, there is wash-and-fold service on a per pound basis. They have change machines. Next door is a dry cleaners.
Laundromat of Princeton
301 N Harrison St
While there is no washer and dryer available in our house, the laudromat is only a 4 minute walk away. If you are not in the mood for doing laundry yourself, there is wash-and-fold service on a per pound basis. They have change machines. Next door is a dry cleaners.
For NON-life threatening health issues that do not require the emergency room, the wait will be much shorter here. They are open until 8pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends. It’s about a 15 minute drive.
Infocus Urgent Care
64 Princeton Hightstown Rd
For NON-life threatening health issues that do not require the emergency room, the wait will be much shorter here. They are open until 8pm on weekdays and 4pm on weekends. It’s about a 15 minute drive.
Friendly staff. They would be an option if you have a dental emergency. They can often take new patients for same day appointments. They are open from 7am-8pm Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, from 7am-6pm. On Saturdays from 9am-4pm.
Dental Care Princeton
301 N Harrison St
Friendly staff. They would be an option if you have a dental emergency. They can often take new patients for same day appointments. They are open from 7am-8pm Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, from 7am-6pm. On Saturdays from 9am-4pm.

Shopping

A hardware store? Yes. It’s amazing how much they manage to fit in the store. Hopefully you won’t be doing DIY projects in our house...Yet they sell much more than hardware, including homewares, kitchen items, gadgets and knickknacks. It would be a convenient place to pick up a last minute gift or dorm room essentials for student move ins. Super helpful employees. 3 minute walk.
Smith's Ace Hardware
301 North Harrison Street
A hardware store? Yes. It’s amazing how much they manage to fit in the store. Hopefully you won’t be doing DIY projects in our house...Yet they sell much more than hardware, including homewares, kitchen items, gadgets and knickknacks. It would be a convenient place to pick up a last minute gift or dorm room essentials for student move ins. Super helpful employees. 3 minute walk.
Superb selection of high quality toys and children’s books
jaZams
25 Palmer Square E
Superb selection of high quality toys and children’s books
Only a 4 minute walk from the house. They have both upscale and regular groceries with nice service. Alcohol is sold.
17 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
McCaffrey's Food Market - Princeton
301 N Harrison St
17 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Only a 4 minute walk from the house. They have both upscale and regular groceries with nice service. Alcohol is sold.
Not to be confused with the chain store with a similar name, it’s an old school, crunchy granola health food co-op that’s been around since the 70’s. You can find organic, vegan and gluten-free products, locally sourced dairy, produce as well as some hot prepared foods. 10 minute walk.
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Whole Earth Center
360 Nassau St
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Not to be confused with the chain store with a similar name, it’s an old school, crunchy granola health food co-op that’s been around since the 70’s. You can find organic, vegan and gluten-free products, locally sourced dairy, produce as well as some hot prepared foods. 10 minute walk.
Asian groceries with an emphasis on Chinese items. Good prices on fruits and vegetables. 15 minute drive from the house.
Asian Food Markets Plainsboro
Asian groceries with an emphasis on Chinese items. Good prices on fruits and vegetables. 15 minute drive from the house.
Korean grocery store. 15 minute drive from the house.
Woo Ri Mart
64 Princeton Hightstown Rd
Korean grocery store. 15 minute drive from the house.
Indian supermarket with fresh produce, frozen foods and an excellent source for rices, grains, pulses and spices. About a 20 minute drive from the house.
Patel Brothers
72 Princeton Hightstown Road
Indian supermarket with fresh produce, frozen foods and an excellent source for rices, grains, pulses and spices. About a 20 minute drive from the house.

Parks & Nature

Scenic and flat trail for walking and biking along the canal. With enough ambition, you could go all the way to New Hope, PA dandrcanal.com
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
10-58 Old Lincoln Hwy
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Scenic and flat trail for walking and biking along the canal. With enough ambition, you could go all the way to New Hope, PA dandrcanal.com
About a 20 minute drive. Pleasant trails. Some of them are easy. Many exposed boulders.
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Sourland Mountain Preserve
421 E Mountain Rd
19 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
About a 20 minute drive. Pleasant trails. Some of them are easy. Many exposed boulders.

Arts & Culture

A outstanding example of everything a public library should be. They have comfortable seating, free wi-fi, printing for a small fee, fireplaces in the winter, an outdoors reading terrace and a cafe. Stellar librarians. Non-residents can’t check out books, but there is a used bookstore. Frequent story times for children and authors from various genres also give public lectures. Check the website for the schedule. Hinds Plaza, directly in front of the library, hosts a seasonal farmer’s market, free concerts and other community events.
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Princeton Public Library
65 Witherspoon St
18 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A outstanding example of everything a public library should be. They have comfortable seating, free wi-fi, printing for a small fee, fireplaces in the winter, an outdoors reading terrace and a cafe. Stellar librarians. Non-residents can’t check out books, but there is a used bookstore. Frequent story times for children and authors from various genres also give public lectures. Check the website for the schedule. Hinds Plaza, directly in front of the library, hosts a seasonal farmer’s market, free concerts and other community events.
It’s like a much more compact version of the Met. You can take in a variety of exhibits from ancient China to modern art without being overwhelmed or spending all day. An excellent introduction to museum for little ones. Best of all, it’s always free. Closed on Mondays.
56 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Princeton University Art Museum
Elm Drive
56 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
It’s like a much more compact version of the Met. You can take in a variety of exhibits from ancient China to modern art without being overwhelmed or spending all day. An excellent introduction to museum for little ones. Best of all, it’s always free. Closed on Mondays.
PLEASE NOTE: The theater has cancelled all live performances through 1/31/2021, due to the pandemic. Please see their website for virtual events. **********************************The offerings range from plays, musicals, concerts by well known musicians, ballets, children’s events etc. Check out their website to see if there are tickets available for anything interesting during your visit.
36 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
McCarter Theatre Center
91 University Pl
36 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
PLEASE NOTE: The theater has cancelled all live performances through 1/31/2021, due to the pandemic. Please see their website for virtual events. **********************************The offerings range from plays, musicals, concerts by well known musicians, ballets, children’s events etc. Check out their website to see if there are tickets available for anything interesting during your visit.

Sightseeing

History buffs will already know that there is a Revolutionary War battlefield in Princeton. On January 3rd, 1777 American troops successfully fought the British at the site. This was shortly after George Washington crossed the Delaware River. They do a reenactment in late May. There are other demonstrations and educational events, usually in the fall. It’s also a nice spot for a picnic.
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Princeton Battlefield State Park
500 Mercer Rd
22 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
History buffs will already know that there is a Revolutionary War battlefield in Princeton. On January 3rd, 1777 American troops successfully fought the British at the site. This was shortly after George Washington crossed the Delaware River. They do a reenactment in late May. There are other demonstrations and educational events, usually in the fall. It’s also a nice spot for a picnic.
Kitschy and fun larger than life sculptures mixed in with more serious exhibitions in a whimsical park setting A fun outing when the weather is pleasant. About 25 minute’s drive from the house.
86 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Parke para sa Skulpture
80 Sculptors Way
86 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Kitschy and fun larger than life sculptures mixed in with more serious exhibitions in a whimsical park setting A fun outing when the weather is pleasant. About 25 minute’s drive from the house.
Pick your own apples and other fruit. Call ahead to see what’s in season. They also have a little store with pies and wine tasting. Occasional special events, such as harvest festivals, hay rides and such. Check their website for details.
23 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Terhune Mga Hardin
330 Cold Soil Rd
23 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pick your own apples and other fruit. Call ahead to see what’s in season. They also have a little store with pies and wine tasting. Occasional special events, such as harvest festivals, hay rides and such. Check their website for details.
See Big Bird, Elmo and the rest of the gang at this amusement park which is best for younger kids. It is about a 30 minute drive from the house.
95 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Rd
95 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
See Big Bird, Elmo and the rest of the gang at this amusement park which is best for younger kids. It is about a 30 minute drive from the house.

Transportation

The closest car rental agency to the house. Open 7 days a week, but closes at 4pm on the weekends.
Avis Car Rental
574 US-130
The closest car rental agency to the house. Open 7 days a week, but closes at 4pm on the weekends.
A major stop on NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor line, with many trains per day from New York, Newark airport and Trenton. Each day a few Amtrak trains also stop. These include the Keystone and the Northeast Regional lines, servicing destinations such as Boston, Philadelphia and DC. The Dinky connects this station to the Princeton campus. Another option for getting into town is Lyft/Uber. Regular taxis do park at the station, but the pricing is bizarre ($25 to Princeton?!?!?) and the drivers can be rude.
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Princeton Junction Station at West Windsor
Wallace Road
14 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A major stop on NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor line, with many trains per day from New York, Newark airport and Trenton. Each day a few Amtrak trains also stop. These include the Keystone and the Northeast Regional lines, servicing destinations such as Boston, Philadelphia and DC. The Dinky connects this station to the Princeton campus. Another option for getting into town is Lyft/Uber. Regular taxis do park at the station, but the pricing is bizarre ($25 to Princeton?!?!?) and the drivers can be rude.
The Dinky, the little train which connects the Princeton Junction station to the campus, stops here. Unless you can’t find a Lyft or Uber, we would recommend avoiding the expensive taxis which are parked in front. NJ Transist’s 605 bus has a stop at this station. You could take it to the Princeton Shopping Center, which is close to the Airbnb. The FreeB is another option which would take you to the shopping center from the Dinky stop. See the schedules in the house manual.
Princeton Railroad Station
The Dinky, the little train which connects the Princeton Junction station to the campus, stops here. Unless you can’t find a Lyft or Uber, we would recommend avoiding the expensive taxis which are parked in front. NJ Transist’s 605 bus has a stop at this station. You could take it to the Princeton Shopping Center, which is close to the Airbnb. The FreeB is another option which would take you to the shopping center from the Dinky stop. See the schedules in the house manual.
While we prefer Uber and Lyft for local transportation, not everyone has a smart phone with the necessary app. In that case, A Amigo is still much better than the West Windsor licensed taxis which are parked in front of the Princeton Junction train station. You will need to call and probably wait a bit.
A Amigo Princeton Taxi
75 Nassau St
While we prefer Uber and Lyft for local transportation, not everyone has a smart phone with the necessary app. In that case, A Amigo is still much better than the West Windsor licensed taxis which are parked in front of the Princeton Junction train station. You will need to call and probably wait a bit.