PiTP Weekend Activities

Prospects in Theoretical Physics

2013 Suggested Weekend Activities

Suggested Weekend Activities in Princeton Area
Bainbridge House is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Princeton still on its original foundation (original construction pre-dates the Revolutionary War). The house is located at 158 Nassau Street. The Bainbridge House is run by the Princeton Historical Society and is open Noon - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is $4. There is also a 1.9-mile guided Walking tour of historical Princeton (http://www.princetonhistory.org/visit/sunday-walking-tours.cfm) that leaves from the house at 2:00 p.m. every Sunday. Weather permitting, allow 2 hours; reservations are not required, however the tour size is limited. Price: $7 adults. (609) 921-6748 extension 102.
Princeton University campus, between Nassau Street and Washington Street, has many interesting buildings, such as the historical Nassau Hall (where the U.S. Congress met at one point during the Revolutionary War). You may find general information on visiting Princeton University on their web site at: http://www.princeton.edu/main/visiting. Free one-hour walking tours of the central part of campus are conducted by the Orange Key Guide Service. Weekend tours depart from Chancellor Green on Saturdays at 11:15 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m. (609) 258-3060 http://www.princeton.edu/admission/visitprinceton/tours_information_schedule/summer.xml While on Campus, watch for black squirrels (a Princeton specialty) and sculptures of famous artists including Henry Moore. Guyot Hall on the Princeton campus contains many natural history items of interest, including dinosaur nests/eggs and many fossils.
Princeton University Art Museum (http://www.princetonartmuseum.org) contains East Asian treasures and paintings of the French Impressionism period, as well as other collections and exhibits. It is located in McCormick Hall on the University Campus and is open on Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Admission is free. (609) 258-3788.
Albert Einstein House is located at 112 Mercer Street. It is a white frame 2-story house with a large front porch in Greek revival style. (Please note, this is private residence; it is not open to the public.) Einstein lived in this house from 1933 until his death in 1955.
Woodrow Wilson House is at 82 Library Place, between Stockton Street and Hodge Road, in the elegant western section of Princeton. While Wilson lived on campus at Prospect House (now the faculty club) while President of Princeton University, he also resided for a time at 82 Library Place.
Princeton Battlefield, site of the first U.S. victory during the Revolution, is located at 500 Mercer Street, 0.5 miles south of Olden Lane. The Clark House Museum, the house where General Hugh Mercer died after the Battle of Princeton, was also used as a hospital following the battle of 1777. It is located in Princeton Battlefield State Park. The Battlefield can also be accessed from the Institute Woods (see below). (609) 921-0074 http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/princeton.html
The Institute Woods can be accessed off Mercer Street, or from the end of Springdale or Olden Lane. There are many walking paths, some leading to the canal, some to the battlefield, and some to a bird sanctuary. Excellent bird watching is possible. http://www.ias.edu/files/pdfs/ias-woods.pdf
Walk along the canal and the lake off Washington Street, and you may look for song birds, great blue herons and eagles.
Canoe and Kayak Rental is available at 483 Alexander Street, which is within walking distance from the Institute. Open Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also open during the week until 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. (609) 452-2403. http://www.canoenj.com/prince1.htm
The Morven Museum & Garden, on 55 Stockton Street was built in the 1750's for Richard Stockton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence; Former Residence of New Jersey Governors. Morven is open to the public Saturday & Sunday from Noon - 4 p.m. Admission tickets are $6.00 (student tickets $5 with ID). Tours are on the hour, with the final tour departing at 3:00 p.m. Also visit the Museum Shop, and enjoy the free on-site parking. (609) 924-8144 extension 106. http://www.historicmorven.org
Princeton Summer Theater at the Hamilton Murray Theatre in Murray-Dodge Hall on the campus of Princeton University, Ticket costs vary from $20-$25 for “The 39 Steps” adapted by Patrick Barlow, from the novel by John Buchan and the movie by Alfred Hitchcock, which is playing Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 20 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 21 at 2 p.m. For tickets, call (877) 238-5596 http://www.princetonsummertheater.org
Summer Music Series, Palmer Square (609) 921-2333, Free Concert on The Green in Palmer Square in downtown Princeton on Saturday, July 20 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Performance by Gyrlband. (http://www.palmersquare.com/events/summer-music-series)
Summer Carillon Series, Bell Concert at Princeton University Graduate College at Grover Cleveland Tower, 88 College Road West, on summer Sundays at 1:00 p.m. For more information, see http://www.princeton.edu/religiouslife/chapel/music/summer-carillon-is-coming
Terhune Orchards, on Cold Soil Road off 206 South in Lawrenceville, is an excellent place to purchase fresh, seasonal produce, and children can see many farm animals in the barnyard. Terhune Orchards' hours are 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. http://www.terhuneorchards.com (609) 924-2310. Not too far away, on the same road, there is a nature preserve, Pole Farm, which is ideal for walks with children, as some of the paths are paved. It also offers great bird watching.
Movie Theatres
Creative Entertainment Princeton Garden Theatre, 160 Nassau St, Princeton (609) 683-7595
United Artists Movies at Market Fair, 3521 US Rte 1, Princeton (609) 520-8960
Trains to Philadelphia and New York
Princeton offers easy access by train to New York City (via NEW JERSEY TRANSIT) and to Philadelphia (via NEW JERSEY TRANSIT and then SEPTA). Because there are so many trains, and the fares and schedules vary depending on whether you plan to travel on Saturday, Sunday, or weekdays, we suggest you check the train schedules on the web. Please follow this link for more information.