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2008 Suggested Weekend Activities


Suggested Weekend Activities in Princeton Area

Bainbridge House, which today consists of a museum, shop and library, 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, adjacent to the Garden Theater. The Bainbridge House is run by the Princeton Historical Society and the museum and shop are open 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays. The library is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 p.m.  There is also a 1.9-mile guided walking tour of historical Princeton that leaves from the house at 2 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. www.princetonhistory.org

 

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: www.princeton.edu/main/visiting.  Free one-hour walking tours of the central part of campus are conducted daily by the Orange Key Guide Service.  Weekend tour times are Saturdays at 11:15 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., and on Sundays at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. (609) 258-3060 www.princeton.edu/orangekey 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 (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 10AM-5PM, and on Sunday 1-5PM. Admission is free. (609) 258-3788.

 

The Firestone Library is located at the corner of Nassau Street and Washington Road. The home of more than 4 million books, Firestone is the central research library for Princeton University. Three galleries within the Rare Books and Special Collections Department (www.princeton.edu/%7Erbsc) -- the Milberg Gallery, the Rare Book Room, and the Cotsen Children's Library -- have exhibitions that are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Saturday and Sunday, Noon - 5:00 p.m.  (609) 258-3184

 

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 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.

 

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 Princeton University and the Institute. Open Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Also open during the week from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. (609) 452-2403. www.canoenj.com

The Morven Museum & Garden, on 55 Stockton Street was built in 1750 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 $5.00.  Tours are at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. Also visit the Museum Shop, and enjoy the free on-site parking. (609) 924-8144.  www.historicmorven.org

Princeton Summer Theater at the Hamilton Murray Theatre on the campus of Princeton University, Ticket costs vary from $16-$20 for “An Inspector Calls” by J.B. Priestly which is playing Friday, July 18 at 8 p.m., Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, July 20 at 2 p.m. Box office: (609) 258-7062   www.princetonsummertheater.org

Summer Music Series, Palmer Square (609) 921-2333, (http://www.palmersquare.com/events.asp)  Free Concert on The Green in Palmer Square in downtown Princeton on Saturday, July 20 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

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.  (609) 258-3047

Terhune Orchards, on Cold Soil Road off 206 South in Lawrenceville,  www.terhuneorchards.com, is an excellent place for children. They can pick berries and apples, and see many farm animals. Terhune Orchards' hours are 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Friday, and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.  (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  Map Available at:
http://movies.channel.aol.com/showtimes/theater.adp?tab=mapdirections&theaterId=3604

United Artists Movies at Market Fair, 3521 US Rte 1, Princeton (609) 520-8700 Map Available at: http://movies.channel.aol.com/showtimes/theater.adp?tab=mapdirections&theaterId=3603

For directions, maps, and movie listings go to http://movies.aol.com/search/locations, just type in the zip code 08540, and click “go”. The newly displayed page will feature a section that is titled “Theatres in your area;” you will then click on either the Creative Entertainment Princeton Garden Theatre, or United Artists Movie at Market Fair, and before you right under the theatre name will be the address and a link called “map.” If you scroll down there are all the movie listings for that theatre.  However, if you are looking for directions on how to get there just click on the “map” link and you will find driving directions and a map.