Worth the Trip: Princeton

Posted February 6, 2008 by Rema Rahman

This university-driven downtown is a mini mecca of shopping, dining, and history—but bring your walking shoes because there’s much to do.

Best history class: Self-guided walking tours start at the Bainbridge House (158 Nassau St, 609-921-6748), home of the Historical Society of Princeton, and take you past Nassau Hall, Albert Einstein’s house, and three houses once belonging to Woodrow Wilson.

Off the chain: Micawber Books (114 Nassau St, 609-921-8454) and Princeton Record Exchange (20 S Tulane St, 609-921-0881) are two refreshingly independent shops. Rows of books fill every available space at Micawber’s, and the Record Exchange has a good collection of new and used CDs, tapes, and records.

Worth the wait: Original SoupMan (30 Palmer Sq E, 609-497-0008) may have you waiting in line, but the scrumptious soups are worth it. Remember to step to the left.

Back to school: Stroll through the campus of Princeton University (609-258-3000), visit the galleries at the Art Museum (609-258-3788), or see a show at the nearby McCarter Theatre (609-258-2787).

Local favorite: At the Alchemist & Barrister (28 Witherspoon St, 609-924-5555) pick the formal dining room, the low-lit wooden pub, or the patio. A&B offers fare with a flare, such as a cilantro and chili-marinated chicken sandwich with guacamole—a bargain at $11.

Looking for something? Find it at Palmer Square (609-921-2333), Princeton’s go-to shopping central, with fashions at Zoe (11 Hulfish St, 609-497-0704), antiques at Silver Shop (59 Palmer Sq W, 609-924-2026), and pictures and framing at the Cranberry Station Gallery (28 Palmer Sq E, 609-921-0434).

Crème de la crème: At the Little Chef Pastry Shop (8 S Tulane St, 609-924-5335), sample owner and pastry chef Edwige Fils-Aime’s delicious handmade French tarts and cakes.

Spend the night: Check into the popular Nassau Inn (10 Palmer Sq, 609-921-7500), or rest your head three miles south on Route 206 at the Inn at Glencairn (3301 Lawrenceville Rd, 609-497-1737).

For more stories about: Princeton University, Bainbridge House, Historical Society of Princeton, Princeton, Nassau Hall, Zoe, Palmer Square, Micawber Books, Einstein, Albert, Alchemist and Barrister, Inn at Glencairn, Wilson, Woodrow, Nassau Inn, Princeton Art Museum, McCarter Theatre, Princeton Record Exchange, Cranberry Station Gallery