Lovin’ It Local: Princeton

This walkable town, home to Princeton University, offers abundant shopping and dining along historic Nassau Street and nearby Palmer Square. Discover a treasure trove of boutiques and bistros as you explore charming colonial streets and tree-shaded sidewalks.

HAMILTON JEWELERS, 92 Nassau Street
For more than 30 years, this family-operated institution in the heart of downtown Princeton has been a go-to hub for precious gems, diamond jewelry, and new, pre-owned and vintage timepieces. 609-683-4200; hamiltonjewelers.com

HEDY SHEPARD LTD, 175 Nassau Street
Upscale boutique features American and international designers with an emphasis on artistic and unusual women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories. 609-921-0582; hedyshepardltd.com

LACE SILHOUETTES, 51 Palmer Square West
Shop classic lingerie labels and unique items not found in department stores. 609-688-8823; lacesilhouettes.com

ROUGE, 45 Palmer Square West
This boutique curates timeless, feminine, ready-to-wear fashion from across the globe. 609-921-0280; myrougegirl.com

JUST FOR KIDS


TOOBYDOO, 59 Palmer Square West
Mod cotton clothing for babies and kids, sizes 2-14. 609-430-8300; toobydoo.com

JAZAMS, 25 Palmer Square East
Toys, books, games, art, dolls, music and more. 609-924-8697; jazams.com

BOOKS
LABYRINTH BOOKS, 122 Nassau Street
Shop this community bookstore for new, used and kids’ books. 609-497-1600; labyrinthbooks.com

THE CLOAK & DAGGER, 349 Nassau Street
This cool mystery-book shop resembles an English library. 609-688-9840; thecloakanddagger.com

VIBURNUM DESIGNS, 202 Nassau Street
Fresh ideas grow at this blossom-packed design studio. Purchase a single stem, order a bouquet to decorate your home, or let them flower your dream wedding. 609-683-8800; viburnumdesigns.com

KITCHEN KAPERS, 23 Hulfish Street
Princeton’s kitschiest kitchen-supply shop overflows with cookbooks, textiles, gadgets, cookware and small appliances. 609-924-9190; kitchenkapers.com

PRINCETON CORKSCREW WINE SHOP, 49 Hulfish Street
Explore a fine selection of artisanal wine from farmers who care about the land they work. Ask about wine-tasting events. 609-430-1200; princetoncorkscrew.com

MIYA TABLE & HOME, 41 Palmer Square West
Don’t miss this cheery shop loaded with traditional and  whimsical Japanese tableware and gifts. Beautiful, fun and simple designs are at home in any space. 609-212-0282

PRINCETON RECORD EXCHANGE, 20 South Tulane Street
This iconic, independent record store stocks more than 100,000 new and used LPs, CDs and DVDs. It’s a must-see institution.
609-921-0881; prex.com

HOMESTEAD 43 Hulfish Street
Shop gifts and home decor, including unique custom furniture, art, barware, candles, linens, lighting, pillows, pottery, rugs, jewelry, Princeton University merchandise and more. 609-688-0777; homesteadprinceton.com

NEED A SWEET?

CHEZ ALICE GORMET CAFE & BAKERY, 5 Palmer Square West
Yummy sandwiches, sweets and custom cakes are created at this cozy cafe. 609-921-6760; chezalicecafe.com

THOMAS SWEET, 183 Nassau Street /29 Palmer Square West
Since 1979, this  is the place for house-made ice cream and pastries. Chocolates, too! 609-683-8720

THE BENT SPOON, 35 Palmer Square West
Indulge in over-the-top organic ice cream, artisan ice, baked sweets and hand-cut marshmallows. 609-924-2368

COFFEE AT CAFE VIENNA, 200 Nassau Street
European-style pastries, breakfast, lunch. Snag a seat outside and people watch. 609-924-5100; cafevienna-princeton.com

NATIONAL RETAILERS
Along with a plethora of independent boutiques, shop ’til you drop at Princeton’s J.Crew, Blue Mercury, Origins, Lululemon, Ralph Lauren, Barbour, Brooks Brothers, NIC + ZOE and other favorites.

WHERE TO ENJOY A BITE
Nassau Street Seafood

256 Nassau Street
Eat in or take out fresh or cooked-to-order fish, seafood, soup and sides. 609-921-0620

Olives
22 Witherspoon
Greek and Mediterranean takeout lunches and dinners. Visit their jaw-dropping bakery; 609-921-1569

Teresa Caffe
23 Palmer Square E
Popular trattoria serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Pizzas are a specialty. 609-921-1974

Mediterra
29 Hulfish Street
Locally sourced ingredients enhance Italian, Spanish and other Mediterranean cuisines. 609-252-9680

SPEND THE NIGHT
Historic Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square
Visit this hotel’s Yankee Doodle Pub and see an enormous Norman Rockwell mural. Then be wowed by the framed B&W glossies of now-famous Princeton U grads that deck the walls. 609-921-7500

Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane
Boutique hotel offers fine dining and 16 luxury rooms in a colonial mansion. 609-924-1707

EXPERIENCE IT:

Princeton University Art Museum
Delight in 92,000 amazing works of art from antiquity to the present. Enjoy  films and seasonal lawn picnics. 609-258-3788;
artmuseum.princeton.edu

Cranbury Station Gallery
Browse national and local artists, original paintings, and limited-edition and antique prints. Check out in-gallery painting parties. 10 Hulfish Street, 609-921-0434

Music Fest Princeton
Bring the gang to this annual event. Folk bands, Irish bands, jazz ensembles, country sets and rock ’n’ roll. Food and beverages, too.  Sunday, September 16, 11 AM–6:30 PM; palmersquare.com

 

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