An Ideal Sunday in Princeton, NJ

Back in the days when I was single, an ideal Sunday was waking up late, reading the New York Times while listening to classical music, going out for brunch, then off to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or any other NYC museum, shop on Madison followed by a short walk in Central Park. Sometimes I would add dinner and a Broadway show to complete 12 hours of fun in the city that never sleeps.

Fast forward to me now living in Princeton. I realized how easy it is to replicate the experience of my ideal Sunday right here in town. I could wake up just a bit later than my usual mornings, read the NYT on my mobile app or the print version while listening to classical music, go to church, eat brunch at Teresa Caffe, The Alchemist & Barrister, The Peacock Inn Restaurant or elements, go to the Princeton University Art Museum, stroll through the university campus including the Prospect Garden (above), shop on Nassau, Witherspoon, Chamber and South Tulane Streets and Palmer Square, with a quick stop at the Princeton Public Library. If I wanted to pull off a 12 hour Princeton “Fun and Culture Fest”, I could cap it off with dinner at the Blue Point Grill, The Ferry House, Mediterra, or Witherspoon Grill, and a show at the McCarter Theater. If there isn’t a performance at McCarter, I could go on a ghost tour with the Princeton Tour Company or catch a movie at the The Princeton Garden Theater.

I know I can’t compare Princeton, NJ to NYC, it’s apples to oranges. However, the food, shopping, parks, museum and theater in Princeton give the Big Apple a run for its money, especially if you compare the area of Princeton’s central business district with a similar sized neighborhood in Manhattan. It’s a great day trip for those who don’t want to venture off into the hustle and bustle of New York (or Philadelphia), and there’s plenty to do for those staying overnight for weddings, graduations, etc.

Regardless of where you live, what are your favorite things to do on a Sunday?