Princeton Public Library – Photo by R. Birkel
Summer is a great season for exploring the great outdoors, but sometimes the weather can be less than desirable. We could be in the middle of a heat wave, hit by thunderstorms, or have humidity so high we can barely breathe. So it’s always a good idea to have an indoor backup plan.
“Summertime is always the best of what might be.” ~ Charles Bowden
Princeton provides summer adventures that challenge your brain, lift your spirits, and get you moving. There is plenty of hyperlocal summer entertainment to keep you happy, whether you prefer indoor or outdoor recreation.
OUTDOORS
- Swimming
- Hiking
- Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal Towpath
- Greenway Meadows Park
- Herrontown Woods Arboretum
- Institute Woods
- John Witherspoon Woods
- Mountain Lakes Nature Preserve/Community Park North
- Biking/Cycling
- Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal Towpath
- Princeton Cycling Trails
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Fishing at Lake Carnegie
- Strolling/window shopping in town
- Walking tours
- Historic Princeton Walking Tour
- Orange Key Tour at Princeton University – student guides
- Princeton Tour Company
- Princeton University campus art – Also check out the architecture as you walk through campus
- Outdoor restaurant dining – Over three dozen locations from which to choose –
- Princeton Battlefield State Park
- Picnicking on the field
- Walking trails
- Ionic Colonnade
- Princeton Cemetery – Burial ground to many prominent people, including:
- President Grover Cleveland,
- Vice President Aaron Burr, Jr.
- Geocaching
- Summer Courtyard Concert Series at the Princeton Shopping Center
- Terhune Orchards
- Picking your own berries or flowers
- Shopping at the Farm Store
- Visiting farm animals
- Walking the Farm Trail
- Wine tasting
- Marquand Park and Arboretum – Main entrance on Lovers Lane
- Benches
- Sandbox
- Picnic Tables
- Walking Trails
INDOORS
- Brunch
- Shopping
- Downtown
- Princeton Shopping Center
- Five-course dinner
- Princeton Public Library
- Reading or relaxing
- Daily programs
- Special events
- Drumthwacket – Governor’s Mansion Tour
- Fine Arts Museum/Gallery
- Historical Museums
- Clarke House Museum
- Morven Museum and Garden – Former Governor’s Mansion
- Rockingham Historic Site
- Updike Farm – Historical Society of Princeton
- Bookscape at Cotsen Library – Whimsical space for the young and young at heart
- Einstein Museum in Landau’s
- Ice skating
- Watching a movie
- AMC Market Fair for blockbusters
- Garden Theater for classic Hollywood and foreign language films, plus Saturday matinees for kids
- Hillsborough Cinemas for blockbusters
- Montgomery Cinemas for art, foreign, and independent films
- Cocktails
- Beer on tap
- Gelato/Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream
- Bent Spoon
- Dolceria
- Fruity Yogurt
- Halo Pub
- Princeton Pi & Froyo Cafe
- Thomas Sweet Ice Cream
- Taking a church tour – both have Tiffany glass windows
- The University Chapel (self-guided and guided)
- Princeton United Methodist Church (guided)