The Princeton Area

Local Points of Interest

Prior to the arrival of European colonists in the mid-17th century, central New Jersey was inhabited by Native Americans who called themselves the Lenape. Settled by English and Dutch farmers, the vicinity of the University was named Princeton in 1724, probably to honor William III, Prince of Orange (of the House of Nassau). This small market town was forever changed in 1756 when the College of New Jersey moved into Nassau Hall.

Points of interest around town remind visitors of Princeton’s place in history. Battlefield Park, just a short drive down Mercer Street (Princeton Pike), memorializes soldiers who were killed during the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777. The Historical Society of Princeton (HSP) is located at Bainbridge House, 158 Nassau Street. Hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free. Call (609) 921-6748 for information.

Morven, former home of New Jersey’s governors, is a short way down Stockton Street, the west end of Nassau Street. Further down Stockton Street is Drumthwacket, the current official residence of the governor. Grover Cleveland lived at 15 Hodge Road; Woodrow Wilson lived at 72 and 82 Library Place and finally at 25 Cleveland Lane.

Albert Einstein lived at 112 Mercer Street and was a life member of the Institute for Advanced Study, located on Olden Lane. The institute’s woods offer tranquillity for contemplative strolls. Located between the institute’s woods and the towpath of the Delaware and Raritan Canal is the Princeton Wildlife Refuge, a peaceful setting ideal for bird watching.

If you would like to know more about the greater Princeton area, you can order any of the guidebooks listed below by sending your request and a check to the Princeton Chamber of Commerce, 9 Vandeventer Avenue, Princeton, NJ 08542. The guidebooks include Princeton Area Life, which provides information about Princeton and the surrounding communities; the Princeton Area Visitors Guide, which is a guide to the Princeton area’s historic sites and things to do and is designed for newcomers and visitors; and the Map/Guide of the Princeton Area. (Please call the Chamber of Commerce for prices at (609) 924-1776.)

Driving to Princeton

Directions by Auto Hotline: (609) 258-2222. This hotline provides recorded directions to Princeton University from all across the country.

Coming from the north (New York City area). Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 9. Follow signs for Route 1 South (to Trenton). After approximately 12 miles on Route 1 South, exit right onto Route 571 to Princeton. This is Washington Road. At the first traffic light, turn left onto Faculty Road; the campus entrance will be on your right.

Coming from the south. Take the New Jersey Turnpike to Exit 8 onto Route 571 West. Continue on Route 571 across Route 1 and onto Washington Road. At the first traffic light, turn left onto Faculty Road; the campus entrance will be on your right.

Coming from Philadelphia via Route 95. In New Jersey, Route 95 becomes Route 295. From Route 295, take Route 206 North, the Lawrenceville/Princeton exit. Within five miles, Route 206 North takes you directly to Nassau Street. Follow Nassau Street to Washington Road; turn right onto Washington Road; go to Faculty Road (approximately one half mile). Turn right onto Faculty Road; the campus entrance will be on your right.

Visitor Parking

Visitors coming to campus weekdays (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) may park in remote Lot 21, near Jadwin Gym. From 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. and on weekends, parking is permitted in any unrestricted area. Parking areas next to buildings without a lot number clearly displayed and spaces with special signage are considered restricted areas at all times. No parking is allowed between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., except as noted below.

Additionally, the top floor of the garage at Lot 7, near the south end of campus, is available to one-day visitors with appointments at the undergraduate or graduate admission office. One row in Lot 6, adjacent to the garage, also is reserved for this purpose.

Overnight parking (from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.) is not permitted without obtaining an overnight permit from the TigerCard office (in the New South building, floor A, across from Lot 7), with the exception of residential and student permit holders parking in their designated lots. Vehicles parked between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. without a permit may be towed or booted.

A free campus shuttle operates frequently from Lots 6 and 7, and 21 during the weekdays. For further information on campus shuttles, visit www.princeton.edu/uservices and click on the Campus Shuttles link.

If you are planning to visit for more than one day, you will need to obtain a permit from the TigerCard Office.

Bus Service

The Suburban Transit Corporation, (732) 249-1100, runs regularly scheduled bus service from the New York Port Authority Bus Terminal (8th Avenue and West 41st Street) to Nassau Street and the front gates of the campus. Buses to Princeton leave the Port Authority every half hour. During most of the day, buses to New York City leave from the main gate of the campus every half hour (five minutes after and 25 minutes before each hour). Travel time is approximately 90 minutes. Round-trip fare between New York City and Princeton is approximately $20.

Trains

Trains to Princeton Junction leave New York City’s Penn Station and Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station regularly.

From New York City, take the New Jersey Transit Northeast Corridor line to Princeton Junction and change for Princeton (see “Dinky” below). A round-trip fare, including the transfer to Princeton, is approximately $20.

Amtrak, (800) 872-7245, also schedules regular stops at Princeton Junction, but its service is more limited. The fare to New York is $38 one way; the fare to Philadelphia is $34 one way.

From Philadelphia, take SEPTA to Trenton, NJ. Then take New Jersey Transit to Princeton Junction and change for Princeton (see “Dinky” below). A round-trip fare is approximately $20.

The Dinky

This one-car train shuttle service, known locally as the “Dinky,” takes five minutes between Princeton Junction and the campus and costs $1.80 each way. The Dinky does not meet every train, so be sure to consult a current schedule when making travel plans.

Airports and Shuttle Service

Newark Liberty International Airport is the most convenient airport to Princeton. Shuttle service is available between Princeton and Newark Airport. The one-way fare is $28 ($21 with student ID) per person via Olympic Airporter, (800) 385-4000, www.goairporter.com. Buses travel from Newark Airport to the Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Newark and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. An AirTrain monorail links Newark Airport to a station on the NJTransit and Amtrak rail lines for train service to Princeton Junction ($13.25).

There is no direct shuttle service to or from the Philadelphia International Airport, although a shuttle is available from the airport to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, from which you can take a train to Princeton Junction.

Olympic Airporter also provides shuttle service from New York’s Kennedy Airport; the one-way fare is $51 ($43 with student ID). For details about transportation from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, consult your travel agent.

Campus Tours

Student-led tours of the campus, offered by the Orange Key Tour Guide Service, are provided several times each day, with a few exceptions such as University holidays. For more information, please visit www.princeton.edu/orangekey, or call (609) 258-1766.

top | July 2006