Princeton Area
Food (within walking distance to campus)
Bent Spoon: 35 Palmer Sq. West. The Bent Spoon makes artisanal ice cream and gelato from fresh, local ingredients. Gourmet ice cream with funky flavors, like cardamom ginger or mascarpone cheese. They offer free samples, so take a gamble on something exotic! If you are in the mood for more conventional ice cream flavors, try Halo Pub (9 Hulfish St.) or Thomas Sweet's (179 Nassau St.)
Hoagie Haven: 242 Nassau St. This is an institution in Princeton. ItÕs even got its own entry on Urban Dictionary. It is also probably the only place in town for really cheap eats--subs, cheesesteaks, fries and the like.
Small World Coffee: 14 Witherspoon St. or 254 Nassau St. Small World boasts tasty drinks and a cozy atmosphere. Check out the goods from local artists and artisans at their two locations in town. Small World also supplies the coffee served at the various on-campus cafes.
If youÕre interested in more substantial fare, check out these web reviews of local restaurants:
After Hours
D-Bar: Graduate College Basement. The Debasement Bar (D-Bar) is the graduate student bar located in the basement of the Graduate College dormitories. It is a members-only establishment, so you will need a graduate student to sign you in. Once there, the drinks are cheap and plentiful and the company is primarily other students.
The Ivy Inn: 248 Nassau Street. The Ivy is the closest thing Princeton has to a dive bar. It is not a restaurant, just a place for a cheap drink, and the patrons are mostly locals. On Friday and Saturday nights there is typically a small cover ($3-$5) after nine for a DJ or live band.
Triumph Brewing Company: 138 Nassau Street. Triumph is a restaurant that brews its own beers. It is a bit more upscale than the Ivy or the D-Bar, and the prices reflect that. There is often live music on Friday and Saturday nights, for which they charge a cover (typically $5).
Explore--Walking Distance From Campus
Princeton Towpath and the Canal. For runners, bikers, or casual strollers, the Towpath is the place to go. This dirt path follows the river along the Canal for about 18 miles. You can pick it up by the water at several crossroads, including Harrison St., Washington Ave., and Alexander. If you have the time, you can also rent a canoe or Kayak and explore the Canal on the water. Check out this site for a Towpath map and some tips.
Explore--Short Drive From Campus
Princeton Battlefield (Revolutionary War site; hiking trails)
Albert Einstein's Princeton home. (This is not open to the public, but worth a quick drive by for the curious!) 112 Mercer St., Princeton.