A Scholarly Fall Foliage Trip - Princeton

In my college days, many years ago now, autumn was always my favorite time of year to be on campus. It’s hard to say whether it was because the new school year was getting started, the leaves were changing, or the days were sunny and cool when you could sit outside and study. Something just always felt right about it!

Two years ago, Michele and I went north to the Palisades and Sleepy Hollow for a fall foliage day trip. Last year, we went west along the Delaware River. This year, we decided to try another unique location and decided on Princeton, home of one of the country’s finest universities.

The trip started out with a drive west, bypassing Trenton by taking Interstate 295 around the city to the Princeton Pike exit for Mercer Road.

Our first stop was at the Princeton Battlefield State Park, located on Mercer Road, a couple of miles from town. George Washington scored a big victory here on January 3, 1777 coming on the heels of his Delaware crossing and the battle of Trenton. We didn’t end up spending too much time here, the park was not really very impressive compared to Washington’s Crossing State Park that we visited last year. Other than the Clarke House and a few historical markers, it’s a large field. The foliage wasn’t great, most of the trees were either bare or had yet to change, and walking trails were lacking. The park also sits directly on busy Mercer Road. Worth a quick stop, more interesting things were ahead of us in Princeton.

Mercer Road took us directly into the center of town where it intersected Nassau Street, with the University buildings on one side and the town shops on the opposite end. It took a little bit of driving around with our map to get oriented with the campus, and finding a lot to park in at the University was an obstacle (either lots were for student use, or since there was a home football game that left the stadium lot out of the question). We noticed plenty of on-street parking meters near the train station and decided that was the best bet, pleasantly surprised at how cheap they were. At 30 cents an hour, the little bit of spare change I had with me bought us over two hours of parking.

The foliage at Princeton University was more vibrant than what we saw earlier, making for better photo opportunities as it blended with the unique architecture of the campus. Constructed in the Gothic, or Collegiate Gothic style, the buildings featured interesting combinations of gray stonework and masonry. We walked through the various quads along with students going about their weekend activities. The marching band had assembled outside one of the halls in preparation for the football game.

Michele and I spent the better part of a few hours taking photos of the campus. One particular highlight, the University Chapel, blended intricate stained glass windows with high cathedral stone arches. The library, and Alexander Hall also offered aesthetically pleasing stonework.

With time set to expire on the meter, we drove back into town and found the municipal parking garage to use for the remainder of the afternoon. A few blocks away was Triumph Brewing Company, and after a morning of walking around we were ready for some lunch and a refreshing beverage!

Michele and I have been on a bit of a brew pub tour throughout the state since she bought me the New Jersey Breweries book this past summer, and this was our first visit to Triumph. The entrance may be on Nassau Street, but it’s a walk down the long corridor before you’re finally inside the brew pub. The interior was nicely laid out with two bars, one on the lower level and one on the floor you enter, with a small dining area there and an upstairs dining area as well.

We ordered a sampler of the craft beers, and Michele was pleasantly surprised by the variety and taste (fewer bitter beers on tap) compared with the other pubs we’ve visited so far. She decided on the pumpkin ale and Gose (a German wheat beer) while I stuck with the more conventional IPA. We treated ourselves to a full lunch with appetizers (calamari for me and the meat and cheese platter for her), and a main course of lamb kebab for me and gnocchi as her entree. The food was excellent and reasonably priced, with good customer service as well. We decided to stop back later to fill up a growler of fresh beer.

On to explore the town, we encountered a mix of high end shops that catered to the wealthy area residents, mixed with college hangouts and places frequented by the less wealthy student crowd. The Princeton University Store carried every imaginable article of clothing and accessory with the school logo and in orange school colors. By coincidence, Michele’s top was orange and she received numerous compliments around town all day! I picked up a pint glass and shot glass from this store to add to our collection.

As our day finished up, we stopped back at Triumph for a growler of Oktoberfest Ale and came home to relax. Free from the worries of academic life that the Princeton scholars faced, I filled up my new pint glass and sat back to relax for an enjoyable ending to another great day trip!

TRAVEL TIPS

Princeton is best reached by car, or using NJ Transit on the Northeast Corridor rail line. Driving from the east, take I-195 to I-295 North, which becomes I-95. Exit on the Princeton Pike for Princeton and continue into town. From the west, take I-95 and the Princeton Pike exit. From the north, Route 1 south is the best option.

Princeton Battlefield State Park is located on Mercer Road, about two miles south from the center of town. Park is open daily and free.

Parking in Princeton can either be at the municipal public garage off of Chambers Street or metered street parking adjacent to campus The meters are a bargain at 30 cents per hour. Walking is the only method for exploring campus, you can explore on your own or sign up for a group tour.

Triumph Brewing Company is located on Nassau Street across from the University, with a full line of craft beers and full menu.