So much to do, So little time: Ideas for a Princeton Area Getaway!

Very often guests ask us to put together the perfect weekend in the area. It is a HARD task because there are so many fantastic things to do (take a look at our “area” tab for some ideas)! But, if you are looking for a more curated approach, read on!

Friday

3pm: Leave work a little early to arrive at the Inn at Glencairn while still daylight. Once settled in, wander the nearly three acres of park like grounds, peek into the 19th century barn to admire the hand-hewn beams, then grab a complimentary glass of wine and a cookie to enjoy on the back patio, or in the peaceful ambience of the Great Room.

6pm: Prepare for a memorable experience at Naoki Sushi in Lawrenceville. Immerse yourself in the world of omakase, where you entrust your dining experience to the skilled hands of Executive Chef Naoki Tashiro. Nestled within an 8-seat counter, you'll witness his sushi preparation, mastering the delicate balance of flavors, textures, and presentation that Japanese cuisine demands. Our exquisite 7-course omakase dinner features delights like delicate Egg Custard with Snow Crab and succulent Wagyu Beef Steak Seared on Hot Lava Stone. At Naoki Sushi Dining, sushi is not merely a dish, it’s an art form.

8pm: Grab a show at McCarter Theatre. McCarter is recognized as one of the country’s leading theaters, both a professional producing theater and a major presenter of the performing arts. Treat yourself to a play or a concert and you will understand why this theater is constantly receiving rave reviews.

Saturday

9am: Wake up to the smell of freshly ground coffee wafting up to your room and then wander downstairs for Breakfast at the Inn. Today it’s Eggs Glencairn, a new take on Eggs Benedict, with a poached egg served over a toasted croissant, broiled tomato slice, fresh sautéed asparagus and local greens topped with a lite Hollandaise sauce. Don’t forget to finish off your breakfast with a little chocolate decadence: Lydia’s homemade java truffle. And if you have any dietary restrictions or preferences please communicate them to Lydia so she can make you something fabulous no matter what your taste!

11am: Drive to the adorable nearby town of Lawrenceville for a stroll. Grab a treat at The Gingered Peach to enjoy later in the day, and visit the eclectic array of locally owned shops: Valentina, Lawrenceville Vintage Treasures, Final Boss Comics. 

1pm: Head into Princeton to take the Princeton Tour Company’s “Name Dropping” Tour. Dubbed the best tour in town, the name-dropping tour visits the homes and hangouts of Albert Einstein, F Scott Fitzgerald, TS Eliot, Woodrow Wilson, Grover Cleveland, Robert Wood Johnson and even ‘80’s icon, Brooke Shields, just to name a few.

3pm: Grab a bite at Jammin’ Crepes. Oh so good, Jammin’ Crepes is the perfect spot for a quick nosh to tide you over for a bit while you are out touring. Imagine a fresh, made-from-scratch crepe filled with the best local ingredients at their peak of freshness.

Then shop ‘til you drop at Palmer Square: Originally built in the 1930s, the Square was created as the town’s complement to Princeton University. In order to build the Square, Baker Street was removed and its houses, which were the center of the original African American neighborhood were moved to Birch Avenue. Today Palmer Square is a unique mix of local and well-known apparel and home goods boutiques and world class restaurants all centered around the Nassau Inn. Although we truly enjoy perusing all of the shops along Palmer Square, we never miss a stop at the Bent Spoon, Labyrinth Books, Miya Table and Home, or jaZams. Meander a little further afield to check out the Princeton Record Exchange.

Saturday Evening Option I:

5pm: By now you need to sit down, so catch a flick at the Princeton Garden Theatre. Built originally to accommodate Princeton University’s Triangle Club in 1920, The Garden took on a new life as a movie theater when Triangle moved to McCarter Theatre later that decade. The Garden changed hands several times in the next few decades until its latest renovation in 2014 and now shows independent, foreign, and classic films for local movie lovers. In 2017, NJ.com named the Garden, The Best Movie Theater in New Jersey.

8pm: After your flick, enjoy a dinner in Princeton. Some of our favorite spots include Agricola, Blue Point Grill, and Kristines.

Saturday Evening Option II:

5pm: Head back to the Inn for a well deserved rest and then go on a driving tour of the local countryside stopping at Goat Hill Overlook and Washington Crossing State Park. If you are a real history buff, you might want to dedicate an entire day to exploring the park, including the 1740 Johnson Ferry House and Visitor Center Museum that houses over 500 artifacts from the American Revolution! Non history buffs, head to Hopewell Valley Vineyards for wine tasting and live music.

8pm: Stop for dinner at one of the more "off the beaten path" favorites Brick Farm Tavern and Blue Bottle Cafe in Hopewell and Boro in Pennington. 

Sunday

9am: After sleeping like a baby, wake up to some more fabulous scents from the kitchen. Today, indulge in some Glencairn French Toast. French Toast made with “Craque”lin (a Belgian brioche) topped with real maple syrup and fresh berries and served with our yogurt granola parfait. This will fill you up for your day’s adventure.

11am: Bid the Inn and Lydia farewell, then visit a couple of our local farms to take home some Jersey Fresh goods and produce. Pop into Cherry Grove for some organic cheese and Terhune Orchards for just about everything else!

Noon: Visit one of the must see gems of Central New Jersey - Grounds for Sculpture. The vision of J. Seward Johnson, Grounds for Sculpture was conceived as a place where audiences could experience sculpture in a familiar, accessible, and informal setting. The sculpture park is built on the site of the former New Jersey State Fairgrounds and now exhibits over 270 works on 42 acres. Spend an hour or spend a day here wandering the grounds and marveling at the truly awe-inspiring art and sculpture.

3pm: Enjoy a bite at Rat’s Restaurant or one of the other cafes on the grounds. Rat’s Restaurant was conceptually designed by Seward Johnson with a Claude Monet styled atmosphere. The restaurant scenery features impressionist-inspired sculptures as well as a lily pond and bridge and is aptly named after the character “Ratty” from Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows. Rat’s and the other cafes are within the grounds, so you can continue to explore as long as you like!

This is by no means an exhaustive list of things to do, so PLEASE check out our “area” tab for even more ides. But whatever you do, come for a visit. And then come back! You could spend many, many days and weeks exploring all the area has to offer!

Ten Properties in 20 Days

It is always fun to be on the other side of the hospitality equation. We recently had an opportunity to sample ten different properties during a 20 day road trip throughout the Eastern and Southeastern US. By design, we stayed at a mix of five star properties and smaller boutique inns.

My favorite part of planning a trip is agonizing over the lodging, and then driving up to the property and seeing where your hours of research landed - either a fantastic find or a big miss. Sometimes the most gorgeous luxury properties are the most disappointing once you walk through the door and are greeted by a pretentious staff member. Sometimes the properties with less impressive curb appeal have the most helpful front desk staff that you can overlook a few little snags in the carpet, literally. 

These are the top takeaways from our travels:

1. Hospitality matters. From the front desk to the housekeeping staff to the manager, everyone matters and when someone is unhappy with their job, it is apparent. A smile and friendly greeting go a long way toward making a guest comfortable and valued. 

2. Basics are important. A clean room, a modern bathroom, a comfortable bed and nice linens are the bedrock of any positive overnight stay. Top notch amenities are nice touch, but if you do not have the basics down, it does not make the difference. 

3. Knowledgeable staff is key. Asking for directions, wanting to know the best place for tacos, looking for a local flea market- the staff should know these things and not shrug their shoulders and say they are new to the area. Inexcusable! 

4. Breakfast is a wildcard. A lot of properties are now serving complementary breakfast, and in my opinion, many should not. I would rather pay extra for a delicious homemade breakfast than settle for some boxed eggs and stale bagels. Also, I am a sucker for a full on, no holds barred, first class breakfast buffet- think silver chafing dishes and an omelet station. 

5. Tipping should not be expected. This may be an unpopular opinion, but tipping is out of hand. Hopefully the staff is paid a living wage and is not reliant on tips for income. When on vacation, I do not want to constantly have to worry about carrying cash to hand out in case someone helps me lift a suitcase or brings me an extra coffee pod or calls me a shuttle. 

6. Ask questions before you arrive. If you want a quiet room, ask for it. If you want a room that has a fan, ask for it. If you want twenty pillows on your bed, ask for it. Once these requests are in your reservation, the front desk can adequately plan for your visit and has time to accommodate your requests. Also, it is a good idea to follow up on requests a couple days before your arrival to ensure a smooth check in. 

We love sampling different properties: It gives us a chance to come back to the Inn and recognize what we get right and what we could improve upon. It also gave us a chance to appreciate and recognize our amazing staff, who always put on a smile each day and provide our guests with top notch service!

Discover Central New Jersey this Summer!

Our Friends at Discover Central NJ have done a fabulous job bragging about the richness of our surrounding areas including some great ideas for day trips from New York City and Philadelphia. Read on!

New Jersey is home to the historic Delaware & Raritan Canal that is 70 miles long and follows V-shaped route that carried goods and produce between Pennsylvania and New York City. Today, the D&R Canal offers walking, biking, and paddling in a state park popular with locals. Throughout the area you can also find some fabulous, world-class wineries, distilleries, breweries, and farms - an easy 60- to 90-minute trip from New York or Philadelphia.

Central Jersey boasts a location that is midway between two of our largest cities has been a key pre-Revolutionary War asset. An officer fighting in the American Revolution in 1781 described the area as the “Garden of America,” a reputation that eventually inspired New Jersey’s “Garden State” nickname.

Central Jersey Craft Beer Scene

In 2022, the fast growing reputation of Central Jersey craft beer attracted a Canal Region visit from beer connoisseur Jimmy Carbone, who recorded a Beer Sessions podcast from Carriage Farm, home to Flounder Brewing and Bellemara Distillery.  They talked about the Somerset County Sip & See Trail that also features a cidery, another brewery, and a Brew Pub in trendy Downtown Somerville.

Additional breweries worth a visit include Descendant’s Brewing and restaurant in the quaint Delaware River town of Milford, where they’ve been brewing beer since Prohibition Days, and at Old Hights Brewing in Hightstown, where a group of friends have created a community gathering place.

Central Jersey Wine & Spirits

The reputation of New Jersey for winemaking has been rising since the 2012 “Judgement of Princeton,” when several New Jersey wines were judged comparable to fine French wines. One Central Jersey wine, from Unionville Vineyards, came in second among ten white wines. Unionville and neighboring Old York Cellars are in Ringoes, on the northern side of the Sourland Mountain, where visitors are treated to stunning sunsets. Many wineries host local talent on Summer evenings: Check out the performance schedule at award-winning Hopewell Valley Vineyards.

The Sourland Mountain conservation area is the largest forest in Central Jersey and the pure water of its aquifer may just be the most important ingredient in the gin, vodka, and whiskeys produced by Sourland Mountain Spirits, located on a farm in Hopewell, NJ. While you are there, be sure to visit the nearby Brick Farm Market and Tavern, for lunch or dinner.

Central Jersey Farms

Families will especially enjoy Central Jersey’s farms, where you can visit farm animals such as goats, alpacas, cows, pigs, sheep, and more. You’ll also find on-farm stores to pack up your trunk with Jersey Fresh produce, baked goods, sauces, and jams.  You can find it all Terhune Orchards, including farm-made wines.  The pick-your-own berry season begins with strawberries in late May!

Your visit to Central Jersey should also include a visit to one of its historic downtowns for shopping and a meal. Princeton is one of the best known towns in Central Jersey, home to the famous Princeton University, as well as a vibrant shopping district, and a dynamic farm-to-table restaurant scene.

Another historic downtown worth visiting is Flemington, made famous by the Lindbergh baby “trail of the century.” Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington has become a popular community hub, with high-quality brews and a variety of special events.

Stay Overnight!

There’s so much to do in Central Jersey’s Canal Region, that you really should stay overnight. Overnight accommodations are widely available, whether you are on a budget or looking for a bit of luxury. In the Princeton area, consider the Inn at Glencairn if you are looking for a cozy historic inn.

For more information about everything to see and do in Central Jersey, visit discovercentralnj.com.  This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.