A Guide To Princeton, New Jersey

By Author: Bonny Kominek
Total Articles: 96
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Must Do

To get an inside view of the University, join the Orange Key tour. This free, hour-long tour starts at the Frist Campus Center, which is home to libraries, study spaces, cafeterias and more. The tour then winds through campus, covering important academic as well as residential buildings. Don''t miss the impressive University Chapel, which is the third largest university chapel in the world. When you''re admiring the stained glass windows, watch out for the little statue sporting sunglasses at the entrance. Also, keep an eye out for Blair Arch, featured numerous times in Russell Crowe''s film, A Beautiful Mind. You might even see the protagonist, Professor John Nash, walking around campus.

The tours are run by students who will point out little details that you would miss if you were to wander around on your own. Find out why there is a cannon buried in the center of Cannon Green, and why students tried to steal the clapper out of the bell at every opportunity. The student tour guides are very friendly, and will oblige if you ask them for more college lore.

After the tour, head to the art museum at ...
... McCormick Hall, which, though small, houses some excellent pieces, including Monets, Picassos, and more. Don''t miss the Asian Art section in the basement.

Avoid

Princeton''s academic calendar runs from September to the start of June, with a three-week break for Christmas in December. For an authentic feel of campus life, try to avoid visiting during the summer and winter break.

Good Eats

For a taste of student life, head to the cafeteria in the Frist Campus Center, which was voted as the Best Food Court by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in 2002. Alternatively, head into Princeton town for some excellent and cheap sushi at Sakura. Don''t miss Princeton''s favorite ice cream store, The Bent Spoon, and drop by the local microbrewery, Triumph, for a taste of their Honey Oat beer.

Top Shop

Head to the Princeton U-Store on the Western edge of campus for all sorts of memorabilia, including the usual t-shirts, sweaters, caps, and key chains. Their product line also includes interesting and unexpected items like solid wooden chairs and underwear!

Insider Tip

Princeton is at its best in the Spring when the magnolias are in bloom. The warmer weather will also entice students out to study on the lawns, giving the University a real student atmosphere. The flowers only bloom for about a week in March, so try to plan your trip around that time. Bonny Kominek wrote this article while on a holiday booked with Dialaflight who provide great deals on flights to America including cheap flights to New York.