Great Escape: Downtown Princeton

With the temperatures warming up and flowers starting to poke through spring garden beds, now is an opportune time to spend the day in downtown Princeton.

Many of us might not think of Princeton as a great day trip since it’s so close to home, but that’s a shame, since Princeton has so much to offer.

Whether you want to spend the day outside with the kids or prefer to head into town solo, with your mate or with friends for some shopping and pampering, Princeton has a lot to offer. Here are a few of Patch’s picks for a great day in Princeton.

Metropolis Spa Salon

Moms looking for a new spring look might want to start the day out at the Metropolis Spa Salon on North Harrison Street in the Princeton Shopping Center. The salon offers haircuts and hair treatments, massages, body treatments and manicures and pedicures.

Fine Foods

While in the Princeton Shopping Center, food lovers may want to stop in Bon Appetit, a gourmet food store that sells artisan breads, fine chocolates and treats, cheese, smoked fish, salads, prepared food and sandwiches. McCaffrey’s in Princeton shopping center is another fine supermarket, with a bakery, prepared foods, gifts and catering.

Palmer Square

Palmer Square is an excellent destination for upscale shopping. In this beautiful square are Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J Crew, Kate Spade, Kitchen Kapers, Lindt Chocolate, Talbots and Ralph Lauren, among others. If you’d like to take a break from shopping, there’s the historic Nassau Inn and Winberie’s Restaurant and Bar, among other fine eateries.

Something for the kids

Children will love the Jazams toy store in Palmer Square, which features unique toys, books and music for kids. Another great toy store is Learning Express in the Princeton Shopping Center. On Nassau Street are the ever popular ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, Thomas Sweet and Fruity Yogurt. Fruity Yogurt has delicious Bubble Teas that adults may love (my favorite is Thai iced tea), and healthy fruit and nut toppings at their frozen yogurt bar.

Tours and Museums

Filled with fine architecture and so much history, Princeton is a terrific place to tour on foot. Why not try a Princeton University Walking tour or an Albert Einstein Walking tour. Those who appreciate art may want to stop in the Princeton University Art Museum, where admission is free. (You can beat that.) Among the museums’ holdings are original works of art by Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.