Nassau Hall's clock tower rises through the ivy.

Chances are you’ve heard of Princeton, New Jersey because of the university. But this town has a lot to offer beyond the campus, including a diverse food scene, a museum that rivals ones you’d pay to see in Manhattan, and a beautiful countryside most people never see. It’s about 90 minutes from New York City, and easy to get to by car or train. NJ Transit runs from Penn Station to Princeton Junction, then a short shuttle (locally called “the Dinky”) brings you right into town. After spending some time in Princeton over a couple of visits, I pieced together what I recommend as an ideal day there.

A Reiki Sound Bath to Start the Day

Asha and Pratima Surti sitting together outside after a reiki and sound bath session in Princeton, NJ — Asha Surti (Princeton, NJ) and her sister Pratima Surti (Ashburn, Virginia) sitting together outside Asha’s practice after leading my joint reiki and sound bath session.

If you’re drawn to beginning your day with a moment of stillness, a private Reiki or sound bath session is a great way to do it. On my first visit, I was lucky enough to experience both with Asha and her sister Pratima in a quiet room, with a mantel lined with candles and a neon sign glowing “you got this.”

Asha runs Reiki Traveler (@reikitraveler) out of Princeton, where, alongside her one-on-one sessions, she focuses on classes and local wellness retreats. Her sister, Pratima, runs her own practice (@ps_reiki) in Ashburn, Virginia. The two don't usually work together, but Pratima happened to be in town visiting, so they teamed up for my session: Pratima on the sound bath, Asha on reiki.

It felt heavenly. By the end, I was horizontal, half-asleep, and in no hurry to get up. The perfect way to ease into a day built around soaking it all in.

Sit Down for Your Morning Coffee in Town

Make your way into town, where there are countless options for your morning coffee. I enjoyed the atmosphere at Small World Coffee, which greets you with sunlight shining through the skylights. After ordering, slide into one of their wooden tables. This is a place built for unhurried conversation. Small World Coffee has been a downtown Princeton staple since 1993, roasting its own beans just down the street. You can’t get more local than that.

Wander Princeton's Streets and Campus

Princeton is quiet enough that you can wander without a plan and still feel like you're seeing something, which is exactly what I did, and I recommend you do too. It’s a college town first, an Ivy League campus within a small downtown, so shops and academic buildings are just blocks apart. Take your time exploring the town and wandering in and out of shops. I really enjoyed Labyrinth Books, where giant yellow ceramic spoons hang suspended from the ceiling over tables of books. Then, cross onto campus. You’ll see ivy-covered buildings, the tiger statue out front worn in a green-blue hue, and several other iconic scenes you may recognize from movies.

Enjoy a Farm-to-Table Lunch at Agricola

There are so many different types of cuisines you can enjoy in downtown Princeton that it can be hard to choose. I tried Agricola on Witherspoon St., a farm-to-table spot that had a really nice midday vibe. I really liked their grilled chicken pita pillow, stuffed with hummus, avocado, tomato, cucumber, arugula, and a lemon-oregano dressing, paired with one of their craft cocktails.

You Can’t Miss The Princeton University Art Museum (It’s Free)

From there, it's a short walk to the Princeton University Art Museum, which was one of the experiences that surprised me most. The building reopened in late 2025 after a five-year rebuild, and it's spectacular. From soaring wood ceilings, to a mosaic sculpture made almost entirely of found objects, and a quiet room with a single skylight cut into the floor, it felt like a museum you’d expect to find in New York City. The collection holds more than 117,000 works spanning roughly 5,000 years, from a weathered bronze figure outside to a centuries-old Guanyin inside. Admission is free, which feels almost wrong given how good it is.

Stop for an Afternoon Treat

Good news if you’re a boba fan: Princeton has more boba spots than you'd expect for a town this size. I grabbed boba from Kung Fu Tea, then a treat from M Tea next door. You really can't go wrong with either, or both.

Take a Peaceful Walk in Morven Garden

One of the most peaceful stops in Princeton is just a short walk from downtown at Morven, a National Historic Landmark and former New Jersey governor's residence. I only visited the garden since the museum was closed when I was there, but it was a beautiful, quiet stop that was the perfect break from a busy afternoon. The garden is free and open daily from sunrise to sunset.

End Your Day with a Little Wine and Music

Hopewell Valley Vineyards is about 15 minutes outside of downtown Princeton, but it feels like a world away. Tucked into countryside that many visitors overlook, it’s a spot I plan to keep coming back to. They pour their own wines, have live music most weekends, and offer both indoor and outdoor seating so you can visit any time of the year. Save time for this final stop. It’ll be worth it.

So, Is a Day Trip to Princeton, NJ Worth It?

A museum where you could spend an entire day exploring, a fragrant walk in a whimsical garden, music and wine to close out your visit, and still so much more to experience - all in one day. At just an hour and a half from New York City, Princeton is well worth it for all you can enjoy in a single day. Once you visit, you’ll probably find yourself looking for more reasons to come back, like me.

✧ For the intentionally curious traveler - pass it on.

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