40 Things to Love About the Princeton, NJ Area

This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating all the reasons to love the Princeton area. We started a list as a staff, but then thought we'd get even better (and more candid) responses by polling the public. Below are the 40 responses that we got. Do you have anything to add? Leave a comment below! 

1. I love the small town feel, where you can go anywhere and it feels like family because people remember you. However, it’s such a melting pot of people in town. - Kelly N
 

2.  The history - Vikki 


3. The walkable downtown - Suzanne Bennett ORourke, Creative Marketing Manager at Luxe Home Company. 


4. I’m just going to put it out there. I like having easy access to good shopping. I’m a mom and getting the “stuff” is my job so I’m glad it’s convenient. Marketfair is a pretty good perk. I loved living in CT, but had to drive 18 miles to the nearest Target. Rough. - Rebecca


5. History, food, University itself...love living near a college town. Lots of parks and walking trails. Easy access to Philly/NYC. Located near many shopping areas. All around great place to live! - Gerri 


6. The diversity of arts & culture, history, any kind of food, shopping and just hanging in the Square or campus on a beautiful day! - April Sette, owner of New Jersey Buzz

7. Architecture, PPL, ACP, McCarter, PUAM, diversity, bucolic in the north, restaurants... - Robin 

8. Quirky people, high emphasis on education, international population, and interesting year-round activities - Taylor 

9. The interesting people and Princeton University. - Steve Murphy, owner of Steven Douglas Photography 

10. As a local (Montgomery Township) resident for almost 20 years, I always enjoy driving through Princeton and discovering something new, whether it's a historic site, a downtown store / restaurant or just a unique spot along the road. There's always something to see or do, and it's a fun place to explore and grab a treat with the family, too. As a wedding pro, of course, Princeton offers a variety of locations for weddings, as well as unique spots for engagement and wedding photos! - Erik Kent, founder of NJWedding.com 

11. Easy access to culture, arts, both cities, farms, great people. - Zinnia 

12. Diversity and its university/college vibe... - Marcelo 

13. Digging in the crates at the Princeton Record Exchange, breakfast at PJ's Pancake House, long walks on the Princeton University Campus or by the canal, cocktails at the Dinky Bar, attending private events at the Nassau Inn. - Gregg Hollmann, owner of Ambient DJ Service 

14. Culture, history, food. Friendly people and energy of students. University truly incorporated into community without dominating it. - Arnold

15. It's a great area! But don't make it sound too attractive because more people will want to come! - Angela 


16.  Instruction...I don't think there are many interests that you can't pursue in our area. From free classes at the library to master classes at local schools. Yes, the more advanced can be expensive, but you know you are paying for excellant instruction. - Nancy

17.  That it isn't dense in strip malls on every corner like Texas, where I came. Farmland mixed in. - Elizabeth Akin Stelling, owner of Red Dashboard Publishing 

18. Walkability - Neelma

19. Small World Coffee and the public library. - Kim

20. I love walking around the campus and taking pictures of the buildings. The architecture is absolutely beautiful! - Cindy Schwab Rosen, Broker Associate with Gloria Nilson Real Estate 

21. Beautiful scenery and people! Love the food in Princeton. - Jody

22. Princeton University Art Museum, Cotsen Children's Library, Halo Pub - best ice cream and most reasonable priced coffee anywhere. - Liti

23. Walking around Princeton, Hoagie Haven and the fountain! But I really love watching movies like Runner Runner or A Beautiful Mind that were filmed in Princeton and picking out landmarks. - Kerri

24. Playgrounds, library, fountain, taking walks on campus to the Prospect House garden and university museum, ice skating on Lake Carnegie when it's frozen, and of course Halo Pub! - Alpin, owner of Princeton Playspace 

25. Yoga options and variety - Adnan

26. Architecture - Betsey 

27.  I love the diversity we have in the area, from cultural backgrounds to all ends of professional ones. Professors, bankers, and home builders sharing schools, restaurants and dancing schools. Princeton University has been a favorite place to hang around since I was a teenager sneaking into Maritas Cantina, all the way from Philly... Lol - DonnaMarie 

28. The history! - Joe

29.  I love being in such an ancient college town (modeled on Oxford) with such a prestigious university. I adore the free lectures (Salmon Rushdie! Nicholas Kristof! Ann Marie Slaughter! Steven Pinker!) and the excellent music, chamber groups from all over the world. Great productions at McCarter and the exceptional art at the Princeton Art Museum. All the town festivals such as Communiversity. - Bonnie

30. There's a true sense of community here! We love all the town planned events and of course the delicious restaurants! - Danielle 

31. The beauty of the campus. The culture. It's sitting in Small World with a cup o' joe and listening to a multitude of different languages being spoken. It's the plethora of opportunities to explore just about any interest one might have. Definitely Small World. - Scott 

32. Not the RT 1 circle - Edith

33. I love all the "secret" gardens. - Sheri 

34. I love feeling like I’ve traveled the world just in the people I’ve met as a hairdresser when I was working downtown! - Jade 

35. Excellent healthcare options, Rojo’s Coffee, The Bent Spoon and Jules Thin Crust! What more can you ask for than great pizza, ice cream, and coffee! - Alison 

36.  The history, culture, and art. Just the atmosphere is so iconic to our state. And Princeton University, of course.  - Stef 

37.  All the hidden little gems that only Princetonians knows about. -Jerry 

38. The beauty of the college, restaurants, shops, McCarter Theater. -Beth 

39. Diversity of the people. - Victor

40. My new favorite restaurant - TwoSevens. Amazing food, drinks, casual but contemporary atmosphere. https://www.twosevensrestaurant.com/ - Lisa 

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