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Princeton University, Princeton, NJ

Photo: Smallbones, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

SightseeingIconicHistory BuffFree

Princeton University

36 University Pl · Princeton, NJ

Why you should go…

Princeton University, founded in 1746, has a 600-acre campus you can walk on your own or with a student guide. Nassau Hall, finished in 1756, is the oldest building, with bronze tigers flanking its entrance. The Collegiate Gothic University Chapel seats around 2,000, and the university art museum holds more than 112,000 objects. Student-led tours leave from the Admission Information Center at 36 University Place and need advance registration.

  • #university campus
  • #ivy league
  • #campus tour
  • #gothic architecture
  • #art museum

Good to know

General sightseeing guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • The forecast is part of the ticket

    Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.

  • Golden hour sells out first

    Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.

  • Dress a layer warmer

    It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.

  • Timed entry is common

    Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Princeton University, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Morven Museum & Garden

    Under $25

    A National Historic Landmark mansion in Princeton that once served as New Jersey's first governor's residence.

    0.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Museums
    Date Night

    Grounds For Sculpture

    $25–$50

    Wander 42 landscaped acres dotted with more than 300 contemporary sculptures, plus six indoor galleries.

    8.3 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    Central New Jersey

    Free

    Regional visitor initiative showcasing farms, farm-to-table restaurants, craft beverage makers, historic sites and arts venues across Central New Jersey.

    9.9 mi awayMore like this

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism

    Free

    New Jersey's state tourism office, offering visitor guides and travel information for the Garden State.

    10 mi awayMore like this

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Old Barracks Museum

    Under $25

    A restored 1758 colonial-era barracks in Trenton that housed soldiers, prisoners, and a Revolutionary War hospital.

    11 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Sightseeing
    Local Gem

    South Jersey

    Free

    Tourism region covering Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties, from Philadelphia's edge to Jersey wine country.

    34 mi awayMore like this