Five Places to Visit Within Driving Distance of Princeton

With Reunions and the end of the academic year approaching quickly, campus camaraderie has hit a fever pitch this month. Those coming back to Old Nassau may want to extend their stay — or simply see what lies beyond campus these days. Princeton’s immediate surroundings offer plenty of history, dining, shopping, and strolling, but how about an hour away? Consider these five activities on your next trip to Princeton.

Snipes Farm and Bridge Street Golf

Morrisville, Pa.
Distance from Princeton: 15 miles (about 30 minutes away)

Across the border of Pennsylvania off Route 1 is the centuries old Snipes Farm. Family owned and operated by the Snipes siblings since before the Revolutionary War, the farm now offers mini golf for the family and a driving range and pitch-and-putt coursefor those who want to test their skills. All activities are relatively inexpensive. The farm also offers extensive programming, such as meeting and feeding opportunities for the farm’s goats, rabbits, horses, and ducks. These activities change throughout the month, so keep tabs on their Instagram @snipes_farm. In the fall, they also offer hayrides and pumpkin picking.

Englishtown Flea Market

Manalapan, N.J. 
Distance from Princeton: 20 miles (about 40 minutes away)

While often overshadowed by the popular year-round Columbus Flea Market, vendors from all around the tri-state area come to sell their used goods in Englishtown, be it a classic Nintendo Entertainment System in well-loved condition or your favorite name brand soups at half the cost. Of course, it wouldn’t be a flea market without the aisles of food: fresh popcorn, hot dogs, local Pennsylvania Dutch desserts, and more. For a day in the sun that’ll leave your wallet and family happy, Englishtown is the way to go.

Delsea Drive-In

Vineland, N.J. 
Distance from Princeton: 83 miles (about an hour and a half away)

In rural Vineland, south of Princeton, Delsea Drive-In is the only drive-in theater still open in the Garden State and offers easy-on-the-pockets prices for the entire family. Each ticket covers two full feature films that will play back-to-back. When you drive to your viewing area, you will be prompted to tune your radio to the designated frequency, which will bring the sound of the movie to the inside of your vehicle. Outside food does require an extra permit cost, but if you can wait until you pull into the theater, the classic fare will not disappoint. The concession stand, at the heart of the theater complex, sells ice cream, burgers, hot dogs, soups, mac and cheese, pierogies, and even gluten-free options. The Delsea Drive-In is a blast from the past, and it still stands as one of the best nights out within the area.

Asbury Park

City in New Jersey
Distance from Princeton: 39 miles (about an hour away)

Most will know the famous city of Asbury Park from the vibrant music scene that would inspire Southside Johnny and Bruce Springsteen. Asbury Park, though, has become a vibrant beach town with everything from comfort food boardwalk hot dogs to the flower lined hipster beauty of The Black Swan pub. Within the town, there is the spooky Paranormal Museum, offering ghost tours of the city and haunted dolls to scare, and the family-friendly Silverball Retro Arcade with its extensive collection of pinball machines from the 1930s to the present. The city still has many music venues such as the quirky Asbury Lanes, which has bowling and food, along with live bands; the Stone Pony, where Springsteen first took the stage in 1974; and House of Independents, which hosts local talent and visiting artists alike.

Washington’s Crossing State Park

Titusville, N.J.
Distance from Princeton: 13 miles (about 25 minutes away)

For the more laid-back history buffs, Washington’s Crossing State Park offers a beautiful 3,500 acres of green grass to explore on a languid summer day. Named after the historic Revolutionary War triumph of Gen. George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, the area offers a glimpse back into colonial times through its architecture. There are houses that replicate Colonial living quarters. While a visitors’ center is currently under construction, attendees can still fish, picnic, camp, and hike around the historic area. For those who also want to see what the Pennsylvania side is like, just hop-skip-and-jump over the bridge is Washington’s Crossing Historic Park, with equally intriguing historical tours and natural trails to reconnect with nature.