I decided to drag my girlfriend and ten-year-old son to Trenton for the day to investigate New…read moreJersey history and culture. After visiting the State Museum right next door, we wandered over to the capitol building. I had called the day before to make a reservation for a tour at 2pm. They had just changed over to a brand new system of entry and everyone in the building seemed to be confused about where to send us. Entered through the annex, asked if we were in the right spot, were told yes and sent through security. We spent the next twenty minutes being shuttled around the building from one perplexed security guard to another, each one insisting we had come in the wrong door. Finally made it to the tour welcome center where we waited with a few others. Our tour guide was Pam and was excellent. Very apologetic for the odyssey we'd been through, and very friendly and knowledgeable. We got to see both the general assembly and the senate rooms, as well as the governor's inner office (though not his actual personal office). Photos were not allowed in this area and we were accompanied by a NJ State Trooper from the governor's protection detail. The whole thing was free, and we really enjoyed learning about the history of our state's capital. Would definitely recommend to others who enjoy history and politics.

I don't know why there are two listings for the state house/Capitol but here is my review…read more "Trent Town" New Jersey! Yeah!! "Trent town"was recognized as the state capital in 1790. Quakers first founded the settlement in the region that later became Trenton in 1679. The Quaker settlement adopted the title "Trent-towne" by 1719 in honor of William Trent who was among its leading landholders. "The Battle of Trenton" took place in the city of "Trent town" where George Washington achieved his first military victory in the course of the American Revolutionary War. In December of 1784, the Confederation congress briefly convened in Trenton. Most famously, Trenton's Capitol briefly acted as the capital of the US. Yep. It was the capital of the United States of America from November 1 to December 24, 1784 Just for that one reason alone it's worth a visit. A lot of great American history took place in this old capitol building. And it is old, it's the 6th oldest in the US. I used to live in New Jersey. I loved living in Jersey. I traveled all over Jersey, Jersey is amazing! Amazing Italian food and awesome diners. Kinda industrial but urban also. A lively lovely little mini metropolis. The US Census Bureau groups Trenton's large, central Jersey, metropolitan area with that of New York while it also borders the large Philly Metropolitan area. Today, Trenton is a super manufacturing hub/industrial area, with a bunch of bridges that cross the Delaware river. It has its own unique beauty. I loved it there. A lot of American History/Historical significance in this Capitol as "Trent town" is among the seven state capitals situated in the Piedmont Plateau. Making the Capitol building in Trenton New Jersey, def one of the 7 you want to see. Recommend.

From Scots-Gaelic meaning wooded hill, Drumthwacket pronounced DRUM-thwak-it) is the name of the…read moreofficial residence of the New Jersey governor. Located at 354 Stockton Street, outside downtown Princeton, my partner and I were honored to achieve tickets for their self-guided tour of this beautiful Greek Revival mansion. The house was purchased by the State of New Jersey in the early 80s. Not all governors live here, but it is used for entertaining and other functions. Upon arrival, New Jersey State Troopers coordinated parking and entry into the mansion. Guests viewed six first-floor public rooms (the Governor's formal dining room, the sun porch, the parlor, the music and/or gathering room, the library, and the Governor's office) joyously decorated by the Garden Clubs of New Jersey using fresh arrangements and greenery that complemented the architecture and decor of each room. Enjoyed holiday piano music in the Music Room and a sweet treat freshly prepared at Greta's House. Docents were available in every room to answer questions. Interior photography was only permitted in the library before the magnificent stone fireplace. The interior was filled with history. The most fascinating part was the wallpaper in the dining room, painted by hand and beautiful. It was most definitely elaborate, ornate, shiny, and beautiful. We think there were some fascinating facts about our history and NJ, which we could recommend.

You'll book your free tickets online . All tours start at…read more1pm. I recommend you arrive 15 mins early. You'll need to park and then walk to the front door to meet your guide. Don't be late. Tour starts on time . Don't miss out. No photos allowed INSIDE. I really enjoyed a wonderful tour by docent Pat . Lovely to see the different room decor. And so nice to hear the history . Special!!

While the mansion is still undergoing renovations so we were not able to include that and so my…read morereview may change in the future. Don't expect to take even a full afternoon visiting but it is a lovely preserved estate around the city. There's some goats, and the grounds are enjoyable to take an hour or so to walk with nice historical signs for context. There is some parking but it likely gets packed in high traffic times. I can't put it in my top gardens available for Philadelphia, it's good to have treasures like these to keep the sense of history and love of horticulture the area has long held.

This is a really cute hidden local treasure - very charming and pretty. We had some wedding photos…read moretaken here, so it will always have a special place in our hearts! Lots of cool spots outside for photos, and the inside is really cute as well. I'm not sure they usually open the house, but the grounds are very nice to walk around. We stopped by again recently and had some time to reminisce before heading out because it was too cold.

Well, I'm stating an obvious the pictures were taken from my car. Because there is absolutely no…read moreplace to park in Princeton unless you wanna park in a parking garage you can park on the street for a dollar for a half an hour. Like what can you do in a half an hour, besides pick up food. I would've liked to have seen it close up in the summertime, but I don't think I'll be going back. Had a nice day in the town of Princeton, but that's another review!

Amazingly beautiful spot, especially at night. The fountain is open to the public 24/7. It is for…read moresure worth a visit if you are around the area.

There's so much cool stuff within the city limits that I've committed to trying to explore…read moresomething new (to me) every week. Recently that meant exploring the trolley trails in west Fairmount Park and finding the stone spiral arch bridge. In the early 1900s, a scene trolley took people through the woods. Nature has reclaimed the trolley paths, but in recent years they have been converted into miles of hiking trails. It's not crowded--I only saw 4 other people, mountain bikers, on my visit. It's a great place to explore. It's shaded so the walk was cool. It's pretty level so the hike is easy. And if you know where to go, you can find this beautiful bridge that looks like a brick spiral. The years have taken a toll, so I wonder how much longer we'll get to enjoy it. It's cool to think that in the past so much work was put into creating a beautiful structure that really just needed to serve a simple function. Don't have time for a long hike? You can get to the bridge quickly by entering the trail from Chamounix Mansion. Park by the equestrian building and head in. It's probably less than a 1/2 mile walk to the bridge.

I'm one of those weird Aquarius people who like to explore abandoned buildings, and ancient sites,…read moreso I had to check out Stone Arch Bridge! It is an old bridge that leads to nowhere because it is no longer being used. It is surrounded by a forest, and kind of hard to find. The best way to find it is to stay at Chamounix Mansion, and follow the trail behind the trees. It's worth checking out if you like to post on Instagram, and finding hidden gems that are off the beaten path.

Princeton is a beautiful college town and I could spend days exploring every nook and cranny. Among…read moreone of the hidden gems in Princeton, is venturing the very same steps that Albert Einstein walked. What an incredible experience for me. Despite countless visits back East, I didn't appreciate it as much as I do now that I've gotten older. If I return here after all the COVID restrictions, I hope to spend more time here.

We were welcomed to come inside and hear the choir…read more It was an amazing experience. The voices in such a space! Heavenly. The architecture was so beautiful. My heart is so happy to experience such a thing today!

I love the tributes and dedications that line the walls. I love the HUMONGOUS organ pipes that…read moreframe the alter. I love the ornate wood carvings that decorate the stairway to the pulpit. I love the pews which are decorated the same way. I love the warmth of the smiles of the congregation. And most especially, I love the care of the clergy. Unfortunately, I was late for service so I only caught the tail end and the coffee and light snacks at the end. Will definitely be back for the tour!

I came here through a 52 Philly Firsts event and honestly learned so much. This is the oldest…read moreBlack-owned church in the United States, founded in 1794 by Richard Allen, who was formerly enslaved and went on to become a minister, abolitionist, and the founder of the AME Church (literally me taking notes at the beginning of the event to put here lol). The history really sticks with you and does not feel distant or abstract at all. Mother Bethel played a major role in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad, and it has clearly stayed an anchor for the community for centuries (Did I mention this was also part of the lecture, from a different speaker). You can feel that continuity when you are there. It is not just a historic site, it is very much alive. What stood out the most was the atmosphere. There was singing during the event and it was joyful, powerful, and full of soul. People were clapping, swaying, and singing with their whole hearts. It did not feel like a performance at all. It felt real and communal. You could tell how much love and pride everyone has for this church. Downstairs there is a small museum space that is absolutely worth seeing. You can view original pews, historical artifacts, and the tomb of Richard Allen himself. It really puts everything into perspective and ties the spiritual side of the church to its historical impact. The staff and parishioners were incredibly kind and welcoming. They were happy to answer questions and clearly care a lot about sharing the church's history and meaning with visitors. I am not Christian, but I still felt the warmth and sincerity here immediately. This was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had in Philly. Highly recommend visiting if you get the chance.

AMAZING experience visiting Mother Bethel for a tour recently. Even if you are not a member of the…read moreAME church, I would highly recommend stopping by to learn more about Richard Allen and the lives of black people in 18th century America.