Hello, College Confidential! I was recently accepted to Princeton University under the SCEA plan, and am so excited to be a potential member of the Class of 2019! My family and I will be visiting campus in just a few short weeks, so I am in the process of planning our trip. So, where in the Princeton area should I visit? Which shops/restaurants/spots are student hubs? What things should we do, in order to have a true Princeton experience? Any help is much appreciated. Thank you so much! (:
Congratulations on your acceptance! Princeton is a great school.
Are you going for a scheduled event (like the admitted students’ weekend) or just on your own? You could always contact admissions and see what they might suggest for your weekend. Will you have an opportunity to eat at a dining hall? If so, try Mathey/Rockey for dinner for the full Hogwarts experience. 
Try for a tour of Jadwin gym, sit in on some varsity games http://www.goprincetontigers.com/main/Schedule.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10600 (check this schedule to see what’s happening on campus that weekend). There may also be arts performances happening on campus that you could attend.
In terms of things in the Princeton area, really much of the activity happens on campus (thus the “orange bubble” moniker) and a bit up on Nassau street as well as at the eating clubs. Hoagie Haven on Nassau is a place students seem to frequent. Check out the Wa (WaWa) and new Princeton Dinky (train) terminal. I’m not sure if those are considered on campus or just outside but they were recently completely overhauled and the new facilities are great!
Go to Bent Spoon for the best homemade ice cream in the world! If you have a car there’s a great thin crust pizza place that uses fresh ingredients called Osteria pretty close by. Princeton also has a nice little art museum with Monet’s and Renoir’s.
So many great restaurants. maybe go to a hockey game…the rink is historic and just how you would picture it. Also- hit the bookstore on Nassau, purchase your “class of 2019” mug and banner. …it will get you so psyched for next year!! …dont stay at the Nassau Inn. We had a horrible experience there-so many better places. Congrats!
I know the area well. Here are some suggestions to get a true Princeton vibe:
Go visit the Albert Einstein house (112 Mercer Street)
Have some ice cream at Thomas Sweet (183 Nassau)
Ride the Dinky
Check out Jadwin gymnasium
Visit the Princeton cemetery (the Westminster Abbey of the US) to see graves of: Aaron Burr and Grover Cleveland
Have lunch at Palmer Square (Teresa’s is my favorite)
Sit by the massive fireplace in the Nassau Inn and enjoy some afternoon tea
Congratulations! If you are okay with coming a bit late at night, if you go to the basement of Murray Dodge (a building on campus) at night, there is a small cafe with free fresh baked cookies and tea. There are usually people playing some music, and it would be a great opportunity to chat with some students when they’re chilling.
If you like Mediterranean food, go to Efes <3 Their food is amazing. If that’s not your thing, PJ’s Pancake House and Hoagie Haven are also great. Ice cream wise - Bent Spoon is amazing, but my friends rave about Thomas Sweet.
The Princeton Museum of Art is small but wonderful museum, with some amazing pieces in their European and Chinese art collection.
do most students leave campus to go to NYC or Philly?
NYC yes but Philly less so I would say. The residential colleges organize trips to Broadway and other events at very reasonable costs, but there are also great public transit systems to go on your own if you wish. Philly is not as easy to access as NYC but it certainly can be done!
Not easy to get to Philly from PU campus. Would need to take Dinky > Princeton Junction > Amtrak to Philly 30th Street Station. You cannot take the normal NJ transit trains from Princeton Junction because they do not go to Philly. Otherwise you could also potentially go to Trenton and take the local SEPTA, but this is a long trip.