Gyro Express is a small, immaculately clean take-out joint with a straight-forward menu: chicken or lamb gyros, or felafel, which you can have prepared as a salad platter or a sandwich. You can also get Samosas (which aren’t homemade, but are quite good despite that), and baklava pastry for dessert.
3x each year, the Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market takes over the Roebling Machine Shop at Roebling Market and throws a party organized around buying stuff. It attracts over 200 vendors and thousands of buyers, mostly young. According to the organizers, “We embrace a life-long love of punk rock and hardcore, DYI ethics, the arts, tattoos, copious amounts of coffee, the occasional shot of Jameson and a solid, well-styled quiff.”
Sabor Latino is a friendly Dominican dive located on the eastern fringes of the ‘Burg. I’m not at all familiar with Dominican food, but judging from the menu, it tends more towards stews and soups than the grilled items I associate with Guatemalan cooking; or the various, creative packaging (tacos, burritos, tostadas, etc.) that characterizes Mexican cuisine. That said, it’s all here: as its menu points out in Spanish, it “also serves the cuisine of Guatemala and Costa Rica” and Mexican items show up on the menu under the piquant heading of “International Dishes” .
For most of the second half of the twentieth century, and for a few years post-millennium, there were two DeLorenzo’s in Trenton. One established a national reputation… that was the one on Hudson Street, which closed in 2012. The other DeLorenzo’s was on Hamilton Avenue, founded by two brothers of the Hudson Street founder. This DeLorenzo’s is THAT DeLorenzo’s. While not quite the transcendent confection that used to be found on Hudson Street, it’s still a more than adequate tomato pie, with a crispy crust with a little bit of char, and high quality ingredients.
Little more than a stone’s throw from the Princeton Junction train station, asianbistro was one of the original Asian fusion restaurants in this area, and still one of the best. My sushi-eating friends claim that the bistro serves up some of the best sushi in Mercer County, and the Korean and Japanese cooking, in particular, are quite good.
Owner Lavalle Williams runs the Downtown Deli with an eye to detail. He’s there almost all the time. The women behind the counter make up a nice sandwich from fresh, high quality cold cuts. Service is fast, even at peak lunch rush. Prices aren’t particularly cheap, but they’re not unreasonable for the quality
The Food Court at the Capital Center is a great (hidden away) place downtown to sit down and get out of the weather, and maybe even buy some food. It’s nearly charming, with tall ceilings, tiled floors, and comfortable chairs. If you need to kill a couple of hours between appointments, you can buy a cup of coffee or a sandwich, and be quite cozy while you work on your tablet or laptop. No one will bother you.
La Parrilla (grill, in Spanish), is one of the City’s newest Guatemalan restaurants, the city’s most vibrant (and increasingly most competitive) segment. Located in what used to be a tomato pie restaurant, La Parrilla emphasizes grilled meats and seafood.
OK, it’s a chain store. But if you don’t know Trader Joe’s wine and spirits department, you’re spending too much money. I’ve said it. TJ’s has a huge selection of wines at superb prices. Many wines in the $4.99 to $7.99 range that are very pleasant, and if you can spring for $9.99 or so, you can find a superb bottle. Spirits are even crazier. What do you say to a extremely drinkable single malt scotch for $17, or a blended scotch or a bourbon for about $12?
The pupusas are outstanding. They come in 3 varieties: Cheese, cheese and black beans, or cheese and pork. The first two are vegetarian, the last obviously not. In particular, the black bean filling is superb, and the pupusas arrive with nary a glimmer of excess oil on their perfectly grilled exteriors.
Artifacts is the best place in town to find quality Trentoniana for sale. The perfect acquisition for your restored, historic Trenton home or a unique gift.
Superb BBQ is to be had here. The full fat variety evokes a deep, atavistic yearning for more. Fatty are the ribs, pulled pork, and brisket that make up much of the menu. But the Chicken is nearly as flavorful and more or less guilt-free.
Walt Czajkowsi is on a mission to bring top quality pies, artisan breads, and pastries to the Trenton area. Where many of the old-line Trenton bakeries have dumbed-down their offerings to make them more affordable, the Pie’d Piper is achieving a nice balance between top quality and reasonable price.
The Mill Hill basement is a scene, perhaps one of the most exciting scenes in Trenton. If you’re into independent music and grunge bands, and are Gen Y or younger, you should definitely check it out.
The Battle Tour will require some adaptation during the COVID emergency, as a few of the recommended stops are in closed parks. For example, while you won’t be allowed to wander the Washington Crossing Park, or the Princeton Battlefield Park as suggested, but you can certainly stop and park your car for a few minutes … Continue reading The Battle Stops Here→
Several times a year DanceSpora performs extraordinary dance recitals, mixing elements of classical, modern, and hip-hop. Gaining a national reputation, the company is the collaboration of Pennsylvania Ballet alum Heidi Cruz-Austin and accomplished modern/hip-hop dancer David Austin, a Trenton native.
Every July, usually a week or two after the 4th of July, the wineberries (wild raspberries) start to ripen in open shade along the slopes of local mountains more than 300 feet or so above sea level. I’m not necessarily suggesting you need to go for a big harvest. My wife and I love hiking this time of year, just scanning the sides of the trail for ruby-red raspberries.
Don’t let the name fool you, La Chapinita offers a full Guatemalan menu. Order off the menu to get wonderful, fresh-cooked food at incredibly reasonable prices. Located where Papas Tomato Pies used to call home.
Suitable for hiking or biking (see Biking Notes): This has been one of our favorite walks on Baldpate for years, but we’ve never written about it in part because a critical segment was missing from the County’s map. This hike takes you through one of the very few stands of pine trees to be found on Baldpate, via a narrow, twisting trail that’s beautiful and fun to walk in almost any season. However, my favorite time to do this hike is in the winter, after a dusting of snow. Another great time to walk this is in July when the wild raspberries are in season. (Driving time is about 25 minutes; rated for intermediate to experienced hikers for elevations and because trails are poorly blazed. Intermediate hikers should load a GR Series Map into their smart phone, and be prepared for a longish hike.)
Tyler is an old school park. Yes, there’s some nature. You can hike, but mostly on paved or gravel paths. More to the point (and why it seems “old school” to me) it’s really about “activities”. Depending on the season you might find yourself riding a horse, paddling a canoe, playing “golf” with a Frisbee, swimming, fishing, cycling, sledding, or x-country skiing. (Driving time is about 25 mintues; as a hiking destination it’s rated for beginners)
Moravian Pottery & Tile Works was founded in 1898 by Henry Chapman Mercer — a key figure in America’s Arts & Crafts movement. He directed its operation until his death in 1930, and it the factory remained in business until the mid-1950s. It reopened in the 1970s as a “living museum”, subsidized by Bucks County. Reproduction tiles are made today using Mercer’s original molds, clay that is obtained locally, slips and glazes that follow Mercer’s final formulations. They are absolutely beautiful, make fabulous additions to any home, and spectacular gifts.
Haycock Mountain is an entertaining, short hike (only about 0.75 mile from the trailhead to summit). You gain 460 vertical feet in this distance, which puts the average gradient about 12%, though the hike gets a fair bit steeper as you approach the summit. The payoff is the scramble: from roughly the midpoint of the hike to the summit, you’re picking your way through giant boulders. The short length and scrambly nature of the hike makes it particularly entertaining for experienced hiker-kids. It does require experienced hiker-adults to accompany them because the trail is poorly blazed, and appears as if it was never officially marked. (Driving time is just about an hour; rated for experienced hikers for elevation gain, scrambly nature, and poor blazing).
Bowman’s Hill climbs a bit over 300 vertical feet from River Road, with an average gradient of over 25%. That’s pretty darn steep, and it’s one of only a handful of spots within half an hour of downtown Trenton where you can gain so much elevation. Most of this trail is on paved paths, but the climb up the hill is on a trail that’s no longer maintained, hard to find, and unmarked. But it’s short, sharp, and fun: definitely worth checking out by experienced hikers, given its proximity. (Driving time is only about 20 minutes from downtown; rated for experienced hikers only for elevation gain, steepness, and lack of blazing).
The Jacob’s Creek Preserve provides a little over a mile of trail along this famous creek, a charming, short reminder of a wilder time. The southern end of this walk is particularly lovely, because it passes through farm land not yet subdivided into McMansion plots. (Driving distance is about 20 minutes from downtown Trenton; rated Intermediate for footing which is sometimes irregular. The trails will get muddy in wet season.)
In this era of global warming, it seems crazy that Mercer County could have leased a mountain to a ski resort operator until 1997 at this site. Now the place is pretty much ignored, which is a pity, because this is truly a fun hike with the some of the BEST visual payoffs in Mercer County. Trails aren’t maintained (and can be quite brushy), aren’t blazed or signposted. Footing can be tricky. Accessing “The Ledge” requires traversing a narrow path with steep drops on both sides. (Driving time is about 25 minutes from downtown Trenton. Rated for experienced hikers only! )
This is a charming hike with views, rock formations, and a cold water stream that tumbles through a steep, bouldery gorge. Here you have the option to park at the bottom (on Fairview Avenue), and walk up 500-700 vertical feet, or park at the top (off Schooley’s Mountain Rd) and eliminate most of the climbing. Experienced hikers can find some challenging trails, while beginners will enjoy the nicely graded and graveled converted woods roads near the top. Both can make their way to the principal viewpoint. (Rated Experienced to Beginner depending on where you go; driving time is 1 hour 20 minutes from downtown. Kids will enjoy the views, the rock formations, and the dramatic Electric Brook).
The Woodfield Reservation is an off-the-beaten track preserve in north-western Princeton. It provides just under two miles of woodland hiking trails, with the greatest elevation change you’ll find within the town limits (about 100 feet), and two geologic features that kids love. The trails are laid out in two intersecting loops that cross a series of small brooks which flow during the wet season. Note that the trails do get muddy in places, especially in the spring, and because they get relatively little use, can be narrow and brushy. (Driving time is about 25 minutes; rated Intermediate for brushy trails and poor signage).
It took me 22 minutes to drive to the trailhead parking lot from Trenton. Once on the trail, you’ll find yourself in a wild, tranquil world where everything seems to be right. No small feat. The path extends more than a mile (almost 2 miles round trip if you stay south of Rosedale Rd), tracking Stony Brook most of the way. This flood plain preserved a swathe of undeveloped land through some of the most valuable real estate in New Jersey. When the leaves are up on the trees, you’re barely aware of the suburban development that surrounds you. (Rated for Beginners. The trail is largely flat and well maintained, though it will get muddy in spots. A great hike for young kids.)
Fiddler’s Creek Preserve is a 120 acre parcel directly south of the Baldpate Preserve, on the opposite side of Fiddler’s Creek Road. It provides two miles of Beginner to Intermediate trails, none with more than 80 feet of vertical elevation change, through fields, woods, and (most interestingly) Fiddler’s Creek Ravine. Kids will enjoy the rock walls of the ravine and the historic ruins. These trails offer about 45 minutes of easy walking, and can be combined with the Summit Trail of Baldpate Mountain via a connector trail for a longer hike. (The Ravine trail and Stoneface trails are rated Intermediate, though spry Beginners should be able to handle them. All other trails are Beginner. Driving time is about 20 minutes from downtown Trenton.)
For beginning to intermediate hikers, Hacklebarney gives you a taste of what wilderness hiking is all about. The Park is truly beautiful, with trails that overlook tiny, pristine brooks that still support wild native trout (the brook trout), and descend through dense woods towards the Black River. Kids will love the streams and the rock formations. (Driving time is a little over an hour; rated Beginner to Intermediate depending on the trails you select)
For young kids, there’s something about sleeping in a tent outdoors that’s truly exciting. It’s great even when it’s in the back yard. When it’s in the woods with a blazing camp fire, next to a farm, a short walk from a pond that’s stocked with trout, and adjacent to fun hiking trails, it’s an experience they’ll remember for a lifetime. (Driving time is about 75 minutes from Trenton, Walks are rated Beginner to Intermediate)
Much less well known than Valley Forge, Jockey Hollow was where Washington’s army spent the winter of 1777, following its victories in Trenton and Princeton. There’s a beautiful, Intermediate hike through some of the National Park that preserves the area, and part of the NJ Audubon Society sanctuary. It climbs a ridge, passes the camp site of the NJ Brigade, and descends into the headwaters of the Passaic River, here a small wild trout stream. (Driving time is about 1:15 from Trenton via 206/I-287; rated Intermediate for elevation change though the hike is fairly steep in spots)
The Water Gap is one of the geologic wonders of the area, and the Mt. Tammany hike takes you to an awesome, panoramic view of it. Rising more than 1,000 vertical feet from the trailhead, it’s one of the steeper and more challenging hikes you’ll find anywhere in NJ. Accordingly, we rate it for Experienced hikers, though the major challenge is fitness. Fit individuals of any experience level may welcome the opportunity to take it on, though beginners will find the footing challenging in places. Kids will love the scramble, the views, and the sense of accomplishment of climbing a “real” mountain. (Driving time just squeaks in around 90 minutes; rated Experienced for elevation gain and footing)
The Point Mountain Preserve is one of the nicest hikes in NJ. Yes, it’s over an hour from Trenton, but it’s well worth the trip. Why? It’s a bit more challenging, and frankly fun, than most NJ hikes, and takes you through diverse habitat including corn fields, woods, a trout stream, and an ancient rock fall. Kids will love the scrambling and the views. (Driving time is about 75 minutes, Rated for Intermediate to Experienced hikers depending on the trail selected)
Cushetunk offers two different hiking options. If you park at Old Mountain Road in Lebanon, it’s an intense 2.4 mile loop hike that includes a fairly strenuous scramble along a 0.9 mile ridgeline and an elevation gain of about 450 feet. If you park on Mountain Rd, in Whitehouse Station, the hike is about 7.5 miles and 1,100 cumulative vertical feet. (Driving time is about 70 min, Rated for Experienced hikers for elevation gain, rugged footing, and poor blazing)
Lovely trail section of the Baldpate trail system, recently re-blazed with drainage improvements. Less steep than Summit or Switchback trails, but lovely in its own right. We suggest loop hike: Kusar Mountain to Copper Hill (either branch, western harder and wetter), to parking lot, then return via Kusar Mountain, which starts near high tension wires.
Ila Mae’s is a neo-soul restaurant that opened in the winter of 2013 in a charming storefront on the 300 block of Market Street. The menu is eclectic and slightly quirky. Sandwiches are generally featured: most come on a whole wheat torpedo roll or a wrap. There are many vegetarian options, and many meat sandwiches that feature vegetable fillings as well. There is an fairly extensive selection of fish (flounder, tilapia, salmon, whiting) served in sandwiches or dinner entrees.
Hurry Chutney is a newly opened restaurant next to Sam’s Club off Rte. 1 near Quakerbridge Road in “Princeton” (actually West Windsor). There’s a lot to like about Hurry Chutney, and some things that make me shudder. What’s to like? First, the food quality (in my limited exposure to it) seems quite high. Second, it’s the only Indian Restaurant in the area that serves Chaat on a regular basis.
Natural Edge creates useful, artistic objects out of minimally processed natural materials. If you have a serious interest in his work (and perhaps an intention to purchase something) give David a call or send him an email and arrange to visit his studio on Pearl Street, a gritty industrial block tucked between the Arena and the train station. It’s the sort of post-industrial ruin that’s the perfect space for an artist working with large, physical objects like tree limbs, and the sort of space that keeps the Trenton art scene sputtering along despite itself.
Roti comes from Trinidad: the cuisine of residents of South Asian descent. It refers to the bread, yes, but also the curried meal that comes with it (and often stuffed inside like a giant burrito).