RSS
Home
Top ten ways to spend a Saturday with your partner in west-central NJ
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Here in New Jersey, we're lucky to be living in a fairly accommodating social climate. The state's population tends to lean slightly to the left, and in a poll released earlier this week, 46% of residents favored marriage equality while only 42% opposed it.
Politics aside, there are a tremendous number of weekend getaways that will please you and your partner. Here are my top ten recommendations for west-central NJ. I lived in the area for over four years, and my partner David and I enjoyed exploring as many of the nearby towns as we could. Do you have any other suggestions?
10. Visit Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. For an excellent outdoor adventure filled with fabulous art, exquisite dining, and impeccably manicured grounds, check out this sculpture park and museum. Boasting over 250 sculptures on 35 acres, you can spend hours wandering the park hand-in-hand with your beau before indulging in a late lunch at the on-site haute-cuisine restaurant, Rat's. Visit http://www.groundsforsculpture.org for more information, operating hours, and rates.
9. Eat at one of Lawrenceville's outdoor cafes. Nestled between Princeton and Trenton is the quaint town of Lawrenceville. Along Route 206, there are dozens of small restaurants, cafes, and shops that are practically beg for your perusal. Meander out of the downtown area for even more adventures and to gaze at the beautiful neighborhoods.
8. Take a hike in Washington Crossing State Park. David and I love spending time outdoors, and we loved walking around Washington Crossing State Park during the autumn and spring. In addition to its historic significance--it was the site of George Washington's icy Delaware River crossing--there are dozens of meadows, forested trails, and rocky paths to savor. For directions, visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/washcros.html.
7. Try an ethnic eatery in downtown Trenton. Though it has a reputation for being a tough city, Trenton does have many gems in its midst. Among them are the vast assortment of ethnic restaurants and bakeries. There are African American, Polish, Caribbean, and Eastern European influences, and the cuisine is unrivaled. Pick an area and look up the areas nearby. You'll find hundreds of places to try.
6. Sip some wine at the Hopewell Valley Vineyards. There are few things I love more than sharing a bottle of fine wine during a late autumn evening. Visit the Hopewell Valley Vineyards to taste some of their finest blends for only $5, then pick up a few bottles to enjoy another afternoon at home. Check out their website at http://www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com.
5. Go for a scenic drive along Route 202. Now that gasoline prices are significantly below the $4 per gallon mark they hit two summers ago, weekend drives are once again in vogue. Route 202 will take you along the Sourland Mountains near Lambertville through farmland and produce stands all the way up to bustling Flemington, a shopper's delight. If you want all that central New Jersey has to offer, this corridor is a great way to take a taste.
4. Have a romantic dinner at the Frenchtown Inn. Enjoy a decadent meal in an historic inn from the 1800s in this quaint little town. The prices are decent (if not a bit high), but the menu is filled with a variety of scrumptious delights. While you're in Frenchtown, check out the local boutiques for high-end designs and artisan studios. Visit the Frenchtown Inn's website at http://www.frenchtowninn.com, and check out nearby attractions at http://www.frenchtown.com.
3. Go for a hole in one at the Heron Glen Golf Course. Perhaps you and your partner are golf fans. Why not play a few holes at the Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes? With reasonable rates and elegant landscaping, this is the perfect place to score that hole in one. After your game, relax with sandwiches at the on-site cafe. Visit http://www.heronglen.com for more information about the course.
2. Warm up with a cup of coffee at Small World Coffee in Princeton. Now that the trees are bare and the weather is chilly, it's the perfect time to spend the day in collegiate Princeton. Tour the university for fun, look at the historic and expensive homes nearby, and then settle in for a nice hot cup of joe at Small World Coffee. The cafe also has pastries and other snacks for sale. See their website at http://www.smallworldcoffee.com for directions and their philosophy.
1. Stroll the streets and shops of Lambertville. This adorable town on the Delaware River is right across the bridge from New Hope, PA--a gay mecca. You can easily spend a week walking these two towns' streets and ducking into novelty shops and gourmet stores. If you're watching your budget, enjoy the peacefulness of walking up and down the avenues or leisurely traveling the canal that cuts through New Hope. It's a romantic place--and it was where David and I decided to get married! Perhaps you'll find the same sort of romance there, too?
Did I miss your favorite place to visit in west-central NJ? Do you or your partner have a recommendation for a nearby restaurant, museum, or other venue? Contact me at relationships@alexseise.com to share!
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
Single, married or something in between? Find what you need for Valentine's Day.
