This is an iconic classroom building It's part of Rutgers…read moreand houses the east languages department. A lot of economic classes are held here.

I checked this place out because of a recent Civil War reenactment event, and I was incredibly…read moreimpressed. It could have been an all day event and I wish I had come earlier because I missed some things like the weapons demonstration. Aside from the regular buildings, there was a camp set up with soldiers, nurses, doctors, cooks, and other professionals that would have been part of a civil war brigade. The reenactors were extremely knowledge and informative with various props and photos from the era. We did get sucked into the singing presentations at the tavern featuring the Libby Prison Band and Matthew Dodd singing period stories and telling comical tales. They alternated presenting on the hour with new songs each hour. For a free presentation, it was thorough, entertaining, and thoughtful. There was plenty of parking and a small gift shop (not too many site specific souvenirs though). I will keep an eye on the calendar and return for future events.

Wonderful place to learn NJ history. I grew up in NJ and…read moredidn't learn about it until a recent visit with a friend.

I'm a big time American revolutionary era fan. Benjamin Franklin is one of my all time favorite…read morefounding fathers. The propriety house was home to William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's son. So this historic house has been on my list of places to visit. Kerry, the intern, was my tour guide. He did such a good job of showing me around. I was happy to have finally toured the Royal Governor's mansion. The ladies of the house host tea time Wednesday afternoon!

Was part of a volunteer crew laying a paver sidewalk out front. I and Steve, a member of the…read morepreservation group were the last two still working, late in the day. I heard a voice call out Steve! Looking around, not a living soul on the street, no passing cars, no one inside the Proprietary House. I looked over at Steve and he said, "You heard that, didn't you?" Apparently, one of the spirits at the house often calls to him when it's quit and few are around.

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.

Small museum with larger than life personal tour guide to walk you through the interesting life of…read moreThomas Edison. Known for 1 of the 1st inventors of the light bulb and phonographs Edison had over 400 patents. A few of his original inventions are located in this museum and the grounds are lit up at night. Worth the $ 7 entry and discounts are available for active military.

This place was tiny, but powerful! Filled with a lot of history. So close to home and never knew it…read morewas there. It took a half hour with the guided tour and she was very knowledgeable about the things of Thomas Edison. The museum is a little small but holds lots of facts About who he was. I recommend it to anyone that wants to learn more history about people that were part of New Jersey.

Douglass Library is the most beautiful library at Rutgers. If you walk around, you'll catch some…read moregorgeous views like a panorama of the woods and bridges that connect two buildings. The library is known for it's Women's Studies and Performing Arts collections, but they offer materials and resources of all kinds. The campus is also home to the Mason Gross School of Arts and the Cabaret Theater.

Amazing property, it is a hidden gem. Went with my family for the tour and everyone enjoyed it!read more

Wow. What a unique, random gem and historic property. What is Fonthill and why is there a castle in…read moreDoylestown, Pennsylvania? Fonthill Castle was the home of archeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer. (Also in Doylestown are two more Mercer buildings you can tour - the Mercer Museum and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works building, the business Mercer ran and where most of the tiles in the castle were produced.) Henry Mercer seems like he was an interesting guy, and you can see that in his home - 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces, 200 windows, who knows how many staircases...! And designed and decorated in a way I've never seen anywhere else. The castle is an early example of poured-in-place concrete building and is a mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles. And there are, of course, Moravia tiles (and some historic and international tiles that he collected during his life) throughout the house - almost more than you could imagine. We visited last Saturday to experience their "Fonthill Castle Holiday Lights Meander Experience," which allows you to visit the castle through a self-guided experience (there were staff in various rooms who were happy to answer questions) and enjoy a series of Christmas trees on display throughout the home. I definitely enjoyed the experience but am definitely planning a return visit to see the castle in better light (not at night in the dark - which was perfect for the Christmas tree experience) - they offer 60-minute guided tours though the house for most of the year! The castle is pretty wild, and I look forward to visiting it again and experiencing it in a new way. If you are interested in architecture, art, crafts, the Arts and Crafts design movement, or just quirky, unusual places, definitely add Fonthill to your list and check it out!

On our random visit, entrances to the Lambert Castle and Tower were closed, but the road was open…read more We were able to admire this lovely structure from outside. Our intention anyway was to go hiking. That was accomplished. From the area of the tower, which sits higher than the castle, some panoramic views can be seen ofthe surrounding cityscape. You can also find other hiking trails that lead you further along the hilltop. A perfectly beautiful day also makes this spot... - lovely for a picnic - picturesque for a photoshoot - ideal for a background in your vlog - an escape from the noise of a busy week - nice for a nap or daydream - sweet for something romantic - zen for meditation

I took a tour of Lambert Castle a couple days prior and felt the need to explore the tower up the…read morehill. It was beautiful! Elegant stone work. A trellis covered in vines. Views of nature all the way to NYC that would've been glorious many decades ago. The valley is a bit over developed now, but still impressive. This tower would've been an extension of the extravagant home below. Just walking around it gives you a sense of power and incorporation into nature on this unique mountain in the middle of a densely populated city. Garret mountain, holds this gem, and many others. Well worth a visit!

FREE worthwhile museum, open until 6pm most nights!…read more I had exactly one hour (not enough time) at this museum before we needed to leave for a 3:30pm showtime at the State Theater NJ, which is an easy 15-min walk away. While a great stop to pair with theater, an hour is not enough time to see the full permanent collection let alone the temporary exhibits. I recommend at least 2h for this museum. The Soviet art was very exciting to me. I love Russian 20th C writers as well as those of the two centuries before. But this collection focuses on the times of Solzhenitsyn and just after Chekhov / Tolstoy. It was so wonderful to see the visual art counterpart to the literary works of the era. The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University offers FREE admission to everyone (as does nearby Princeton Art Museum). However, in both cases, you need to research parking because this is all overwrought university town systems, designed to nickel-and-dime, wasting your day navigating garages for available spots, adding apps to pay, or keeping track of tickets. I digress for this nuisance that really beats fun out of the experience. Nonetheless, the museum itself is a worthy stop if you are in the area. I highly recommend pairing with a visit to Rutgers Gardens (see my other reviews), just a 7min drive away, with free admission and a free parking lot!

Beautiful free to the public art museum on the campus of Rutgers University New Brunswick campus…read more There's a very nice selection of art and sculptures and also rotating exhibits when I went it was Andy Warhol. It's definitely worth a visit and there's plenty of parking and restaurants in the area around the museum. Plus the whole area is a nice place for a walk. It's definitely worth a visit it's one of my favorite museums