Visit New Jersey: Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market

When we visited New Jersey in October, our friends had mentioned the Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market is something we should check out.  We didn't have time to visit then, but on our recent visit to NJ in the summer, we happened to pass the market by when we remembered we should visit.  

We made a U-turn to what turned out to be a pretty incredible market!

There was a huge meat department, sweets department, ice cream, donuts, fresh fruit, and so much more!

If I didn't have to catch a plane to Italy, I would've bought a number of sweet treats for omiyage to take back to Hawai`i, and my friend would've bought some meats to cook up as well.

There was a Pickle Patch where you could get freshly made pickles, as well as an array of preserved foods, such as eggs (Beet Eggs are a very popular Pennsylvania Dutch Food).

There was even a free wine-tasting!

If you are near a Pennsylvania Dutch Market, I highly recommend stopping in for some cool finds!

Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market

4437 NJ-27

Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 683-5260

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Visit New Jersey: Plainsboro Nature Preserve

While in New Jersey, we did some outdoor exploration at Plainsboro Nature Preserve.

There are several different trails on the preserve, and for the most part, we stuck to the White Trail.  This was the main trail with the least mosquitoes (true story).  

During our time there, the people and the mosquitoes were minimal, but once we hit the thick forests (the Yellow Trail), the mosquitoes were just too many.  I did have repellent on, but the amount of mosquitoes were just too much for my comfort, so we went back onto the White Trail.

There was plenty to see at the Preserve - birds, berries, fungus, and more. 

McCormack Lake was so pretty!

The weather was nice and the temperature was in the low 70s, so it made for a very enjoyable walk through the woods. 

Would definitely love to explore other trails if I end up in the area again!

Plainsboro Nature Reserve
80 Scotts Corner Rd

East Windsor, NJ 08512

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Visit New Jersey: Princeton Battlefield State Park

I had no idea that Princeton played such a huge role in the American Revolution.  According to the website for the Princeton Battlefield State Park:

In one of the fiercest battles of the American Revolution, American troops under General George Washington surprised and defeated a force of British Regulars on the morning of January 3, 1777. American soldiers, pushed back by a strong British assault, were rallied by Washington who rode his horse between the British and American lines, leading his men to his first field victory over British troops. The Battle of Princeton capped 10 days of maneuvering and fighting, including three battles, which began with Washington’s famous December 25, 1776 crossing of the Delaware.

The Princeton Battlefield State Park also happens to be a great place for a hike.

We saw all types of foliage, and even some deer!

The historic Clarke House is open for tours.

The Princeton Battlefield State Park is a great place to visit, whether you're a history buff, or simply want to explore the outdoors.

Princeton Battlefield State Park
500 Mercer Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

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Visit New Jersey: Princeton University

If you visit Princeton, New Jersey, you must tour the grounds of Princeton University.  Spanning over 600 acres with over 200 buildings, this world-renowned institution, and the fourth-oldest college in the US, has some of the most stunning architecture you'll ever come across.  

The picturesque buildings have served as backdrops to a number of movies. 

Touring the campus, I felt as if I were in another country!

We only toured a very small part of the campus, but I would love to return to explore more, and visit the acclaimed museum once it reopens.

You may visit on your own, or take a student-led campus tour.  Click here for more information. 

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Visit New Jersey: Shake Shack

Shake Shack is known for their burgers and shakes, neither of which I get whenever I make a visit.  On my most recent visit to one in New Jersey, I ordered an Avocado Bacon Chicken Sandwich. 

It was really good!  A crispy, tender chicken breast was topped with bacon, avocado, and a buttermilk herb mayo.

Can't go to Shake Shack without ordering Fries!

I got the Bacon and Cheese Fries, and although it looked hastily put together, it was still good.  The fries were nice and crispy!

Maybe next time I'll try a shake!

Shake Shack
3303 Brunswick Pike

Lawrence Township, NJ 08648

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Visit New Jersey: D'Angelo Italian Market

D'Angelo Italian Market is your one-stop-shop for all sorts of Italian ingredients - pastas, meats, sauces, etc., and they also offer food to go, such as baked goods, sandwiches, pizzas, and a number of entrees.

They are known for the wraps, so I decided to get the D'Angelo Signature.  It was stuffed with prosciutto, soppressata, capicollo, pepper ham, mozzarella, lettuce, roasted peppers, oregano, olive oil, and a balsamic glaze.  

All of the ingredients combined made for such a delicious wrap!  I loved the salty, acidic, and bold flavors.  Half of the wrap was enough to fill me up for a single meal.

The menu is pretty extensive, but if you can't decide, you can't go wrong with the D'Angelo Signature wrap!

D'Angelo Italian Market
35 Spring St

Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 921-0404

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Visit New Jersey: Thomas Sweet

Getting ice cream whenever I travel is a must, and while in New Jersey, I had my eye on Thomas Sweet - a Jersey institution when it comes to ice cream. 

They are known for "blend-in" ice creams - you pick a base and blend in all sorts of goodies (eg cookies, candies, etc.), or choose one of several flavors.

I chose Midnight Jersey Short.  

Chocolate Ice Cream was mixed with Brownies and Sea Salt Caramel.  Divine!

I visited the original location on Nassau Street, but you can find a few other locations throughout New Jersey (not all sell ice cream).

Thomas Sweet
183 Nassau St

Princeton, NJ 08542

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Visit New Jersey: Mamoun's Falafel

We were looking for a spot to grab lunch in Princeton, New Jersey, and Mamoun's Falafel was recommended.

We walked over, ordered via the touch screen, and it wasn't long before we were devouring some falafel sandwiches.

Bleecker

I had the Bleecker - Chicken Kebob and Falafels. The chicken was very tender, and the sandwich was very filling.  If you don't know what falafels are, they are balls of ground chickpeas and spices mixed together.  They give the sandwich added texture and flavor.

Classic Falafel

Hummus and Baba Ganouj

Pita Chips and Seasoned Fries

We also got some sides to accompany our sandwiches.  The Pita Chips were extra crunchy (I think a bit too crunchy), but the fries - addicting!  You must get the garlic dipping sauce with it - so delish (I went to Mamoun's a couple days later and got just the fries!).

Mamoun's Falafel
20 Witherspoon St

Princeton, NJ 08542

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Visit New Jersey: Olives of Princeton

While walking through Princeton, I came across Olives of Princeton, where I saw many people going in and out.  Curious, I had to check it out for myself.

Olives offers packaged goods, grab and go eats, as well as a nice menu of pastas, sandwiches, salads, soups, and more.

I, however, was drawn to the baked goods!

A nice sweets display was irresistible, and I ended up getting a couple of treats: 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake

OREO Cheesecake

The OREO Cheesecake was so decadent.  It wasn't as dense as rich as I normally like cheesecakes to be, but it was still very good.  

Definitely check out Olives for convenient eats!

Olives of Princeton
22 Witherspoon St

Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 921-1569

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Visit New Jersey: Hoagie Haven

Two things on the New Jersey must-try list are hoagies and pork roll, so we killed two birds with one stone and visited Hoagie Haven in Princeton, and ordered hoagies filled with pork roll.

The hoagies are served in half or whole sizes.  We got half sizes, and they were HUGE!  I can't even imagine how big the whole size hoagies are.  

Cheesesteak Hoagie

Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese

Wake-Up Call

I had the Wake-Up Call, which had all of my fave breakfast fillings (bacon, eggs, hash browns) + pork roll (some people equate pork roll in New Jersey to SPAM in Hawai`i) and cheesesteak.

It was yummy and filling - I could only eat half of the half!

Onion Rings

The Onion Rings were really yummy too!

Definitely make a visit to Hoagie Haven for really great (and huge!) hoagies!

Hoagie Haven
242 Nassau St, 

Princeton, NJ 08542
(609) 921-7723

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