At first glance the Battle Monument in Trenton NJ, about a half-mile north of downtown and the New Jersey State House, looks like most other stone-and-bronze mementos of history. Don't be fooled; it holds a surprise.

Inside the 148-foot-tall spire -- which commemorates Gen. George Washington's two victories over Hessian regiments in Trenton on Dec. 26, 1776 -- is a tiny elevator that takes guests to a balcony atop the monument. The platform sits just beneath and circles a pedestal on which the figure of Washington stands, pointing to the city below. From that perch, visitors see what the general would have seen: a panoramic, 360-degree view of Trenton.

The elevator replaces a former staircase. It's slow and creaky, but steady, in its ascent and descent. Unfortunately, it holds only five people (four guests and a State Parks Service operator), so the number of visitors on the balcony at any time is restricted. During much of the year, that's probably not a limitation; one operator reports the monument gets few vistors weekly. The balcony, built in 1896, does not seem wide enough for a wheelchair.

Visiting the monument is free. However, it is open only for a few hours daily from Thursday through Sunday during the summer, and only on weekends during the winter. Call ahead to the Trenton Visitors' Bureau for days and times. Be aware, too, that the neighborhood surrounding the monument isn't the most inviting, but as of late December 2006 is being revitalized and shows improvement.