Princeton University
Princeton University
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The ivy league campus is ideal for a stroll, where some interesting buildings may be visited.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
1,008 reviews
Excellent
794
Very good
192
Average
16
Poor
3
Terrible
3
ernie21DEC2012
Ibiza, Spain131 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The cheeky parking warden Pamela Ramirez that waited by our car for exactly 2 minutes after the car parking ticket (which was earlier achieved with great hassle from a tedious online process) expired will be glad to know that this prospective parent will never return to this location.
Leaves a nasty taste when one experiences such an egregious act of unneeded authority during the official holiday time. If this is how they treat prospective parents on short visits, it’s hardly worth trying to understand how they will treat students.
Leaves a nasty taste when one experiences such an egregious act of unneeded authority during the official holiday time. If this is how they treat prospective parents on short visits, it’s hardly worth trying to understand how they will treat students.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Princess
Washington DC, DC247 contributions
Aug 2021
While the Princeton campus may be open, their free art museum is going through some construction right now. Bummer! Wish we could've seen it after such a long drive.
It is certainly classically beautiful here - the architecture is stunning. Tons of little shops around, featuring preppy sophisticated brands. A quiet, earnest vibe.
It is certainly classically beautiful here - the architecture is stunning. Tons of little shops around, featuring preppy sophisticated brands. A quiet, earnest vibe.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carlotatrx
Sant Cugat del Valles, Spain445 contributions
Jan 2020 • Business
This University is beautiful and it has a touch of Harry Potter in the colleges of Mathey and Rocky. Those get a lot of visitors which distract us (students) from doing work. Whitman was built from a large find in 2007 in an old style. Wilson needs improvement, visitors should also see this ruined part of campus.
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hallie
27 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
The Princeton campus is just beautiful anytime but especially in the spring. Flowering trees and bedding flowers make for a truly remarkable visit to this history laden destination. The buildings are filled with voices from long ago.. just listen.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grumo
New York City, NY1,076 contributions
Sep 2020
We have been here a dozen times for visits and continue to love it. Stunning buildings. Lovely layout of landscape. We have been in the chapel and the library (when you could enter as a member of the public; believe that is no longer true). Combined with a visit to the town makes a lovely day trip (1 1/2 hour drive) from NYC.
Written September 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
one on one
Toronto, Canada90 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
A pleasure to visit in all seasons!
An open-gated campus on Nassau street.
Amongst quaint shops along with Starbucks and other restaurants next to campus.
Gorgeous architecture in lovingly manicured
gardens.
Mostly students and locals in the area with a homely vibe.
An open-gated campus on Nassau street.
Amongst quaint shops along with Starbucks and other restaurants next to campus.
Gorgeous architecture in lovingly manicured
gardens.
Mostly students and locals in the area with a homely vibe.
Written January 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debra S
Henderson, NV53 contributions
Jul 2024 • Friends
Fall colors in November walking around with a livelong local, working professor; it couldn’t be better! We’re lucky enough to see the elusive Black Squirrel of Princeton on campus. Architectural beauty, historic charm, and vast views make it a perfect tourist destination.
Written July 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerome M
Gary, IN1,625 contributions
Jun 2019
History all around you. Being on the campus for the first was amazing. Walking the grounds where numerous scholars have walked was great. The chapel was beautiful and very large. The chapel was a tour all in itself. There were guided tours and self-guided tours. If you have time take the guided tour. You will receive additional information. It's a big campus, so wear your walking shoes.
Written May 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian T
London, UK8,046 contributions
Apr 2022
Princeton University is a prestigious private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey. It was founded in 1746 in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, and moved to its present site in Princeton in 1756. The campus dominates the town of Princeton, and is perhaps the main drawcard for visitors to the town. Just to have a wander through the campus was the sole reason for my visit to Princeton, and I’m pleased I made the journey from New York City.
The campus is quite big, but very easily walkable, though there are a few steps in various spots. Before my visit I’d earmarked a few of the historic and beautiful buildings I wanted to see - the likes of Nassau Hall, Chancellor Green, the Alexander Hall, the President’s House, East Pyne, The Firestone Library, the chapel, and the elegant arched castle-like structure that is the Buyers Hall at Mathey College - and a couple of sculptures, particularly the Henry Moore sculpture. The odd think I noticed about visiting the campus is that none of the buildings are signed, and there are no general signposts throughout the campus showing the direction to important buildings, or, for that matter any large campus maps. So download a campus map if you need help with finding things. Don’t bother to ask students. I visited in term-time and asked a few students for directions, and not one of them had a clue.
There’s some elegant buildings on the campus, in a variety of architectural styles. A lot of it seemed to be 'Old English'. I loved the Alexander Hall with its turrets, and the the sculptures and wording on its facade. It honours three generations of the Alexander family, who all served as University trustees. The hall was completed in 1894. I thought the ivy-covered Nassau Hall was also very picturesque. It’s the oldest building on the campus, being constructed in 1756. East Pyre with its central courtyard and castle-like appearance was built in the late 1800. Its brownstone exterior has many sculptural details. It adjoins Chancellor Green and was built at the same time. Chancellor Green’s beautiful octagonal rotunda with stained glass windows and a large dome is certainly wort checking out. The Firestone Library is a much later addition to the campus, being constructed in 1948. I didn’t find it particularly attractive. It’s across the courtyard from the campus chapel, a very pleasing and elegant structure indeed. I think the loveliest building on the campus is the President’s House. Also known as Maclean House, it was built to serve as the home of the President of the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University. It was completed in 1756, the same year as Nassau Hall. The soft yellow facade of the house is best viewed from Nassau Street. The nearby Henry House is very similar.
As you would expect there are lots of halls of residence around the campus. I found Buyers Hall, with its castle-like turrets and grand arch, particularly grand. I also found Lochard Hall visually pleasing.
The grounds are beautifully manicured, with expanses of lawn and trees. When I visited in spring there were many flowering trees and shrubs, and garden bits were filled with tulips and daffodils.
The campus is worth a visit, and it is free to do so. I arrived in Princeton Junction via train from New York, and took the ‘Dinky’ train into Princeton, a journey of about 10 minutes. The campus starts a short walk from the 'Dinky' station.
The campus is quite big, but very easily walkable, though there are a few steps in various spots. Before my visit I’d earmarked a few of the historic and beautiful buildings I wanted to see - the likes of Nassau Hall, Chancellor Green, the Alexander Hall, the President’s House, East Pyne, The Firestone Library, the chapel, and the elegant arched castle-like structure that is the Buyers Hall at Mathey College - and a couple of sculptures, particularly the Henry Moore sculpture. The odd think I noticed about visiting the campus is that none of the buildings are signed, and there are no general signposts throughout the campus showing the direction to important buildings, or, for that matter any large campus maps. So download a campus map if you need help with finding things. Don’t bother to ask students. I visited in term-time and asked a few students for directions, and not one of them had a clue.
There’s some elegant buildings on the campus, in a variety of architectural styles. A lot of it seemed to be 'Old English'. I loved the Alexander Hall with its turrets, and the the sculptures and wording on its facade. It honours three generations of the Alexander family, who all served as University trustees. The hall was completed in 1894. I thought the ivy-covered Nassau Hall was also very picturesque. It’s the oldest building on the campus, being constructed in 1756. East Pyre with its central courtyard and castle-like appearance was built in the late 1800. Its brownstone exterior has many sculptural details. It adjoins Chancellor Green and was built at the same time. Chancellor Green’s beautiful octagonal rotunda with stained glass windows and a large dome is certainly wort checking out. The Firestone Library is a much later addition to the campus, being constructed in 1948. I didn’t find it particularly attractive. It’s across the courtyard from the campus chapel, a very pleasing and elegant structure indeed. I think the loveliest building on the campus is the President’s House. Also known as Maclean House, it was built to serve as the home of the President of the College of New Jersey, which later became Princeton University. It was completed in 1756, the same year as Nassau Hall. The soft yellow facade of the house is best viewed from Nassau Street. The nearby Henry House is very similar.
As you would expect there are lots of halls of residence around the campus. I found Buyers Hall, with its castle-like turrets and grand arch, particularly grand. I also found Lochard Hall visually pleasing.
The grounds are beautifully manicured, with expanses of lawn and trees. When I visited in spring there were many flowering trees and shrubs, and garden bits were filled with tulips and daffodils.
The campus is worth a visit, and it is free to do so. I arrived in Princeton Junction via train from New York, and took the ‘Dinky’ train into Princeton, a journey of about 10 minutes. The campus starts a short walk from the 'Dinky' station.
Written September 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sunjoe075
Princeton, NJ1,572 contributions
Aug 2018 • Friends
We started with the institute of international studies whereas many foreign dignatatries have made speeches here. In the summer time, the fountain is a cool place to cool off. The next stop is the cathedral with heavy wooden door, ancienty lighting fixture, stain glasses and organ music from the altar, you can feel the presence of god. Along the way, we passed department of Psycology where brook shield used to study here. Coming out of the cathedral, you’ll see firestone library with many floor underground. It is the location of several friction crime novels.
Next stop is the Prospect Garden and prospect caferteria over looking the garden.
Coming out of the garden, he head over to Princeton Art Museum. They often have special exhibits going on. The painting on the right, the Asian and Egyptian artifacts in the basement and modern arts in the back are very special.
Coming out of the museum we made a turn to the new museum designed by Frank Gerhry with the trademark wing design similar to his Guggenheim museum design in Spain. Along the way we saw fraternity houses and modern studen center.
Walking up Washington Avenue, we hit Nassau Street to view the entry way of the university and some of the interesting shops across the way.
We ended our walking tour with the special fruit blend-in ice cream on Nassau Street.
Next stop is the Prospect Garden and prospect caferteria over looking the garden.
Coming out of the garden, he head over to Princeton Art Museum. They often have special exhibits going on. The painting on the right, the Asian and Egyptian artifacts in the basement and modern arts in the back are very special.
Coming out of the museum we made a turn to the new museum designed by Frank Gerhry with the trademark wing design similar to his Guggenheim museum design in Spain. Along the way we saw fraternity houses and modern studen center.
Walking up Washington Avenue, we hit Nassau Street to view the entry way of the university and some of the interesting shops across the way.
We ended our walking tour with the special fruit blend-in ice cream on Nassau Street.
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HI, I am visiting Princeton tomorrow and want to make sure if what you posted on Trip Advisor is an actual self-guided walking tour of the university? I just want to make sure that if I follow it it is 100 percent correct because I am bringing friends. Thank you very much, Michele
Written October 8, 2021
Hi, what I wrote is 100% correct but take into account that matters may have changed since then. We had a most successful and welcoming viti. May you enjoy the place as much as we did.
Written October 9, 2021
What’s the best way to get around the campus other then on foot
Vicki
Written March 16, 2018
Foot is better option. There is a shuttle bus to take you around and to the parking lot. How this helps. Enjoy.
Written March 16, 2018
Le Campus de PRINCETON se visite t'il en août le dimanche?
Written March 13, 2018
Le Campus de PRINCETON se visite t'il en août le dimanche?
Written March 13, 2018
Is it possible to get a student led tour on a Sunday in August before the University restarts?
Written August 10, 2017
Orange Key (the university's student led tours) definitely run during the summer but not sure about sundays. I would imagine yes though. Just call. Frist campus center information desk will know
Written August 11, 2017
Se puede visitar la universidad el dÃa domingo?
Written July 28, 2017
Where do I need to go exactly when I arrive? I saw the map with the buses but I´ve no idea where to go....
Is there a visitor Center or anythingelse like this?
Where´s the shop to get some stuff?
Sorry for my english and thanks for your help :)
Written July 25, 2016
The Princeton Campus fronts Nassau Street. The Admissions building is one of the first off Nassau Street.Nassau is full of restaurants , shops and has a bookstore that has great maps of the School & surroundings. The campus has so much to see. just 'walking around" is a pleasure. some places that are my favorites are the Art Museum, the Chapel, the gardens(along side of Woodrow Wilson's Home when he was President). If you have questions while you're walking just ask anyone. Enjoy!
P.s. Don't miss the Pub in Nassau Inn. It's a bit of Princeton History.....You will see the wall of prominent Princeton Grads. And a great Norman Rockwell.
Written July 26, 2016
Hola Andrés, quisiera saber un poco más acerca de la visita a la universidad, si se puede entrar de forma libre o sea que no hay problema en ingresar para conocer el campus, no hay ningún tour para recorrer ¿verdad?, y si podés contarme algo que creas que deba saber, porque dentro de poco pienso ir a visitarla y no quiero llegar y encontrarme con alguna sorpresa inesperada. Gracias!
Written February 2, 2016
Hola! No soy Andrés, me llamo Gemma pero también opiné sobre la Universidad de Princeton hace un tiempo. Respondiendo a tu pregunta, hay un edificio dentro del Campus de la Universidad que creo que es el de adminsiones que organiza tours guiados dentro del campus en horarios pactados. Es muy interesante pero si no consiguieras hacer un tour guiado, el simple placer de pasear por tu cuenta dentro del campus ya valió la pena el viaje, es una preciosidad en cualquier estación del año.
Written February 4, 2016
Try gatehouse off Faculty Rd entrance or call the Admissions office
Written December 3, 2015
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