16 Best Things to Do in Trenton, NJ

May 26, 2020 - Updated

As the capital of New Jersey, Trenton has plenty to offer visitors, particularly those interested in history. The gold-domed New Jersey State House is one of the oldest capitols in the country, and spots of historical importance are dotted throughout the rest of the city as well, with highlights including the Old Barracks Museum, the William Trent House Museum, and the Trenton Battle Monument. If history doesn't tickle your fancy, you can also spend your time browsing the Trenton Farmers Market, learning from the exhibits at the New Jersey State Museum, or watching the Trenton Thunder baseball team play a home game.

1.Arm & Hammer Park

Also known as the Mercer County Waterfront Park, the Arm & Hammer Park is the home stadium of the Trenton Thunder Minor League Baseball team. It can seat more than 6,000 people, and it offers excellent views of the Delaware River and the neighboring state of Pennsylvania behind right field. Baseball fans over the age of 55 can join the Senior Diamond Club, which includes a complimentary ticket and discounted tickets for all games, and there are birthday party packages available for children. During the summer, the stadium also hosts baseball camps that teach kids the basics of playing baseball.

1 Thunder Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611

2.Old Barracks Museum

Constructed to house British troops during the French and Indian War of 1758, the Old Barracks Museum is the last remaining building of its kind in New Jersey. Over the next few decades it was used both as a hospital and to accommodate soldiers, and today, it serves to educate visitors about 18th century life and the history of the area. Guided tours are included in the price of admission, and they're offered every hour on the hour, with the last tour beginning at 4 p.m. Special tours led by costumed interpreters are also available for groups of all ages.

101 Barrack St, Trenton, NJ 08608, Phone: 609-396-1776

3.Trenton Farmers Market

The Trenton Farmers Market has been the best place in town to buy fresh produce since it first began in the early 1900s, and over the years, it has evolved from a few simple farm stands into a comprehensive market that can satisfy almost all your shopping needs. More than 40 different vendors can be found here, including six local farms, and you'll be able to find everything from meat and poultry to handcrafted soap. If you get hungry while you're shopping, there's also a crab shack, a cafe, and several other stands selling delicious breakfast and lunch foods.

960 Spruce St, Trenton, NJ 08648, Phone: 609-695-2998

4.New Jersey State Museum

Established in 1895, the New Jersey State Museum is dedicated to inspiring lifelong learning in art, science, and history. The exhibits cover an incredibly broad range of topics, and the collection boasts more than two million objects, including prehistoric specimens, cultural artifacts from the 17th century to the present day, and pieces of fine artwork. Visitors are welcome to explore the museum on their own, but you can also take a guided tour or participate in one of the many hands-on activities the museum has to offer. There's also a 140-seat planetarium, which presents sky shows on weekends and school holidays.

205 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608, Phone: 609-292-6464

5.New Jersey State House

Dating back to 1792, the New Jersey State House is the second oldest state capitol in the country, and it's one of the only ones that doesn't bear a close resemblance to the US Capitol. The building has undergone expansions and renovations several times throughout the centuries, and in 1999, the dome was restored and covered with 48,000 pieces of gold leaf. Free guided tours of the building are offered Monday through Friday and on every other Saturday; the tours take approximately one hour, and visitors are kindly asked to call and make a reservation in advance.

125 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08608

6.The Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie

Housed in a gorgeous Italianate villa from the mid-19th century, the Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie is a small but welcoming museum with an excellent gift shop on the lower floor. The majority of the collection consists of beautiful pottery pieces that were made in the Trenton area during the 18th and 19th centuries, but there are also some beautiful paintings and household objects depicting the area's history. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, and admission is free. For a small fee, guided one-hour tours can be arranged for groups of between 5 and 15 adults.

299 Parkside Ave, Trenton, NJ 08606, Phone: 609-989-3632

7.William Trent House Museum

The oldest house in the city, the William Trent House Museum is an imposing brick home that was constructed in 1719 for William Trent, the founder of Trenton. The inside of the house has been converted into a museum full of exhibits that cover various aspects of 18th-century gardening methods and plants that were popular during this time, and visitors are also welcome to explore the beautiful gardens and have a picnic on the grounds. Regular operating hours are Wednesday through Sunday between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., and food and live music events are held occasionally throughout the year.

15 Market St, Trenton, NJ 08611, Phone: 609-989-3027

8.Cure Insurance Arena

With seats for more than 10,000 people, the Cure Insurance Arena hosts many of the sporting events, concerts, and other shows that come to Trenton. Tickets for all events can be purchased online, and if you have children, you can enroll in the Kids Club to get discounted tickets and access to VIP experiences. Outside food and drink are not permitted, but there are several food options in the area, including a pizza stand, a cafe, and a Chickie's & Pete's. If you upgrade to one of the arena's luxury executive suites, you can also choose from one of their delicious buffet packages.

81 Hamilton Ave, Trenton, NJ 08611

9.Trenton Thunder

Proudly affiliated with the New York Yankees, the Trenton Thunder is Trenton's Minor League Baseball team. Arm & Hammer Park has been their home stadium since 1994, and their two mascots are Boomer and Cloudman, both of whom can usually be seen playing games with the crowd during home games. As the team plays at the Double-A level, their season runs between early April and early September. Discounts are offered for game tickets purchased in advance, and if you book a group table in one of the stadium's private picnic areas, you'll have access to a delicious buffet for a full 90 minutes.

1 Thunder Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611, Phone: 609-394-3300

10.Cadwalader Park

Encompassing almost 100 acres of peaceful green space, Cadwalader Park is the oldest park in the city. There are plenty of beautiful walking trails for visitors to enjoy, including one that runs alongside the Delaware & Raritan Canal, and visitors with children will appreciate the deer paddock and the playground. If you want to have a picnic or simply spend some time relaxing in the park, there's even a picnic pavilion with grills and tables. There are also several points of historical interest to see here, including a Civil War memorial and the Ellarslie Museum.

36 Parkside Ave, Trenton, NJ 08618, Phone: 609-989-3635

11.Pennsylvania Bridge

The Pennsylvania Bridge stretches over the Delaware River, connecting New Jersey to its neighbor Pennsylvania, and it's commonly referred to as the Trenton Makes Bridge because of the large lettering on the side that reads "TRENTON MAKES THE WORLD TAKES". The two-lane truss bridge is one of the city's major landmarks, and it's particularly picturesque at night when the sign is illuminated with neon lights. It was built in its current form in 1928, but the original bridge on this site was constructed in 1806, making it the first bridge to cross the Delaware River.

12.Artworks Trenton

Created for artists and art lovers of all ages, Artworks Trenton is the community's visual arts center, and it's dedicated to offering a wide range of classes and events that make art accessible to everyone. There are three galleries for visitors to explore as well, including one dedicated to showcasing student and community work and another used primarily for experimental installations. Once a year, the center also hosts an exciting event called Art All Night, which allows any artist to put one piece of their work on display for the duration of the 24-hour event.

19 Everett Alley, Trenton, NJ 08611, Phone: 609-394-9436

13.Trenton Battle Monument

Located in the city's Five Points neighborhood, the Trenton Battle Monument is a column-style monument topped with a statue that was erected to celebrate the American victory in the first Battle of Trenton in 1776. Not only was this victory a significant strategic success, but it also served to boast the morale of the Americans who were fighting the war for independence. The elevator that's meant to take visitors to the top of the monument has been out of service for several years, but there are some benches at the base where you can relax and admire the views.

14.Trenton Free Public Library

The Trenton Free Public Library is the oldest library in the state, and it's one of the city's best public resources for visitors and locals alike. Library cards are only available to Trenton residents with valid ID, but everyone is welcome to spend time here reading the books and using the Wi-Fi. Guest passes are available for the computers if needed, and complimentary computer skills classes are offered for seniors. The library offers a range of other educational and entertaining programs as well, including book club discussions, children's activities, and tutoring for people of all ages.

120 Academy St, Trenton, NJ 08608, Phone: 609-392-7188

15.Trinity Episcopal Church

The Trinity Episcopal Church is a complex of buildings constructed between 1896 and 1954, including a beautiful Gothic Revival cathedral with an underground crypt and the former All Saints' Church, which now serves as the Synod Hall. Rites are held on Sundays and Wednesdays, and during the rest of the week, there are often events like luncheons, prayer meetings, and choir rehearsals. Visitors are welcome all throughout the year, but the best time to come is on Cathedral Sunday in June, when you can join a guided tour and hear about the history of the church.

801 W State St, Trenton, NJ 08618, Phone: 609-392-3805

16.Little King Sandwich Shop

Hidden away in a humble strip mall just outside of Trenton, the Little King Sandwich Shop is a family-owned business that makes some of the best subs and sandwiches in New Jersey. They're best known for their hoagies, which are packed with premium meats and sliced to order, but there's also an excellent selection of hot subs, melts, and Reuben sandwiches. If you want something a little lighter, the menu also offers salads, soups, and side dishes. The restaurant is open seven days a week, and delivery is free if you phone in your order.

1951 NJ-33, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690, Phone: 609-586-1310

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