Trenton
- For other places with the same name, see Trenton (disambiguation).
Trenton is in Mercer County, and is the capital of New Jersey. The city's strategic location in between New York City and Philadelphia has historically contributed to its growth and significantly impacts local culture. Located on the Delaware River across from Pennsylvania, Trenton is the only accessible capital city in the United States to border another state.
Get in
By bus
There is an extensive bus network from neighboring cities, some run by SEPTA and others by NJ transit
By plane
- 1 Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN IATA), 1100 Terminal Circle Dr. Frontier Airlines uses it as a hub and is expanding. Due to the this expansion, TSA is no longer closed during the day (despite what some old websites say). There is no public transit options at the airport, but if you're willing to walk through grass on the side of the road, you can walk to the main street and get a bus to Trenton station from there.
The more likely option is to fly into major airports in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA) or Philadelphia International Airport (PHL IATA), of which allow access to Trenton by road and rail. From Newark, take the Northeast Corridor NJ Transit Line (it is cheaper than the Amtrak line) to Trenton. From Philadelphia, take the R1 SEPTA Line to the R7 SEPTA Line.
By train
Trenton is along the Northeast Corridor rail line, accessible to most of the Northeast's major cities. Amtrak, New Jersey Transit, and SEPTA all stop at the Trenton Amtrak Station. If you are traveling from New York City or Philadelphia, taking NJ Transit or SEPTA respectively will be much cheaper than Amtrak. An alternate which is right in the vicinity is the West Trenton Station, where SEPTA's West Trenton Line terminates.
- 2 Trenton Transit Center, 72 S Clinton Ave.
By car
U.S. Highway 1 is the only major highway that runs through the city; however, I-95 runs nearby and offers easy access to Trenton along US 1. NJ Route 129 connects US 1 in the city with the New Jersey Turnpike, I-295, and I-195. Route 29, a National Scenic Byway, begins south of Trenton and runs parallel to the Delaware River, northwest to Frenchtown.
Get around
By bus
New Jersey transit runs a number of bus lines through the city to the surrounding communities. See New Jersey Transit's website for more details.
By rail
Trenton is the southernmost stop on the NJ Transit Northeast Corridor Line, which regularly runs trains from NYC to Trenton. Trenton is also the northernmost end of the River Line light rail system, which serves communities along the Delaware River from Trenton to Camden, and the Trenton SEPTA line, connecting Trenton and Philadelphia.
By taxi
Trenton also offers taxi services throughout the surrounding regions by companies such as Yellow Cab and United Cab Company.
See
- 1 William Trent House, 15 Market St, ☏ +1 609 989-3027. 12:30PM-4PM daily, closed on municipal holidays. The home of William Trent, the namesake of the city. Offers tours and educational programs on Colonial American life.
- 2 New Jersey State House, 125 W State St, ☏ +1 609 633-2709. Tours M-F hourly from 10AM-3PM, Sa noon-3PM, closed on state holidays. Offers tours of the state legislature house, assembly, senate, and, when schedules permit, the governor's office. Walk-ins are fine and the tour is free. Reservations are required with a one month notice for groups of 10 or more.
- 3 Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd, Hamilton, ☏ +1 609 586-0616. Tu-Su 10AM-6PM. Outdoor art park in nearby Hamilton on the former site of the old Trenton Fairgrounds; some of the old buildings have been incorporated into the site housing galleries, sculpture studios, a gift shop, and cafe. Selected sculptures on display and botanical plantings change throughout the seasons, but don't miss the three-dimensional tableau of Henri Rousseau's "The Dream" hidden in a grove. The highlights of the 35-acre, beautifully landscaped park have paved paths and those in wheelchairs should have no problem getting around; some paths, however, are gravel or stepping stones, and should be navigated with care. Peacocks wander the grounds and beg to be fed a breadcrumb or two. Parking is abundant. Special tours for the blind, those in wheelchairs, small children, artists, and students are available. Picnicking is not allowed inside the park. $10, $6 for children up to age 12, and $8 for students and minors over age 12 and seniors.
- 4 Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St. Where General George Washington housed troops during the American Revolution.
- 5 The Planetarium at New Jersey State Museum, 205 W State St, ☏ +1 609 292-6333. This facility, which seats 150 people, has been a tradition for years. Thousands of school children and visitors travel to the planetarium each year to see laser shows and exhibits of the solar system.
- 6 Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, 200 Barrack St, ☏ +1 609 984-8484. This theater seats more than 1,800 people for music events, graduations, and plays.
- 7 Arm & Hammer Park, One Thunder Rd, ☏ +1 609 394-3300. Home of the Trenton Thunder, a Double-A minor league baseball team that is affiliated with the New York Yankees.
- 8 Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 E Front St, ☏ +1 609 392-0766. Gothic revival building that hosts the Passage Theatre Company, which produces an eclectic schedule of plays and other shows throughout the year.
- 9 Sun National Bank Center, 81 Hamilton Ave, ☏ +1 888-SBA-TIXX (722-8499). Host to countless events throughout the year.
Do
- 1 Artworks Trenton, Stockton Street between Front and Market Streets. Creative space hosting events, workshops and classes.
- 2 Cadwalader Park, 299 Parkside Ave, ☏ +1 609 989-3632. Historic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also developed Manhattan's Central Park. Trenton's City Museum at Ellarslie is in the park.
- 3 Mill Hill Park, 165 E Front St, Trenton, NJ 08608 (Surrounded by S Broad & S Montgomery streets and E Front street). Beautiful downtown park where you'll see many locals and state workers enjoying lunch outdoors, playing in the park or strolling over the Assunpink Creek. Tot lot nearby for parents with young children.
- 4 Capital Green, Off Barrack Street, across from the War Memorial. A large public space right in front of the state capital; makes a nice place for photographs. On certain Saturday evenings in the summer, the Trenton Downtown Association hosts free concerts as part of the Levitt Pavilions AMP your city national series.
- 5 Marine Terminal Park, North of 1501 Lamberton St and South of Arm and Hammer Park. Has a public boat ramp and offers a great place for fishing in the Delaware, especially with new renovations made to the surrounding land.
Special Events
- Capital City Book Fair [dead link] - Two-day event in the spring organized by Classic Books and the Trenton Downtown Association. On the Saturday of the Fair, Taste Trenton occurs, an all-day foodie crawl through Trenton's historic culinary hot spots.
- [dead link] Capital City Food Truck Battle. Events at Trenton Social and Rho Waterfront. Usually in September.
- Levitt AMP Trenton Concert Series. Saturday evening free summer concerts on the Capital Green. Lawn chairs & picnic blankets are a must.
- Patriots Week. This week, in between Christmas and New Year's Day, showcases the life and times of the city's Revolutionary War-era history. 2015 schedule
- Pork Roll Festivals - Pork Roll originated in Trenton and has since become synonymous with New Jersey, as the state's "favorite breakfast." There are two festivals usually in May: the Pork Roll Festival in Mill Hill Park and the Trenton Pork Roll Festival at Trenton Social.
- Trenton Punk Rock Flea Market. Takes place three times a year, with plenty of vendors and food trucks.
- [dead link] Trenton Half Marathon. Two-state race on the first Saturday in November.
- 6 Code For Trenton, 5 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ. Meetups monthly
Learn
Buy
Although there are not many options for shopping in the city of Trenton, the surrounding area is full of options. Just a few minutes up Route 1 is the Quaker Bridge Mall as well as several strip malls and shopping centers containing dozens of stores.
Eat
One special place in Trenton is Chambersburg. This was once an Italian American area, but now there are countless new Mexican and Central American restaurants, along with some old staples. However, there are notable restaurants throughout the city; here are some of them:
- 1 Amici Milano, 600 Chestnut Ave, ☏ +1 609 396-6300. This is the last remnant of old Italian Chambersburg, like walking into a time machine.
- 2 1911 Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, 11 West Front Street, ☏ +1 609 695-1911. Downtown's spiciest addition.
- 3 Blue Danube, 538 Adeline Street, ☏ +1 609-393-6133. Fine-dining, Central and Eastern European fare.
- 4 Chencha y Chole Authentic Mexican Kitchen, 865 S Broad Street, ☏ +1 609 394-7700. Casual Mexican restaurant with a renowned Chicken Mole.
- 5 Frankye's Restaurante Guatemalan Grill, 1500 S. Clinton Avenue, ☏ +1 609 777-5337. Specializes in meats and seafood.
- 6 Hummingbird Restaurant, 29 S Warren Street, ☏ +1 609 278-9555. Downtown casual Jamaican.
- 7 Jerry's Pizza and Grill, 701 S. Broad Street, ☏ +1 609 392-2944. Many of the famous Trenton tomato pie shops moved to the suburbs. Jerry's has kept the Trenton tradition alive.
- 8 NJ Weedman's Joint, 322 East State Street, ☏ +1 609 337-9973. No other place like this in the state.
- 9 Restaurant El Mariachi, 762 Roebling Avenue, ☏ +1 609 393-0035. Best homemade salsa in Trenton.
- 10 Rozmaryn Restaurant & Bistro, 925 N Olden Avenue, ☏ +1 609 656-1600. Trenton's Polish staple.
- .
- 11 Thomasena's Restaurant, 241 E Front Street, ☏ +1 609 392-0675. Soul-food spot known for their "live lunch" music series.
- 12 Pat's Original Diner, 1300 S Broad St, ☏ +1 609 392-2024. Open 24 hours. Classic Jersey diner in the Franklin Park section of Trenton.
- 13 Johnny's Grocery and Deli, 862 S Broad St, ☏ +1 609 392-7035. M-F 8AM-4PM; Sa 8AM-3:30PM. Trenton is famous for its pork roll sandwiches. This relic is possibly the best spot in the capital city to grab one.
Drink
- 1 Rho Waterfront, 50 Riverview Plaza. Large riverside nightclub.
- 2 Candlelight Lounge, 24 Passaic Street, ☏ +1 609 695-9612. Cozy bar known for jazz series on Saturday nights, and comedy shows every 3rd Sunday of the month.
- 3 Championship Sports Bar & Grill, 931 Chambers St, ☏ +1 609 394-5502.
- 4 Mill Hill Saloon, 300 S Broad St, ☏ +1 609 989-1600. Historic downtown bar. The dive bar part is in the basement and sometimes features live music.
- 5 Tir Na Nog, 1324 Hamilton Ave, Trenton, NJ, ☏ +1 609-392-2554. Irish pub.
- 6 Trenton Social, 449 S Broad St, ☏ +1 609 989-7777. Posh bar & lounge across from Sun National Bank Center.
- 7 South Rio, 120 S Warren St, ☏ +1 609 989-7900. Lounge in the heart of downtown.
Sleep
- 1 Wyndham Garden Hotel Trenton, 1 W Lafayette St, ☏ +1 609-421-4000.
Stay safe
Go next
- A few miles north of Trenton is Princeton, home of the famed university.
- Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township (New Jersey)
- Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Rd, Langhorne, PA (take Route 1 S into PA and take Oxford Valley exit), +1 215 752-7070. Great for families, a Sesame Street-themed amusement park featuring water rides and kid-friendly thrill rides. $53 a person, but discounts are regularly available.
If you are looking for a different experience close to the area, the Jersey Shore is perfect. Point Pleasant, Seaside, and Belmar all offer beaches and boardwalks within 45 minutes of the city via I-195.
Trains also provide a quick ride to Philadelphia and a somewhat longer one to New York City.
| Routes through Trenton (by car) |
Becomes  North ← |
W  E |
→ Robbinsville → Hamilton Township |
Becomes  South ← |
N  S |
→ Bordentown → Newport |
| New York City ← West Windsor ← | N  S |
→ Jct  S → Langhorne → Philadelphia |
| Bridgewater ← Princeton ← | N  S |
→ Bordentown → Hammonton |
| Frenchtown ← Lambertville ← | N  S |
→ Becomes  East |
| Routes through Trenton (by long-distance rail) |
| Washington, D.C. ← Philadelphia ← | SW  NE |
→ Woodbridge → New York City |
| Baltimore ← Philadelphia ← | W  E |
→ Newark → New York City |
| New York City ← Newark ← | N     S |
→ Philadelphia → Baltimore |
| Philadelphia ← Bensalem ← | W   E |
→ Princeton → New York City |
| Harrisburg ← Philadelphia ← | W  E |
→ Newark → New York City |
| Baltimore ← Philadelphia ← | SW  NE |
→ Woodbridge → New York City |
| Routes through Trenton (by commuter rail) |
| END ← | SW  NE |
→ Princeton → Woodbridge |
| Camden ← Bordentown ← | SW  NE |
→ END |
| Philadelphia ← Tullytown ← | SW  NE |
→ END |