Chartered in 1746, Princeton University is the fourth oldest college in the country, and the history of the campus is fascinating—so much so that tours here aren’t just for prospective students. “Anyone coming on one of our tours will walk away with a much deeper appreciation of why Princeton was so pivotal in the history of our country,” says Elizabeth Monroe, executive director of the Historical Society of Princeton. “As a town that has such a rich history, from the Leni Lenape to Washington marching his troops on the way to battle, we have witnessed so many pivotal events of history here.”

Historical tours of the campus are available to the public for free via the university as well as the Historical Society of Princeton for $20 per person.

Left: A peek at Rockefeller College. Right: The Dodge Memorial Gateway. Photos: John EmersonOn either tour, you’ll see Nassau Hall, which served as the original college, comprising classrooms, dorms and a library. The hall also holds significant historical importance, as it was occupied by both American and British forces during the Revolutionary War. In 1783, it temporarily hosted the Continental Congress, serving as the interim U.S. Capitol for four months.

Nassau Hall, built in 1756, served as the original college. Photo: John EmersonFor instance, two U.S. presidents attended Princeton (James Madison and Woodrow Wilson), as did two signers of the Declaration of Independence (John Witherspoon and Richard Stockton). Albert Einstein was a founding faculty member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. “On our tour, you’ll learn about Einstein and famous innovators and pioneers in science, and regular people as well,” says Monroe.

On the tours, visitors will learn about the striking architecture on campus, including modern structures by Frank Gehry. Princeton’s architecture is regarded as an important example of collegiate Gothic style, with its textured stone buildings and unique sculptural details. Blair Hall, which was designed in the late 1890s, influenced campus architecture across the United States.

Rockefeller College Photo: John EmersonThe Cleveland Tower, with its noteworthy bell tower, contains a carillon (a set of bells played using a keyboard) that was added to the tower in 1927 as a 35th reunion gift from the class of 1892. It’s played four days a week throughout the year, except during exams.

Visitors can also learn about Princeton’s unique eating clubs, which began in the 19th century and became the primary social hubs after Greek-letter fraternities were banned in 1855. These social and dining clubs are still a distinctive part of Princeton life.

Fall day-trippers can get a first look at the revamped Princeton University Art Museum, which reopens October 31 after having been closed for more than five years. The museum dates back to 1755 and is one of the leading university art museums in the country. Its extensive collection ranges from ancient to contemporary art.

The newly renovated Princeton University Art Museum reopens October 31 after a five-year closure. Photo: Courtesy of Princeton University Art Museum/Joseph HuA new three-level building has been constructed on the site. Its form follows its function, with a design that shapes new ways of encountering artworks. The building consists of nine interlocking pavilions and devotes 80,000 square feet to gallery display. The museum’s ground floor has two interior “artwalks,” which feature works of art including sculptures and large-scale paintings. There are also educational spaces, including two creativity labs for hands-on art making, six classrooms, an auditorium and two seminar rooms.

The museum is inaugurating the space with two special exhibitions: Princeton Collects highlights transformative works of art donated in honor of the museum’s new building, including major paintings by artists such as Mark Rothko, Joan Mitchell and Gerhard Richter. Toshiko Takaezu: Dialogues in Clay shows the ceramic works of the abstract artist and Princeton professor.

The museum also features four large-scale commissions by the artists Nick Cave, Diana Al-Hadid, Tuan Andrew Nguyen and Jane Irish, and two outdoor sculpture acquisitions by the artists Jun Kaneko and Rose B. Simpson.

If you want to enjoy the outdoors while you’re in Princeton, visit Herrontown Woods Arboretum. Open to the public every day at no cost, it features several miles of walking trails over its 142 acres. The original woods were donated by renowned mathematician Oswald Veblen of the nearby Institute for Advanced Study, and the house and cottage that he owned with his wife have also been added to the woods.

Terhune Orchards Photo: John EmersonTerhune Orchards is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is marking the occasion with special events. In addition to the farm’s 250-year-old historic barn, there are a winery, farm store and Barn Door Café. On Saturdays and Sundays through November 2, there are fall family-fun festivals being held at the farm, including pick-your-own pumpkins and apples, a cornstalk maze and more.

For those who are more culturally minded, the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton is a prominent performing arts center known for diverse programming, including theater, dance and musical events. This fall, I & You: The Musical runs through October 12, and a conversation with the writer David Sedaris takes place October 3. The play 300 Paintings will run in November.

There are many wonderful spots to dine in Princeton, including Agricola on Witherspoon Street, which earned a spot on New Jersey Monthly’s Top 40 list this year. This creative and popular farm-to-table restaurant, with an open kitchen and cool atmosphere, is known for its fresh, locally sourced ingredients from their own Great Road Farm and other local purveyors.

For ice cream, in addition to the iconic Bent Spoon, check out Halo Pub on Palmer Square, with its own locally made, premium, artisanal ice cream produced with milk from its own dairy.

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