The Princeton center point is approximately the area of Nassau Hall and the area of Princeton University.
The best time to visit Princeton is in the early summer to take advantage of the 80 degree weather. You'll appreciate the sun's rays as you stroll along street after street of boutiques and unique shops. The winters are typically mild, but you should bring a coat if you visit Princeton between November and February. The town doesn't shut down unless there is extreme snow.
High school seniors and juniors visit Princeton, NJ to check out Princeton University year round, but the peak visit times are the end of June and early September. Hotels get more crowded at these times, especially the hotels that are walking distance to the college campus. If you're traveling to visit Princeton University, consider coming in the middle of the week, because hotel rates are more expensive on the weekends and you'll get a more authentic feel for the campus when more students are around.
If you're a member of AAA, a senior citizen, military family, or business traveler, you can find great deals at select Princeton hotels. The Peacock Inn, Hyatt Regency, and Homewood Suites are some of the best places to try first in terms of value. Call ahead or book through HotelPlanner.com to see the best rates. Always be sure to ask if your Princeton hotel offers discounts if you're a member of an organization with travel benefits.
Hyatt Regency is one of the more updated hotels in Princeton and it offers discounts to both AARP and AAA members. The hotel is close to Route 1, the train station, Princeton University, and the University Square Shopping Center, so you can get anywhere you want in the city with ease. The location is a great value to guests. A hotel shuttle is available to take you to nearby attractions for even more convenience. Additionally, there is a 32,000 square foot meeting space, a business center, and small ballroom at the hotel for events.
Homewood Suites is another Princeton hotel that offers discounts to business travelers, AAA members, and more. It is part of the Hilton Hotels and Resorts franchise and offers all the amenities you'd expect from a modern hotel. The Homewood Suites is a great place to stay if you plan on visiting Princeton for an extended time because some rooms are available with kitchenettes and bonus living spaces to help you feel more at home. Other amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool, a fitness center, basketball court, and concierge service.
If you're headed to Princeton, NJ to check out the famous Princeton University Campus, the Clarion Hotel Palmer Inn is a great value option. The hotel is two miles from Princeton University, but it is also conveniently located near Six Flags Great Adventure theme park. That's great for kids that want to check out the Ivy League school but have some rollercoaster fun during their trip, too. The Clarion Hotel Palmer Inn includes a full breakfast buffet, fitness center, picnic area, sun deck, and other fine amenities.
The Princeton Marriott at Forrestal is another excellent hotel option if you're looking for value. There is an on-site health club and day spa for guests to enjoy, as well as a swimming pool, 24-hour fitness center, and indoor tennis courts. The Marriott is located on 25 acres of wooded land near Plainsboro and it offers modern amenities in this serene and historic area. There is also a massive 35,000 square foot Conference Center in the hotel, with state-of-the-art technology, making the Marriott a popular hotel for business travelers. Because of the hotel's robust list of offerings, it's hard to find a better value hotel.
The number one reason that people visit Princeton is to check out Princeton University. That's why there are so many hotels close to the school. Even if you aren't planning to attend Princeton University, there are several historic attractions on the campus that are worth a visit, such as the Lewis Center for the Arts and Princeton University Art Museum. The campus grounds also offer a charming setting that is perfect for a walk.
Other attractions in Princeton worth a visit are the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, McCarter Theatre Center, Princeton Public Library, Princeton Battlefield State Park, and Morven Museum and Garden. Walking tours and cultural tours are available throughout the town for a fee. There are also several restaurants to try while you're in town, such as Blue Point Grill, Seasons 52, the Bent Spoon, and Mediterra Restaurant.
No matter what you plan to do when you visit Princeton, NJ, be sure to book your hotel as early as possible. You never know when a surge of prospective college students will come to town and make the hotels noisy. Opt for one of the luxury hotels for a quieter stay and choose a hotel close to downtown so you don't have to travel far to the attractions.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Princeton, NJ excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Mercer
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Jan, 2026 | 31-Dec, 2025 | $138.00 | $86.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Princeton, NJ from an actual visitor's perspective.
Clean, quiet, safe.
Princeton is a small quaint city. Nice restaurants and shopping.
Very beautiful city with lots of good restaurants and shops, and of course the university.
Beautiful and historic city with Princeton University! WOW!
It was beautiful and felt very friendly.
My late husband was a graduate of Princeton but that wasn't why we stayed in the town at least twice a year. I am the president of a college scholarship foundation, which he was on the board of for many years, and one of our partner schools is TCNJ. Love walking the Princeton campus and vibrant downtown, browsing the bookstore, buying a newspaper or two at the stand, discovering another coffee establishment or restaurant, and finding time to stop at Miya, a third-generation Japanese pottery shop. Can't wait for the Princeton Art Museum to reopen. Princeton is a truly wonderful town
Loved a great diner we went to!
Clean, architecture is lovely, super quaint.
City is very quaint, felt safe strolling along looking at various eateries. Found a great Pizza shop.
Awesome place to visit.
Very nice environment.
All the shopping plazas that were close by!
Beautiful architecture on the university campus!
It is a good city.
City is great.
City is great!
Great coffee shops, restaurants. Easy to get around. Went to a Princeton University ice hockey game that was fun. Lawrenceville is a great place to visit as well.
Restaurants
The people are great the staff are special!
Princeton is good fun!
We were here for 25th reunion at Princeton and to see family friends made over 90 years ago!
I really enjoyed the town of Princeton. It was my first experience visiting New Jersey that wasn't a beach town.
The room was clean, comfortable. The staff was friendly.
A prime location near restaurants and shops.
I enjoyed the downtown area.
Princeton is charming have been there many times!
Princeton University and the shops and restaurants.
Visited Princeton University and the shops and restaurants.
Our room was very clean and the beds are extremely comfortable. We went to Mercer State park nearby and it was beautiful.
Quiet and cozy hotel.
Quiet and cozy hotel.
Princeton is a beautiful city. For amazing, affordable and authentic Indian food go to A2B Indian. For an upscale, but not uptight, farm to table experience, go to Agricola.
We love the chance to explore town restaurants and spend time on the Princeton campus.
Very clean, comfortable and excellent service.
The vibe and restaurants on Nassau St!
Lots of restaurants to choose from. Easy access to everything. Nice town.
Spacious and clean.
Good town and lots to do!
Close to nearby shopping and my grandchildren.
Princeton is all decorated for the holidays. It has a lot of nice cafes and stores.
Such a small beautiful city loved the down town area. Things were spread out a lot so it would be helpful next time for me to have a rental car instead of ubering everywhere.
The parks, restaurants, food and ambiance.
The staff were prompt and extremely accommodating. Issues were resolved in a timely manner and the reunion attendees enjoyed the variety of amenities offered.
Princeton is a beautiful college town steeped in history, tradition and pride, while at the same time, very sophisticated and energetic.