Trenton, New Jersey is the capital of the Garden State, but this NJ city is often overlooked. Located in Mercer County, Trenton is full of interesting history, landmarks and fun activities. And accessibility to residential areas such as New York and Philadelphia.

Quakers settled the Trenton area in 1679 in hopes of pursuing a better life away from their home country of England. Fast forward to the present day, this central area of ​​Jersey is now a fast-paced, modern urban area with a growing diverse population. If you’re planning on stopping by the capital of the Garden State on your next road trip, here are seven things you can do in Trenton, NJ.

Learn some history at the New Jersey State Museum

This educational destination is ideal for any history buff. From exploring subjects such as natural and cultural history, archaeology, ethnography and fine arts, visitors can deepen their knowledge in many areas. The New Jersey State Museum offers different amenities such as interactive activities, live lectures, planetarium shows, gallery browsing, and the ability to collaborate with knowledgeable scientists. The museum is located at 205 West State St. and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Visit the Trenton Farmer’s Market

This particular farmers market happens to be one of the oldest in NJ. It has been in business since 1939. There is a wide range of ‘Jersey Fresh’ fruit and vegetables such as apples, blackberries, cherries, cabbages, carrots and broccoli all growing in their respective seasons. The Trenton Farmers Market also offers a wide variety of clothing and jewelry selections, a Polish grocery store, an Amish grocery store, and body care shops. If you get hungry after a long day of shopping at the market, you can enjoy a meal from vendors offering vegan dishes, fresh seafood, baked goods, select meats, deli meats, and poultry.

If you are a local seller looking to settle somewhere, the market is currently welcoming new sellers. Currently, the Trenton Farmers Market is open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The market has not yet updated its hours for the spring season, more information can be found on their website.

Trenton Farmer’s Market Photo by @therentonfarmersmarket

See the iconic Lower Trenton Bridge

This long-standing bridge provides a connection between Trenton, NJ and Morrisville, PA. You can experience the bridge by driving a car or walking by it. The bridge is considered “iconic” because it brandishes the phrase “Trenton Makes The World Takes”. You can find the phrase next to the bridge. We recommend viewing it at night. The sign lights up in neon lights and reflects along the nearby Delaware River.

Admire local art at Artworks Trenton

Located in downtown Trenton, this visual arts center loves to promote greater art awareness, unleash your creativity, and become more educated in the fine arts. They welcome people of all ages, whether you are an artist or not. The center also organizes educational courses for adults or young people.

Gallery exhibitions are held throughout the year. Artworks also welcomes upcoming local artists from NJ to exhibit their work in their gallery. They hold gallery visiting hours Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required. “Public art projects” is another concept proposed by Artworks. This is a community effort to create eye-catching murals. This center has a variety of ways for people to appreciate the fine arts.

Artworks in Trenton, New Jersey l Photo by @artworksrenton

Enjoy a baseball game at Trenton Thunder Ballpark

Trenton Thunder Ballpark is the home of the minor league baseball team, the “Trenton Thunder”. Their very first game was on May 9, 1994. They invite visitors to experience a Trenton Thunder game, making it an ideal destination for families. outraged baseball, they host events such as graduations, proms, birthdays, weddings and corporate meetings. The stadium has many event spaces ranging from luxury suites, picnic areas, conference centers or rental of the entire stadium.

There are different options for buying tickets for a baseball game. There are full season and half season tickets where you can become a member of Thunder Makes. Single match tickets are also an option and are available for purchase from April 7, 2022. More information on tickets, space rental and other amenities can be found on their official website. website.

Trenton Thunder Baseball Stadium | picture by @trentonthunder

Shop locally in downtown Trenton

There are several small businesses open for business throughout Trenton. The city center is full of little hidden shops ranging from clothes to jewelry, with some places even family-friendly. For example, Classic Books is a long-standing bookstore that offers a selection of used and rare books for all bibliophiles. They organize community events, support local writers and help give away free books to children in Trenton.

Downtown Trenton, NJ l Photo by @downtown trenton

Grab a bite at local Trenton restaurants

No trip is complete without grabbing a bite somewhere. If you’re in the mood for some a barbecue, you might want to check out the 1911 Smoke House BBQ located in downtown Trenton. Try a range of smoked meats from ribs to smoked salmon to smoked wings and brisket. Or order their bestsellers: the smoked beef nachos, the Trenton burger, the pulled pork nachos and the 1911 pork roll sandwich.

Chili Breast with Cornbread Muffins | picture by @1911_shbbq

If you prefer home cooking, the Corner Café in Trenton offers different types of breakfast, such as an egg sandwich, vegetarian omelet, French toast, mozzarella sticks and their chef’s salad. After you finish your meal, definitely save room for dessert. Royal Cake Creations may be your last stop for something sweet. They serve gourmet cupcakes with flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, lemon, strawberry, red velvet and carrot. Other dessert options to explore are their fried Oreos, funnel fries, banana pudding, and line of sundaes.

Will you be visiting Trenton, NJ soon? Let us know in the comments!