Overview
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.
9 sights · 9 things to do · 9 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Trenton
William Trent House
The home of William Trent, a British tradesman who became one of the city's wealthiest citizens as well as the namesake of the city. Offers tours and educational programs on Colonial American life.
New Jersey State House
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…
Grounds for Sculpture
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 …
Old Barracks Museum
Where General George Washington housed troops during the American Revolution.
Patriots Theater at the War Memorial
This theater seats more than 1,800 people for music events, graduations, and plays.
Arm & Hammer Park
Home of the Trenton Thunder, a Double-A minor league baseball team that is affiliated with the New York Yankees.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Nov. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Huntingdon Valley)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TTN Trenton Mercer Airport, Ewing Township — 6 mi away. Directions
- PHL Philadelphia International Airport, Philadelphia — 36 mi away (major hub). Directions
There is an extensive bus network from neighboring cities, some run by SEPTA and others by NJ transit
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning New Jersey State House, Capital Green, Old Barracks Museum
- Lunch 1911 Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
- Afternoon Patriots Theater at the War Memorial, The Planetarium at New Jersey State Museum
- Dinner Hummingbird Restaurant
- Evening Mill Hill Saloon
Day 2
- Morning Grounds for Sculpture, Artworks Trenton, Mill Hill Playhouse
- Lunch NJ Weedman's Joint
- Afternoon Mill Hill Park, CURE Insurance Arena
- Dinner Jerry's Pizza and Grill
- Evening Trenton Social
Day 3
- Morning William Trent House, Arm & Hammer Park, Marine Terminal Park
- Lunch Chencha y Chole Authentic Mexican Kitchen
- Afternoon Levitt AMP Trenton Concert Series, Trenton Half Marathon
- Dinner Palo de Azucar Cafe
- Evening Cooper's Riverview
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
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:
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
- Destination Trenton website
Get in
By bus
There is an extensive bus network from neighboring cities, some run by SEPTA and others by NJ transit
By plane
Go Trenton Mercer Airport (TTN)
Frontier Airlines uses it as a hub and is expanding. Due to this expansion, TSA is no longer closed during the day (despite what some old websites say). The NJ Transit #608 bus connects the airport to the West Trenton SEPTA station, and the Trenton Transit Center in Downtown Trenton.
The more likely option is to fly into major airports in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), which allow access to Trenton by road and rail. From Newark, take the Northeast Corridor 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
- Train operators:
- Some of its many routes stopping at Trenton:
- Cardinal operating three trips weekly between Chicago and New York City with stops in Dyer, Rensselaer, Lafayette, Crawfordsville, Indianapolis, Connersville, Cincinnati, Ashland, Huntington, Charleston, Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, Staunton, Charlottesville, Culpeper, Manassas, Alexandria, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
- Keystone multiple trips per day between Harrisburg and New York City with stops in Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Coatesville, Downingtown, Exton, Paoli, Ardmore, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
- Northeast Regional is Amtrak's busiest regional service, connecting Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and the many towns and cities in-between. Toward the east end of the route, some trips terminate at Springfield instead of Boston. Some services also continue south into Virginia towards Newport News, Roanoke and Norfolk on three separate branch routes from Alexandria. This is also Amtrak's most frequent service, with multiple daily departures, and the longest trip takes 12.5 hours. Stops at Union Station and State Street.
- Pennsylvanian operates daily between Pittsburgh and New York City with stops in Greensburg, Latrobe, Johnstown, Altoona, Huntingdon, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, Lancaster, Exton, Paoli, Philadelphia, Trenton, and Newark.
- Vermonter operates daily between St. Albans and Washington, D.C. including stops in Essex Junction, Waterbury, Montpelier, White River Junction, Claremont, Bellows Falls, Brattleboro, Greenfield, Northampton, Holyoke, Springfield, Windsor Locks, Hartford, Meriden, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, New York City, Newark, Trenton, Philadelphia, Wilmington, Baltimore, and New Carrollton.
- New Jersey Transit
- SEPTA
- If you are traveling from New York City or Philadelphia, taking New Jersey Transit or SEPTA respectively will be much cheaper than Amtrak.
- A nearby alternate is the West Trenton Station, where SEPTA's West Trenton Line terminates.
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 and to the surrounding communities. See New Jersey Transit's website for more details.
By taxi
Trenton also offers taxi services throughout the surrounding regions by companies such as Yellow Cab and United Cab Company.
See
See Grounds for Sculpture
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 (14 hectares), 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.
Do
Do Cadwalader Park
Historic park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also developed Manhattan's Central Park. Trenton's City Museum at Ellarslie is in the park.
Do Mill Hill Park
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.
Do Capital Green
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.
Do Marine Terminal 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
- Taste Trenton, an all-day foodie crawl through Trenton's historic culinary hot spots.
- 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.
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 [https://www.simon.com/mall/quaker-bridge-mall 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:
Eat 1911 Smokehouse Bar-B-Que
Downtown's spiciest addition.
Eat Blue Danube
Fine-dining, Central and Eastern European fare.
Eat Chencha y Chole Authentic Mexican Kitchen
Casual Mexican restaurant with a renowned Chicken Mole.
Eat Frankye's Restaurante Guatemalan Grill
Specializes in meats and seafood.
Eat Hummingbird Restaurant
Downtown casual Jamaican.
Eat Jerry's Pizza and Grill
Many of the famous Trenton tomato pie shops moved to the suburbs. Jerry's has kept the Trenton tradition alive.
Eat NJ Weedman's Joint
No other place like this in the state.
Eat Pat's Original Diner
Classic Jersey diner in the Franklin Park section of Trenton.
Eat Palo de Azucar Cafe
Coffee shop.
Drink
Drink Cooper's Riverview
Large riverside nightclub.
Drink Mill Hill Saloon
Historic downtown bar. The dive bar part is in the basement and sometimes features live music.
Drink Tir Na Nog
Irish pub.
Drink Trenton Social
Posh bar & lounge across from Sun National Bank Center.
Sleep
There are no open hotels within Trenton, but there are some places to stay in Ewing.
Stay safe
It's best not to let your guard down; the New Jersey state capitol city isn't without some street crime.
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.
Nearby
Ewing
City / town · 1 listings · 4 mi away
Bordentown
City / town · 14 listings · 5 mi away
Yardley
City / town · 19 listings · 6 mi away
Robbinsville
City / town · 2 listings · 7 mi away
West Windsor
City / town · 12 listings · 8 mi away
Washington Crossing Historical Park
Park · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Allentown
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Titusville
City / town · 1 listings · 10 mi away
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