Discovering New Jersey’s Notable Universities and Vibrant History

Embark on a three-day journey exploring the rich history and eminent landmarks at New Jersey’s notable universities. Begin at Princeton University, where collegiate gothic architecture blends with modern design, creating a timeless, academic atmosphere that pays homage to the history of the university. In New Brunswick, attend a Big Ten sporting event at Rutgers University or visit Revolutionary War sites. Finish your trip by delving even deeper into history at Rowan College’s Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, where a fossil quarry from the Cretaceous Period promises insights about dinosaurs, the evolution of hundreds of species and immersive, hands-on learning opportunities.

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New Jersey University attractions at a glance:

  • Take a walking tour through Princeton’s campus
  • Watch a Division 1 game
  • Travel back in time at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum

New Jersey College Tours Itinerary

DAY 1: Rutgers University

Now a part of the Big Ten Conference, Rutgers University is an ideal campus to bring groups to watch sporting events, such as basketball or football. Known as the “birthplace of college football,” Rutgers hosted the first intercollegiate football game against the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) on November 6th, 1869.

Today, Rutgers fields 24 — 10 men and 14 women — Division 1 teams in the Big Ten Conference. Not only dedicated to sports, the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) is the athletic league’s academic counterpart, made up of top-tier research universities that together conduct over $10 billion in funded research annually.

Rutgers promises unforgettable memories full of sporting traditions like festive, pre-game tailgating activities, tours of the Hale Center — their state-of-the-art football facility—and competitive games between rival schools.

Another option is groups can walk through time by checking out historical markers that dot New Brunswick. Visit where Alexander Hamilton and his Battery of horse artillery delayed the advance of the British in 1776 beside Kirkpatrick Chapel. Or walk Will’s Way—the walkway from Hamilton Street to the entrance of Old Queens—which is named after the enslaved man who laid the foundation of the Old Queens building in 1808.

Dining options include the Olde Queens Tavern, which has been open since 1933 and is a classic campus watering hole; Mamoun’s Falafel, which has served delicious falafel sandwiches since 1971; and The Frog and The Peach, a farm-to-table bistro that features lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.

Consider staying at The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick. This four-star hotel sports a boutique vibe that groups will love.

DAY 2: Princeton University

Start your Higher Learning tour journey at Princeton University, a prestigious school known for its rigorous academic programs and centuries of history. Walking tours, such as the ones offered through Princeton Tour Company or the Historical Society of Princeton, promise exploration of the campus and town’s history, nature and must-see sites. Trolley tours are also available for groups.

Become lost in the shadowy passageways, battlefields and dark corners of campus on ghost tours. Or visit highly esteemed campus sites such as Princeton Chapel, Blair Hall or Nassau Hall — a building whose role shifted throughout the years to accommodate the turbulent events of the Revolutionary War. Just outside of campus, walk past the homes of dignitaries such as F.Scott Fitzgerald, T.S. Eliot and Albert Einstein. There’s also an in-depth tour exploring Albert Einstein’s house for those who are interested.

Walk the chronological steps of the Battle of Princeton on the Senior and School Group Tours. This tour teaches why the Battle of Princeton is considered one of the most pivotal battles during the Revolutionary War while assessing British and patriot troop leadership styles. Finish your day by stopping by the Princeton University Art Museum to take a look at the collections of various cultures’ art and history. The art museum underwent renovations but reopened in October of 2025.

Excellent food options for groups include:

SCHouse is a famed Sichuan restaurant that can book reservations by phone for up to 20 people and is open for lunch and dinner every day; Yankee Doodle Tap Room, which features an American grill menu with more than 16 world beers on tap and a variety of wines and specialty drinks; and Metro North, which can book a private roomfor up to 100 people and offers tasty Italian entrees, seafood, salads and appetizers.

Consider staying at the Graduate by Hilton Princeton, a hotel known for its nostalgic college-themed interior. With its own restaurant and coffee bar—and just minutes from campus—this uniquely decorated hotel is the ideal place to stay.

DAY 3: Rowan University, Stockton University and The College of New Jersey

Finish your trip by visiting the southern side of New Jersey. An 85-minute drive from Rutgers takes you to Rowan University, a top 100 national public research institution that offers much more than their excellent educational programs.

Discover the past at Edelman Fossil Park & Museum, located about a 5 to 10-minute drive from the campus in Mantua. With a local fossil bed that has yielded more than 100,000 fossils, the Park & Museums offers an immersive experience where you can discover fossils first-hand and learn all about dinosaurs.

A popular dining option is LaScala’s FIRE, an Italian restaurant that serves classic pizzas, pasta dishes and seafood meals from a wood-fired oven.

Another option is to visit Stockton University on the coast, a 45-55 minute drive from Rutgers. Located within the Pinelands National Reserve, Stockton University’s surrounding areas contain striking features of nature. Within a few-minute hike from campus, you’ll be able to experience Lake Pam, the Cedar Bog and Lake Fred—each natural landmark with its own history and story.

One final option to wrap up your trip is The College of New Jersey, located 10 miles outside of Princeton University. Not only a wonderful place for a walk, Trenton College and the city of Trenton echo the nostalgic atmosphere of Princeton, with rich history dating back to the founding of America. Visit the Trenton Battle Monument that commemorates the American victory at the first Battle of Trenton, NJ in 1776, or learn about New Jersey’s crucial role in the French & Indian War and the American Revolution at the Old Barracks Museum.

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