Mercer County Park in Mercer County, NJ encompasses over 2,500 acres and offers 17 Athletic Fields used for Soccer, Football and Lacrosse, an Ice Skating Center, Tennis Center with 28 courts, 10 Softball Fields Hiking and Trails, Fishing, Bike Trail and Inline Skating, Basketball Courts, Sand Volleyball Courts, Picnic Areas, and much more.

The centerpiece of Mercer County is the picturesque town of Princeton, recognized primarily as the home of Princeton University. Princeton was an important area during the American Revolution and was once home to two of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon. Modern-day Princeton is a picturesque community of charming shops and restaurants and quaint neighborhoods.

If you are bringing a team to play in this area at Mercer County Park, you’ll find an abundance of fun things to do and variety of great restaurant choices from which to consider during your time here. Here are some of our suggestions.

Things to Do

Shopping on Nassau Street in Princeton

Downtown Princeton is a pristine stretch of shops, boutiques, restaurants, and cafes with architecture that is both historic and beautiful. Nassau Street is the center of the energy, cutting right through the middle of the Princeton University campus. Spend an afternoon or evening walking around the area and you will not get bored.

Princeton University

There may be eight Ivy League Schools, but none of them are more beautiful than Princeton University. The campus is located on 500 acres near the downtown area of Princeton. The University offers daily campus tours, including guided tours by a student. Nearby are art exhibitions and events and more than a dozen parks and historical sites within walking distance including the Princeton Battlefield, the Delaware and Raritan Canal Towpath, and the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge and Institute Woods.

Bonkerz Fun Center

Bonkerz Fun Center, located in the Kingston Shopping Mall in Princeton is the most up-to-date, modern family fun center near Mercer County Park. Play in their 5,300 square foot interactive state of the art laser tag arena or visit their 2,800 square foot arcade, stocked with some of the newest arcade games available. 4437 NJ-27 #1a, Princeton, NJ 08540

Princeton Canoe and Kayak Rental

Princeton Canoe and Kayak Rental is a fun and easy way to access many of the explorable local waterways. Paddle down the D&R Canal, float on Carnegie Lake, and have a thrilling day on the water with your team. Their most popular excursion is the two hour Carnegie Lake – D&R Canal Loop. This trip will eventually take you to picnic areas where you can dock and eat a meal under the sun with your team. Whether you paddle for an hour or all day, they have canoes and a variety of kayaks appropriate for all ages. 483 Alexander St, Princeton, NJ 08540

Washington Crossing State Park

Just 15 miles west of Mercer County Park is Washington Crossing State Park, the New Jersey part of that famous military operation; Pennsylvania has a similar park just across the river. This historic site was the scene of one of the most influential and important events in the history of the United States. Your team most likely learned about Washington crossing the Delaware in school. Well, now they can see where it happened with their own two eyes. Besides the history behind the park, it is known for its scenic hiking trails and teeming wildlife. Expect to spot some whitetail deer, foxes, and maybe a couple species of owls. 355 Washington Crossing Pennington Rd, Titusville, NJ 08560

Trenton Thunder

Going to a Trenton Thunder game, New York Yankee’s Class AA affiliate is seeing Minor League Baseball at its best! The Thunder are consistently one of the most successful and talented minor league franchises in New Jersey. They are famous for providing fans with a one of a kind experience that no other ballpark can match. The best seats cost a fraction of what you’d pay for a Major League game and Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton has a safe and family-friendly atmosphere that keeps fans coming back time and time again. Throw in an occasional New York Yankee rehab assignment, more than 20 post-game fireworks shows a year, and your team will have a blast here! 1 Thunder Rd, Trenton, NJ 08611

Trenton Farmers Market

Also in nearby Trenton is the Trenton Farmers Market. It dates back to the early 1900s, when a group of farmers arrived by horse and buggy to sell their freshly harvested fruits and vegetables. People came far and wide and the market became a huge success. So much so that in 1948, the Trenton Farmers Market opened an official location on Spruce Street. Take a stroll through the outdoor market with your team and purchase some homemade treats and fresh produce. You can also purchase meats, jewelry, and other cool trinkets. 960 Spruce St, Trenton, NJ 08648

To find hotel rooms closest to where your team is playing in near Mercer County, Princeton, or any city, visit hotels4teams.com. Hotels4Teams – The Best Hotels at the Best Prices, Closest to the Action!

Places to Eat

Witherspoon Grill

You won’t food any better in Princeton than the dishes at Witherspoon Grill. This high quality steakhouse serves more than just great steaks. The braised short ribs and lobster mac and cheese are exceptional. It’s also been said that they have the best burger in Princeton. Be sure to try their delicious Sunday brunch if you can; it’s fantastic! 57 Witherspoon St, Princeton, NJ 08542

Nomad Pizza

Famous in Princeton with the University students, Nomad Pizza makes pizzas with delicious crust and wonderful toppings. While they do have a few other items like salad, meatballs, and risotto balls, they are mostly a pizza joint through and through. So if you are looking for some great-tasting pizza, give Nomad a try. You’ll be sure to like it! 301 N Harrison St, Princeton, NJ 08540

Tortuga’s Mexican Village

Tortuga’s Mexican Village is a locally-owned Mexican eatery near Mercer County Park with a focus on making great food! Come in and try some of your favorite Mexican dishes like guacamole nachos, chiles rellenos poblanos, or pollo mole. 41 Leigh Ave, Princeton, NJ 08542

Bahama Breeze

Yes, Bahama Breeze is a chain. But it has a vibrant and fun island atmosphere, the food is always good, and the prices are reasonable. They also have specialty handcrafted cocktails, half-priced appetizers, and music that plays a major part of our restaurant’s fun island vibe. Their songs as well as their menu offerings are artfully curated, and they regularly schedule live music performances for your entertainment. My favorite is their Island Hopper appetizer with Jamaican chicken wings, crispy coconut shrimp, onion rings, and conch fritters, all served with citrus-mustard, jerk BBQ sauce, and roasted pineapple chutney. Yum! 3535 US Highway 1, Princeton, NJ 08540

The Princeton and Mercer County area of New Jersey offer lots of team building opportunities, as well as many great restaurants to choose from. When you are done playing at Mercer County Park, be sure to make the most of your downtime in the Garden State.