Spring Outings in Lawrence as Plentiful as April Showers
Posted by zsport23 on April 23, 2008
by Kaitlin Tambuscio
Spring has sprung, and one cannot help but notice the mood in the air is a little livelier, and a little more colorful. With the flowers blooming, the cool breeze blowing, the people of Lawrence are out and about, and surely looking for ways to enjoy the beautiful weather that Mother Earth has bestowed upon us.
There are so many ways to enjoy the outdoors, and so many possible day trips that residents of Lawrence can embark on, some that are even within walking distance!
Princeton, just a 5-minute drive up route 206, is a fabulous place to spend a beautiful Sunday afternoon. On Sundays, parking is incredibly cheap, and even free in some garages, and meters do not run on Sundays, so feel free to stay as long as you wish, without worrying about racking up your parking bill.
Once you are in Princeton, the opportunities for spending time outdoors are endless. Princeton University campus is incredibly beautiful, with grassy areas, benches, and people lounging about everywhere, it is a perfect college setting, but the community is used to interacting with tourists and locals alike, so feel free to take a leisurely stroll around campus, and enjoy the scenery of what is rumored to be the most beautiful college campus in the United States.
Take the beautiful weather as an opportunity for a picnic, and hit Hoagie Haven, located down Nassau Street, for what locals swear are the best sandwiches the strip has to offer. Decent sized sandwiches are sold for a meager $3-$3.50, so you’ll leave your wallet and your appetite satisfied.
If you are looking for something a little “different,” yet still portable for picnics, check out Olives, located on Witherspoon Street. Prices are a little steeper than at Hoagie Haven, but the take out joint offers more options and has everything to hummus by the pound to Cuban sandwiches, to mashed potatoes to bagels. Usually, a lunch from Olives would not exceed $10.
While you are in Princeton, spend some time exploring the unique boutiques, which offer everything from high-end stationary at The Papery, to luxury handbags at Kate Spade, to t-shirts and Princeton gear at the Army Navy store.
Remember to bring your Yorkie or Cockapoo along for the adventure, and treat them to something special at Pawtisserie, located in Palmer square. A gorgeous day in Princeton is something man’s best friend would not want to miss, especially if you reward their good behavior with gourmet baked goods.
If you are looking for fun a little closer to home, Lawrence also has a lot to offer. Lawrence landmark, Terhune Orchards is always at the top of everyone’s To-Do list as soon as the warm weather hits… including the kids!
The Orchards runs a variety of free programs that would definitely entertain the younger set. This month’s offerings range from a pruning demonstration, Arbor Day Celebration, and Kite Day, a weekend long festival that families can enjoy together.
Are you a baseball fan, but find it costly and time consuming to venture into the Bronx or Queens for a Yankees or Mets game? Instead, enjoy a Trenton Thunder game, the AA minor league affiliate of the Yankees. Ticket prices do not exceed $10, and the Mercer County Waterfront Park is scenic, especially if you attend a game featuring Fireworks! Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of injured Yankee stars. Robinson Cano spent a lot of time there last summer while recuperating from an injury, and since Alex Rodriguez is newly injured, you might be able to spot him in a slightly more intimate setting.
On your way home from a Thunder game, enjoy a cheap dinner that’s a throw back to the age of drive in movie theatres and sock hops, and be sure to hit Stewart’s on Route 1 (business south) in Lawrence for the classics. You can dine in your car as the eatery offers tray service, or eat on the picnic tables. The joint offers specials every week, but make sure you leave room for desert, nothing spells “SPRING” like a cold and creamy Stewart’s root beer float!
Next time you find yourself with cabin fever and the sun is shining, slather on some SPF and get outside and explore all that the Lawrence area has to offer! With so many opportunities, I promise you won’t regret it.
