Trenton Tourist Information and Tourism

(Trenton, New Jersey - NJ, USA)

Known as the 'Falls of the Delaware' when it was settled in the latter part of the 17th century, and later as Trent Towne, the city of Trenton became the official capital of New Jersey in 1790. Tourism only plays a minor part in this small city of state politics, with approximately 50,000 tourists visiting each year, although this number is on the increase.

The western side of the city is bounded by the Delaware River and a number of notable attractions line the riverside. These include the Arm and Hammer Park and its large baseball stadium, and the William Trent House Museum, which remembers the life of the city's modern-day founding father.

The New Jersey State House also overlooks the riverfront, with its giant, gleaming gold-leaf dome being very evident when viewing the riverside skyline from a distance. Guided tours of the Capitol are held on the hour, Monday to Friday, and these can draw crowds of tourists during the summer months, when Trenton is at is busiest. Just a stone's throw away is the Trenton Tourist Information Center (Visitors Center) on Barrack Street, which is just up the road from the Marriott Hotel and the historic Patriots Theater at the War Memorial.

Trenton Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights

Although there are actually nine other cities and townships in New Jersey that are larger than Trenton, as the state capital, it does manage to boast some worthwhile tourist attractions, although tourism here is rather more understated than that present in Newark and Jersey City. Much of the city's appeal is thanks to the meandering Delaware River, which helped the early settlers get around by boat and provided a good source of fish. Today, a number of riverside green spaces are popular spots in the summer months, such as the Arm and Hammer Park, where the Trenton Thunder baseball stadium lives. Various trails line the banks, while a number of bridges connect both sides of the river. Of particular note, the Calhoun Street Toll Supported Bridge dates from 1884 and links nearby Morrisville, in the adjacent state of Pennsylvania
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Further distractions for holiday makers in Trenton come in the form of the Sun National Bank Center on Hamilton Avenue, which is a large arena with a capacity of roughly 8,000 spectators. Basketball games, ice hockey and concerts all take place here on a regular basis. And just a stone's throw from the New Jersey State House, the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Memorial Drive was established in the early 1930s and is known for its sell-out New Jersey Symphony Orchestra concerts. More information about Trenton Tourist Attractions.

Although it is the giant dome of the New Jersey State House that rather steals the limelight in the city when it comes to sightseeing, there are a number of additional landmarks that warrant a look. These include Trenton City Hall on East Street, which was constructed in 1907 and plays host to a number of annual events, such as the Christmas tree lighting ceremony and market at the beginning of December. Within the Battle Monument Reserve, the Trenton Battle Monument is a towering column from the 1890s, built to commemorate the victorious 1776 Battle of Trenton. On the northern side of the city, within the Ewing Township suburb, the College of New Jersey (TGNJ) comes with some imposing structures, including Decker Hall, the Lions Stadium and Norsworthy Hall. More information about Trenton Landmarks and Monuments.

One of the biggest tourism offerings in the entire city is the Trenton City Museum, which is to be found at Cadwalader Park. The City Museum was founded in 1848 and moved to its present setting within the Ellarslie Mansion in the latter part of the 1970s. Relics, ceramics, old photos and maps, and information about the origins of the city are all on offer here, along with some impressive paintings at its Bureau of Fine Art. Next to the State House, the New Jersey State Museum tends to be a big hit with families, thanks to its fossilized specimen of a Hadrosaurus dinosaur, sky shows at its planetarium, plentiful natural history displays and tempting gift shop. The 1719 William Trent House on Market Street is another popular attraction in the city and this historic building is actually the oldest house in the entire city, being the former residence of no less than three of the city's past governors. William Trent, the house's original occupier, was a wealthy merchant and played a major part in founding his namesake town, 'Trent Towne' (later becoming Trenton). More information about Trenton Museums and Trenton Art Galleries.

Trenton sits on the western side of central New Jersey, which means that it has good access to many of the principal tourist destinations within the state. Excursions to the southwest are popular and the most-visited towns and cities tend to follow the route of the Delaware River. These include Levittown, Bensalem, Cinnaminson and the Pennsauken Township, as well as the giant metropolis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Various beaches line the state's eastern coast, fronting the Atlantic coastline, with those of Belmar and Point Pleasant being in the region of 45 minutes away by car. Also to the east is the Jackson Township, where the Six Flags Great Adventure theme park offers up a fun day trip for all of the family. However, for many tourists, the bright lights of New York, New York, beckon, and the Big Apple can actually be reached in just over an hour, with regular Amtrak trains being the preferred way to ply this busy route. More information about Trenton Attractions Nearby.

More Trenton Information / Fast Facts and Orientation

• Country: USA
• Location: New Jersey State (NJ), Mercer County
• Status: city and state capital
• Area: approximately 8 square miles / 21 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 90,000
• Language: American English
• Currency: US Dollar (USD)
• Time zone: GMT - 5 hours Eastern Standard Time (daylight saving time is observed)
• Country dialling code: +1
• Telephone area code: 609
• Average daily Trenton January temperature: 3°C / 37°F
• Average daily Trenton July temperature: 29°C / 84°F