As summer nears, whether you are an alum returning for Reunions, a student staying on campus, or a prospective student visiting the school, Princeton’s warm weather and lively atmosphere are things to enjoy. Strolling around on a sunny morning, here are my top 5 spots that I recommend checking out!
- Blair Arch
As a proud resident of Mathey College, Blair Arch is one of the most picturesque spots. Check the time on the clock, read on the steps, rest in the shade, and admire the architecture! Located in the heart of the upper campus, it is frequented by acapella groups and other music groups for performances. The Arch’s acoustic is surprisingly crisp, reverberating the gorgeous singing to a large crowd. Concerts usually happen on Thursday evenings but will become daily occurrences during Reunions.
2. Murray Dodge Cafe
Do you ever get tired/hungry for a sweet snack in the late hours of the afternoon or evening? Fear not, for Murray Dodge Cafe is the spot to go! The underground cafe is under the Office of Religious Life, with free cookies baked fresh by our student bakers during the school year. There are many different flavors, from strawberry brownies to white chocolate pistachio. With your Princeton ID, you can get a mug and unlimited tea to sip on while you study, surrounded by colorful chalk drawings. For our campus newspaper The Daily Princetonian, I spent twelve hours in the cafe recording everything that happened with my friends, if you would like an immersive experience of how welcoming the space is!
3. The Graduate College
Summer is peak weather for casual strolls. In a leisurely 15-minute walk you can go from Mathey to the backyard of Forbes College, which overlooks a golf course and the Graduate College, a dormitory for graduate students. At the Grad College you can enjoy meals in the dining hall most days of the week, under beautiful stained glass windows and Harry Potter-like interiors. If you go on a Sunday morning, you will hear the carillon played by Lisa Lonie, a keyboard-based percussion instrument with twenty tons of bronze bells at the top of the Cleveland Tower.
4. Firestone Library
While Firestone is typically known for serious studying, its 6th-floor room has a birds-eye view of campus and is a gorgeous sunset spot. The high ceiling and gothic chandeliers are Princeton classics that should not be missed! Another scenic spot to check out is the C-floor of Firestone. Though it is underground, there is a study space with a high glass ceiling with sunlight streaming down.
5. Firestone Plaza & Chapel
If you want to be outdoors, Firestone Plaza has sage-green tables and chairs and a great view of the East Pyne courtyard for the ideal afternoon reading spot. If you get bored, you can pop into the University Chapel, which has magnificent stained glass windows and impeccable architecture. The Chapel Choir has a church service every Sunday morning at 11 am, and the space also hosts other regular concerts if you want to hear the space's acoustics!
6. Einstein’s Classroom
Albert Einstein used to teach Physics in the historic classroom located on the third floor of Frist Campus Center. Filled with rows of wooden chairs and a giant blackboard, the “dark academic” vibe is strong here. For a snack, the A-level of Frist has a wide array of food and drinks: sushi, pasta, Asian cuisine, a grill station, cereal, fruits, Tico’s yogurts, etc. Depending on the weather, there is both indoor and outdoor seating. Once I saw a double rainbow by the lawn!
7. Richardson Auditorium
Princeton University Concerts often hosts worldwide musicians and artists with diverse performances, and student performance groups also perform frequently. As a student, you have 4 free tickets for any Richardson event, and you get to pick orchestra or balcony seats! Besides the acoustics, the auditorium has a mosaic art piece in the backdrop superimposed with contemporary ceiling decorations. One of my favorite events was watching the first Mariachi concert in Princeton’s history last month, filled with vibrant decorations, stage lights, and songs to sing along to.
