Grounds for Sculpture
The brainchild of artist (and Johnson & Johnson heir) Seward Johnson, Grounds for Sculpture has occupied this Hamilton site since 1992. We’ve visited many outdoor sculpture parks, and Grounds for Sculpture’s 42 acres provide an excellent walking space, not too big and beautifully landscaped with surprises around every corner. Bamboo groves sprout throughout, and imaginative sculptures of different sizes populate the terrain.
It's a cold, windy day on our visit, so we have the place mostly to ourselves, but Grounds for Sculpture can get crowded in nice weather, so reservations are recommended.
Though our plans will take us farther north this day, pairing Grounds for Sculpture with the adjacent, and unfortunately named Rat’s Restaurant makes a good day trip also. You can walk between the two facilities, and Rat’s is beautifully decorated in French chateau style, with cuisine to match.
Herrontown Woods
The sun beams down, mitigating the wind. We need to rid ourselves of cabin fever, and after Grounds for Sculpture we drive a half hour north for a hike in Herrontown Woods outside of Princeton. This nature preserve — the oldest in Mercer County, dating from the 1950s — recruits a large volunteer force who build and support the trails with boards and large stones over the muddy parts. We choose the 1.3-mile red trail, which forms a loop with some elevation rise at the beginning but fairly easy. It takes us 45 minutes to complete the path, and we vow to return later in the year when the trees have leafed out.
The Meeting House
We then drive a few minutes to a new restaurant on Witherspoon Street just north of downtown Princeton. In addition to an a la carte menu, the Meeting House offers a three-course $45 prix fixe menu that is a great value considering the quality of the food. The bar bustles with young people, and wide windows pull in plenty of light. A good choice when in the Princeton area.
