New Brunswick NJ Day Trip

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Day Trip Ideas and Things to do in New Brunswick NJ

New Brunswick is located in Middlesex County, easily accessible from the New Jersey Turnpike at exit 9. The small city is home to Rutgers University-New Jersey's official state college. Find great places to eat, places to stay, and amazing arts and cultural attractions located right in New Brunswick!

Best Places to Eat in New Brunswick

Glass Woods Tavern2 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ
732-867-2300
Glass Woods Tavern provides a unique dining experience, unlike any other. Enjoy Chef Titus's specially designed menu featuring regional American cuisine while experiencing exceptional service by our attentive staff. You may also take the opportunity to enjoy one of our specialty infused-vodka cocktails while watching the game on any of our 27 plasma televisions. Hours: 6:30am - 10:00pm Daily, with light fare until 12:00am. Reservations: 732-867-2300

Stuff Yer Face
49 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ
732-247-1727

Stuff Yer Face, located on Rutgers University’s campus in New Brunswick, NJ, is the hot spot for local residents. This restaurant, open since 1977, is famous for its Strombolis and beer. You can find a wide variety of strombolis at this restaurant, including a Pizza Boli, OP Boli or even a Six Cheese Boli. Other items the restaurant serves include pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and giant pretzels. If you are looking for a great beer to go with your food, check out Stuff Yer Face's awesome beer menu. You will find a wide selection of beer from around the world at this restaurant!

Clydz

55 Paterson Street, New Brunswick, NJ
732-846-6521

Casual, cozy & fun atmosphere. Located close to theaters in the heart of New Brunswick, across from the courthouse. Sexy upscale full-service bar with fireplaces and aquariums. Very extensive martini menu. Come try some really cool and unusual food like ostrich or wildfowl soup. Great place for just the two of you or to meet other singles. Open 7 days. Late Night Menu. Reservations & All Major Credit Cards Accepted. Owned & Operated by Mike Parla.

Delta's
19 Dennis Street, New Brunswick, NJ
732-249-1551

Celebrating the Spirit of the South with Fine Southern Cuisine. Live Jazz and R&B on weekends. Private parties and banquets. Dinner is available at the bar. Hours: Sun: 12 - 8pm, Mon: closed, Tues/Wed: 5pm - 12am, Thu - Sat: 5 pm - 2 am. Neat Casual Attire. Friday and Saturday Reservations Recommended

Harvest Moon Brewery Cafe
392 George Street, New Brunswick NJ
732-249-6666

In a college town, a Brew Pub cannot really go wrong. The Harvest moon has live music on weekends, very good food, and most importantly great beer! The harvest moon is different every time you visit. Sometimes quiet sometimes loud and sometimes it dead. Hours: Daily 11:30am - 2am.

The Frog and The Peach

29 Dennis Street at Hiram Square, New Brunswick, NJ
732-846-3216

America's Top Tables Award - Gourmet Magazine

The most winning restaurant in New Jersey Monthly's Readers' Poll History. Extraordinary American Cuisine. Group and Party Planning made easy. 2 blocks from the theaters, next door to the Hyatt Regency. Dinner Every Night, Lunch Weekdays. Walk-ins Welcome, Saturday Reservations Recommended. Neat Casual Attire - Smoke-Free.

Hansel N' Griddle
112 Church Street, New Brunswick, NJ
732-846-9727

Hansel N’ Griddle, a breakfast and brunch restaurant with two locations in New Brunswick, serves delectable American dishes to their guests. On the menu, you will find a wide variety of food, not just eggs, and pancakes! They serve sandwiches, burgers, salads, smoothies, and even jumbo wings! If you choose to order from this restaurant’s “Hit List,” you are sure to get one of the staff’s picks of a great meal. Everyone can find something they love at Hansel N’ Griddle!

Old Man Rafferty's
120 Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ
732-249-7500

Old Man Rafferty's is a good down-home fun bar with very good food. Always has a good crowd and is the perfect place to meet for a drink before hitting the town. Rafferty's has a cool outside seating area set back off the street (pictured here). The bartender was very friendly and accommodating. We had a few appetizers that were very tasty, although they were a little small on the portion side.

Efes Mediterranean Grill

32 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ
732-249-4100

Efes Mediterranean Grill in New Brunswick offers guests a vast selection of fish and seafood dishes, as well as hot and cold appetizers, yogurt entrees, and, for people in search of a more traditional dish, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. The environment at Efes is casual, fun, and relaxed. The service is always superb at this restaurant and guests love that the prices do not break the bank. This is the place to go if you are looking for a delicious, yet affordable, Mediterranean meal in Middlesex County!

Panico's Italian Restaurant
103 Church St., New Brunswick, NJ
732-545-6100

Panico's is known for fine wines and classic, innovative Italian cuisine. The artistically presented dishes are splendid examples of Italian cuisine at its finest.

Situated on Church Street, steps away from the Hyatt Hotel and just three blocks from New Brunswick's Theater District, this is a great place to grab a bite to eat. Enjoy live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Private Rooms are available and reservations are strongly suggested.

Catherine Lombardi
3 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
732-296-9463

Located above Stage Left Restaurant, Catherine Lombardi Restaurant has been providing residents of New Brunswick with exquisite American food for a number of years. Their restaurant has two large fireplaces and an elegant bar where guests can relax, unwind and enjoy a great meal. Serving dinner desserts and drinks, you will find delicious dishes such as pork chops, pasta swordfish and so much more!

Stage Left
5 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ
732-828-4444
The finest contemporary American cuisine in all of Central NJ. Stage left boasts a friendly and knowledgeable staff and "one of the most outstanding restaurant wine lists in the world" -Wine Spectator Magazine. FunNewJersey.com raves that Stage Left restaurant has the best Cheeseburger in all of New Jersey and that it surely is... Worth Every Penny.

Hotels in New Brunswick NJ

The Heldrich
10 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
732-729-4670

The Heldrich Hotel is located in the center of New Brunswick. Perfect for a weekend getaway to visit the theaters, museums, and many restaurants within walking distance of the hotel. The innovative interior is breathtaking to the eye. This is surely one of New Brunswick's best-kept secrets. The hotel also offers meeting space for business travelers. See more about the Heldrich below.

Cultural Attractions in New Brunswick NJ

Rutgers Gardens
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Phone: 732-932-8451
[email protected]
This is a very awesome botanical garden that is open 365 days a year. One of the most refreshing things about it is that there is no admission charge. Researchers can come and visit the natural outdoors living Museum and explore the large gardens and natural areas. Check their website as they have advanced throughout the season. They also boast a student forming a volunteer vegetable garden.

Please note their GPS address

130 Log Cabin Road
New Brunswick NJ 08901-8525

The State Theatre
George Street Playhouse
Stress Factory Comedy Club

Theatre and Ballet in New Brunswick NJ

American Repertory Ballet
Crossroads Theatre Company
George Street Playhouse
Mason Gross School of the Arts
Rutgers Film Co-op/ New Jersey Media Arts Center
Livingston Theatre Company
The State Theatre

Museums and Galleries in New Brunswick NJ

Mason Gross School of the Arts Gallery
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ
732-932-7511

Elizabeth Anne Seton Memorial Gallery
St. Peter's High School
75 Somerset Street,
New Brunswick, NJ

Gallery at Crossroads
7 Livingston Avenue,
New Brunswick, NJ
732-545-8100

American Hungarian Foundation
300 Somerset Street,
New Brunswick, NJ
732-846-5777

Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum
Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey
71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ
732-932-7237

Rutgers Geology Museum
Rutgers University Geology Hall, 2nd Floor
85 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ
848-932-7243

Visual Arts League
1007 Old Bridge Tpk.,
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-254-7611

Museum at Buccleuch Mansion
200 College Ave,
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-745-5112

Parks in New Brunswick NJ

Boyd Park
Memorial Parkway New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-745-5007
This 20-acre park has walking trails along the Raritan River.

Buccleuch Park
321 Easton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 8901
732-745-5007
This 70+ acre Park lays between Easton Avenue and the Raritan River in New Brunswick New Jersey. The Buccleuch Mansion is located inside of the park.

Nightlife in New Brunswick: cool bars, lounges, and gastropub's

Perlé: Night Club & Lounge
13 Paterson St., New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
A truly beautiful and chic rare gem of a lounge, dance club, and bar. This is a perfect spot for events and celebrations. Their simple menu consists of buffalo chicken lollipops, chicken and waffles, flatbread pizzas, and coconut shrimp with pineapple and habanero.

Christopher's Restaurant & Bar
Golden Rail Pub
Olde Queens Tavern
Hub City Brewhouse
Blackthorn Restaurant and Irish Pub
Huey's Knight Club
Scarlet Pub
George Street Ale House
Esquina Latina