Trenton

Midway between Philadelphia and New York and situated along the Delaware River, Trenton holds the ideal location for its earned reputation as a manufacturing hub. Throughout its nearly-300-year history, this capital city has produced porcelain, pottery, rubber, rifles, wire rope, and oyster crackers, the reason for its famed “Trenton Makes, the World Takes” slogan that’s proclaimed in bold neon letters across Trenton Bridge. However, a visit to Trenton doesn’t mean you’re going to be put to work — you can watch others do the heavy lifting while touring the country’s second-oldest operating state house, then follow it up with a bowl of pasta ...

Midway between Philadelphia and New York and situated along the Delaware River, Trenton holds the ideal location for its earned reputation as a manufacturing hub. Throughout its nearly-300-year history, this capital city has produced porcelain, pottery, rubber, rifles, wire rope, and oyster crackers, the reason for its famed “Trenton Makes, the World Takes” slogan that’s proclaimed in bold neon letters across Trenton Bridge. However, a visit to Trenton doesn’t mean you’re going to be put to work — you can watch others do the heavy lifting while touring the country’s second-oldest operating state house, then follow it up with a bowl of pasta — and glass of Chianti — in the city’s famed Italian neighborhood, The Burg. Trenton’s a hotspot for both Revolutionary War and state history and offers a day of worthwhile museum options highlighting each, or travel just outside city bounds — a five minute cab-ride from the train station — to reach NJ’s most intriguing sculpture garden. An easy walk to the waterfront from downtown’s State Street leads past the city’s architecturally outstanding War Memorial and on to Mercer County Waterfront Park, home to minor league baseball’s Trenton Thunder.

About the Expert

Laura Kiniry is the author of Moon Handbooks New Jersey.