traveler2005

In 2012, my husband and I visited all twelve universities in the Big 10. It turned out to be lots of fun. The campusses were beautiful and the college towns were fun.

Now, we are visiting the two new universities that have been added to the conference.

Can anyone help us with iconic things to see at Rutgers University? It will be a quick stop en route to New York City. I am thinking about a quadrangle, special statue that students use for photo opportunities, a non-chain non-time campus restaurant,....

I see on their website that they have five campusses and I wasn't clear which would be the primary one - if any is.

IMDonehere

I am far from an expert on Rutgers but the main campus is spread out over New Brunswick. The food trucks are famous.

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Better than Rutgers, Princeton is one of the most beautiful campuses in the country and the town of Princeton, although a college town, has zoned out neon signs, is a bit expensive but quite beautiful. Go to the Bent Spoon for ice cream and Despana for tapas.

mare0520

I am a Rutgers alum although I did not go to the New Brunswick campus. Johnson & Johnson sits smack in the middle of the New Brunswick campus. The food trucks affectionately known as the "grease" trucks are no longer there or have moved. I am not sure where they moved to but you might want to google it. You have to have a sandwich from the grease trucks. Downtown New Brunswick, while not always the best area, has lots of very good non-chain, non-campus restaurants. You pretty much can't wrong with your choice.

Princeton is as IMDonehere said above a beautiful campus. The shopping is great and again there are many non-chain, non-campus restaurants to choose from.

Ackislander

Gee, iMdonehere, I was not aware that Princeton had joined the Big Ten, which is the focus of the OP's question.

The iconic things to see at Rutgers are the Old Queens Campus, next to the railroad station, and the Voorhees Campus just behind it.

Old Queens and the other early buildings are now mostly administrative offices. The Chapel used to have wonderful portraits of the founders and other early members of the college, but they may be in he museum now.

The Voorhees Campus is a quadrangle containing the university museum and classroom buildings. At the far end is a statue of William the Silent (the College was founded by the Dutch Reformed Church). Like his famous counterpart Silent Sam at UNC Chapel Hill, Willie the Silent only speaks (or whistles) in the presence of a virgin. Both have been very quiet for several generations.

The food trucks have been distributed owing to a construction project. I have heard that there are a couple near the river dorms on George Street. The country has gone mad over food trucks, but these are early examples for sure. In my day, you could get two boiled hot dogs with mustard and sauerkraut, a small bag of chips, and an off brand soda for $1.

IMDonehere

Gee, iMdonehere, I was not aware that Princeton had joined the Big Ten, which is the focus of the OP's question.
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I believe you have not found the depth of your childishness but will endeavor to do so.

traveler2005

Thanks to all of you for your help. It looks like we will enjoy the campus and have some good options for food. And, if we have time, I'd be willing to break out of our "Big 10" tour and see Princeton too. LOL