6 Places to Stay Warm This Winter Around Trenton, NJ

While you can have fun outside in the winter, ice skating, sledding, or building a snowman with the kids, when those freezing temperatures hit, it’s nice to have options for indoor fun as well. In the Trenton area, you can find plenty of activities to entertain the young ones on blustery days or any day you just feel like spending some time indoors. Here are six places to stay warm this winter around Trenton, New Jersey.

Old Barracks Museum

“Old Barracks Museum, Trenton, NJ ” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by pabsanch

For a fun and educational indoor experience, visit the Old Barracks Museum at 101 Barrack Street. Exhibits include “A Symbol of New Jersey to the World,” “When Women Vote: The Old Barracks and the Anti-Suffrage Movement,’ and “Necessary and Proper for the Public Good World War I Exhibit.” You need to purchase a required ticket at least 24 hours in advance, so you’ll want to watch the weather predictions and make plans to spend the day at the Old Barracks Museum. Group size is currently limited to 10 visitors or less at a time on the museum grounds.

Tours are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with over 2,000 objects that the Old Barracks Museum has been collecting since it was established in 1902. You’ll find a wide range of items, from military memorabilia to fine art. A few highlights include the James Garthwait Powder Horn, a handbill from 1774, a Wilkes & Liberty No. 45 cufflink, and a pine tree flag. Stay warm and dry while browsing the exhibits, inspecting the collections, and learning about our history.

Rockville Climbing Center

If you’re an active family, the Rockville Climbing Center at 200 Whitehead Road, Suite 107 in nearby Hamilton, is another excellent option for a day indoors. You can check out the Just Climb package, offering the easiest way to start rock climbing via an auto-belay system that controls the safety ropes for you. This is an excellent option for those who are new to climbing or want to climb by themselves. Children of all ages can rock climb at Rockville Climbing Center with the Just Climb package.

The other option is an intro to belaying, where you learn how to control the safety ropes for your climbing partner. This option includes a belay lesson, equipment rental, and day pass for climbing, along with a second-day pass to return to practice your new skill. You must be at least 14 years old to take the intro to belaying option. Rockville Climbing Center is open Monday through Friday from noon to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Artworks

Artworks is Trenton’s visual arts center located at 19 Everett Alley, with gallery hours from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday during exhibits. “The Red Dot 10 x 10 Fundraising Exhibition” takes place from December 11 through January 8, featuring 10 x 10 canvas creations that sell for $100 with a 50/50 split to the artist and Artworks. Public art projects include a Black Lives Matter Mural Project, Rider’s Center for Diversity Mural Project, and Stepping into Tomorrow. Enjoy a day taking in local artwork while supporting local artists at Artworks.

Trenton Free Public Library

On a cold winter day, you can get lost in the stacks at the Trenton Free Public Library. Inside the library, you’ll also find the William E. Pedrick Exhibition Hall featuring an art gallery with regularly rotating exhibits from local artists. The Trenton Free Public Library also offers 3D printing for young adults ages 13 to 18, you just need to call to set up an appointment to use the 3D printer.

From Tiny Tots Storytime to Game Night for young adults, the library also hosts regularly scheduled events throughout the month. Other offerings include Open Art and Open Lab: Basic Computer Help. Check out upcoming events on their website as they also add options such as Digital Drawing Class, Ceramic Glass Paint and Sip, and Chunky Knit Pillows. There’s so much to do at the Trenton Free Public Library! You can also grab a stack of books, audiobooks, or DVDs to take home and enjoy while you’re wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a cup of hot cocoa.

Hamilton Lanes and Family Entertainment Center

You can bowl, play arcade games, or have a game of mini-golf at the Hamilton Lanes and Family Entertainment Center, located at 1200 Kuser Road in Hamilton Township. The Center also includes a kitchen that’s managed by a popular Italian restaurant and a full-service bar, so you can add dinner and drinks to your day of fun. The Cosmic Mini Golf has 15 unique holes that take mini-golf to a new level. 

Winter hours at Hamilton Lanes are Monday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Come out for a game or more with their state-of-the-art scoring system. You could even make it competitive with your family members and shoot for the top score, most splits, or the least number of gutter balls.

Regal Independence Plaza & RPX

You can kick back, relax, and enjoy a show at the Regal Independence Plaza & RPX theater at 2465 S. Broad St. in Hamilton Township. This theater complex offers a variety of new releases on multiple screens, plush seating for your comfort, and a concession stand with snacks and beverages available to improve your movie-going experience. With multiple shows offered, you could even make a day of it at the theater and catch a couple of movies in the warm indoors at Regal Independence Plaza & RPX.

The team at Hyundai of Trenton hopes that you have a better idea of indoor activities available in the Trenton area for those winter days that are just too cold to be outside enjoying the snow. If we missed your favorite indoor family fun activity, please let us know. You can reach us at 609-883-3500, complete our secure online messaging form, or drop in to see us at 1655 N. Olden Ave. in Ewing Township. Stay warm this winter with any or all of these fun activities.