Hightstown Sweet Hightstown: The Best Things About Peddie’s Hometown

Hightstown Sweet Hightstown: The Best Things About Peddie’s Hometown
Hightstown is a jewel in the heart of central New Jersey. Most often, we laud its mix of small-town comfort with its proximity to big cities like Philadelphia and New York City. But what do Peddie students do in town on carefree afternoons and weekends? Tour Guide Emily has some tips for you in this love letter to her favorite spots in downtown Hightstown.

1. Dunkin’ Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts is an absolute necessity for any Peddie student. Whether it’s a walk during DMX or after Sunday morning brunch, Dunkin’ will always be open and ready to serve us with donuts, hash browns or iced coffee.

2. Mannino’s

Mannino’s is a hotspot for all Hightstown natives. Just a five-minute walk from Peddie’s gates, Mannino’s is an Italian restaurant that specializes in pizza. Some of my favorites include the chicken/bacon/honey mustard pizza, pasta pizza, or the penne vodka pasta. You can find plenty of Peddie kids in Mannino’s on a Tuesday or Thursday during long lunch or really on any given day. On Fridays, they do specialty pizzas including a pesto pasta pizza and even a mac ‘n cheese pizza.

3. Peddie Lake

Peddie Lake begins directly on the Peddie campus, but stretches into downtown Hightstown. It offers students a place to relax, watch a beautiful sunrise or sunset, or do homework. I have made some of my favorite memories with friends while sitting on the banks of Peddie Lake. In Downtown Hightstown, there are picnic tables and benches overlooking the lake which makes it another great spot to hang out with friends.

Peddie Lake taken by Isis Henderson

4. Rise Thrift Store

Located just down the street from Mannino’s, Rise Thrift Store is another great spot in Hightstown. Rise is much, much more than a thrift store. This non-profit organization serves residents of the Hightstown area, providing food assistance, bill assistance, counseling services and more. Their thrift store has everything a student could want, from shoes to jackets, and sometimes even vintage Peddie apparel. Rise is a great spot for students looking for a fun activity with friends on the weekend. Peddie often organizes events with Rise in which students can donate clothes when their closets eventually begin to overflow.

5. Hot Bagels

Hot Bagels is an awesome bagel shop located just across from Dunkin’ Donuts. Typically a trip to Dunkin’ will turn into a pit stop at Hot Bagels. I highly recommend an everything bagel with bacon, egg and cheese, but you truly can’t go wrong with anything at Hot Bagels. Most mornings, you’ll find Hot Bagels with a line out the door because of its popularity amongst locals.