Warm summer weather provides the opportunity to get out and explore. And there is so much around the Princeton area to take advantage of. So why not push yourself one weekend, or after work one night, and engage your mind or body in something new?
Psychologists suggest there are many benefits to doing so, as new experiences can stimulate your mind to rewire and adapt, enhance your mood through dopamine release and often give you a new sense of purpose.
What inspires you to get moving? What can get you to engage in different way? Here we highlight a handful of options that may spark your interest.
IT’S A SLAM DUNK
We’ll start with something easy – that simply requires you to show up. That is experiencing Princeton Recreation Men’s Summer Basketball League. Before you worry about the need for skill and stamina, know that this year’s league is already set and not taking any more entrants. So, you can’t be a player, but you can be part of the cheering crowd (or a silent observer, whichever you prefer). This league is nothing like you’d expect from suburban, evening, recreation. It is intense, it gets real, and quite lively.
You need look no further than the league’s famous tagline to understand the commitment and spirit of those involved – ‘You gotta finish in this league!’ is announced at the games, on the players’ t-shirts and it is no joke.
“It is one of the premier competitive summer basketball leagues in the area. Over the course of our 36-years we have had many current and former Division 1, 2 and 3 college basketball players participate in our league. The league has also been a favorite summer gathering spot for many in the community that enjoy watching basketball outdoors on a summer evening,” explains Princeton Recreation Department Executive Director, Evan Moorhead. “Groups must form their own squad in order to enter, keeping in mind that the level of competition may not be suitable for everyone.”
If you want to see what it’s all about, head to Community Park (or in inclement weather, check the schedule for an indoor location). Play is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings starting at 7:15pm. After watching some games, if you feel like you want in, prepare a team for next year then reach out to Moorhead in early spring 2026 with a full team roster (registration is not individual). Returning teams get first option, but if there’s room, we’ll see you on the court.
I’M GOING TO LAP YOU!
If you are ready to dive in and get active now, Princeton Recreation also has a great way for you to splash. Princeton Area Masters Swim, the longest running Masters Swim Program in New Jersey, is a lap swim opportunity that gets your body moving first thing in the morning.
“The program is offered 6-days per week in the summer (Mon-Fri 5:45-7:30am and Sat 6-7:30am),” Moorhead shares. “The program appeals to lap swimmers of different abilities and swim speeds that want to swim during the early morning time slot and that may appreciate being part of the community of other lap swimmers. While many master swimmers are former competitive swimmers, that is not a requirement and there are certainly many participants that did not compete at a high level.”
While offered year-round at Princeton University DeNunzio Pool (where US Masters Swimming membership is required), anyone can take part in the summer session at Community Park Pool without such membership. The summer session is good until September and is less than $300 for non-residents (half that, for residents).
SPLASHIN’ AROUND FOR FUN
As you consider a new venture, keep in mind you can get active without a membership or any competition. If you simply enjoy the water, but are not a lap swimmer, there is a unique opportunity right here in Mercer County to jump in.
Hopewell Quarry is a community space that give you options, offering the natural water of the quarry as well as a traditional swimming pool. A 7-acre property complete with dressing rooms, a picnic area and volleyball court, it has existed in various forms since 1928. The quarry has been both a public and private swimming area, sometimes open for use and other times closed off. But even when it meant climbing over the fence, people have continuously found ways to take advantage.
“In 1946 the first in-ground swimming pool of the area was built. Later, an admissions booth was added, dressing rooms were installed, and the first Quarry snack shack or ‘refreshment building’ was completed,” details Hopewell Quarry Operations Manager Katie Genovesi. “Newspaper articles from 1946, 1949 and 1951 reported that the Quarry Swim Club, along with the American Red Cross, held spectacular Water Carnivals every summer. There were diving competitions off the cliffs that drew huge crowds and demonstrations on water safety and boating were also given.”
True to its past, Quarry Olympics continue to be held today. Friends of Hopewell Quarry purchased the area and turned it into a swim facility in 2022. New this year, day passes are available however if you plan to go often, season passes are also for sale. The space offers swim lessons, wellness classes, room to train for a triathlon or even to just enjoy a picnic. It is also available for work functions, camp outings and private parties.
“Unlike other traditional swim clubs, we love to partner with local community members to do things like sell the Bent Spoon Ice cream, offer drumming and yoga classes taught by local instructors, forge partnerships with other local nonprofits such as Sourland Conservancy and The Watershed Institute, as well as offer bilingual staff to ensure all patrons feel welcomed,” adds Genovesi. “The Quarry is a special place that transcends time. It encourages people to build and be in community. We do not have a waiting list for season passes because we are open for everyone, regardless of location, to enjoy time spent together.”
PUTTING PENCIL TO PAPER
Perhaps you prefer a new experience that is less physical and more about camaraderie while enjoying something you love. Have you heard about Princeton Sketchers? This group formed thanks to local Andrea Rubinstein, who was seeking to sketch with others in her retirement. It might help you to feel more present, supported and fulfilled too.
“I began to sketch things in my everyday life that captured my attention or seemed significant. By forcing me to closely pay attention to the moment, I quickly realized that these sketches, no matter how wonky they were, created more vivid memories for me than all those quick photographs I had been taking [when traveling]. I was hooked!” Rubinstein details. “Along the way, I discovered there were large international communities of sketchers out there meeting up to learn, share tips, and sketch together.”
After moving to Princeton in 2018, Rubinstein started to gather sketchers to meet up. This transformed into Princeton Public Library’s Princeton Sketchers, a group of nearly a dozen people that meet bi-monthly (2nd Tuesday and last Wednesday of the month, both at the library through July, with the 2nd meeting location announced through Facebook thereafter). After connecting at the library, the sketchers spend about 2 hours on their works, then meet up again to share what they have created.
Some regulars, some pop-ins, the sketchers include a former textile designer, past journalist and a retired teacher. Some of them met each other in sketch school, and all are hoping to get back into the habit of sketching regularly, as they find it helps them to become more observant, meditative and find it quite therapeutic.
“We encourage everyone not to be shy and share their work, as it is the highlight of each meeting,” Rubinstein says. “Our meetups are a fun way to share, discover or rediscover a love of drawing. A solitary activity is turned into a group event. We share ideas and learn tips from each other (although there is no formal instruction) and of course, make new like-minded friends. We welcome beginners and cherish our individual styles. There are no rules – you can draw whatever suits your fancy, using whatever medium you wish.”
Princeton Sketchers will meet next on June 25th. You can learn more by joining their moderated Facebook Group.
LEARNIN’ SOMETHING NEW
For some, the creativity is enticing. Others want to learn something new in a more structured environment. For you, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has offerings which include summer non-credit and continuing education courses. From health and natural sciences to language, art or business classes, there are a wide array of classes for professionals. There are also courses ‘Just for Fun’ such as in photography, wine, fitness and more.
“Our goal is to offer lifelong learning opportunities that meet emerging business and professional development needs as well as personal interests of those in the community we serve,” explains MCCC Center for Continuing Studies Program Coordinator Andrea Bash. “We strive to stay current on the trends in the job force so that we may best prepare our students to excel in their career or embark on a new one. We offer a wealth of classes and programs that update skills, provide new and improved certifications and enable growth both professionally and personally.”
Once college age or above, you are neither too young nor too old to try one of the MCCC summer offerings. All you need is some time and desire, and you are on your way.
So, make the commitment to yourself this summer and try something different offered nearby. Be a spectator, get physical, engage your mind or the artist within. You may be surprised how much it may help you to enjoy the summer.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!