Hamilton, NJ: Where the Coffee's Hot and the History's Even Hotter
so i rolled into hamilton, nj after a long drive from philly, and let me tell you-it's not exactly what i expected. the weather? apparently 21.2°c right now, which feels like a lukewarm hug from someone who forgot your birthday. not bad, but not exactly tropical either. if you're the type who wears a hoodie in july, you'll be fine here.
anyway, i checked into this tiny motel near the main strip, and the first thing i noticed was the quiet. like, weirdly quiet. no honking, no sirens, just crickets and the occasional distant dog bark. turns out hamilton's more of a "sleepy suburb" than a "bustling metropolis." but that's kinda the charm, right?
i heard from a barista at this cute little coffee shop (yelp link: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hamilton-coffee-house) that the town's got a secret love affair with richard rodgers. like, the guy who wrote the music for hamilton (the musical, not the town). apparently there's a tiny theater downtown that does tribute nights. i didn't go, but i overheard someone say it's "better than broadway, if you squint and drink enough wine." take that as you will.
oh, and the food? don't sleep on the diner scene. i hit up this 24-hour spot (tripadvisor link: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g60999-d1234567) and got a plate of disco fries so big it could've fed a small militia. the waitress called me "hon" like three times, and i felt both loved and mildly offended.
if you get bored, trenton and princeton are just a short drive away. trenton's got that gritty, post-industrial vibe if you're into urban decay photography. princeton's more like a postcard from 1955. pick your poison.
random tip: bring a jacket. the humidity's at 37%, which sounds low, but trust me, it'll sneak up on you like a passive-aggressive roommate.
here's a map so you don't get lost like i almost did:
and because i'm contractually obligated to include photos, here are some shots i didn't take but look exactly like what i saw:
do i recommend hamilton? eh, if you're into slow-paced towns with good coffee and weird theater nerds, sure. otherwise, maybe just stop for gas and keep driving. no hard feelings.
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