Robbinsville Township - Hamilton, NJ

Originally incorporated as Washington Township in 1859 after a group of forward-thinking residents petitioned to annex their community from East Windsor Township, Robbinsville officially became the name of this almost 21-square-mile area in Mercer County, New Jersey in 2008. Throughout the years, the same independent spirit that led to the formation of the community encourages the 21st century residents to seek a self-reliant lifestyle yet still remain deeply connected to the community.

Because Robbinsville doesn't house any museums, locals and visitors flock to Grounds for Sculpture in nearby Hamilton. This meticulously landscaped 42-acre expanse features moonlit tours and surprise sculpture arrangements around the ground's many bends and turns.

Allow Robbinsville's lack of an arts scene to propel you to visit the annual Fall Harvest Festival in nearby Allentown, where a wide variety of arts and crafts from local artisans and Civil War re-enactments provide all-day entertainment.

The Robbinsville community hosts numerous independently owned restaurants and bar and grills. When in the Washington Town Center area, stop in at De Lorenzo's Tomatoes Pies for a slice of Italian culinary heaven. This family-friendly eatery makes melt-in-your-mouth meatballs that are the perfect hearty pizza topping. If you're feeling more adventurous, ask your server about the unforgettable pear or blackberry salads that can even convert the most die-hard meat eater in your family into a drooling salad lover.

Also in the Center lies the Blend Bar & Bistro, a date night bar and grill with more than 100 beers on tap and an awesome light-fare line-up, including house-made hummus, tuna tar tare and a surprisingly sophisticated grilled cheese panini. Get there early for your light dinner as this local hotspot turns into a happening, fully packed bar around 10 p.m. on the weekends.

Venture out of the Center onto U.S. Highway 130 to grab a hearty seafood sandwich or plate at Shrimp King Restaurant and Seafood Market. This casual eatery serves a vast assortment of feel-good comfort foods, such as stuffed flounder, shrimp scampi and fish and chips. Non-seafood lovers can enjoy the eatery's broiled pork chops, veal Parmesan or generously portioned surf and turf platter. The housemade Greek custard pie often sells out, so make sure to place your dessert order with your entree to reserve your slice.

When you're all in for a memorable night of drinking and dancing, head over to the Cellar Lounge in Hamilton. This New York-style lounge features an 80-foot-long natural stone bar and a more than ample selection of draft beer and house specialty cocktails. Grab your friends and head outside to dance the night away under the outdoor pavilion, with two firepits on hand to warm up the cooler nights of the year. Another great spot to grab a drink is Centro Grille in Robinsville which has over 100 different types of Vodka. This full bar and restaurant is a great place to experience the Washington Town Center at the heart of Robinsville.

The rural-like layout of Robbinsville makes driving the primary way to maneuver around the area. While biking lanes aren't available, the wide roads make most of the community cyclist-friendly. Walking as an exercise is an achievable feat, but you most likely can't knock out your daily errands on foot unless you live in the planned Washington Town Center area along Route 33.

If you don't have a car, the New Jersey Transit 606 bus route runs almost continuously throughout the area. Robbinsville does host several cab companies that make themselves available in the more densely populated areas of the community, but it is best to call ahead. Also Uber isn't an option in this area.

Getting in and out of the community is easy thanks to the Trenton-Robbinsville airport located just east of the community's central business district. This area's close proximity to Interstates 95, 135 and 195, and U.S. Route 130 also make your daily commute and leisure exploration time a cinch.

Robbinsville doesn't house any parks, but you can head over to nearby Mercer Country Park in Windsor Township to stay in shape without having to pay an entrance fee. This massive more than 2,500-acre park features two dog parks, an ice-skating center, a marina with rental paddle boats, numerous hiking and biking trails and kid's playground areas. The exercise-centric park also has a football field, a frisbee-throwing section, a lacrosse field and twenty-eight tennis courts. Mercer County Park also holds numerous annual family-friendly events, including the Renaissance Faire, the Indo-American Festival and the Bark for Life 5K.

Life in Robbinsville comes with a higher-than-average cost of living. Expect to pay about $998 a month for a one-bedroom rental residence and to fork out approximately $5.50 for a pint at an area pub. A bus ride to the center of the community runs you approximately $1.50, while gas prices settle in about 1 percent lower than the national average.

While many shopping options don't exist in Robbinsville the surrounding towns have all of the shops you need to satisfy all of your needs.

When looking for something more affordable, venture out to Hamilton Marketplace on Marketplace Boulevard in nearby Hamilton to browse national department stores such as Ross Dress for Less, Kohl's and Dress Barn. For some home furnishings visit Pier 1 Imports or Bed Bath & Beyond and for your athletic wear hit up Modell's Sporting Goods.

For all of your necessities the large grocery store ShopRite of Hamilton is also located in this shopping center. Right next door you can grab all of your bulk purchases at either Walmart or BJ's Wholesale Cliub.

If you're out and about on Saturdays, take the whole family to Oasis Farms, a petting zoo that also sells seasonal bounties from the local farmers.