Princeton is a community full of resources and amenities. Located at the heart of Bureau County, Princeton is a wonderful community that is full of beautiful scenery, interesting events, historic points of interest and relaxation. Delights including gourmet foods and fine wines, unique art treasures, collectibles and antiques. After you’ve shopped and eaten, take a leisurely stroll down the many tree-lined brick streets and enjoy the rich architectural heritage. Shopping is superb on our picturesque Main Street. The area also offers wonderful hotels and motels, as well as a full selection of restaurants from fast food to supper clubs. All of this is so very close to Liberty Village and our residents take full advantage of the activities and services our community provides.
Liberty Village of Princeton has its own activities bus, however, for those needing transportation beyond what we provide here on campus, the Bureau County Area Rural Transit is always willing to assist our seniors.
Bus Service Number (815) 875-4548
Local shopping includes Wal-Mart, Four Seasons and The Villager. In addition, antique specialty shopping is also a highlight of the area with a wide variety of shops and experiences.
Check out some of their sites:
- Hoffman’s “Sea of China”
- Good Scents, Ltd. The smells of fine perfumes.
- The Sherwood Antique Mall Antiques Galore.
- Bruce Jewelers in downtown Princeton. Surroundings Offers tasteful decorative touches.
- Annies Little Pots Unique gallery featuring beautiful handmade art from Central Illinois
Sending flowers? Two options include:
- Flowers by Julia (815) 875-3819
- Simply Flowers (815) 875-4867
Several hotel chains are available for your lodging convenience.
- Days Inn (815) 875-3371
- Econo Lodge (815) 872-3300
- Super 8 Motel (815) 872-8888
- AmericInn (815) 872-5000
Enjoy Jazz and fine wine? Visit:
Fitzgerald’s Piano Lounge
432 S. Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356
(815) 915-2394
Live Jazz and fine wines, martinis and beers in an upscale lounge setting.
The Wine Store
432 S. Main Street
Princeton, IL 61356
(815) 915-2915
Featuring a large selection of wines from all over the world.
Selection of beer as well.
Princeton is home to a plethora of clubs and service organizations. The community strives to be friendly and welcoming and this is shown by groups such as, The Kiwanis Clubs, the Optimist International Club, Lions Club, Ambassabor’s Club, Young Professionals Club, The Rotary Organization, The Princeton Jaycees, and many more.
Princeton’s rich historic legacy is further revealed by touring the Bureau County Historical Society Museum and the Lovejoy Homestead, the latter of which is a national Historic Landmark due to its importance as a station on the Underground Railroad network to freedom. The events calendar offers city-wide events like Beef & Ag days and Festival 9-3/4 in July, Homestead Festival in September, as well as the Civil War Re-enactment Shadows of the Blue and Gray and Harvest Fest, both in October.
Plan on being in Princeton in July and early August for Festival 56, Illinois largest summer festival. For five weeks, the Festival 56 company and professional actors will offer six main stage productions: Broadway musicals, contemporary drama, and American literary classics. Princeton also has the Prairie Arts council located in the Prairie Arts Center building on the sound of the Courthouse Square. Numerous shows related to the performing arts and art shows are ongoing through the year.
Flags of Freedom flying- The Flags of Freedom project was born from the desire of two local veterans to pay tribute to those serving in the armed forces, both past, present and future. The idea was to create a display consisting of a large United States flag in each of the four quadrants of the intersection of Interstate 80 and Illinois Route 26 – the gateway to the City of Princeton. With the help of a dedicated group of volunteers, the project quickly gained momentum and became a reality on September 10, 2005, when the Flags of Freedom dedication ceremony was held, during the Princeton Homestead Festival, in front of an audience of 3,000. Nearly 250 volunteers banded together to make this highly-praised and respected project a reality. (From the Illinois Government News Network - www.illinois.gov/news)
For more information, visit www.flagsoffreedom.org.
For additional information on events, transportation, lodging and visitor information, please contact the Bureau County Tourism Council at www.bctourism.home.mchsi.com or contact the Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Main Street at (815) 875-2616 or e-mail at ptoncham@theramp.net
Check out these other fine sites for more Princeton information:
- Bureau County Republican
- Princeton, Illinois Festivals and Museums
- Bureau County Metro Center
- City of Princeton
- Bureau County Historical Society
- Princeton Illinois
- Princeton Park District
- Matson Public Library
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Located five miles southeast of Princeton IL is Hornbaker Gardens, a family owned and operated nursery. Established in 1987 by Rich and Kathy Hornbaker, this nursery specializes in perennials and will begin offering annuals as well. Their large collections of hostas, daylilies, irises, grasses, aquatics, and other perennials draw plant enthusiasts from not only the Midwest, but from all across the country. Visit www.hornbakergardens.com for more information. |
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Oh...I love this store! My friend Laura is the owner and proprietor of this fantastic gift shop. In her words...Enter the 1860s once-upon-a-time hardware store and find another state of mind. Submerge yourself in the laid-back, fun atmosphere and enjoy the attentive service. You won’t find nuts and bolts anymore but you will find a world full of unusual gifts, some with more than a little attitude! (I call it a total “girl” store it is so eclectic and fun - guys will like it too!) Beetz Me is just one block north of me - same side of the street - 952 N. Main St., Princeton, IL 61356. Phone: 815-879-7777. Visit on the web at www.beetzme.com. Tell Laura I sent you! |
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Hoffman’s Patterns of the Past is home to the “Sea of China,”1944 was the year the J. A. Murphey family bought the business that had existed since the mid 1800’s. After World War II, Allen Murphey realized tabletop was changing and started offering the service of finding replacement pieces for the discontinued patterns. Buying straight from the manufacturer, Patterns of the Past has the largest selection of new “store stock” patterns. Allen, with his wife Winnie and daughter Jyl, plus staff, help thousands of customers each month replace their broken or missing pieces of china. Visit on the web at www.patternsofthepast.com. They are located at 513 South Main, Princeton, |
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My friend Margo is the proprietor of Hatties Arts and Antiques. You will be amazed at the wonderful collection of antiques she has amassed. The building is full of many floors and absolutely beautiful. You will find Hattie’s south from the Amtrak station on Long Street - just west of North Main Street. Hatties is located at 24 W Long St, Princeton, IL 61356. Phone: 815-875-9151 |
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Eileen is the proprietor of a wonderful perfumery here in Princeton. She offers designer inspired recreations of your favorite scents. She can mix them into perfume or cologne sprays, moisturizing body lotion, bath and shower gel, soap, bath salts, candles.... and more. Visit online at www.goodscentslimited.com. Good Scents is located at 504 South Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356. Phone 815-872-3687. |
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Summer stock theater is alive and well in Princeton, and is known as Festival 56 (named after Exit 56 on I-80). This will be Festival 56’s fifth season of outstanding musicals and plays during July and August. These are high quality productions and you can view a complete list of what’s playing this summer at www.festival56.com, or call toll free 866-806-5656. |
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Bureau Creek Orchard: Keep this one in mind for a fall visit. Brothers Jeff and Jay Schenck planted a beautiful orchard several years ago, just west of Princeton off Rts. 6 & 34, and it is now fruiting heavily. They provide golf carts so that you can drive out into the orchard and pick your own if you wish. I love their Honey Crisp apples. The shop has apples, cider, taffy apples, jams and all sorts of other fruit goodies. They are open August 25th through November 5th and are located at 14180 1800 E, Princeton, IL 61356. Phone: (815) 719-1571. Their website is www.bureaucreekorchard.com. |
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Sherwood Antique Mall: Located in Princeton’s north end, at 1661 N. Main. Sherwood Antique Mall contains a huge collection of antiques and collectibles (no crafts or reproductions) from over 200 dealers. Give yourself some time. There is a lot to see here. Phone: 815-872-2580. |
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And where to eat... I would suggest you visit the Garden Room Grille - Bonnie - the owner will fix you up with a wonderful meal - deserts too! They are located at 809 N Main Street, Princeton, IL 61356. Phone: 815-875-1706. Another great Choice is Wise Guys Bar and Grill, up closer to the interstate. They are located at 2205 N. Main St., Princeton, IL 61356. Phone: 815-872-4897 |
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And where to stay... Princeton has several hotels in town. Google hotels princeton illinois. |
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