trenton battle monument

This is definitely not the place I'd bring my family to. I came back east on business and thought I'd do some sightseeing on the weekend. After cruising through the neighborhood - using the directions dictated by my GPS - I soon became afraid to get out of my car. It was evident almost immediately upon arriving in Trenton that the folks looked less than friendly and inviting. Eventually I summoned the courage to face the monument (and the metaphorical music). I hurried to the monument to share in the history of the land; a handwritten sign read "closed" - and looked indefinitely as such to me. I took a quick "selfie" just in time for a fine young man to size me up and make a relatively quick decision whether or not I was worth his time (or his bullet). No stereotyping here, that's literally how I felt. AFTER making my personal tour of the monument I discovered similar reviews confirming the condition of the area to be less than satisfactory - especially for out of place tourists like myself.I won't ever return, and it's very unfortunate that the upkeep of the monument itself was in extremely poor condition. Overall rating and experience was indeed terrible.

If you ever get the chance to take the elevator to the top it's definitely worth a free visit during daylight hours. MLK Blvd, Pennington Avenue, and Brunswick Avenue can be quite dangerous at times, especially if one is walking and unfamiliar with the inhabitants and side streets. You have to really use your imagination to see the industrial city that Trenton once was from the top view. Much better places to visit close by are the New Jersey State Museum and William Trent House, but I wouldn't take a day off from work to visit either of those, unless one is retired and quite bored.

After touring the Old Barracks yesterday, I drove up to get a good look at the Trenton Battle Monument. It's well documented in the other reviews that this gorgeous monument is in the middle of a part of town ravaged by urban decay which scares off some visitors but I was glad to have been able to see it up close and snap some shots of it. Unfortunately the doors to the inside have been locked for some time. I hope that one day this is opened back up and given a bit more fanfare for it's not just a great monument for Trenton or New Jersey but for the country as well.

We stopped at the monument after touring the state capitol area and felt very uncomfortable getting out of the car to get a close up look.

This 1893 monument marks the slightly elevated ground which Washington's artillery occupied during the Battle of Trenton on the morning after the Christmas night crossing of the Delaware. The granite column has a statue of Washington atop it, pointing in the direction of the Delaware River, as if to say "Fire that way, boys!" When this State-owned historic site is open, the thing to do is to take the elevator to the platform under Washington, and gaze down at the streets where the battle took place. Alas, budget cuts have left it padlocked for years now. It's worth visiting for the sense of the battle's layout. For an understanding of the battle itself, head over to the Old Barracks Museum and the best historical interpreters you're likely to encounter anywhere. And if you want to see the originals of the two bronze panels Thomas Eakins sculpted for the monument, walk around the corner from the Barracks and into the New Jersey State Museum, where they're mounted in the stairwell wall.

Accidently drove by this amazing structure on my way to the capital, seems neglected and the surrounding are looked dangerous as a public housing is built around it. What a shame that the state doesn't do more to attract it as a national symbol!

Area is way too dangerous. Not much there in way of parking or facilities for visitors. Drug and gang infested Area. Never really been there but have driven by on many occasions. Not worthy of a visit.

It was worth visiting to get a better understanding of the Battle of Trenton but it was sad how neglected the Monument is. It sit's in a practically abandoned small park, if I had more time I would've drank a 40 oz on one of the park benches to get the local perspective. If they ever do open the elevator for tourists I'd love to go back and have that 40.

The scene was excellent as it was a reenactment of the Battle of Trenton to which I had a great vantage point seeing the city covered in snow.

I visited this a long time ago but was impressed with its size and its history. It's certainly worth going to see for all ages.

you drive these and never notice take some time and think on them as you go by- at one they had meaning

Spend 2 mins looking at it. Took some pics. There is no one around during the day time. Do be careful around Trenton. Stick to a group

Nice park area, car parking can be tough. Elevator to the top in season. Be aware that this is in the inner city of Trenton. Only those with confidence in urban areas should go alone.

I have worked downtown Trenton since 1979 and it is unfortunate that you cannot admire the area even back then, you would be robbed at the least and killed at the worst.

I visited during daylight hours and the park was almost entirely deserted. It is not in terrible condition, but not fantastic either. The monument itself was closed off. Sadly, unless you are interested in the Revolutionary War, I'm not sure there's much to recommend going out of your way to visit this. For me it was nice to stand near where the main American artillery battery was located, and feel a connection to the past. However I found that the surrounding area has changed so much that being there could only bring history to life to a small extent. It would be nice to see this part of town revitalized and the park made into something that could stimulate interest, rather than only attract the interested.