Friday
6 p.m. | Dinner at Catherine Lombardi
Located within walking distance of The Heldrich, this second-floor Italian restaurant gets you a bird’s-eye view of the Theater District, thanks to 21 windows that line the spacious, deep red interior. Dishes embody the Italy-meets-Brooklyn cooking style of the owner’s grandmother, the restaurant’s namesake.
8 p.m. | Evening Show at the George Street Playhouse
No need to head into New York City to see a show…or cross the street for that matter. This playhouse is located within a five-minute drive from the hotel (along with two other theaters). With a mainstage season that runs October through April, productions include on- and off-Broadway musicals, dramas, and comedies with show times that start promptly at 8 p.m. on Fridays.
Saturday
10 a.m. | Brunch at Hansel ’n Griddle
Don’t expect a super high-end brunch café from this local chain, but do expect hearty, well-made breakfast dishes served all day. Head to their location on the edge of Rutgers University campus on Easton Avenue to try their signature “breakfast crisp,” a three-egg omelet, Cajun-style home fries, bacon, and cheese all folded and grilled in a flour tortilla.
11 a.m. | Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers
In the heart of Rutgers, the Voorhees Hall building contains what is said to be one of the largest university-based museums in the country with more than 60,000 works. Its most unique feature is its particularly extensive collection of Russian art. A realm of art history rarely seen in other museums, here, it accounts for almost one-third of the entire holdings.
3 p.m.| Spa at The Heldrich
Return to The Heldrich for a 55-minute Raindrop Therapy at the hotel’s spa [www.heldrichspa.com] (be sure to book ahead). This unique full-body treatment takes various oils and drips them down your spine and legs before fully massaging them in. Hot towels are applied to allow the oils to penetrate deeply into the skin.
7 p.m. | Comedy at Stress Factory
After grabbing dinner at one of the many eateries that line George Street (some picks: Glo, Hotoke, Tumulty’s Pub), you can easily walk to this comedy club that has been here for 20 years and has hosted the likes of Amy Schumer, Drew Carey, and Chris Rock. Doors open at 5 p.m.; show starts at 7 p.m.
Sunday
10 a.m. | Breakfast in Style
Before departing, you can’t miss dining at least once at the hotel’s urban-chic restaurant, Christopher’s, featuring theater-style lighting and an open-hearth kitchen. Breakfast comes in the form of a buffet, with chef-manned stations for omelets, waffles, and pancakes made-to-order.
