About this venue
Matthews Theatre is a historic performance venue within the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, opened in 1930. With approximately 1,000 seats, the auditorium retains a classic theatrical character with orchestra seating, a balcony and box sections, while its large stage accommodates productions of many different formats. Over the decades, the venue has hosted theatre productions, concerts, dance performances and other major live events.
Inside, the auditorium is designed to create a close connection between the audience and the stage, with generally clear sightlines and acoustics suited to both spoken-word and musical performances. Visitors can also use the McCarter Theatre Center's lobby, refreshment areas and other audience facilities, while the orchestra level can be reached without stairs and includes wheelchair-accessible seating.
The theatre is located at 91 University Pl, Princeton, United States, beside the Princeton University campus. Visitors arriving by car can use nearby parking options, including the Theater Drive Garage during designated visitor hours, while Princeton Station is only a short walk from the entrance. Further information about transport connections and getting around Princeton can be found in the city guide below.
About the city
Princeton, a historic university town in central New Jersey, combines a distinctive academic atmosphere with a varied selection of sports, cultural and entertainment events. Events at venues such as Jadwin Gymnasium and Princeton Stadium attract sports fans, while the McCarter Theatre Center presents theatre, music, dance and other performing arts. The compact downtown area, together with restaurants, cafés and accommodation in the town and surrounding area, makes it easy for visitors to turn a game, concert or performance into a complete stay in a recognizable university destination in the United States.
Princeton Station is the starting point of the NJ TRANSIT rail connection known as the Dinky, which directly connects the town with Princeton Junction Station on the Northeast Corridor. From Princeton Junction, rail connections are available toward New York City and Trenton, making regional travel easier. For local transportation, the free Princeton Loop and TigerTransit services are available alongside NJ TRANSIT bus routes, making the downtown area, campus and most major event venues easy to reach. For visitors arriving by air, Trenton-Mercer Airport serves the wider area, while Newark Liberty International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport provide larger international options in the region.
Before or after an event, Princeton offers plenty to explore without the need for long journeys. Palmer Square and Nassau Street form the heart of downtown, while a walk through the Princeton University campus passes historic buildings such as Nassau Hall. For a quieter break, the trails along the Delaware and Raritan Canal and the Lake Carnegie area provide a greener contrast to the urban and university core. This combination of history, architecture, a walkable center and nature makes Princeton a practical destination for visitors who want to combine attending an event with exploring the town.
