A Tale of Two Towns: Exploring New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ

Looking toward the Delaware River from New Hope, PennsylvaniaPhoto bySteve Sindiong

Nestled along the banks of the Delaware River are two of my favorite Mid-Atlantic towns which I’ve visited numerous times. These charming but very distinct towns situated across from each other are ideal for a weekend escape. New Hope, located in Pennsylvania, and Lambertville, located across the river in New Jersey, offer a myriad of attractions, historic sites, beautiful architecture, fantastic food, comfortable and cozy lodging, amazing natural scenery, an artsy vibe, and great shopping.

New Hope, Pennsylvania

On the west side of the river sits New Hope, Pennsylvania, located in bucolic and tony Bucks County, just northeast of Philadelphia. New Hope is slightly larger, more spread out, and the more lively and touristy of the two towns. It offers an eclectic atmosphere, a vibrant arts scene, a bustling nightlife, and has been known as a LGBTQ+ friendly destination since the 1950’s.

Established in the early 18^th century, the town was originally named Coryell’s Ferry. It was a center for mills and was the halfway point along the main route between Philadelphia and New York City. Travelers often stayed overnight before taking the ferry across the Delaware River. In fact, George Washington lodged in New Hope the night before his famous crossing of the Delaware. The town was renamed New Hope in 1790 after a fire destroyed the original Hope mills. Their reconstruction was considered a “new hope.” In the early 1830’s, the Delaware Canal opened between northeast Pennsylvania and Philadelphia, used to transport coal.

A historic building in New HopePhoto bySteve Sindiong

In the early 20^th century, New Hope was the home of an artist colony, where artists and students admired the pastoral countryside of the Delaware Valley that was used for landscape painting, especially in the impressionist style. The Bucks County Playhouse, located within a former mill, began in 1939 and has become the starting point for many actors and plays. Broadway theater shows, such as Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, were “tested and fine tuned” at the playhouse, and many notable stage actors purchased weekend homes in the area. The Bucks County Playhouse continues to bring quality performances to the stage, from Broadway-caliber plays to local productions.

The Bucks County PlayhousePhoto bySteve Sindiong

Today, remnants of the past can still be seen in its preserved colonial architecture, historic inns, and the preserved canal. The town still retains its vibrant arts scene while offering an eclectic atmosphere and bustling nightlife. In fact, New Hope was named the #1 small town for arts and culture in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure.

A good place to start out a trip to New Hope is at the visitors center, located at 1 West Mechanic Street in the downtown area. Staff can provide information on activities, shops, lodging and restaurants. Housed within an old town hall building, the center includes an outdoor garden and public restrooms.

Shopping – Most of the activity in New Hope is focused along South Main Street, which runs parallel to the Delaware river to the east, and the Delaware Canal to the west. Here, visitors are greeted with historic yet quirky shops and boutiques, galleries, restaurants and bars. One standout is Farley’s Bookshop, an independent bookstore known for its extensive collection and cozy vibe. Another fun shop, Love Saves The Day, sells a variety of unique vintage items such as clothing, collectables and toys. The Sunbeam General Store also sells a wide variety of items, from kitchen items to jewelry, clothing, books and toys.

Shops along South Main Street, New HopePhoto bySteve Sindiong

Attractions – Running through the heart of New Hope, the Delaware Canal stretches for 60 miles between Easton in the north to Bristol in the south. The portion within New Hope includes four of the original locks, as well as the Locktender’s house, which provides insight into the history of the canal. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the towpath that parallels the canal.

Along the Delaware CanalPhoto bySteve Sindiong

Nearby is the Parry Mansion which was built in 1784 by one of New Hope’s founders, Benjamin Parry. The home has eight rooms with period furnishings from between 1775 and 1900. Visitors can take a guided tour of each room which reflects a different time period which the Parry’s occupied the home.

South of town is the Bowman’s Hill Wildlife Preserve which contains 134 acres and 4.5 miles of nature trails through forests and meadows. The preserve, especially popular during spring, is recognized for its ecologically diverse landscapes with over 700 native plant species. Nearby is the 125’ tall Bowman’s Hill Tower, which provides panoramic views of the Delaware Valley. The stone tower was built in 1929 to commemorate what may have been a lookout point for George Washington’s troops to watch for enemy activity. The cost to climb the tower is $7.

Further south is Washington Crossing Historic Park, which preserves the site where George Washington crossed the Delaware River, turning the tide of the Revolutionary War. The park includes a visitor center, a historic village, and memorial cemetery. Each December, a reenactment of Washington’s 1776 Christmas night river crossing occurs, drawing thousands of visitors.

Washington Crossing Historic ParkPhoto bySteve Sindiong

For a more leisurely experience, consider taking a themed train ride. The New Hope Railroad also offers a charming, old-fashioned train ride through the countryside—especially popular in the fall, when the trees are ablaze with autumnal colors. The railroad offers a variety of rail experiences, including a fall foliage excursion, a wine and tapas excursion, a Santa train ride, and more.

Dining – New Hope offers plenty of dining options for visitors wanting to refuel after a day of playing and shopping. For a fine dining experience, head to The Logan Inn, one of the oldest continuously operating inns in the country. The inn’s restaurant, Ferry + Main, offers an elegant menu of seasonal dishes with a focus on farm-to-table ingredients. Oldestone Steak House offers fine dining within a restored former stone church dating from 1872. On my last trip, we enjoyed dinner at the Salt House, a cozy restaurant housed within an old stone salt shop dating to 1751. We’ve also enjoyed Asian fusion at Anzu Social, located within the Mansion Inn, a beautifully restored Victorian style building. For something more casual, Havana is a local favorite, offering pub fare, craft beers, and live music on weekends.

The Mansion InnPhoto bySteve Sindiong

Lodging – New Hope has a wide variety of accommodations, from historic inns to cozy Bed & Breakfasts. Right in the center of town is the Logan Inn, established in 1727 and one of America’s longest continuously running inns. It provides comfortable rooms steeped in history. South of town is the Inn at Bowman’s Hill, a nationally acclaimed, award-winning romantic bed and breakfast situated on a lush 5-acre estate. Since we have a dog, we’ve stayed twice at the New Hope Inn and Suites to the west of town. This more modern motor style lodge offers comfortable rooms at a more affordable rate. Its amenities include an outdoor pool, bar, fitness center and restaurant.

Events – New Hope hosts a number of festivals, including the New Hope Arts and Crafts Festival held each fall where over 160 artisans from all over showcase their work. Pridefest, held each summer, includes a parade between Lambertville and New Hope with over 1,000 participants and attracts nearly 15,000 people.

Lambertville, New Jersey

Across the river, connected by the New Hope-Lambertville bridge, is Lambertville, New Jersey. Visitors staying in New Hope can easily walk along the pedestrian part of the bridge, take in the view of the river, and be in Lambertville in a matter of minutes. Lambertville distinguishes itself from New Hope as a more traditional, cohesive and historic town, with its narrow 19^th century streets, brick sidewalks, iron lampposts and Victorian architecture. While quieter and less touristy than New Hope, visitors can easily find an array of activities, including antique shops, galleries, and excellent dining options.

Downtown Lambertville, NJPhoto bySteve Sindiong

Lambertville’s roots date to the early 1700s, when the early settlement supported the ferry crossing. By the 19^th century, Lambertville became a factory town, but the factories declined by the mid 20^th century. In the 1980’s, the town began to attract artists, which led to a restoration of many of the homes, and further led to the tourism that is present today. Many of the homes and shops are adorned with plaques denoting their construction during the 1800s, a nod to the town’s rich history as a transportation and industrial hub.

Shopping – Lambertville is known as the Antiques Capital of New Jersey, with dozens of shops mostly located along Union Street and Bridge Streets offering an array of furniture, jewelry, rare books, and collectibles. The Antique Center at the People’s Store located on Union Street, has more than 40 dealers alone. The Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market offers a large outdoor outdoor and indoor market of rare finds. The market, located south of Lambertville on River Road, is open year round, three days a week (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday).

Shops in downtown LambertvillePhoto bySteve Sindiong

Attractions – The Federal style James Wilson Marshall House Museum houses the headquarters of the Historical Society of Lambertville and offers seasonal tours. James Wilson Marshall was known as the discoverer of gold in California in 1848, and the home was built by his father, Philip Marshall, in 1816. On the south end of town, the Goat Hill Overlook provides a breathtaking view of the Delaware River, Lambertville and New Hope. An easy gravel one-mile path leads to the overlook.

Lambertville has a thriving arts scene with numerous galleries showcasing the work of both local and internationally recognized artists. Among them are the Artists Gallery, the Haas Gallery and DeBogat Gallery, as well as many others. Visitors can explore everything from contemporary paintings to photography and sculpture.

Dining – A wide variety of dining options are available in Lambertville. The town is home to some of the best farm-to-table dining in the region, with chefs sourcing local ingredients to create fresh, innovative dishes. One of the more unique restaurants is Lambertville Station, a popular waterside inn and restaurant housed within a restored 19th-century train depot offering river views. We enjoyed lunch on the porch of Under the Moon Café, devouring tasty beef empanadas, and a divine mac and cheese filled with duck confit and dried cherries. The Lambertville Trading Company is a local institution offering artisan coffees, pastries, chocolates and more. For those with a sweet tooth, Owowcow Creamery serves up hand-crafted ice cream with creative flavors like Honey Lavender and Chocolate Jalapeño, made with ingredients sourced from local farms.

The Mac and Cheese at Under the Moon CafePhoto bySteve Sindiong

Lodging – Within the heart of downtown Lambertville is Lambertville House, a national historic inn established in 1812. Over the years, the inn has hosted historical and famous guests including President Andrew Johnson, General Ulysses S. Grant, and WW II hero General Chuck Yeager. Also located downtown along the Delaware River, the Lambertville Station Inn is housed within a historic 19^th century train station.

Events – Each spring, Lambertville celebrates the Lambertville Shad Festival, a lively event in honor of the largest fish in the herring family. The festival features local artists, live music, and unique food offerings.