New Hope, PA

Heron Glen on Rt. 202 in nearby Ringoes. Ranked one of Top 30 New Public Golf Facilities by Golf Magazine. Par 71/125. Green fees $55 weekends. Cart $26. On-line tee times.

In the early 1800’s canals were built in many areas as a quicker and cheaper way to move goods than poor roads and unnavigable rivers. Two such canals were built on either side of the Delaware in New Jersey and Pennsylvania to transport coal from Bordontown to Trenton and New Brunswick by mule pulled barges. Today, the towpath bedside the canals are a favorite place to walk, run and bike. The total length is some 40 miles but there are many interesting and fun shorter routes.

Another great place to walk is the Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, just 2 1/2 miles south of New Hope on Rt. 32. There are 26 trails over 100 acres of spectacularly planted fields and woods. It’s quite a site.

Bucks County River Country, Point Pleasant. 8 miles north of New Hope. Kayaking, tubing, canoeing and rafting on the Delaware.

Gary Mauz’s Delaware River Fly Fishing Guide Service. Warrington, Pa. Knows the best spots on the river. 25 year’s experience. 1/2 and full day trips. Credit cards accepted.

West End Farms. Just a short distance from New Hope. Leisurely trip along the river.

Washington Crossing Historic Park. Washington Crossing, PA. Site of Washington’s Christmas 1776 crossing of the Delaware. 13 historic buildings. Tuesday-Saturday 9-5, Sunday noon to 5.

Museum at Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead, 1605 Daniel Bray Highway (Rt.29), just north of Lambertville. The Museum property was once part of John Holcombe’s “Plantation”, according to his will of 1742. In 1968, the Farmstead was donated to the Hunterdon County Historical Society by Milo and Rachel Jumison who retained life rights. With Milo Jimison’s death, over 250 years of agricultural activity on the site ended. In 1984, the property was deeded to the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead, Inc. Using a combination of grants from small foundations, individual donations and a substantial gift from Colonel James Horn, the Museum’s volunteers and Trustees have restored the property and added outbuildings for the Post Office, Blacksmith Shop, Carriage Shed, and Print Shop. Museum Web-Site. May-October, Sundays 1-4pm.

Bucks County Playhouse is one of the country’s leading regional theaters.

Take a trip to the Sand Castle Winery on River Road in Erwinna, about 20 minutes from New Hope, tour the winery and underground wine cellar and enjoy a tasting of their wines.

National Canal Museum offers tours of the canals. Authentically-dressed crew interprets the story of the anthracite canals and the people who worked and lived on them

Lambertville is a haven for decorators and designers throughout the Northeast. Some of the better known; America Antiques and Design, 5 S. Main Street, 19th and 20th century artifacts, furniture and paintings, Old English Pine, 202 N. Union Street, antique English pine furniture, Broadmoor Antiques, 6 N. Union Street. Ten galleries of ever changing antiques and fine art, Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, River Road, 40 inside shops, 250 outside tables. Also contact the Lambertville Antiques Dealers Association who represents 100 dealers in 40 shops.

Right outside New Hope on Rt. 179 South (which becomes 202 South) is a stretch of road lined with antique shops and galleries. You could spend a half day just going from one to another.

Plenty of choices featuring local regional and national artists. Some of the many available; Artist’s Gallery, 32 Coryell Street. Co-op, all styles., Haas Gallery, 71 Bridge Street, artist owned and operated, local scenes, Lachman Gallery, in Peddler’s Village, nationally acclaimed artist Al Lachman and  Jim’s of Lambertville, 6 Bridge Street

The Riverside Symphonia offers classical concerts throughout the year, presented by Musical Director Mariusz Smolij. Visit www.riversidesymphonia.org for events.

Plenty of unique and interesting little shops and boutiques in both Lambertville and New Hope. Just a short distance from New Hope on Rt 179 South/202 South, is the quaint shopping spot Peddler’s Village with over 70 specialty shops, restaurants and lodging.

The New Hope and Lambertville Chambers of Commerce are good resources.

Breakfast

Virtually all inns and B&B’s offer breakfast, but if you feel like venturing out, C’est la Vie, at 20 Main Street, New Hope is wonderful. Open at 7:30am. Delicious coffees and teas also. Also try Duck’s Soup in New Hope.

Brunch

Enjoy a riverside Sunday brunch buffet at Lambertville Station. Complimentary glass of Champagne. Famous Bloody Marys. Excellent wine list. Inside and outside seating. $34.95. The Landing is one of our favorites. Outdoor seating along the river. Fireplace inside. A la carte brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm is a gorgeous country inn serving brunch on Saturday and Sunday. BYOB.

Lunch

The Landing , 22N. Main St. New Hope. This wonderful converted house is the perfect spot for lunch in any season. In winter there are cozy booths and a fireplace inside and in warmer weather a glorious outdoor patio, with a big bar, right on the Delaware River. They have a pretty good wine list with most under $50 and many in the $30 range. Beside the usual sandwiches and burgers, what sets the Landing apart are what else they offer. Here’s just a sampling; Warm Pistachio Crusted Goat Cheese, Roasted Turkey Breast on French Bread Havarti Dill, Green Apples, Lettuce, Ancho Mayonnaise, Pulled Pork Sandwich with Emmantaler Cheese, Red Onion, Romaine Lettuce and Barbecue Sauce. By the way, this is also a great place to while away a rainy day. The outside bar is covered and the TV’s always have some sporting event on.  Martine’s, end of Ferry on the water in New Hope in a cheery yellow building with glorious view. Spring brings an outside deck and bar.  Inn of the Hawk in Lambertville is an old world tavern with a fireplace for the colder months and a delightful patio for the warmer ones. Good burgers and sandwiches.

Burger

Anton’s at the Swan. Lambertville. My local friends swear by the cheeseburger at the Swan. They think it takes the burger to another level! The great bar is the perfect setting. Havana’s Main Street, New Hope. Offers a huge, juicy burger with perfectly crisp fries. It’s a toss-up.

Cocktails

Martine’s. end of Ferry Street, New Hope. Beautiful bar with views of the River. Good wine list. Havana’s. Main Street, New Hope. Weather permitting (and even when it isn’t the outside bar is covered and they’ve got heaters everywhere) this is the best people watching spot in town. The Boathouse, Coryell Street Lambertville. They have an outside patio, but the inside is much more interesting. This two story establishment serves only drinks, no food, except for pretzels at the bar. Antiques, wood stove, fireplace, couches and easy chairs make this a cozy retreat anytime and even more so in Winter. Perfect place for a drink before dinner. Lambertville Station has a downstairs wine bar with good apps and a cozy lounge with couches and a fireplace.

After Dinner Fun

Havana, S. Main Street, New Hope. Blues, jazz, reggae, rock. Check for schedule. Bowman’s Tavern , 1600 River Road has agreat piano bar and is lots of fun. John & Peter’s. Main Street, New Hope. One of the great dive bars. Fun place and people. Live musical acts. Deanna’s has live jazz on Thursday’s.

While Away a Rainy Day

The Landing, Main Street, New Hope. A great place to while away a rainy day. The outside bar is covered and the TV’s always have some sporting event on. Inside there’s a fireplace and a cozy wood bar. Havana’s has an orchestra, yes a 12 piece orchestra, for dancing on the first Sunday afternoon of the month. Outdoor bar overlooking Main Street, with tons of heaters make this the best people watching place around. and John & Peter’s has a cozy bar with lots of TV’s.

Get Pampered

Zanya Spa/Salon, 287 S. Main Street, Lambertville. Soothe your body and soul at this luxurious spa/salon. Spend an hour, 1/2 day or full day treating yourself to the ultimate in pampering. Hair, make-up, nails, pedicures, massages and more. Men’s services, including a great Healing Plant Steam Bath.

Picnic Fixins

Highland Gourmet, Stockton. Great sandwiches and salads. Wonderful prepared foods. Cheeses, homemade breads. Phillips Fine Wine store right across the street. C’est la Vie in New Hope is a French bakery that makes wonderful sandwiches on fresh baguettes.

Wine Shop

Stockton Fine Wines in Stockton. Very good selection. Walker’s in Lambertville also has a good wine selection.