“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” -Mark Twain
It’s hard to believe but we’re celebrating our 45th anniversary. We enjoy little getaways to mark each year. They aren’t extravagant or showy trips but small getaways were we can relax and enjoy what brings us happiness. This year we decided to explore a cute small town east of us here in Pennsylvania. New Hope is a picturesque riverfront borough in Bucks County, roughly 30 miles north of Philadelphia and 70 miles south of New York City. It’s packed with artsy boutiques, historic inns and has an active theater scene. The streets are lined with shops and antique stores. The food scene shines with cozy cafés and riverside restaurants.
New Hope is located along the route of the Old York Road, the onetime main highway between Philadelphia and New York City. It was generally regarded as the halfway point, where travelers would stay overnight and be ferried across the Delaware River the next morning. It is said that the night before George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River, he lodged in New Hope, and then destroyed the ferry so the British Army could not follow him.
The town was originally settled in 1715 as Coryell’s Ferry. It was officially renamed New Hope after a devastating fire in 1790 that destroyed much of the town. The successful rebuilding inspired a new sense of hope. Hence the name New Hope. The borough was officially incorporated in 1837.
Across the Delaware River is the town of Lambertville, NJ. We both thought this town offered more shops, antique stores and restaurants that we were interested in. It was fun to explore both places.
We stayed at a cute little B&B called Porches on the Towpath. It was right downtown within walking distance of everything.
Our home for three nights.
The streets in New Hope and Lmbertville were full of historic buildings filled with shops and restaurants.
Our first night in town we enjoyed dinner along the Delaware River at a place called Martine’s River House. Dinner was delicious and the view was nice.
Stan had the grilled salmon with vegetables, potatoes and a mustard cream sauce. I had the caramelized scallops with sweet corn risotto and chorizo with paprika butter.
Looking back at New Hope from the bridge.
Both New Hope (Delaware Canal) and Lambertville, NJ (Delaware and Raritan Canal) built a canal to carry goods, lumber and coal to major cities like Philadelphia. Each was built within years of each other. Both are now used as multi-use linear parks. We walked sections of each and thought the NJ canal towpath trail was prettier.
The D&R Canal in Lamberrtville.
We had a lite lunch at this cute little place in Lambertville twice.
We enjoyed our dinner so much at Karla’s that we went back a second night. The restaurant is located in a building built in 1830s
Two nights…two pictures.
I had the vodka rigatoni the first night and Cheese Tortellini on the next visit. Stan enjoyed the sweet potato crusted flounder and the halibut special with mango salsa.
The New Hope Railroad in Bucks County, PA, was established in 1891 as part of the Reading Company, the line was a vital passenger and freight route until public commuter service ended in 1952. Today it operates out of the iconic 1891 “Witch’s Hat” station, offering scenic excursions through the historic Delaware Valley.
Bucks County Playhouse is located on the site of a former grist mill on the banks of the Delaware River. The original structure was built in 1790 after the devastating fire. The Playhouse opened in 1939 and became a legendary “summer stock” destination where Broadway stars escaped the un-airconditioned city to try out new productions. It quickly became “America’s Most Famous Summer Theater” where legends like Robert Redford and Grace Kelly once performed.
