LAMBERTVILLE, NJ —
DAYTRIP OR WEEKEND GETAWAY
By Brenna C. McCarthy
 Settled
in 1705, Lambertville is one of the oldest communities in Hunterdon County, New
Jersey. This village grew into an industrial center with the development of the
Delaware and Raritan Canal.
Some would say that Lambertville
has changed little over the past one hundred years. Victorian houses and Federal
row homes still grace the streets. The factories of yore have become the artist
studios, galleries, shops and restaurants of this charming town.
New Jersey's longest park,
the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, runs through Lambertville, allowing the
banks of the Delaware River to maintain their lush beauty. The people of Lambertville
take great pride in their town, and with good reason.
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THINGS
TO DO
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lSee full list of activities and businesses
 Just minutes into the New Jersey
countryside, you can feel the noise and pace of the city sliding off. Skyscrapers
give way to rolling green hills, horse farms and rustic red barns.
Lambertville is located on
the sloping banks of the Delaware River, along the border of New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
The beautiful Victorian homes and storefronts are meticulously and beautifully kept
in this quaint and peaceful little town.
Walking down Bridge Street,
there is little doubt why Lambertville has been nicknamed the "Antiques Capital
of New Jersey." This small town boasts more than forty antique stores. Throughout
the tree-lined streets of the town, these antique shops, art galleries and unique
contemporary stores proudly display their treasures.
If you've ever been to some
of Chelsea's antique shops, you'll know that prices for antiques and eclectic home
decor accessories fetch a pretty penny. In comparison, the shops here have comparable
goods at much more reasonable prices. Whether you're looking for the perfect table,
antique lighting fixture, painting for the living room, or a piece to add to your
estate jewelry collection, Lambertville has your solution.
On Wednesdays, Saturdays
and Sundays, be sure to catch the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market where
there are hundreds of great deals to be had. This market goes on from 8am-4pm throughout
the year. The flea market itself takes place 1 mile outside of town, but is well
worth it to get there by bike. (Take your backpack to transport purchases).
Take a stroll North on Union
Street to really get a feel for the town's shopping and window-browsing possibilities.
Phoenix Books is a gold mine for the collector of rare or out of print books.
The People's Store has room after room of incredible antiques with an art
gallery and bookstore upstairs. Stop into the 5 and Dime for a walk down
memory lane with their collections of antique toys.
Along with the town's traditional
antiques and home decor accents, are several more contemporary and whimsical shops.
Amano Gallery has very unique handcrafted furniture, jewelry, and home accents.
Celt-Iberia Gallery has put together an extremely rare and exquisite collection
of crafts, jewelry and home accents from Ireland and Spain—unlike any you've
seen before.
About a mile and a half South
on Main Street, Mountain River Sports gives kayak lessons and rents bicycles
and kayaks. You can ride along the many miles of paths up and down the banks of
the Delaware as well as across the bridge to Pennsylvania. If you fancy being closer
to the water, you may want to take kayak lessons (for beginners or experienced kayakers)
and spend some time taking in the views from the river. Just minutes into the New
Jersey countryside, you can feel the noise and pace of the city sliding off. Skyscrapers
give way to rolling green hills, horse farms and rustic red barns.
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LODGING
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 There
are some beautiful B&Bs in Lambertville if your stay
is longer than one day, or if you desire a respite slightly
quieter than New Hope (located just across the bridge).
Try the Inn at Lambertville Station, The Chimney
Hill Farm Inn or Lambertville House. I stayed
at The Inn of the Hawke. It has some lovely and
reasonable rooms in a very quiet part of town (at the
end of South Union Avenue just across from Cavallo
Park.) This B&B has a great restaurant downstairs
as well as a very happening neighborhood pub. We also
recommend The York Street House, across the street
from Mary Sheridan Park, and the Martin Coryell House
B&B, an elegant in-town b&B just a stroll
to shops, many fine restaurants.
See full list of lodging
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DINING
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Take a break while shopping
to stop into one of Lambertville's cozy restaurants and sample some of the area's
best culinary delights. Enjoy new American cuisine at Lambertville Station
while taking in the view of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park. The Fish
House offers the best of the local catches of the day, while also sharing
great views with its customers. After your day's excursion, you can stop into Anton's
at the Swan for a drink or a creative, upscale dining experience in a historical
setting. The Church
Street Bistro is a very intimate place to steal away for a delicious dinner.
See full list of dining
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NIGHTLIFE
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For some musical entertainment,
try Left Bank Libations or Lambertville Station for jazz on weekend
nights. For those craving more nighttime entertainment options, just walk across
the beautiful Delaware at twilight to the busy little hamlet of New Hope.
See full list of nightlife
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TRANSPORTATION
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BUS:
The Transbridge bus
leaves from Port Authority. The bus lets you off at the corner of Main and Bridge
Streets, just one block away from the center of Lambertville. Bring your bike on
board for $7.00 (front wheel must be removed).
Note: The Trans Bridge
bus back to Manhattan may have the reputation for being late, but please pay no
heed.
If you miss the 5:50pm
Transbridge bus to NYC, there is also a 6:18pm NJ Transit bus that goes from Lambertville
(corner of Union and Cherry) to Trenton — where you can connect with an NJ
Transit train to NYC.
If you miss both, you
should plan on spending the night. Please plan your trip accordingly!
Call Transbridge at (610)
868-6001 or NJ Transit at (800) 772-2222 or visit websites to confirm schedules.
Travel time: 2 hours
by bus.
CAR:
From the Lincoln Tunnel,
take the New Jersey Turnpike (I-95) South to Exit 14 (Route 78 West, toward Clinton).
Leave Route 78 at Exit 29 (Route 287 South, toward Somerville). Follow signs to
Flemington, Route 202 South. Continue on Route 202 South for about 15 minutes after
Flemington Circle (Route 31). Exit to the right on Route 179 South, toward Lambertville.
At first traffic light at bottom of steep hill, make a right onto Bridge Street
and you are now in Lambertville.
Travel time: 1-2 hour
by car.
See full list of transportation
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TRAVEL TIPS
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Packing Extras: bike, sunglasses,
suntan lotion, camera, bathing suit (just in case).
Many businesses are closed
on Tuesdays.
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WEATHER
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