THINGS TO DO

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Begin your day at the Visitor's Center (at 1 Mechanic St.), where you can pick up an inexpensive map that will set you off on a self-guided walking tour.

The Center will encourage you to make reservations for the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad (within walking distance of the Center).

For $8.50 round-trip, the Ivyland Railroad will take you on a scenic trip around the area. The antique coaches are pulled by either a steam locomotive built in the 1920s or equally historic diesel engines. Ask about riding aboard the locomotive. It's is one of the few railroads in the country that provide this rare opportunity. In addition to regularly scheduled trips, the railroad offers special dinner and brunch rides.

When you return to New Hope, tour the historic Parry Mansion on Main St. Owned and operated by the New Hope Historical Society, the 18th-century mansion depicts decorative styles from the 18th to early 20th centuries.

A cluster of art galleries can be found on North Main Street, just before the intersection with Bridge Street. Drop by Topeo and Topeo South, for example, if your interests run to glassware and American Art.

At the corner of Bridge and Main Street, pop into the Art Deco-themed Cockamamies before stopping for homemade ice cream at Gerenser’s Exotic Ice Cream. Main Street continues south from Bridge Street and is lined with galleries, shops and restaurants. While Main Street is the primary commercial area, don't overlook the side streets, especially the galleries of Bridge Street and the restaurants of Mechanic Street.

Bucks County Carriage offers rides through town, $10 for a 20-minute ride. Special carriages will even take you over to Peddler's Village, where you can shop your heart out (Transbridge Bus Lines also drops at Peddler's Village as well). If you prefer, you can also ride your bike along the towpath.

Perhaps New Hope's most defining feature is the Delaware River, which flows past the east side of town. Outside Gerenser’s Exotic Ice Cream you'll find Coreyell’s Ferry, offering daily narrated paddle-boat rides year-round (weather permitting) for $5.00. Half-hour river tours with historical narratives are given aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, a 65-foot Mississippi-style stern paddlewheel pontoon boat. Rides are 1/2-price October through March.

Meander through the cool stores on Main St. like Traders of the Lost Arc or Cockamamie. Enchanted Treasures stocks 1970's flashback disco balls and menorahs. Don't miss Toys for Men on Main St. in the mall.

For animals lovers, there are Bow-Wow and Meow, Meow, 2 emporiums on Main St. for your beloved pet. The fact that Meow, Meow and Bow Wow can exist along the same street should give you an idea of the number and diversity of shops in New Hope!

For chocolate lovers, head to Country Fair Chocolates. Ask Phyllis for a sample of her best work. Other shops include, Night Owl on Stockton Ave, which carries vintage clothing, and the Gourmet Gazebo on E. Mechanic St., which carries a huge selection of cookie-cutters.

Admire local artist’s crafts at Colette's Corner on W. Mechanic St. A must see is Suzie Hot Sauce on Bridge St. Suzie's walls are covered with over 2000 polaroids of past customers reactions as they taste-test her hot sauces.

A few miles from New Hope is Peddler's Village in Lahaska—a shopping village like no other—a day trip in itself! The James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown is home to a large collection of 18th- and 19th-century American art and sculpture. The museum, a renovated prison, hosts a diverse range of changing exhibits. Past exhibits have ranged from a collection of works by Walker Evans and James Agee to "Stylish Hats! 200 Years of Sartorial Sculpture." (The Michener Museum now has a satellite museum in New Hope, too.)

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LODGING

There are several inns and bed and breakfasts to choose from. We chose the Logan Inn (left) for its location. Situated right in the heart of downtown New Hope, the 18th-century restaurant and inn has sixteen renovated rooms and available parking. Extremely convenient to all that New Hope has to offer both before and after dark, the Logan Inn is a great option. Make sure you call ahead and let them know if you will be checking in late.

Originally built as a granary in the 1830s, Porches Bed & Breakfast has been extensively renovated and carefully preserved.

Other lodging options include Cordials Bed & Breakfast or Maplewood Farm Bed & Breakfast., both of which offer luxurious accommodations.

The Tattersall Inn is in Pt. Pleasant.

Just 4 miles north of Doylestown is the Stone Ridge Farm Bed & Breakfast, situated on a 10-acre horse farm in a historic barn dating from 1818.

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DINING

Both The Landing and Mother's on Main St. are popular with locals for American fare. Martine's and The Logan are also popular for people-watching.

We ate at the lovely Wildflower's Garden Restaurant and Thai Corner tucked behind the trees and the bridge across from the Bucks County Playhouse. Inkspot, resident cat, will greet you as you wind your way down the bamboo path to the restaurant. Follow the sound of the waterfall.

For breakfast, try Cafe Lulu's on Main Street. Open daily, Lulu's also serves up a tasty Sunday brunch and weekday lunch menu.

If you miss Gerenser's Exotic Ice Cream for dessert, you’ve missed out. Ice cream cones come in wild flavors like like Rose Petal and African Violet.

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NIGHTLIFE

Experience a lively late-night scene at any of the the eateries along Main St. on weekends. 90 Main, for instance, brings a certain big-city vibe to New Hope with world fusion dining in a nouveau lounge atmosphere that includes an outdoor patio and bar (as well as an indoor fireplace for cooler weather).

Try a Ghost Tour of New Hope on weekend nights through November for $9.00. Tours meet at promptly at 8 pm at the cannon in town center.

Take in a play at the Bucks County Playhouse (above). In operation for over sixty years, the playhouse has a production schedule ranging from Annie Get Your Gun to Footloose. The playhouse is located just off Main Street, alongside a waterfall. Check out Havana for live music, or hang out at A Little Taste of Cuba for some lively local flavor.

Get a tattoo or a piercing at Primal Urge on Main St. or browse Le Chateau Exotique on W. Mechanic St. for the latest in sexy lingerie.

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TRANSPORTATION

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. Just walk across the bridge to New Hope. Bring your bike on board for $7.00 (front wheel must be removed).

Note: The Transbridge bus back to Manhattan may have the reputation for being late, but please pay no heed.

If you miss the Transbridge bus to NYC, there is also a later 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 1-800-772-2222 or visit websites to confirm schedules.

Transbridge also drops at nearby Peddler's Village. Call for schedule.

Travel time: 2 hours by bus, 1-1/2 hours by car.

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. Go over the bridge to New Hope.

Parking: Prepare to pay for parking in New Hope on the weekends. The best place to park—if you can get a spot—is behind the Starbucks on Main St. This lot is right next to the river, and shady—$10 all day.

NOTE: New Hope now has a trolley running from 9 am to 9 pm daily. The trolley leaves from the New Hope High School (where visitors can leave their cars) and will stop nearly anywhere downtown.

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LINKS

BucksCounty.travel

TRAVEL TIPS

Packing Extras: Bike, sunglasses, suntan lotion, camera, bathing suit (just in case).

Many businesses are closed on Tuesdays.

MAP

For a detailed map of New Hope, please click here