New Hope,
Pennsylvania
Lambertsville,
New Jersey
DIRECTIONS:
Turnpike East to Exit 27 (Willow Grove)
611 North, to 202 North, to 179 East
Suggestions:
PACK ALONG:
walking shoes
quarters
jacket/sweater
backpack/satchel to house your purchases
PLACES TO STAY:
The Logan
10 W. Ferry Street (610) 862-2300
Small luxury inn
The Hacienda
36 West Mechanic Street (800) 272-2078 Romantic rooms/suites
The Inn of the Hawk 74 S. Union Street
(609) 397-9555 Friendly atmosphere
Off the main drag
Aaron Burr House Inn 80 W. Bridge Street (610) 862-2343 Children/pets
welcome
PLACES TO EAT:
Mother’s
34 N. Main Street
New Hope
(610) 862-9354
Villa Vito Ristorante
26 W. Bridge St.
New Hope
(610) 862-9936
New Orleans Cafe II
9 Cline’s Court Lambertsville
(609) 397-3222
Gerenser’s
Exotic Ice Cream
22 S. Main Street
New Hope |
One Tank Getaway By
Greg & Julie Peters
This month’s one tank getaway had us traveling to New Hope, Pennsylvania and
Lambertsville, New Jersey. We enjoyed the fall foliage as it was just bursting and were
able to get a head start on our Christmas shopping.
In case you don’t know, New Hope is along the Delaware River, and even though that
seems far away, its actually only a two hour drive and easy to get to. As easy as getting
on the turnpike and heading east on "America’s First Superhighway" (Go Penn
Dot!) You’ll travel for about an hour and a half and take the Willow Grove exit (# 27
Route 611 North). Follow 611 North for approximately 10 miles. Along the way you’ll
pass the Willow Grove Naval Air Station. Take 202 North in Doylestown and travel about 10
more miles. You’ll go through the towns of Buckingham and Lahaska before you’ll
need to turn off. Just before the bridge to cross over to New Jersey, you’ll see the
signs to turn onto Route 179 into New Hope.
Upon entering New Hope, you’ll notice shops and art galleries dotting the road. You
probably won’t have any problem finding parking in this area, but head past the $3
all day parking at the high school (on left, when entering) and head across the railroad
tracks. There are several municipal lots — your best bets are at the railroad
station, or go to the traffic light (immediately before another bridge) and take a left
onto North Main Street. From here you have the choice of the $5 per day lot on your
immediate right, or across the street at the metered lot (20 minutes per quarter) behind
the police station. Incidentally, you’ll find a money machine located on that corner,
also.
If you’ll be attending a show at the Playhouse, you would have wanted to take a right
at that light onto South Main Street. There is theater parking just ahead for your
convenience.
This village offers a pretty full weekend’s worth of shops and art galleries.
Surprisingly, most of the art was pretty reasonable, and with a little bit of saving, most
anyone can take home a piece to enjoy. One of the most interesting shops was LSD. Yes,
Love Saves the Day! Here is the perfect place to find those Halloween costumes and gadgets
— everything from costumes to antique clothes, accessories and rock memorabilia.
It’s a little dank and crowded, but you’ll find oddball treasures if you spend
some time exploring.
Some other shops include Farley’s book shop — cram packed with books on the
shelves, floors and windowsills; Gothic Creations — gargoyles, grave images and
architectural accessories; Two Eagle Imports — Mexican decorative items; Traders of
the Lost Ark — decorating touches, collectibles and crafts.
Besides shopping there are many other things to do in New Hope. Particularly in October,
you might want to plan attending a ghost tour. Be led on a lantern tour through several,
reportedly haunted, historic inns. Tours run Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 p.m. No
reservations are required. So what’s $8.00 per person if you get to see real ghosts?
Also, the fall foliage can be enjoyed on a paddle boat ride along the Delaware River.
Coryell’s Ferry offers excursions about once an hour each day. Or, take the
animal-rights’ favorite tour and be pulled by mules down two miles along the Canal on
a barge! Storytelling musicians will provide a historical perspective as part of the $7.50
adult fare.
This closely-knit community is blessed with a distinguished theater, the Bucks County
Playhouse. Shows this season include The Rocky Horror Picture Show, every weekend night
through October 26 at midnight (duh!); Annie Get Your Gun (Oct. 9 - 20), Tommy (Oct. 23 -
Nov. 17); Crazy for You (Nov. 20 - Dec. 1) and Annie (Dec. 4 - Dec. 22). Ticket
information is available at (610) 862-2041.
You will also want to go across the river into New Jersey to see another idyllic town.
Lambertsville is not as well-known as New Hope, but actually offers another array of
boutiques and white elephant shops. There’s a little slower pace here, but you could
spend another whole weekend popping in and out of these homey shops.
The sister cities will welcome you during a fall or winter getaway of your own. It is the
kind of place you can go alone to find mental peace and not feel lonely...or where a
couple can go to remind themselves of what romance is all about. |
