One Tank Getaway

New Hope, PA /
Lambertsville, NJ

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.