A Tale of Two Cities - New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times…..the famous first line of Charles Dickens’ novel “A Tale of Two Cities.”

This may be the worst of times but, we still have to live our lives, experience joy and spend quality time with the ones most important to us. The quaint villages of New Hope, PA and Lambertville, NJ can provide a wonderful day or extended weekend in a historic area, while still observing Covid-19 protocols. These villages are chock full of small businesses, restaurants, nature walks, wildflower preserves, state parks, wineries and steam engine trains. All surrounded by the beautiful Delaware Valley.

Some highlights include:

The New Hope - Lambertville Bridge built in 1814 connects the two towns. The bridge is the center point of the two villages. Park your car on either side, New Hope or Lambertville, and walk the 1053 foot bridge. Stop in the center and take one large step over the state line into NJ or PA. The bridge is perfectly safe for walking. Your camera is essential. The winding views of the Delaware River and the surrounding mountains, from the vantage point of the bridge are incredible.

New Hope, PA is in Bucks County. The county is home to a host of quaint villages and historic sites including some of the country's most romantic and charming covered bridges. Set out on a self drive tour to visit some of these “kissing bridges”. For more information visit www.buckscountycbs.org .

The New Hope Railroad should not be missed. Reserve your seat today for a traditional excursion or a special experience. There are many to choose from throughout the year. There is the GrapeVine Express . A two hour wine and cheese excursion. Meander through the beautiful hills and valleys of Bucks County, while sipping wine and eating cheese in a first class parlor car. The train chugs down the Pennsylvania RR tracks laid down in 1891. During the holiday season there are experiences like the Fall Foliage Excursion, Halloween events and the North Pole Express. They sell out quickly, so book early. Just standing on the side of the tracks as the steam engine rolls by is an invigorating experience. Your inner child cannot refrain itself and it just bursts out. Everyone should experience a historic train ride once in their lives.

Canals run parallel to the Delaware River. These paths, known as towpaths, were used to haul coal, in the 1800’s, to eastern seaboard cities from Pennsylvania. Today these canals have been transformed into beautiful trails for biking, walking, or hiking. There are multiple loops you can follow. The trails are flat and wide. Both sides of the River on the NJ and PA side are beautifully maintained. The trails on Lambertville are run by the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park. The trails on the New Hope side are run by the Delaware Canal State Park. They stretch for a total of 60 miles. Even on a busy day you can find solitude and nature on the canal trails. Photographers will love these trails. Majestic trees, wildlife and glimpses of the Delaware River and mountains provide countless opportunities for photography lovers.

Looking for an antique? Shops can be found on either side of the bridge There are quaint shops graced with jewelry, racks of trendy and unique clothing items, art work, handmade soaps, book shops, gifts and even beef Jerky.

A short drive out of New Hope and you will find Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. A 135 acre living museum. 2.5 miles of trails, bird observatory, habitats, guided and self guided walks. The pond is great for families, stroller friendly trails. Plant shop perfect for gardeners and the Twinleaf book shop. In the mood for a climb and a spectacular view? Visit Bowman's Tower, a 125 foot stone tower constructed in 1929-31. The tower is located in Washington Crossing Historic State Park.

Visit The New Hope Historical Society website and find walking and historic home tours throughout the year. The Parry Mansion is located on Main Street in New Hope. The home was built in 1784 and was sold to the historical society by its last owner, Margaret Parry Lang in 1966. The home has 11 rooms to tour reflecting 125 years of decorative change. Each room depicts a different period of time. The tours are free. In addition the historical society is offering autumn walking tours on Sundays. They are free and meet on the back porch of the Parry Mansion. Please check with The New Hope Historical Society to confirm the details.

The Lambertville Historical Society also hosts walking tours and historical home tours. Due to Covid-19 these have been cancelled for the 2020 season. The historical society maintains the James Wilson Marshall House Museum. James Wilson Marshall was the discoverer of gold in California in 1848. The home was built by his father in 1816 who was related through marriage to John Hart, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Any time of year will provide an unforgettable visit to New Hope and Lambertville. The towns transform during the holidays and there are special outdoor events from Halloween to New Years. We had such a wonderful day, I’m sure we’ll be back to experience and live the tale of these two cities on the Delaware.