The area is idyllic with winding country lanes, stone farmhouses, historic inns, the vast Delaware River and the very unique canal system. In the 1830’s canals were dug on both sides of the Delaware River (whose currents were too strong for boat transportation) to transport coal from Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey to Trenton. Mules on the banks of the canals (towpaths) pulled the canal boats along the canal to its destination. Today, the towpaths are used for walking, biking and horseback riding and mule pulled canal boat rides are available for tourists.

New Hope is a charming collection of off-beat shops, restaurants, B&B’s and historical sites. Across the river, Lambertville is the antique capital of the east, the place where many out-of-town interior designers come in search of 18th and 19th century American and English antiques. There are over 20 antique galleries in Lambertville alone. The town also boasts 15 art galleries featuring the works of local and international artists.

This area is perfect when you want to get away but are looking for a more relaxed weekend. This is a place where you won’t feel the pressure to cram a lot of activity into a few days. The pace is slower, more leisurely. It is the perfect destination to just get away and recharge the batteries and come home refreshed.

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New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey (right across the river) are a 1 1/2 hour drive from New York City, and an hour from Philadelphia. Closest airport is Philadelphia International, also about an hour away.

As would be expected there are more things to do in the warmer months; picnics, rafting, golf, boating and so forth. But with the exception of some water sports, most other activities like museums, galleries, walking and shopping are available year-round. Cocktails and dinner on patios give way to cozy fireplaces during the cooler months. Fall foliage is particularly beautiful and snow covered trees by rushing brooks in bright sunshine is quite spectacular.

You will need a car to get to New Hope/Lambertville and as many of the attractions and restaurants we recommend are spread out, you will need one while you are there.

Most of the accommodations in the New Hope/Lambertville area are small inns and B&B’s, ranging from modest to quite luxurious. Our recommendations include a very good full service hotel and two luxurious B&B’s that are particularly conducive to a romantic weekend away. See our Featured Properties.

The dining scene is dominated by small bistro style restaurants with limited, but very interesting menus. What makes dining here unique is that most restaurants have unusual, intimate and very romantic settings; beside a canal; in an English garden setting; in a historic hotel. Many have patio dining in the warmer weather and fireside dining in Fall and Winter. Our recommendations include a wonderful upscale French restaurant, a French country style restaurant in a spectacular setting and two intimate bistros. See our Favorite Restaurants.

Apart from the antique stores and art galleries in Lambertville and the canal towpaths for walking/running/biking mentioned above, there is a wonderful new golf course, ranked one of the Top 30 new public facilities by Golf magazine, boating on the Delaware, horseback riding on the towpaths, fly fishing for bass, museums, wineries, a wildflower preserve, theatre and wonderful shopping. There’s no shortage of weekend activities in the New Hope/Lambertville area. here's the full list of Things To Do.

• A walk by the canal
• Lunch beside the Delaware
• Antiquing in Lambertville
• An afternoon snack at Martine's
• Cocktails at the Boathouse
• Dinner at the Inn at Philips Mill.