Delaware River Towns
Table of Contents
Stories and photos by Jeanine Consoli (unless otherwise indicated)
Eleven Must-Visit Delaware River Towns
An hour drive from New York City or Philadelphia, and three hours north of Washington D.C., are 11 river towns that offer abundant opportunities for a great get-a-way. The river towns (on either side of the Delaware River) in both the state of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are within short driving distance from each other. This proximity makes it easy to visit more than one town during a stay. The vibe varies from hamlet to hamlet, but there are so many incredible things to see and do. While each place is unique, they all share a dramatic Revolutionary War history. Aside from that, each place is a destination that offers visitors delicious options for meals, charming inns, thriving art and music scenes, and craft wine, spirits, and beer. There are outdoor activities that provide four seasons of reasons to check out what the Delaware River towns have to offer.
11 River Towns on Either Side of the Delaware
The State of New Jersey boasts four unique river towns:
- Lambertville, NJ
- Stockton, NJ
- Frenchtown, NJ
- Milford, NJ
Travel over one of the many bridges that span the Delaware from New Jersey and visit the seven Pennsylvania towns:
- Yardley, PA
- Washington Crossing, PA
- New Hope, PA
- Center Bridge, PA
- Lumberville, PA
- Point Pleasant, PA
- Upper Black Eddy, PA
How The Delaware River Got Its Name
The Delaware River is a significant waterway with an incredible history beginning with the birth of America. In 1609, Henry Hudson discovered the vast body of water during his expedition for the East India Company, trying to find a western route to China. Spoiler, he was incorrect.
When the British took over the region, they expelled the Dutch settlers and named the river for Thomas West, 3rdBaron De La Warr (around 1641). West was an English nobleman and the first royal governor of the Virginia Colony who was credited with the survival of the English in the New World. De La Warr became Delaware and the river got its name.
Delaware River Facts
The river is over 300 miles long and runs south from New York State down to the Delaware Bay and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It acts as a boundary between four different states: New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Delaware is so long, it can be divided into the upper, middle, and lower portions. The Delaware River Towns are located on the section of the river that lies in the middle, starting in Milford, New Jersey, flowing south down to Yardley, Pennsylvania. In this middle area of the river, the neighboring historic towns offer rich experiences visitors can explore for a day, for an overnight, or a longer.
Stay for a Day or Longer
I highly recommend staying in one of the river towns and making it a home base to visit the others. There are all types of accommodations, it just depends on your budget and style. If you want a 5-Star boutique hotel, a historic inn, or a charming B & B, you can find places to stay. Some accommodations have stunning river views. In warmer weather, there are rustic campgrounds with cabins or parking slots for campers.
13 Top Things To Do in the Delaware River Towns
- Drink a craft brew at Vault Brewing Companyin Yardley, PA
- ExploreWashington Crossing Historic Parkto discover Revolutionary War History, Washington Crossing, PA
- See a show at the old gristmill- now the Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope, PA
- Ice Skate on Lake Afton, a real live Norman Rockwell experience, Yardley, PA
- Walk the famous suspension footbridge over the Delaware River, Lumberville, PA
- Tube down the Delaware from Bucks County River Country, Point Pleasant, PA
- Experience rocks that ring at Ringing Rocks County Park, Upper Black Eddy, PA
- Shop in one of the “Top 15 Prettiest Towns in America,” Lambertville, NJ
- Camp overnight in Bulls Island Recreation Area, Stockton, NJ
- Cycle from Frenchtown to Trenton along the Delaware Canal, Frenchtown, NJ
- Hike up the Milford Bluffs in the Thomas F. Breden Preserve for breathtaking views, Milford, NJ
- Sip wine at the award-winning winery, Alba Vineyard,Milford, NJ
- Browse the antiques at The People’s Store, Lambertville, NJ
Hearty Pub Fare and Fine Dining
Foodies will love the area because there are many dining options to please every taste. Brewpubs serve casual fare, while fine dining establishments offer elegant menus for special occasions. Restaurants along the river provide breathtaking views that can be enjoyed outdoor in summer weather or indoor near a lovely crackling fire in colder months. You can find hidden gems along the side streets that are tucked in and feel a world away. Or, a contemporary dining hall concept on the main thoroughfare in New Hope, Pennsylvania that offers varied cuisine options and small bites.
History lovers will love stopping at historic inns throughout the area. These establishments have been serving meals since the time of the Revolutionary War. There are also brand-new restaurants that pop up every season, like the River House at Odette’s. The River House has plans to open in the spring of 2020 and will offer a restaurant, a lounge, an event venue, and 36 rooms right on the bank of the river in New Hope, PA.
Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy craft bakeries, chocolatiers, ice cream shops, and coffee houses. In the town of Lambertville, New Jersey, you can sample world cuisines like French, Peruvian, Thai, Middle Eastern, and Spanish Tapas. The dining scene there is eclectic and delicious.
There is so much to see and do in each town, but two of the most popular are New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey. These lovely hamlets sit right across the river from each other. Visitors walk back and forth over the bridge to discover each place as they are two of the must-see spots to visit at any time of the year.
World-Class Entertainment, Lodgings, and Restaurants in New Hope, Pennsylvania
The Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania, opened in 1939 in a converted gristmill. The mill dates back to 1750 when the Perry Family owned the property. When it closed in 1938, Don Walker, the orchestrator for notable Broadway shows including Guys and Dollsand Most Happy Fellow(along with community organizers) rallied to save the building. Their efforts turned it into a thriving regional theater.
Many Broadway notables such as Grace Kelly and Robert Redford made their stage debuts here. It closed in 2010 but reopened in 2012 after a significant renovation. It has been offering Broadway-caliber theater that attracts fantastic talent from stage and television who use the theater as an incubator before heading to Broadway. The theater provides an intimate setting. Add top tier talent and incredible performances, and you have a venue that offers big city productions in a small, picturesque town. After the show, there are world-class dining options and a lively nightlife that add up to make a perfect evening.
Stay in a Historic Inn
The Logan Inn was established in 1727 on Main Street in New Hope and has been open ever since. To this day, it is known as one of the oldest continually operating inns in the United States. Purchased in 2015 by owners Jeanne and Frank Cretella, founders of Landmark Hospitality, the inn has been expanding and improving. The first 16 rooms have been renovated to include modern upgrades alongside historic touches. A recent expansion (opening in 2020) will enlarge the property to offer 100 luxurious guest rooms right in the middle of New Hope. The main level, which houses the restaurant, will include new bars and live entertainment. The tavern, which is the oldest part of the inn, still has original wall paintings and stone walls that graced the historic façade.
Dine-in an Old Stone Church
A quick stroll down South Main Street will bring you to Marsha Brown’s, a restaurant housed in one of the most unique buildings in town. The 125-year old stone church features the main dining room with 40- foot ceilings, a 30-foot mural, antique furnishings, and stained-glass windows. It is a romantic setting. Marsha Brown grew up in Louisiana and made cooking her profession. When she came up north, she created a Creole (native to New Orleans) kitchen that is the epitome of Southern hospitality. The menu features steaks, seafood, and many of Marsha’s own family’s favorite recipes.
Art, Performing Arts, and Antiquing in Lambertville, NJ
Just a short walk (or drive) over the bridge from New Hope, Pennsylvania, is the town of Lambertville, New Jersey. Forbes Magazinenamed it one of the “Top 15 Prettiest Towns in America.” As you walk along Bridge Street, you can shop in art galleries, trendy boutiques, or stores filled with antique treasures. The People’s Store is Lambertville’s largest antique center, with over 40 different shops and galleries. There you can browse four floors of fine art, furniture, jewelry, silver, and vintage clothing.
A new addition to the area is the Music Mountain Theater, which opened its doors in the fall of 2017. Not only does it produce large scale musicals and plays on the mainstage, but it is also a performing arts school for children. Productions occur year-round and offer shows for both mature and young audiences.
A Restaurant in a Restored Train Station
Lambertville is also a foodie city with casual and fine-dining restaurants along Bridge Street. There are also chic establishments located on many of the charming side streets lined with Victorian and Federalist architecture. Just off the bridge is the award-winning Lambertville Station Restaurant, famous for thirty years for both casual and fine dining. The Station, a restored 19th-century train depot, features a beautiful dining room and also offers outdoor seating along the Delaware Canal in warmer months. The newly renovated Wine Cellar downstairs provides a cozy atmosphere, wines from around the world, and cheese boards and tapas to nibble.
Sleep on the Banks of the Delaware
The Inn at Lambertville Station is adjacent to the Lambertville Station Restaurant and nestled on the banks of the Delaware River. The inn boasts forty-six rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the river. The rooms are contemporary, and some feature fireplaces. All the rooms offer luxury bedding, bathrobes, marble bathrooms, a complimentary continental breakfast, and bike rentals. The canal towpath is the perfect place to take a bike ride and explore the river towns.
Festival Season in Two River Towns
Festivals in both New Hope and Lambertville change with the seasons and draw thousands of visitors. The new year starts with the Winter Festival, a nine-day extravaganza of art, music, food, and dancing that runs from mid to late January. The festival includes both ticketed and free events for adults, children, and families. Restaurant week kicks off in March, and Shad Fest, a craft, food, and music festival, occurs in April.
During the summer months, there are fireworks on the river on Friday evenings, and in the fall, there are spooky ghost tours. In October, Lambertville neighborhoods decorate their houses in elaborate displays of scary and whimsical décor, and on Halloween Eve, locals and visitors enjoy a costume parade. In November, the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot is a 5k that weaves its way through both towns.
A Snap-Shot in Time - Living History in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania
Many of the important stories of the Revolutionary War took place in an around the river towns. The notable events that turned the tide of the war can be experienced today in Washington Crossing, PA. In Washington Crossing Historic Park, visitors can explore several restored buildings, including McConkey’s Ferry Inn. The eighteenth-century inn and tavern served as a guard post during the Continental Army’s encampment there. It is also the site where George Washington and his aides ate dinner before crossing the Delaware on Christmas Day, 1776, in Durham boats.
The Durham Boat replicas are on display in the twentieth-century building known as the Durham Boat Barn next to the inn. The models are used today during the annual reenactment of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day. Every year on December 25th, the reenactment details the events just before the Battle of Trenton. 2,400 soldiers crossed the river from Pennsylvania at McConkey’s Ferry to New Jersey and marched ten miles south to engage the Hessians at the Battle of Trenton.
Across the River in Washington Crossing State Park, Titusville, New Jersey
Just ten miles north of Trenton, New Jersey, and across the river from Washington Crossing, PA is Washington Crossing State Park. It was the landing site of the 2,400 troops that crossed over from the Pennsylvania side on Christmas night in 1776. The 3,500-acre park includes historical sites, recreational and nature activities. Along with hiking and biking trails, there is a campground, playground, three picnic areas, and a visitor’s center museum. The museum houses 600 military artifacts from the American Revolution.
Endless Opportunities For Fun
There is something for everyone in this unique set of small cities. The bucolic scenery and the beauty of the winding river draw thousands of visitors in every season. History buffs will enjoy visiting the sites and physical structures that still stand. This living history offers an opportunity to reflect on an incredible time as our nation was formed. Naturalists have the opportunity to observe native birds, and wildlife along the Delaware Canal and River. Cyclists and kayakers can wind their way through the towns both on land and on water. Rock climbing, fishing, and camping opportunities attract families. And, at the same time, romantic lodgings, spas, and fine dining create the perfect spot for couples. Add in the charm of old stone inns, the draw of modern shopping, art of all kinds, eclectic cuisine, and you have endless opportunities to Play, Stay and Eat.
Jeanine Consoli is a freelance travel writer, photographer, and foodie based in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. A retired elementary school teacher, she used her summers to feed her passion for travel and kept journals of all the destinations she explored. Today, Jeanine is working as a writer full-time. She loves uncovering the history and understanding the culture of each location, including the local flavors of each unique place. She has traveled extensively in the United States and Europe and is excited to keep adding to the list, finding unique sites that are off the beaten path both at home and abroad.