Lambertville, New Jersey, and New Hope, Pennsylvania, face each other across the Delaware River, connected by a walkable bridge. Together they make one of the region’s most charming day trips: antique shops and galleries, riverfront restaurants, the canal towpaths, the historic Bucks County Playhouse and, in New Hope, a heritage steam railroad. They’re about 70 miles from Manhattan — roughly an hour and a half by car.

At a glance
Distance from Midtown About 70 miles
Typical drive About 90 minutes
Highlights Antiques, galleries, canal towpaths, Bucks County Playhouse, steam train
Best for Couples, friends, relaxed weekends

Lambertville

Lambertville is known as an antiques capital, with shops and galleries along its Victorian streets. The Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath offers flat walks and bike rides along the river.

New Hope

New Hope has a livelier main street, the riverside Bucks County Playhouse, which opened in 1939 in a former gristmill, and the New Hope Railroad, offering scenic vintage train rides. The Delaware Canal runs through town.

Walk across the bridge

The New Hope–Lambertville Bridge lets you walk between states in a few minutes — part of the fun.

Nearby

  • Washington Crossing Historic Park, where George Washington crossed the Delaware on Christmas night 1776.
  • Bucks County wineries and farms.
  • Frenchtown, another river town to the north.

Planning

Weekends are busy and parking is limited. A chauffeur dropping you in the center of town avoids the parking scramble — and lets you enjoy a glass of wine at lunch. See our hourly service and read New Jersey wineries.

Where to eat

Both towns have a wide range of restaurants, from casual cafés to riverside dining, and Lambertville has several BYOB restaurants — bring a bottle from a local winery. Reservations are wise on weekends.