Best Towns for Day Trips: Lambertville

Walk the footbridge, shop for antiques and dine along the river

Best Towns for Day Trips

This charming town has a surprise around every corner, from unique local restaurants to high-end antique shops and cute flea markets. A walkable bridge connects the town to New Hope, Pennsylvania, which means a day trip here really gives you two towns to explore in an afternoon. In Lambertville, you’ll find sweeping views of the Delaware River, cute shops and abundant food choices. Kids love crossing the bridge between the two towns so they can stand in two states at once!

STAFF PHOTO / New Jersey – Pennsylvania border near Lambertville and New Hope

Park on the Lambertville side of the bridge, which is a little more peaceful than New Hope with its pretty storefronts and antique shops. The towpath, which extends 60 miles, has gorgeous scenery for a walk or bike ride. A stroller will do fine here too, and you can have fun trying to spot turtles or do some birdwatching. Cavallo Park is home to the largest playground space in town plus a newly built pavilion and outdoor fireplace.

You can also get your steps in while shopping. Find treasures at A Touch of the Past, Antiques Center at The People’s Store, Park Place Estate & Antique Jewelry, and Bear Bone Vintage. Visit Panoply Books for “good books and rare finds,” as their sign says. Practice bargain hunting at the Golden Nugget Flea Market, which is open year-round.

For art lovers, there beautiful art galleries and museums, such as the 7,000-square-foot Jim’s of Lambertville. Or see a performace at the Music Mountain Theatre.

If you’re into history, the James Wilson Marshall House is the childhood home of a member of the gold rush in California. The Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum preserves the agricultural heritage of Hunterdon County from the 18th to 20th centuries.

LIBERTY HALL PIZZA

Head back into town for lunch or dinner at the Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, which offers al fresco dining in season with amazing views of the Delaware River. Liv and Charlie’s …Real Food is a great spot for breakfast or lunch “made with love, served with love” from owners Eileen and Nicole. D’Floret is known for its farm-to-table menu, while The Boat House is more for sea lovers with its nautical theme.

By the time you get back to your car, you’ll have definitely hit over 10,000 steps so get the kids a treat. The ice cream at Owowcow is made with local roasted fruits and veggies, organic extracts, and hand-baked ingredients.

Nearby Howell Living History Farm takes families back to the year 1900. You can learn about rural history through hands-on activities including everything from ice harvesting and maple sugaring in the winter to sheep shearing in the spring. Kids can help farmers plant and harvest crops, care for animals, build fences and do chores that keep the farm running smoothly. Your guides here wear period costumes, so you’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped into the past.

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Read More:
Things to Do in Princeton
Things to Do in Red Bank
Things to Do in Montclair

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