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Lambertvillle, New Jersey and New Hope, Pennsylvania
have long been a destination point for people who are interested in the arts, antiques and staying in a
bed and breakfast. The areas surrounding these towns have also become popular spots for those who are interested in more strenuous pursuits, such as bicycling, hiking, camping, canoeing and kayaking. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have provided the outdoor person with many opportunties to enjoy these more atheletic activities.
Lambertville, New Jersey is a quaint town that lies on the Delaware River, along the Delaware and Raritan Canal. Because of it’s unique site and historical background, it has become a highly recommended spot for the outdoor person to visit. For the more leisurely person, there are pleasant walks along the towpath that borders the canal and extends from Frenchtown, along the Delaware River. You can proceed along the canal from Bull’s Island Campground, through Lambertville and all along the way down to Washington’s Crossing. If you are in Lambertville in the spring, you may find yourself there at the right time for the annual Shad Festival, which celebrates the arrival of the shad. The shad is a symbol of spring since it returns to spawn in the Delaware River every spring. Many people find it to provide great eating.
If history is your interest, Howell Living History Farm can provide you with a glimpse into early 1900’s farm life. Howell Living History Farm is located just at the north end of Lambertville. It opens for the season the last Saturday in January and closes the first Saturday in December.
Wildflowers are on view, varying with the time of year, at Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. This beautiful spot lies just south of New Hope on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware. Across the road lies another historical farm, which also can be visited. Bowman’s Hill Preserve is a lovely spot to see wildflowers in bloom and is set up nicely with easy trails to walk through different environments. There is marsh, streamside, meadow and forest and each area has flowers that are particular to that type of environment. The Preserve also sells wildflowers for you to add to your garden. These plants are indigenous to the Northeast. The Preserve also has an annual sale around Mother’s Day that is spectacular.
Like to browse through flea markets? Lambertville has a huge flea market at a site just south of town. You can find anything you want there from comic books to fine antiques. It is open weekends and a few days during the week, when the weather is cooperative. There are also a few
permanent vendors there with shops. The flea market has food vendors if hunger strikes while you peruse the merchandise.
There are two state parks in the area. The one just north of Lambertville and Stockton is called Bull’s Island. It is an actual island that is bordered by the Delaware River and the Delaware and Raritan Canal. The feeder for the canal is located at the north end of the campsite. You can canoe or kayak the Delaware River from here either upstream or downstream. There is a boat launch at the campground for the Delaware River. Or, if you wish, you can canoe or kayak the canal. There is a boat launch also at the campground for the canal. This is a pleasant trip that you can make all the way down to Lambertville, passing through old locks at Pratt’s Mill in Stockton and revisiting
the history of the old canal. You can view the walls of the canal that were made by Irish workers in the 1700 and 1800’s when the canal was built.
On the Pennsylvania side of the river lies the Delaware Canal to the Lehigh. This runs from Easton to Bristol. However, it is at present in poor shape for paddling. Some sections can be paddled, but it is better to consider this area for the hiking or bicycling along the towpath.
Washington’s Crossing is the other state park. This spans the Delaware River with a historical village on the Pennsylvania side and a park on the New Jersey side. Yes, this is the spot where George Washington crossed the Delaware on his way to the Battle of Trenton which is
commemorated in the famous painting . Every Christmas Day there is a re-enactment of this famous crossing and of the Battle.
For bicycling, this area is superb. For the recreationist, the towpaths are an easy and enjoyable cycle under an archway of trees with a view of the Delaware and of the canal. For the road cyclist, there are bike lanes on the main highways that stretch along the New Jersey side of the
river. Hikers and just plain walkers enjoy the towpath. There are always joggers and runners who use the towpath as a pleasant and interesting place to exercise.
With all the wonderful places to eat in New Hope and Lambertville, this could be a necessity! Both of the towns are interesting venues for walking. New Hope is extremely crowded on weekends and now filled with mostly tourist type shops which cater to the fudge and t-shirt crowd. Also, parking is a nightmare in both towns. The meters are expensive and the meter police incredibly active. Parking lots are expensive, but if it means avoiding a parking ticket, use them. They also do not put up many notices about the parking rules in either town, so if you are unsure if you can park there, don’t.
Kayaking is another sport that is making it’s mark in Lambertville. There is a kayaking shop in the town of Lambertville that sells and rents equipement and also provides lessons in this ever-growing sport. They will tell you where to paddle and what type of water to expect. These shops are usually a good source of local information about water conditions and where to find put-ins and take-outs. Utilize them in any locale and make friends with them. They do come in handy for the odd part you may need, maps, books, and just plain paddle talk.
If you go to Lambertville and you are not the B and B type, you can find plenty of activities to keep you on the move and to get your heart rate up. It is definitely a destination spot, not just for the antiquing crowd but also for the outdoors’ person, male or female. It also just happens to provide the more pleasant amenities like good food and shopping, if you are so inclined. Visit the area and find your niche. It is sure to be there for you.
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