The temperatures have officially cooled, leaves are turning, and fall weekend travel is about to reach its peak. While upstate destinations like Hudson, Woodstock, and the Catskills are perennial favorites for New Yorkers, a 90-minute drive in the other direction leads to bucolic Bucks County, home of Pennsylvania’s best-kept not-so-secret: New Hope. With its antique dealers, vibrant playhouse, walkable downtown area, and bevy of charming bed-and-breakfasts, it’s the real-life version of the picture-perfect fictional town of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls (also a beloved fall staple).
Also located just an hour from Philadelphia, New Hope is nestled along the Delaware River, offering views of the water at every turn. Whether you’re looking for live music, a local brewery, unique shopping, or farm-to-table dining, the tiny town has enough sophisticated options to please any committed urbanite. (And it’s got some celebrity fans, too: Tina Fey, the Hadids, and Brad Pitt are all rumored to be owners of homes here.)
Below, a round up of the best places to stay, eat, and play in New Hope.
Where to Stay
As one of the newer lodging options in New Hope, River House at Odette’s is an urban-inspired hotel set on the site of a former cabaret. From the delicious in-house restaurant (with accompanying water views) to the tastefully appointed modern guest rooms and rooftop bar, River House is the perfect place to stay for a long weekend.
If you’re looking for a traditional bed and breakfast, The Inn at Bowman’s Hill is a charming place to rest your head. The rate includes a breakfast spread cooked to order by the resident chef and served in the rustic breakfast room, where a log fire roars in a walk-in-sized fireplace, or in the plant-filled conservatory. For R&R, the in-house spa beckons with an array of massages on the menu, from Swedish to deep tissue, and even couples massages.
Just down the road in Stockton, New Jersey lies the Woolverton Inn, a secluded B&B housed in a 1792 stone manor high above the Delaware River and surrounded by 300 acres of rolling farmland and forest. The location offers easy access to New Hope as well as Lambertville, New Jersey, an adjoining town also known for its shopping and restaurants, just five minutes down the road. Many of the rooms are appointed with fireplaces and private outdoor sitting areas, while each stay includes a gourmet breakfast. The most exciting thing about Woolverton, however, is its permanent residents: a flock of beloved sheep, who provide local artisans with wool, and who guests can visit (and pet!) in their country setting.
For B&Bs that are right in the center of the action, Carriage House and Olivia’s Bridge Street Inn are both elegantly appointed and a stone’s throw from shopping, restaurants, and more. The recently renovated Ghost Light Inn is a boutique option right on Main Street and the river. The 12 rooms have water views, and the in-house restaurant, Stella, is worth a visit even if you’re not staying.
Where to Go
The Bucks County Playhouse, a famous local attraction housed in an old grist mill, is a historic playhouse that has hosted performances from notable actors, from Angela Lansbury to Philadelphia native Grace Kelly, since 1939. The New Hope Arts Center is a vibrant gallery space with rotating exhibitions. Art galleries abound in New Hope, from Gallery Piquel, which features contemporary paintings and sculptures from local Bucks County artists as well as globally, to Red Tulip, an artist’s co-op that sells jewelry, pottery, fiber, wood, glass, and photography from local members of the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen.
For outdoor activities, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is a must-see. The grounds, featuring more than 700 different flower species, are spectacular in the fall. On offer are guided wildflower walks, events, and even children’s programming.
Bucks County and New Hope are filled with historical locations, with one of the most interesting being the actual site of Washington’s famous crossing of the Delaware River, in the aptly named Washington Crossing Park, which offers more than 500 acres of natural beauty and family activities.
Fall-themed activities and treats such as apple picking, hay rides, and cider doughnuts can be enjoyed at local Solebury Orchards. And wineries and breweries in New Hope abound, from Manoff Market Gardens (go for the cider), to Triumph Brewing (go for the beer), to Wycombe Vineyard and Winery, set on a historic estate, and Buckingham Valley Vineyards and Winery, one of the largest wineries in Pennsylvania. If you want to make a day of it, check out the Bucks County Art and Wine Trail, with several galleries and vineyards on the loop. Or to keep kids entertained, check out The Bucks County Children’s Museum.
Where to Shop
Peddler’s Village is a charming country village shopping square, with restaurants, stores, events, and a storybook inn, The Golden Plough.
For knick-knacks, Heart of the Home is a great country home goods store, offering handmade pottery, artisan jewelry, hand-turned wooden utensils, old-fashioned games, luxury bath and body products, and a selection of charming children’s toys. The Soap Opera Company sells French-milled and American-made shea butter-based bars, plus all types of beauty accouterments. A majority of the products on offer here are created by independent, women-owned businesses.
The antiquing scene in New Hope is worth a trip in itself, from the New Hope Antiques Design Center with over 20 different vendors to Rice’s Market, the oldest and largest flea market in Bucks County. Also check out The People’s Store at the Antiques Center, with four floors and 50 vendors of different antique and vintage finds. The Quakertown Farmer’s Market is another great flea market with antique and vintage vendors, food stands, flower carts, and more.
Finally, be sure to stop into Farley’s Bookshop, a family-owned bookstore on Main Street that’s been a fixture of the community for more than 50 years.
Where to Eat
Ferry Market is often mentioned first on the list of places to eat in New Hope, and with good reason: the indoor food market has several different vendors, from a vegan butcher to Hawaiian-fusion favorite Salty Pineapple (get the Dole Whip!).
Karla’s is everything you’d imagine an ivy-covered brick restaurant in a chic country town to be, having offered up reliably delicious American food for more than 45 years. For breakfast or some late-afternoon shopping fuel, head to C’est La Vie French Bakery and Café for flaky, buttery croissants and more.
Before a performance at The Playhouse, hit Playhouse Deck for riverfront dining with a gastropub feel. Other local favorites include Stella (at the Ghost Light Inn), The Great Barn Brewery (across from The Playhouse), and, for fine dining, The Restaurant at Barley Sheaf Farm. Follow up with dessert at Nina’s Waffles and Ice Cream, a local favorite with multiple locations.