Here we are for Day 5 of our New York/New Jersey trip. See all the posts from this trip here.
On day 5 I decided to venture out for a little day trip while Rob was at his conference. I watched a few YouTube videos ahead of time and determined Frenchtown and Lambertville, NJ were cute little towns that I should go see.
Frenchtown, NJ
Frenchtown is a borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. It is located along the banks of the Delaware River on the Hunterdon Plateau, 32 miles (51 km) northwest of the state capital of Trenton. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough’s population was 1,370.
D&R Canal State Park trail
After arriving in Frenchtown, I quickly found a nice free parking lot. It was actually right beside the D&R (Delaware and Raritan) Canal State Park trail is a 77-mile (124 km) trail in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It’s made up of three segments that transverse three counties: a canal towpath from New Brunswick to Trenton; a canal towpath/rail trail from Trenton to Bull’s Island; and a rail trail from Bull’s Island to Frenchtown. The three combined trails together form the largest completed trail in New Jersey. Much of the trail runs along the existing Delaware & Raritan Canal within the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.
I would like to have walked more of it, but I knew I wanted to continue on to Lambertville and I had to get back to Montclaire by a certain time.
Lambertville, NJ/ New Hope, PA
My next stop was Lambertville, NJ, which had been recommended by someone at the conference as a cute little town with antique shops. What I discovered when I got there is it borders Pennsylvania and there’s a bridge with a pedestrian walkway.
Walking from NJ to PA
The New Hope-Lambertville Toll-Supported Bridge spanning the Delaware River is six-span, 1,053-foot (321 m) long bridge that connects Lambertville, New Jersey and New Hope, Pennsylvania. The current steel truss bridge was constructed in 1904 at a cost of just over $63,000. I later drove over the bridge and never did get charged a toll for driving over it in the rental car.
New Hope, PA
Aquetong Creek
After walking back over the bridge back to Lambertville, I needed to get something to eat. I decided to stop at Buck’s on the Bridge for an ice cream and drink.
I got an scoop of the Jersey Shore, which was so yummy!
I walked around Lambertville a little more.
Boomer
When I’m traveling, I try to keep an eye on the website called Atlas Obscura for cool places to check out. When I got back to my car, I had remembered there were a couple things on Atlas Obscura near by, so I pulled the website up. First place I just drove by without stopping was Boomer. Boomer is New Hope’s unofficial mascot that you can see at 145 S Main St. New Hope, Pennsylvania
Van Sant Bridge
The next spot was the one I was super curious to see. Van Sant Bridge at 184 Covered Bridge Road, New Hope, PA. This 86 foot long, covered bridge was built in 1875 over Pidcock Creek.
While researching for this post, I see there are several covered bridges in the area. source Not sure why covered bridges are so interesting, but I would definitely do the driving tour if I’m ever back to that area.
That evening was the last dinner for the conference and we played a little mystery game. After that we had to pack and load the car, so we would be ready to check out of the hotel and get on the cruise ship the next day!
More pics from our day here >>> Day 5
Those are such darling little towns!
What a full day you enjoyed. Your photos are especially lovely. I like the steeple peeking between the girders of the bridge and all the quaint houses and buildings. To think you had 5 packed days in NYC and now heading on a cruise. Yes please!!
It looks like such a fun place to visit!
That looks like such a fun and peaceful day of wandering. You found some really cute towns to explore.