New Hope

Ah, New Hope.  In the 1920s & '30s, the country get-away for Broadway luminaries; in the 1960s & ;'70s, Pennsylvania's version of hippie dom.  

Today, yesteryear's hippies are in their 60s & 70s, some way more Tea Party than flower power.  But New Hope remains a magnet for artists & creatives of every sort, plus theatrical types, drawn by the newly restored & reopened Bucks County Playhouse, currently putting on the very well received It's A Wonderful Life, A Radio Play.  

The town is a far cry from the hip counter-establishment art colony of the last century, with a Dunkin' Donuts & a Starbucks anchoring the intersection of River Road & Bridge Street.  The way cool '60s shop with peace signs & tie dye that was just before the bridge closed a couple years ago - rumor is the couple that ran it retired to Florida - and my beloved Strawberry Jam closed last year when its owners retired.  

But New Hope endures, its charms still drawing folks from far & near.

Parking can be a pain & the meter maid is ever vigilant, so be sure to arrive with plenty of quarters. And double check how long you need to be feeding your meter.  Just because it's 6:00 p.m. doesn't always mean the meters retired for the night.

Luckily, the price of parking during the run up to Christmas is moot - parking is free (hence the red-hooded meters.)  There are great shops all over New Hope, but I'll limit myself to a favorite few.

And the town is still a shopping mecca for folks near & far.  

My meanderings would start at the New Hope outpost of A Mano gallery.  Oh, I long to have a lot of time & a massive bank account whenever I am in A Mano, whether in New Hope or across the river, in Lambertville.  I am totally loony about Sticks furniture & home accessories - some day!  It would take hours to explain why I love A Mano - just check out their website.  

Head north on the River Road, crossing the bridge, passing Bucks County Playhouse (which looks remarkably like it did in its previous golden age).  There, on your right, is the most beloved shop in all of New Hope - Farley's Books.  Countless people weep that Strawberry Jam is now longer right next door, but that doesn't lessen the joy they feel opening the door to Farley's. Keep an eye out for Butter, the bookshop's resident cat (Butter's book suggestions are always worth your consideration).   One of the infinite ways that Farley’s stands out is its partnership with several small, independent presses.  Ponder just a few of the names:  Black Widow Press, Raw Dog Screaming, and Winter Tribe Books.  Tantalizing!  (But then, everything about Farley’s is.)  

Head up the road a few stores, to  Heart of the Home/Hearts Afire.  So many beautiful things for the home, so little time!

Further up the road a piece is C'est La Vie, a  tres magnifique French patisserie.  But there's a reason it's one of New Hope's best kept secrets - the fabulous place is practically impossible to find!!  Keep your eyes peeled for the sign - it's located off the main road.  But so worth the effort!

Restored with a bracing cup of coffee & butter-laden pastries, take a brisk walk north, crossing Bridge Street, going past the bank parking lot, going past The Landing & Mother's.  Cross the street to Topeo, a gallery featuring stunning glass art.  Adore this place.  The glass work in incredible.  Could design an entire house around one of their pieces.

There are several choices for meals in New Hope.  If I was visiting New Hope & wanted a good breakfast, I'd head to C'est La Vie or head across the bridge to Lambertville, NJ's Bucks Ice Cream & Espresso Bar for a neighborly breakfast & Barbara's exceptional coffee - a home away from home.  (Heads up - parking meters start humming at 10:00 a.m. in New Hope, but at 9:00 a.m. in her sister city across the river.)  Lunch or dinner, I'd head to The Landing.  Consistently good food & a nice view of the water, even in cold weather.  (It's pleasant terrace is open in pleasant weather.)  

That's enough to get you started.  New Hope is perfect for browsing, check out this place or that. Head west on Bridge Street a couple blocks & you'll find Union Square, very much new kid on the block but already massively popular.  Triumph Brewing Company is a popular spot to meet & greet & eat & check out their brews.  I heard mixed reviews of Sprig & Vine's vegetarian fare -  sort of like the little girl with the little curl in that when it is good it is very very good & when it is bad it is horrid.  It's strange that Union Square's website includes Fred's Breakfast as a place to dine, as it's technically "for members only" (complete with key);  I suspect they listed it because they want people to check out the hilarious RULES.

My John would be horrified if I omitted the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad.  Its train station is right next to Union Square.  So, Keet, I’ll close with this - -  Relax as you travel through the rolling hills and valleys of historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and experience first hand the sights, sounds and romance of the Golden Era of Steam Railroading.  

Climb aboard the New Hope & Ivyland passenger train and travel into a scene from the past. Relax and leave your cares behind as you journey into history, learning what rail travel was like for your parents, grand parents and great-grand parents. Behold the continuously changing view as the train traverses through the rolling hills and valleys of historic Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Enjoy our restored 1920s vintage passenger coaches, antique bar car, the authentic steam locomotive or one of our historic diesel locomotives. The train will take you along the same historic route that was filmed in the 1914 movie series Perils of Pauline. 

At this special time of year, you can Ride the rails with Santa, Mrs. Claus and a host of holiday revelers for a truly unique holiday experience the whole family is sure to enjoy! Children and adults of all ages are invited to ride the special holiday train, sip hot cocoa and enjoy cookies while Santa visits with each child and presents them with a special gift. Also on board, local musicians play & sing Christmas carols for all to enjoy and participate in. Children are encouraged to come dressed in the pajama's as well