Floating in the Delaware River

It’s hot.  So, if you’re planning to head northwest on a day trip or weekend getaway from NYC to NJ, PA area, consider checking out the water activities on the Delaware River. Click the pic for information dedicated to all the ways you can use the river.  It is full of useful suggestions and the best part is that people’s comments are up to date about where to launch, where the water level is too low, etc.  

My Top 5 Counties to Get Away To in Summer (when distance matters)

1. Ulster County, NY - trees and sweet air and fresh produce and creeks and art and stars and side-of-the-road finds all centrally located to dip into the other lovely neighboring upstate counties; 120 minutes 

2./3. Bucks County, PA/Hunterdon County, NJ - inns and galleries and flea/antique markets and lots of open land straddling the Delaware River with Jersey on one side and Pennsylvania on the other; an amazing 90 minutes flat

4. New London County, CT - sea air and old nooks and crannies and winding back roads and lobster all beautifully drawn out on those colorful tourist maps you can find in every shop on the Main Streets; 180 minutes on a good day

5. Monmouth County, NJ - beaches and farm stands and ice cream and light houses and miniature golf where the summer woozy nights are short and sweet; 60 minutes of reckless driving

Rice’s Market in New Hope, PA

This is insane - a 30 acre outdoor flea/farmers/artisan market that is a mash up of Canal Street, Chelsea Flea Garages and the most local town’s greenmarket.  Just about a 90 minute drive from NYC, Rice’s Market is family run and been around since 1860.   Open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 7 am - 1 pm.

Make a weekend out of it and explore more of the beauty of Bucks county and the neighboring Hunterdon County in Jersey. 

pics from their facebook fan page.

WEEKEND GETAWAY

Riverbank Arts and Meil’s Restaurant and Phillips’ Fine Wines and Liquors in Stockton, NJ

Compared to its neighbors Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA Stockton is this tiny jewel in Hunterdon County on the Delaware River.  A New Hope local artist told me to go to Stockton for the restaurant Miehl’s and Phillips’ Wines, though warned me that is all there is to it.  I would knight him ‘best local advice giver ever’ if he had included Riverbank Arts, quite possibly my favorite gallery find to date.  Overall, I can’t use enough good adjectives when describing my evening in Stockton.  If you are anywhere near the area, plan an evening there for comfort food at Meil’s (all homemade from local fresh ingredients), prepare for the BYOB by stopping into the enormous Phillips’ Fine Wines and then feast your eyes on Riverbank Arts.  Like a packed bookstore full to the brim with books, Riverbank Arts showcases the work of over 300 artists and has art pouring out of every crevice of the gallery. Owner and artist, Susan Roseman, told me that she just cant turn an artist away.  It is simply a most inviting place and the perfect start to an evening at Meil’s.  Even more so than New Hope (yeah, I said it), I’m excited to share Stockton with family and friends.

Barley Sheaf Farm Estate and Spa in Holicong, PA

http://barleysheaf.com/

I went to visit New Hope, PA and luckily ended up staying at the most beautiful inn, Barley Sheaf Farm Estate and Spa.  The rooms are modern but ecclectic, the food is delicious and the grounds are peaceful (and fun! There are horses, goats, and kittens).  The drive into the property is exquisite.  You enter through white gates and follow a long road lined with tall trees and lights. If you want it to be, the Barley Sheaf can be incredibly romantic. I particularly like how it is on the outskirts of New Hope and invites you to explore other worthwhile parts of Bucks County and the nearby Jersey river towns.  I am sure that there may be hotels in the area, but staying at this inn really completes the New Hope experience and can turn you into a believer of B&B’s.  Good to know:  The rooms all have small flat screen TVs (for the TV junky) and fireplaces (for the romantic), the freshly baked breakfast buffet is lavish and included and there is a complimentary wine and cheese hour in the main house.  I highly recommend reading the guest book in your room.  It’ll add another dimension to the already very personalized and special space.  Rooms are pricey, ranging form $300 to $500, but worth it.

While in New Hope:

Try Country Fair Chocolates (must try is the chocolate covered devil dog) or Gerenser’s Exotic Ice Cream (unique flavored homemade ice cream) or both for an afternoon or after dinner treat.

Have a drink at the outdoor bar at Logan’s Inn and watch the passersby.

Visit integrity studio for photography (there are some small and affordable pieces) and handmade frames.

And, take a moment to savor the view of the water by sitting on the rocks in the small but lovely East Randolph Street “Park” off Main Street (it is more of a rocky river beach).