Lambertville Is The Best Small Town In New Jersey For A Weekend Escape
By Kim Magaraci|Updated on March 24, 2023(Originally published March 23, 2023)
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
It’s amazing how one of New Jersey’s tiniest towns can be one of the best destinations for a weekend getaway. The historic town of Lambertville – which dates back to the 1700s and was originally established as a ferry town – is the best place for a short two-day getaway in the Garden State. Fewer than 4,000 people call Lambertville their home, but thousands visit and experience the quiet life in a small river town every year. If you’re looking for a great weekend getaway in Lambertville, New Jersey is it! Below, you’ll find a detailed Lambertville travel guide with our suggestions for ways to make the most of your visit to this river town. Even if you’re only able to take a day trip, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Lambertville, New Jersey.
From the Hawaiian Island of Oahu to the coast of Massachusetts and everywhere in between, come along with OnlyInYourState as we introduce you to the best Small Town Getaways you can take this year. From nature lovers and foodies to history buffs and shopaholics, there’s something for everyone within these unforgettable, two-day itineraries curated by our local travel experts just for you.
Is Lambertville Worth Visiting?
It's no mistake that Lambertville is continually named one of the most charming towns in New Jersey. Its idyllic location on the Delaware River and D&R Canal make it a scenic town and the small-town atmosphere will make you feel welcome.
The entire town seems frozen in time. It was originally settled as a ferry port between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and the river crossing became important enough that the towns of Lambertville and New Hope were established. At first, Lambertville was known as Coryell's Ferry, but it took its present-day name after a New Jerseyan John Lambert in 1810. While the ferry has long been replaced with a more efficient mode of transportation, the town has stayed cozy and small. Historic buildings now host unique shops and restaurants, and the locals are so hospitable that you might even forget that you're in New Jersey. If you're looking for a weekend getaway, it's hard to top this scenic, friendly town.
How To Get To Lambertville
If you're coming from the south, Route 295 is the closest interstate, and you'll want to take Exit 60. Though it's not the closest exit to town, it puts you on Route 29, which is an absolutely beautiful byway. If you're heading down from North Jersey, Route 202 will get you here.
No matter which direction you come from, the route into Lambertville is one of the best scenic drives in New Jersey. Part of your getaway is this scenic drive! It's such a nice break from the highways and traffic that many of us deal with daily in the more crowded New Jersey cities and towns.
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Getting Around Lambertville
Lambertville is an incredibly walkable town. You can even walk right across the river into New Hope, Pennsylvania!
It's also a very bike-friendly town and there are miles of towpath trails that you can explore on two wheels. If you don't have a bike to bring along, Big Bear Gear is just outside of town and you can rent a bike from them! They offer standard cruisers, mountain bikes, and even electric bikes. Pedal your way through town or explore the towpath if you prefer to get around on wheels. Don't spend all of your time on a bike, though — you’re sure to find plenty of things to do in Lambertville while you’re taking in the sights.
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Best Time To Visit Lambertville
There's no bad time to visit this beautiful river city. You'll find it's worth a trip in any season!
In the springtime, the native flowers are in bloom and the town begins to wake up from a quiet winter, and it's the perfect time to treat yourself to gourmet goodies, boutique clothing, and more. Summertime is an ideal time for shopping, dining, and walking around, since the air near the river tends to be breezy and cooler than inland. In the fall, the changing colors of the leaves make every view more breathtaking than the last and in the winter, the holiday spirit comes alive with events, festivals, and first-class shopping.
Where To Stay In Lambertville
There are a few historic hotels in town, but the most prominent and conveniently located may be the Lambertville House, found right in the heart of town.
Lambertville House, 32 Bridge St, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
Not only will you have plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance, but this upscale, historic hotel will provide a luxurious experience.
Lambertville Trading Company is well known for cappuccino and other morning beverages, which range from traditional classics to creative seasonally-inspired sips. This Lambertville travel guide is all about the food because that’s what makes a getaway stand out!
Lambertville is known for its antique stores and there's a spot to check out on every corner. A Touch Of The Past Antiques is one of the largest shops in town.
A Touch of the Past Antiques, 32 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
Most of the shops are near Main Street and Bridge Street. There's a network of smaller side streets and alleys that connect all of the shops, and it's exceptionally walkable.
Sojourner, 26 Bridge St #1, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
Stores like Sojourner showcase textiles from all over the world and Sunflower Glass Studio brings a bright splash of color to town. There are art galleries, clothing boutiques, used book stores, and more.
All of that walking is sure to drum up an appetite, so head to El Tule to stuff your face with an outrageously tasty lunch.
El Tule, 49 N Main St, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
El Tule serves up Peruvian and Mexican food. If you haven't tried Peruvian cuisine, you're really in for a treat! Each bite is packed with flavor, the ingredients are all fresh, and the staff members will make you feel like family.
After walking the streets of Lambertville, cross the bridge to visit New Hope!
You can walk across, bike across, or drive — we'll suggest driving, so you can visit Peddler's Village after exploring the area around Main Street. Downtown New Hope is similar to Lambertville, with antique shops, boutiques, and other small businesses ready to welcome you.
You'll want to make time to drive just a few minutes to Peddler's Village, a few miles down Route 202 in Pennsylvania.
Brunch is the best meal of the day and Under The Moon certainly knows how to do it right. Their menu is carefully curated to suit all tastes. Whether you want a traditional breakfast like waffles ...
Under the Moon is known for its unique take on cuisine that's influenced by Argentinian dishes and flavors.
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After all that shopping on your first day in town, it's time to get away from the crowds for a bit and enjoy a stroll along the Delaware and Raritan Canal.
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park Trail, Lambertville, NJ, USA
The Delaware and Raritan Canal was built in the 1830s, and it was preserved as a state park in the 1970s. Other than the occasional kayak or canoe, ships no longer come down through the canal. The towpath trail is well maintained and it remains a popular place for walking and biking when the weather is warm. The Canal Towpath runs right through Lambertville and it's perfect for a scenic, relaxing walk.
If you're feeling ambitious, you can take a few hours and walk all the way to Bull's Island Recreation Area in Stockton, New Jersey!
Bull's Island Recreation Area, 2185 Daniel Bray Hwy, Stockton, NJ 08559, USA
The hike to Bull's Island is just over 6 miles, so it will take you between two and three hours to get there, depending on how often you stop to take in the scenery. The towpath trail is flat and well-maintained. If you're walking all the way to Bull's Island, you'll cover under 13 miles in around four or five hours. Every step of the journey is worth it! Of course, you can always turn around at any point, as this trail is the same out and back.
If you would prefer a shorter trail for your time outdoors, head to Goat Hill Overlook, instead.
Goat Hill Overlook, Coon Path, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
This one-mile trail takes you out and back to a bluff that sits high above the Delaware River and offers a view of Lambertville and New Hope.
Your time in town is drawing to a close, but there's still one more great meal ahead of you! Head to Lambertville Station Inn for a delicious meal — on the water, of course!
Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn, 11 Bridge St, Lambertville, NJ 08530, USA
There's no better way to finish off a vacation than with a big scoop of farm-fresh ice cream! Owowcow Creamery uses milk from local cows to make a variety of unique flavors. You can even try a flight of ice cream if you can't decide.
There are so many reasons to fall in love with Lambertville, and it’s clear to see why it earned the honor of being New Jersey’s top small-town getaway destination. What’s your favorite shop on Bridge Street? Have you visited any of the restaurants or boutiques above? If you can’t get enough New Jersey day trip ideas, you’ll want to subscribe to the Only In New Jersey newsletter and get fresh ideas every week.
Not Your Average Bucket List Podcast
Only In Your State’s podcast Not Your Average Bucket List takes a deep dive into Lambertville, New Jersey, and everything it has to offer. Our hosts, Marisa Roman and Sara Heddleston, discuss what their “Perfect Day” in Lambertville would consist of. Take a look at the infographic below to get your own suggestions for the perfect day exploring this small town.
To discover even more about all of the things to do in Lambertville, New Jersey, in a fun, easily-digestible manner, tune in to OnlyInYourState’s brand new podcast, Not Your Average Bucket List, where we talk all about this charming town. Listen now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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