What to do in New Hope, the “Best Small Arts + Culture Town” in the US

The Delaware River town of New Hope draws visitors interested in exploring a small town with a big arts and culture scene.

Conveniently situated between Philadelphia and New York City, New Hope has long been a destination for urbanites seeking small-town charm for a weekend. And the tiny town—population 2,631—has charm in spades. The readers of Travel + Leisure recently caught on to the town’s appeal, and last fall the magazine named New Hope the Best Small Arts & Culture Town in the U.S. as part of its awards for the best small towns in the country.

A panel of editors at the magazine concluded that New Hope’s cultural scene punches above its weight with a world-class theater program, gourmet restaurants, and eclectic shops, which are all nestled along the Delaware River within a historic, picturesque setting. We’ve put together some of the best things to do in New Hope so that you can experience the expansive cultural landscape tucked within New Hope’s 1.5 square miles.

Explore New Hope’s idyllic small-town streets

The best way to orient yourself to New Hope is on foot. Most of the small town’s attractions can be found on Main Street, which is just about five blocks long, and nearby on Bridge Street. And while New Hope draws celebrities and other wealthy tourists with its attractions, you can certainly explore the shops and galleries of the town without breaking the bank. After all, the town used to be a home for artists and creatives, not the super wealthy, a fact reflected by many of the long-time businesses.

For instance, Farley’s Bookshop is a New Hope institution that’s been selling books since 1967 and Pod Shop Flowers is a family-owned florist that’s been around since 1973, long before the New Hope renaissance brought New Yorkers across the river to the commonwealth. Other specialty shops abound in New Hope, bold old and new, including impressive galleries devoted to local artists (Red Tulip Gallery), historic woodworking  (Nakashima Woodworkers), emerging artists (New Hope Arts Center), and more.

The Bucks County Playhouse has helped launch the careers of several famous actors. (R. Kennedy for Visit Philadelphia)

Catch a show at the Bucks County Playhouse

Bucks County Playhouse is a community theater that has a long history in New Hope. Originally opening in the 1930s, the playhouse is located on the site of a former grist mill built by town founder Benjamin Parry. With its proximity to New York, the Bucks County Playhouse has helped launch the career of many stars, having featured actors such as Alan Alda, Bea Arthur, Grace Kelly, Kevin Kline, Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, Robert Redford, Rob Reiner, Dick Van Dyke, and more. You can see a show at the Bucks County Playhouse and might even glimpse an up-and-coming star. The 2025 season also features a number of musicals.

Admire Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is a botanical museum and garden dedicated to the native plants of Pennsylvania. You can explore the more than 700 native plant species within the preserve by way of the 4.5 miles of trails that navigate Bowman’s Hill’s meadows, water, and woods. The preserve, open year-round, is not just great for a leisurely stroll—it’s also an educational resource that teaches kids and adults alike about the importance of native plants and how you can grow them in your own yard or garden. Plus, you can even purchase native plants at the on-site nursery during the growing season!

The Parry Mansion Museum houses the New Hope Historical Society and is open for public tours. (Wally Gobetz/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Visit the Parry Mansion Museum

History buffs will gravitate toward the Parry Mansion Museum, a New Hope historic landmark. The Parry Mansion was once the home of Benjamin Parry, considered one of the founders of New Hope, though the town was then called Coryell’s Ferry. Parry’s home was built in 1784, and he went on to build or buy several mills along the nearby Delaware River.

When one of his mills burned down in 1790, he rebuilt it, naming it New Hope Mills. The name “New Hope” inspired the town, which adopted the name itself. Parry’s descendants lived in the Parry Mansion until the 1960s. It is now a museum operated by the New Hope Historical Society. Guided tours of the home take visitors through several rooms that show 125 years of design and decorating history.

Visitors can walk along the Delaware Canal via the New Hope section of the 59-mile-long Towpath Trail, which is part of the 165-mile D&L Trail that runs through Eastern Pennsylvania. (Wally Gobetz/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Walk or bike along the Delaware Canal

The Delaware Canal towpath in New Hope is a flat, multi-use path perfect for walking or bike riding. It’s an excellent way to explore the scenery of New Hope, which includes historic buildings and beautiful canal landscapes. The 59-mile Towpath Trail forms Delaware Canal State Park; a shorter jaunt can take you roughly six miles from New Hope to Washington Crossing Historic Park—where, as the name suggests, George Washington made his historic crossing of the Delaware River during the American Revolution.

Patio dining at Stella overlooks the Delaware River. (Michael Persico for Stella/Visit Philadelphia)

Dine at restaurants on par with those in the city and at long-time New Hope favorites

You’ll experience a metropolitan vibe at many of New Hope’s award-winning restaurants, where big-city chefs have brought exciting new flavors to the small town. One lauded restaurant is Stella of New Hope, an upscale restaurant specializing in seasonal menus. Located inside the Ghost Light Inn, guests are afforded river views alongside their meals.

Charming Karla’s Restaurant & Bar has served its European-inspired menu to New Hope for more than 45 years; all are welcome for affordable three-course meals at locals’ night on Mondays. And you can have a great experience eating pub food (delicious burgers, quesadillas, and more) at divey John and Peter’s, a bar and music venue.

A steam locomotive sits in front of the historic New Hope Station. (APR128/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Take a ride on the New Hope Railroad

Kids, history lovers, and anyone who enjoys fun won’t want to miss New Hope’s own heritage railroad, the New Hope Railroad. With roots dating from 1891, the New Hope Railroad operates restored locomotives to give guests access to the golden age of rail travel. Your trip begins in New Hope and traverses Bucks County where you’re witness to the area’s lovely scenery and historic landmarks.

A traditional excursion is a 45-minute ride. But the railroad offers numerous specialty excursions, including those with holiday flair for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas, as well as trips for wine, spirit, or beer lovers. Meal services are offered on many of these special trips, meaning you can experience dining in a rail car.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.