The Inn at Lambertville Station positively glows with riverfront elegance.
If you think New Jersey is all about boardwalks and Turnpike exits, consider the charming small towns of picturesque Hunterdon County, where you’ll discover lively culture, diverse recreation, fine dining and delightful B&Bs.
True to its name, Frenchtown celebrates its French roots along with its Delaware River location. The town welcomes visitors with events including Bastille Day (July 13), Riverfest and Zombie Crawl. Lambertville is prized as an antiquing destination. Among the more notable locations offering vintage treasures are People’s Store, Rago Arts and Auction Center and Golden Nugget Antique & Flea Market.
Hunterdon County’s small towns also are known for their cultural scenes. For live folk and bluegrass music in a small setting, head to the Birdhouse Center for the Arts in Lambertville. On stage at the Music Mountain Theatre is a year-round calendar of musicals, plays and children’s productions, including South Pacific (June 28-July 14) and The Will Rogers Follies (Aug. 2-18). Nearby in Frenchtown you’ll find the arts incubator ArtYard, which offers art exhibitions, film screenings and more. Don’t forget scenic biking along the Delaware and Raritan Canal towpath.
If all this activity has stirred your appetite, tempting fare abounds. French food, wood-fired pizza, small-batch artisanal coffee and locally sourced ice cream can be found in Lambertville. In Frenchtown, sample a scrumptious brunch at Lovin’ Oven or savor the historical charm (and delicious food) of the Frenchtown Inn. Not to be missed is The Bridge Café, a restaurant and bakery in the walls of a former train station, offering eye-catching views of the Delaware River and Frenchtown-Uhlerstown Bridge.
Don’t want to rush your visit? Consider one of the historic inns and charming B&Bs located in Hunterdon County. Frenchtown’s National Hotel, which dates back to 1833, is known today for luxuriously appointed rooms, dining and nightlife. The Inn at Lambertville Station offers riverside style, 46 rooms and suites, alfresco fine dining and Sunday brunch. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lambertville House Hotel has delightful spaces, including its outdoor porch, the perfect spot to toast a memorable stay.
For more quaint Garden State locales that will win your heart, browse VisitNJ.org. Plus, download a free NJ travel guide or sign up for e-news from New Jersey Travel and Tourism.
