Trenton

The golden dome rising above the river rapids and steel-truss bridge with the message “Trenton Makes the World Takes” written in steel along its side. The capital of New Jersey. A great place to find hidden jazz clubs, famous tomato pies and amazing river views with three walkable bridges. You might have to look hard to find a good hotel, there aren’t many and most of the good ones are not walkable from the city’s central areas. Either rent a car to get to a nearby hotel, find a cute air bnb in one of the city’s amazing lofts or townhouses, or utilize Trenton’s central railway station to ferry you off to nearby cities you may have heard of… Princeton, Philadelphia and, oh yeah, just a little place called New York City. You can get to any of those places via train from Trenton in 30 minutes to an hour and change.

washington crossing

One of the most historical and conserved revolutionary sites in the U.S. This sprawling, bucolic and verdant monument to a momentous 24 hours, Christmas Eve, 1776. This was one of the most important 24 hours for George Washington, as well as for the history of democracy and contemporary geopolitics. An annual reenactment of the crossing has become a regional tradition. Plenty of good eating, colonial architecture and nice air bnbs in the area of the park on both sides of the river. On the New Jersey side you will find a tavern and the state park, which includes an outdoor amphitheater known for Shakespeare productions during midsummer evenings.

New hope

A town that arose to serve the canal retains its early 19th century architectural profile, now occupied by chic galleries, clothiers, taverns, world-class restaurants and night life, as well as a stellar roster of amazing and well-known inns. This town is walkable to the extreme; get there and ditch your car immediately. Do no get back in the car for at least 24 hours. You can explore the entire town of New Hope, which is small but dense, as well as walking right across the bridge to a whole separate city, Lambertville, New Jersey. Lambertville is the cutest city in the world, perhaps. Here you will find more residences, but a very amenable main street with everything your heart would desire of such a place, and then a little more, too. Visit “The Station” and walk along the riverfront for gorgeous views. This area I refer to as the “American Riviera”. Consider this an official, time-stamped trademark for the term “American Riviera” to refer to Delaware River towns in this area. I grew up near here and have used that term for many years. It is true. The place is a gem, up and down. The canal stretches dozens of miles in either direction traversing through town after village after town, with peaceful woodlands in between and the river always on your side.