New Hope, Pennsylvania - Full of Culture
If you’ve ever wanted to find a small town that has all the unique aspects you hear about in storybooks, there’s one only a few minutes away. Drive down 202 and plug into your GPS directions to New Hope, Pennsylvania. Go over the bridge and look around in amazement as you take in the shops, the restaurants, and the train station- no toll required if you know the right way to go! Once there, you’ll have to find a place to park, but once you’ve parked, paid, and come back to the street, you’re free to enjoy Bucks County’s possibly most known town at your leisure.
New Hope is known for its shopping and its theater as well as its culture. Traveling down Main Street alone will show you how much it has to offer; there’s a store on the left that sells clothing and items inspired by Indian history. Further up, there’s Suzie’s Hot Shoppe, which sells sauces and spices meant to set your mouth on fire. There’s a witch shop for anyone inspired to look at the gypsy lifestyle, and there’s Farley’s Bookshop, the lovely second-hand store of which I am a frequent customer.
Take a trip halfway down the street, though, and you’ll come across a large parking lot to your left, overlooking the river that separates the states. This is Bucks County Playhouse, where theater is life, but that theater wasn’t always there. Originally known as Hope Mills until a fire took out the grist mills, they were renamed New Hope Mills once built again. The town was named after them later on. In the 1930s, the mills were set to be demolished and then saved by a group that included playwrights. In the late 30s, renovations began, and before the decade was over, Springtime for Henry was on the stage. Since then, it has been renamed as the Bucks County Playhouse and branded itself as a summer theater with significant Broadway ties. Plays that Broadway wanted to try were tested here first, such as Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park. Over the years, it has housed many notable names, including Dick Van Dyke, Bela Lugosi, Grace Kelly, and Angela Lansbury. Broadway wannabes, come here first. This could be your big chance!
If you’re not a theater enthusiast, no worries. There’s plenty more to do. A vintage train lover might find themselves cheering over the cars that run the New Hope line. The mansions around have been preserved, showing off architecture up to the 1800’s so that others may study them. There are trails to ride or walk, and Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is over 100 acres of many plant species that allow for a peaceful moment. There are thirteen bridges across the town too, all allowing for scenic shots on your camera. I won’t forget to mention the Friday Night Fireworks, a collaboration effort between New Hope and the town across the river, Lambertville, to bring a light show on the river for your enjoyment. This is arguably one of their most known feats, and always fun for the family. Or, if you’re trying to impress someone, it serves well as a dating spot too. Just get there early enough to save a spot, or sit on top of your car and you’ll find a show that you can’t help but love.
There are bars and restaurants all around, one of the most popular being Fran’s Pub. I suggest you stop by for a drink and check out the band, because they’ve always got a live one playing on the corner stage. It has outdoor and indoor seating, so you can pick up and go right away or stay out of the sun and enjoy a quick meal. In case you were hoping to stay the night after that, the Carriage House of New Hope offers free parking and is right in the central part of town, a minute’s walk from some of the best attractions. Breakfast is included, although you might want to go out and explore another one of the wonderful restaurants instead.
The scenes, the food, the lights, all of it is thanks to Benjamin Parry, the father of New Hope. He was the one who bought the mill that would become the playhouse, and he was the one to rebuild it after the fire. He formed the group that built New Hope’s first bridge, created the first bank in the town, and assisted in financing the Delaware Canal that runs through it. Parry’s mansion is one of those still open to the public for tours, and for New Hope, it is a communal center for their activities.
Thanks to Parry, we now have a town worthy of exploring. New Hope holds so much history and culture, it’s surprising that it hasn’t exploded yet. The funny thing is how small it seems compared to all of this history. Can all of these wonderful things be contained in something that most people drive right by? You’d have to know of it to be persuaded to stop in, but when you’ve come by even once, you’ll find there’s always something new to explore. I myself intend to see Parry’s mansion next time I go. Maybe I’ll see you there!