The Top Ways to Enjoy the “Real” New Jersey
Visiting Lambertville & Frenchtown in the summer of ‘10.
By Maryanna S. Phinn
Let’s set the record straight.
The real New Jersey is not about “Reality TV” housewives and MTV wannabes. In fact, the real New Jersey is filled with people and places that exhibit quiet sophistication and historic charm in towns along the Delaware River, like Lambertville and Frenchtown.
Lambertville is the mature sister town to funky New Hope in Bucks County, PA. Frenchtown, about 15 miles upstream on Route 29, is a beautiful hamlet that locals say is the “best kept secret in New Jersey.”
Both towns are in Hunterdon County and take great pride in their histories.
Lambertville, originally named Coryell’s Ferry for the town ferry-boat owner during the Revolutionary War, was an important command post and resting spot for General George Washington and his officers in key battles. It was renamed Lambertville when a post office was established in 1814 to honor John Lambert, a local resident who was a United States Senator and served as Acting Governor of New Jersey.
Frenchtown was not settled by the French, as its name may imply. In 1794, a Swiss fugitive fleeing the French Revolution, named Paul Henri Mallet-Prevost, purchased a large tract of land that is now the borough of Frenchtown. Henri Mallet-Prevost and some other settlers spoke French which is how it earned its name. Today, locals celebrate its French heritage (sort of) with all things French.
Here are some great reasons to experience the real world of New Jersey in Lambertville and Frenchtown. Bon appétit, Bon Voyage, and Bonjour!
1. Across the Bridges to the Jersey Side
“The main engine of our renaissance is that we have a very clean river,” notes Lambertville’s Mayor David DelVecchio. “People like to fish, boat and row on the river or just enjoy it from above.”
The bridges connecting Lambertville to New Hope, PA and Frenchtown to Uhlertown, PA in Upper Bucks County offer spectacular views. You can drive over, but it’s better to park in Pennsylvania and walk or ride a bike for a fun and carefree way to spend a beautiful summer day.
History greets you at the foot of the bridges in each town. In Lambertville, stop for lunch or have a cocktail on the canal deck at the restored 19th century train depot and town anchor, The Lambertville Station Restaurant and Inn (www.lambertvillestation.com).
The Frenchtown Inn dates to 1805 and Frenchtown’s founder Henri Mallet-Prevost. It is a chef-owned, award-winning restaurant for fine dining in central New Jersey or for Sunday lunch, cocktails and appetizers (www.frenchtowninn.com).
Another place at the foot of the bridge to enjoy a casual lunch, ice cream, coffee or pastries is The Bridge Café. The café is in a building that once served as Frenchtown’s original train depot (www.bridgecafe.net).
2. The Other Jersey Shore: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
Part of the 70-mile Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park runs adjacent to the Delaware River and through Lambertville and Frenchtown. It’s a wonderful place for hiking, jogging, fishing, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, nature walking or picnicking. For maps and access points, visit www.dandrcanal.com.
3. Friday Night Fireworks in Lambertville and First Fridays in Frenchtown
Don’t miss “Lights on the River” for the remaining 10 Friday nights in Lambertville this summer. The skies over the river sparkle with a ten-minute firework display starting at 9:30 p.m. Live street music, many restaurants and bars offer specials and retailers in both towns stay open until 10 p.m. (www.NewHopeLambertvilleFireworks.com).
Frenchtown offers “First Fridays” on the following dates in 2010: July 2, August 6, September 3 and October 1. Shops, galleries and businesses stay open until 8 pm and the town is alive with artist demonstrations, street musicians, sidewalk sales and special offerings by local cafes and restaurants (www.frenchtownnj.org/firstfridays).
Artist Visions Film Festival: July 22-25, 2010, Lambertville
A new summer weekend event, sponsored by the Friends of Lambertville Library, will include outdoor film screenings and live music on the river at the Lambertville Station parking lot. Also includes video installation by area artists at the Wachovia Bank building at Bridge & Union Streets, student films at the ACME Screening Room, 25 S. Union Street, an online visual treasure hunt and a Saturday Nightclub Party with music by “Jac,” a 6-piece Lambertville-based band at Rago Arts, 333 N. Main Street (www.nickelodeonnights.org).
4. Jerseylicious
Although Lambertville is a very small city, just one-square mile, it is filled with many Zagat-rated restaurants. “We have a lot of chef-owned restaurants, not chains, which is not as common anymore, but makes them much better,” notes Mayor DelVecchio. In addition, Lambertville has numerous BYOBs and places for ethnic cuisine. Just a few local favorites include:
Bell’s Tavern, 183 N. Union Street, a “nabe-fave” since 1938. Family-friendly and chef-owned offering base Italian with eclectic specials (www.bellstavern.com).
Hamilton’s Grill Room, 8 Coryell Street, BYOB Mediterranean that is frequently mentioned as one of the best restaurants in Lambertville. Its unique courtyard and canal-side setting makes it a popular place for special events (www.hamiltonsgrillroom.com).
Full Moon Café, 23 Bridge Street, a BYOB café serving breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch—and dinner once a month on the evening of the full moon! Upcoming full moon dates are July 26 and August 24. If your birthday is on the full moon, then dinner is free (www.cafefullmoon.com)!
5. Lambertville: The Antiques Capital of New Jersey
Lambertville’s reputation as the best destination for antiquing is unmatched for exceptional, upscale, rare and diverse offerings. In addition to many independent street-level shops, Lambertville is home to The People’s Store on 28 N. Union Street, featuring three gallery floors of more than 40 dealers showcasing furniture, books, paintings and sculpture, clocks, pottery, glass, collectibles, vintage fashions, and lighting (www.peoplesstore.net).
6. Jersey Couture, Chocolate and Gifts
Frenchtown is chic, but its shop owners are down home friendly people. Its boutiques and galleries guarantee one-of-a-kind finds.
“Frenchtown has really become a popular place to visit,” notes Cleo Sharplin, who owns a boutique called Alchemy Frenchtown and represents the Frenchtown Business Association. Alchemy, located on 17 Bridge Street, carries designer lines, jewelry, hats, handbags and gifts for a simple or casual outing, fun and funky handmade artwear and accessories or evening wear for cocktail parties and black tie-events (www.alchemyclothing.com).
In Lambertville, along Union Street amidst the antiques, rare book shops and art galleries are “shamelessly rich choices,” including The Chocolate Box, 39 N. Union Street. The Chocolate Box is owned by a mother/daughter team and carries chocolates and sweets from around the world –and from right in New Jersey’s backyard. “We offer local chocolatiers such as Cheri Pie Sweet Treats of Yardley, PA, Laurie’s Chocolates Original Confections of Doylestown, PA, The Sweet Diva of Ewing, NJ and Tastefully Done of Warren, NJ,” notes Danielle Ferrante, the shop’s co-owner (www.chocolateboxusa.com).
A Mano Galleries (www.amanogalleries.com), 142 N. Union Street, is a popular shop for handmade contemporary American crafts, jewelry, painted furniture, unusual artwork (some made from dryer lint!) and works by local artists. A Mano Galleries has locations in New Hope and Lambertville. On the New Jersey side of the river, the store is in the town’s original 5 & Dime store (the retro sign is still there of course!)
7. George Washington Probably Slept Here (and you can too!)
Bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels dot the riverside communities of central New Jersey making it an inviting place for a long weekend excursion. In Lambertville and Frenchtown, several are registered historic and reveal fascinating lore.
The National Hotel, 31 Race Street, is Frenchtown’s landmark that recently came back to life after being closed for awhile. The National Hotel was originally built in 1833 and rebuilt in 1850. It had an eclectic past as a brothel and a stagecoach stop. Visitors included Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill Cody according to the hotel’s history. Supposedly, the hotel has a friendly ghost who visits Room 304. The recently refurbished boutique hotel includes a restaurant and bar and The Rathskellar pub for drinks (www.thenationalhotelnj.com).
Lambertville House, 32 Bridge Street, Lambertville, is listed on the National Registry of Historic places. It is a 26-room luxury hotel and rated AAA Four-Diamond Service. Lambertville’s namesake, Captain John Lambert, built the hotel in 1812. United States Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Andrew Johnson visited along with many other celebrities and politicians. Left Bank Libations, the hotel’s bar, provides choices for premium whiskey and scotch, martinis and fine wines and locally brewed beers (www.lambertvillehouse.com).
8. Viva la France! 12th Annual Bastille Day Fete, July 17-18, Frenchtown. What a better way to visit Frenchtown than during Bastille Day (officially July 14th), the French national holiday that marked the start of the French Revolution. In New Jersey, Frenchtown celebrates Bastille Day every year with live music, French-inspired food, desserts and drinks, mimes, puppets, clowns and street performers and discounts offered by galleries, cafes and boutiques. Merci Frenchtown (www.frenchtownnj.org)!
9. RiverFest, September 4-5, Frenchtown. Bid the summer au revoir and adieu over Labor Day Weekend in Frenchtown. RiverFest, a rain or shine event, features live music, outdoor concerts, wine tastings, arts and crafts, shopping, gourmet food tastings and activities for families, pets and kids (www.frenchtownnj.org).
Maryanna S. Phinn is a freelance writer from Washington Crossing, Bucks County.
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