Summertime, and let's hope the living—and eating—are easier this year. In what feels like a hopeful yet tentative anticipation of what currently promises to be a more joyous summer—think day trips, adventures, more businesses open and looking for support and, yes, even more time spent outdoors—we've put together a list to guide you. These 21 spots, from the Poconos to New Hope, are marks on the map where you can explore the great outdoors, learn something new or just pull off and fuel up in one way, shape or form—with ice cream, coffee, a real sit-down meal, farm-fresh goodies and more.
Eat outside, pandemic notwithstanding. Food tastes better.
1. Edge of the Woods Outfitters
129 Main St., Delaware Water Gap | 570.421.6681 | watergapadventure.com
Eager to ply a paddle? Jump in a kayak and embark from the Delaware Water Gap base on four-, six- or even 10-mile excursions. Rafts or canoes are also an option on these self-guided trips. Stop to picnic, fish or swim as you enjoy the river.
26 mi. | 40 min.
(All distances are calculated from Easton)
2. Old Mine Road
Bike rental is also offered from Edge of the Woods Outfitters, or bring your own wheels (bike or car) to explore the Old Mine Road on the Jersey side north of the Delaware Water Gap. Remnants of history dot one of the oldest commercial roads in the country, constructed in the mid-1600s, including Millbrook Village, restored to exhibit life in the 1800s.
26 mi.| 40 min.
3. Minisink Hotel
110 Post Office Rd. East Stroudsburg | 570.421.9787 | @minisinkhotel
This hidden gem on the banks of Marshalls Creek is the kind of place that appeals to everyone—and that's only part of why we like it. Minisink is loaded with character; it's been a stagecoach stop, a hotel, and now, it's a full-service bar and restaurant. It also dispenses with extensive formalities and relies on colorful chalkboard menus (tours of
Poland and Italy—chicken parm over half an order of linguine and half an order of lasagna—are popular). You'll want to walk on its covered walking bridge over the creek. Take your post-hiking appetite here for the sandwiches. The Simon and Garvin, in particular, with fried chicken, ham, lettuce, tomato and Swiss, is revered and won't set you back more than $10.
27.6 mi. | 41 min.
4. Sycamore Grille
92 Main St., Delaware Water Gap | 570.426.1200 | sycamoregrille.com
Easton Farmers' Market customers may be familiar with Sycamore's crab cake sandwiches, freshly-squeezed lemonade and lots of other seasonal offerings tailored to market activities. But they've got a brick-and-mortar place that's more than worth checking out if you are up there and are looking for a place with a wide-ranging menu (soups, salads, seafood, steaks, pub fare) and a martini list.
26 mi. | 39 min.
5. Kelly's Ice Cream
4325 N. Delaware Dr. Mount Bethel | 570.897.7681 | kellysicecream.com
Started by the Taylor family—namesake Kelly, Paul, Jake and Adam—some 20 years ago, Kelly's is known for its homemade ice cream (with more than 50 flavors made on site) and its soft serve (especially the black raspberry and the strawberry). Of course, you take that ice cream and eat it outside when you're here. If you're lucky enough to arrive at just the right moment, the sunset views are spectacular.
21.6 mi. | 34 min.
6. Middle Village Bakery
2989 N. Delaware Dr. Mount Bethel | 570.897.9133
If you want an old-fashioned bakery, this is about as good as it gets. Stop here before or after your hike at the Water Gap, on either the Jersey or Pennsylvania side. Whether you want flaky pastries, such as croissants and elephant ears, or filled ones, like eclairs, or straight-up kid-friendly eats like cookies and cupcakes, this is your place. Don't miss the Hello Dolly bars, which are kind of like everything but the kitchen sink—nuts, coconut, butterscotch chips, chocolate chips. Each bite is a little different. Their seeded sourdough bread sells out, and it's just perfect when toasted and spread with salted butter. Cash only.
19.6 mi. | 30 min.
7. Filingo Fly Fishing
615.428.5090 | filingoflyfishing.com
This good-natured fishing expert will take apprentice anglers anywhere fish are biting, from the brook trout of the woods to the wild trout of the Delaware. Whether you're totally new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, Jesse can show you the ropes individually or in small groups on four- to five-hour float trips.
8. Twin Rivers Tubing
4 Union Sq., Phillipsburg, NJ | 908.857.1289 | twinriverstubing.com
Why sit around on your couch when you can drift lazily down the Delaware in a tube, watching the scenic banks go by? Your three-hour float is fabulously relaxing, departing from and returning to home base in Phillipsburg with outdoor showers, changing rooms, a tiki bar and live music on Sundays.
1.2 mi. | 5 min.
9. Delaware River Railroad Excursions
99 Elizabeth St., Phillipsburg | 877.872.4674 | 877trainride.com
All aboard a historic steam engine in passenger cars restored from the 1950s. Enjoy a trek down the river from Phillipsburg to Riegelsville and back, taking in the sights the way folks must have done many years ago. This volunteer-run effort has themed rides throughout the year with special appeal to youngsters.
1.5 mi. | 6 min.
10. Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary
240 Sunnyside Rd., Easton | 610.258.6574 | natlands.org
With 200 acres of woodland, this little-known nature preserve offers three to six miles of hiking—some challenging—through the lush forests Pennsylvania is famous for. The River Lookout Trail takes you to a towering view 300 feet above the Delaware Canal and the Delaware River.
9.7 mi. | 18 min.
11. The Hungry Locktender & Someday Coffee Roastery
1400 Easton Rd., Riegelsville | 484.202.0611 | somedaycoffee.com
Blessed with an abundance of natural light and lovely outdoor seating, this canal-side business is quick to entice. You may know it by its previous name: Someday Cafe and Roastery. The café is under new ownership by Peter Wardle with a new concept—breakfast, lunch and brunch, along with juices and smoothies, too. Luckily, the roastery remains owned by Jeff and Christina Porter, which means wholesale coffee, coffee brewed on site and other aspects of the café remain. Fun Fact: The roastery is 100-percent solar-powered.
10.2 mi. | 18 min.
12. Trauger's Farm Market
370 Island Rd., Kintnersville | 610.847.5702 | traugersfarm.com
It's an obvious pit stop, a farm, especially if you're inclined to eat strawberries you've picked there right out of your own hand. But Trauger's also pops their own kettle corn on site, sells baked goods and, last year, during the season, food trucks (pizza, tater tots!) typically parked here during pick-your-own activities and other farm-related fun through the fall. Keep an eye out—they're hoping to expand the number and types of trucks this year. If all else fails, there's homemade popcorn in a variety of flavors, plenty of homegrown produce and a hub for other regional, seasonal foods, too.
11.5 mi. | 21 min.
13. The Narrows
2206 River Rd. Upper Black Eddy | 484.309.4449 | thenarrowsrestaurantandbar.com
For stellar atmosphere inside and out—you know, that river view is hard to beat—The Narrows offers a thoughtful menu of upgraded pub classics, an inventive drink menu and all-around good vibes. The building dates to 1812 and may be remembered prior to its current incarnation (which opened in April 2019) as the Indian Rock Inn, which suffered a devastating fire in 2015. Locals might know that that part of Bucks County was formerly known as Narrowsville. Anyone who's tried to drive along skinny parts of Route 32 (River Road) knows why.
13.9 mi. | 23 min.
14. Ringing Rocks Park
Ringing Rocks Rd., Upper Black Eddy | 215.757.0571 | visitbuckscounty.com
This playful hiking spot is home to a field of unique boulders that emit ringing sounds when clanged with a hammer. BYO whacking instrument and have fun clambering around and trying out the countless divots left by generations of rock-ringers. There's also a waterfall to view and picnic tables if you don't fancy snacking sprawled on the rocks.
15.6 mi. | 27 min.
15. Bucks County Riverboat Company
1469 River Rd. Upper Black Eddy | 610.982.5252 | buckscountyriverboats.com
Adults may relish the river from the relaxing safety of a comfortable cruise, such as the “Happy Hour” or “Sunset Cocktail” cruises out of Keller's Landing in Upper Black Eddy, with light snacks and a cash bar provided. Check the website to see if present COVID guidelines allow the riverboat to run.
17.1 mi. | 28 min.
16. F.P. Kolbe Gift Store & Café
6 River Rd., Point Pleasant | 215.297.5666 | fpkolbe.com
Perhaps the most eclectic spot along the river is F.P. Kolbe Gift Store and Café, which is hard to miss because its exterior is chockablock with all kinds of décor, garden items, furniture and interesting handmade and quirky things to bring home with you. If you're making a shopping stop here, keep in mind the café offers lots of different panini options, along with coffee from nearby Homestead Roasters and baked goods from Chocolate in the Oven.
27.3 mi. | 43 min.
17. Bucks County Children's Museum
500 Union Square Dr., New Hope | 215.693.1290 | buckskids.org
This please-touch museum in New Hope for younger kids has a play hospital, town square, factory and archaeological dig to give free rein to exploration of grownup realms. Kids can also experiment hands-on with canal locks and bridges in the Airways to Waterways exhibit. What better way to learn than by playing? Preregister online to ensure access.
36.4 mi. | 58 min.
18. Vampa
28 N. Union St., Lambertville, NJ | 908.377.6615 | vampamuseum.com
Connoisseurs of the creepy will enjoy popping into Lambertville's new museum gallery full of fascinating antiques conceptualizing the battle between good and evil, like vampire-killing sets and vintage Ouija boards. Open on weekends and free to access, Vampa displays art, sculpture and relics of the sixteenth through the nineteenth centuries.
36.3 mi. | 57 min.
19. Factory Girl Bake Shop
45 N. Main St., New Hope | 267.740.2354 | factorygirlbakeshop.com
Owner Kimberly Scola creates beautiful old-school baked goods with creative and inventive approaches. Baked goods are available for preorder Thursday through Sunday and, currently, she's open Sunday for walk-up service with lines that stretch around the block for items such as cinnamon buns and scones, cookies, cupcakes “and other pretty little cakes.” Things are changing rapidly as businesses open back up—so check social media for the most accurate info before you plan your stop.
36.3 mi. | 57 min.
20. Bucks County Playhouse
70 S. Main St., New Hope | 215.862.2121 | bcptheater.org
This month the BCP debuts Sex and the City creator Candace Bushnell's one-woman show Is There Still Sex in the City?, telling the story of how the hit show came to be and what came next. Dine riverside at the playhouse's restaurant and bar, The Deck.
36.6 mi. | 59 min.
21. Washington Crossing Historic Park
1112 River Rd., Washington Crossing | 215.493.4076 | washingtoncrossingpark.org
Almost 250 years ago, General Washington mounted a surprise attack across our familiar Delaware River in the dead of Christmas night. This spot is now home to a 500-acre park with historic buildings. Check out the visitor's center or catch a tour.
40.6 mi. | 69 min.
