Located along the Delaware River in Bucks County, PA, New Hope is a gorgeous small town with a big personality. The town draws visitors from all over the country, and rightfully so. It offers tons of shopping, dining, and other ways to entertain you for a day or a long weekend.
New Hope is also an incredible destination for families! With nature to explore and places to play, there are plenty of fun things to do in New Hope, PA, with your kids.
I’ve been exploring New Hope with kids for years and know some great spots that we always love to hit up.
If you’re planning a trip to this funky river town, you’re in the right place! I have several fun kid-friendly activities you can enjoy in New Hope below.
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The Best Things to Do With Kids in New Hope, PA
Explore Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
A short drive down River Road will lead you to the beautiful Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve.
With several trails throughout the preserve, your family can spend a few hours wandering around, enjoying all that nature has to offer.
Don’t forget to stop by the New Pond. You may see a frog or two!
Bike or Walk Along the Delaware Canal Towpath
At almost 60 miles long, the Delaware Canal Towpath stretches from Easton to Bristol, PA. The towpath is relatively flat, making it an easy ride for any bicycler.
The path is signed with historical information about the canal and its use from the 1830s until the 1930s.
Visitors can cross the New Hope – Lambertville Bridge to Hunterdon County and ride on the canal towpath on the New Jersey side to explore more of the area.
Hike the Goat Hill Overlook Trail
Although the Goat Hill Overlook Trail is not in New Hope, it offers an incredible view of the Bucks County town!
As one of our favorite hikes near Philadelphia and a top thing to do in Hunterdon County, the Goat Hill Overlook is perfect for families.
A shorter trail, approximately one mile long, leads you directly to the overlook. At just over 2 miles, the other trail meanders through the forest and offers various views along the Delaware River. You can even catch a glimpse of Bowman’s Hill Tower.
Play at Giggleberry Fair at Peddler’s Village
About 10 minutes from Main Street in New Hope, one of the most popular shopping and dining destinations in Bucks County is located.
Among all of the unique shops and delicious restaurants in Peddler’s Village is Giggleberry Fair!
Giggleberry Fair offers several ways to entertain the kids. Kids six and younger will enjoy the small “please touch” area, Giggle Discovers, where they can pretend to be firefighters or play with water features.
Big kids can run, climb, and shoot foam balls in Giggleberry Mountain. And kids (and adults) of all ages will love the giant carousel.
Have a Good Time at the Bucks County Children’s Museum
Another awesome indoor place for kids is the Bucks County Children’s Museum.
A short walk from Main Street, the Bucks County Children’s Museum has several rooms and attractions to keep your kids’ attention for several hours.
The Bucks County Children’s Museum is one of our favorite things to do in New Hope!
Take a Ride on the New Hope Railroad
For a relaxed way to explore Bucks County, consider taking a ride on the New Hope Railroad.
Passengers can enjoy a ride with Santa, view Pennsylvania’s fall foliage, or simply take a scenic ride along the river.
The railroad station is within walking distance from Main Street and next door to the Triumph Brewing Company, a delicious and family-friendly restaurant/brewery.
Catch a Show at Bucks County Playhouse
Built in 1790 as a grist mill and converted to a theater in the 1930s, the Bucks County Playhouse has entertained New Hope visitors for almost a century.
As one of the most popular things to do in New Hope, PA, the Bucks County Playhouse hosts various productions throughout the year.
Visit their website to see what will be running during your visit. You may even see a famous face!
Climb to the Top of Bowman’s Hill Tower
Take a ride, 10 minutes from downtown New Hope, to get the best view in all of Bucks County.
Visitors can climb the 125-foot tower using the 100+ steps inside to get birds eye views of up to 14 miles.
Bowman’s Hill Tower is located right next to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, making it the perfect combination for a morning or afternoon outside.
Stand in Two States at Once
Pennsylvania and New Jersey are separated by the Delaware River, making it challenging to stand in both states at once.
However, the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge marks where both states split the river. This allows visitors to stand in both states at once.
It’s the only bridge (that we know of) that offers pedestrians this opportunity.
Best Places to Eat in New Hope With Kids
Ferry Market
The Ferry Market on Main Street is a fun, lively market featuring several different food vendors. Visitors have a wide variety of options, including pizza, gyros, Peruvian-style dishes, and macarons.
Nina’s Waffles & Ice Cream
Every town has its ice cream spot, and Nina’s Waffles & Ice Cream is it in New Hope!
This Bucks County favorite features homemade ice cream with flavors like Double Espresso Crunch and Mad Crack. And you have to try their delicious waffles, especially with the chocolate!
Take a Food Tour With Sister Cities
Have you ever visited a new town and had no idea where to eat? Food tours are a great way to learn more about the city you’re visiting, all while eating at the best places in town!
Sister Cities Tours, located in Lambertville, across the river from New Hope, offers amazing food tours that include both of the Delaware River towns. Private tours can be made kid-friendly.
Come and Enjoy all of the Things to Do in New Hope, PA!
As Bucks County natives, we love sharing about our home and everything it has to offer.
If you are planning to visit over a long weekend, or even a week, check out some of these other things you can do in Bucks County and our neighboring Montgomery County.
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