Small town charm with big city sophistication.

A real-life Christmas snow globe.

Welcoming and accepting — to everyone.

This is from The WeekEnder series: local insider guides for new destinations a short drive from New York City, delivered to your inbox twice a month. Sign up here!

“On my first Christmas in New Hope, I stepped out of my car and it felt like I had walked into an antique snow globe,” says Moe Simmons, the founder of Wax N Scent, a stylish new candle-making studio. “From the old-fashioned holiday decorations everywhere to the fire trucks driving through town with Santa Claus on top, it’s a magical world during this season.”

But here’s the thing about this little enclave on the banks of the Delaware River that is often voted one of the best holiday towns in the nation: This is not your typical Norman Rockwell scene. New Hope is a place with depth, diversity, and a storied history of cabarets and centuries-old architectural wonders. “It’s artistically diverse and there are so many cultures,” says Moe, who used to come here with her husband on day trips, then decided it would be the perfect place to set up their business. “Even if you’re just visiting, you’re made to feel like you’re part of the family. You’re a part of New Hope.”

It was exactly that welcoming spirit that attracted Matt Hanson, who is the president of New Hope Celebrates, a local Pride organization that hosts LGBTQ+ event throughout the year, such as tea dances and drag queen story hour. “I grew up visiting New Hope in high school and college, as I was discovering a little bit more about who I am — it’s a place that’s all about love and acceptance where no one really judges each other,” says Matt, who is also a fan of the festive season, from caroling in the streets to Santa bar crawls.

Ho ho ho. Let’s escape to New Hope.

-Laura Begley Bloom, New York's Senior WeekEnder Writer

Editor’s Note: Your safety is our primary concern. We encourage you only to travel when it’s safe to do so. While we’ve vetted businesses featured here to ensure they are adhering to the state’s current COVID requirements, the situation is fluid. If you’re not comfortable traveling, save this guide for a later date, as all these activities will be just as amazing in the future as they are today.

For more info on travel within Pennsylvania, visit the state’s official COVID-19 information page.

1. River House at Odette’s

2. Wax N Scent Studio

3. Karla’s Restaurant

4. Logan Inn

5. Arete Gallery

6. Bucks County Playhouse

River House at Odette’s

In the 1960s, French-American actress Odette Myrtil Logan retired from Hollywood and moved to New Hope, where she opened Chez Odette in a 1794 river house. The boisterous cabaret quickly became the town’s social hub, attracting everyone from local artists to visiting celebs from Philadelphia and New York City. It’s now enjoying a second act as a boutique hotel that pays homage to its colorful past with original artwork, books, and salvaged elements dating to the 1900s. The spirit of Odette lives on at the onsite piano bar with live music and in the restaurant with its indulgent dishes like iron skillet baked cornbread and beignets with flavors that change according to the season, like apple cider drizzled with bourbon caramel.

Honorable hotel mentions

For Instagrammers: Logan Inn - “It’s decorated to the nines for the holidays — a winter wonderland with lights and pine everywhere,” says Moe Simmons.

For history buffs: Aaron Burr House - Hamilton­ fans will eat up this B&B's claim to fame: It’s where Aaron Burr fled after offing Alexander Hamilton. These days, it’s a different kind of hideaway with antique-filled guestrooms and innkeepers who love to pamper guests with big breakfast spreads and stories of the past.

For sweethearts: Ghost Light Inn - Looking for a room with a swoon-worthy view? This contemporary riverfront hotel is your spot. (The hotel also has a three-room sister inn in a quaint carriage house a couple blocks away.)

New Hope doesn't have a ton of restaurants, but what it lacks in number, it makes up for with quality places that showcase ingredients from Bucks County's local farmers and purveyors.

Best breakfast

C’est la Vie - “A delicious little French bakery in an alleyway — as you approach it, all you smell is the fresh bread,” says Matt Hanson.

Lunchtime

Russo’s Pizza - “The largest pizzas I’ve ever seen,” says Moe Simmons. “Order the pepperoni, sausage, and onion.”

Pub grub

Triumph Brewing Co - Live music, flights of craft beer, and an impressive menu of small plates. Don’t miss the rye pretzels with cheddar fondue.

Great Barn Brewery - The menu is tiny (three kinds of hot dogs), but who needs food? You’re coming here for the beer, which is sustainably brewed with crystal-clear water from a private well on the owners' nearby Bucks County farm.

Casual bites

The Salt House - A former music industry exec did a career change and transformed a 1751 stone building into a hotspot for locally sourced cuisine and craft cocktails. Best table in the house: in front of the wood-burning fireplace.

Nektar Wine Bar - Set right across from the Bucks County Playhouse, this is the ultimate pre-theater destination, with a long list of wines, beers, and whiskeys, plus Mediterranean-inspired dishes sourced from local farmers and suppliers.

Date night

Karla’s Restaurant - Moe and Matt are both wild about this all-day dining spot that starts the day off with a decadent brunch and ends the evening with elevated homestyle dishes (meatloaf, pork chops) and great cocktails (Moe recommends the martinis). “It’s locally owned and you can really just be whoever you are,” says Matt.

Oldestone - An 1800s Methodist church has been converted into a mod restaurant where you can worship a prime cut of steak.

Arts and culture

This creative community is the perfect getaway for travelers seeking a mix of history and a thriving arts scene.

Bucks County Playhouse - This theater company helped transform New Hope into an artistic destination when it opened in 1939 in a converted 1790 gristmill. It’s known for its summer theater, but you won’t want to miss this season’s festive performances (the Everly Brothers Christmas Show, Christmas with the Coasters).

Parry Mansion - An 18th century Georgian-style mansion now serves as the HQ for the New Hope Historical Society, which runs tours to introduce visitors to the town’s rich past.

New Hope Arts Center - “A wonderful place to see art,” says Matt Hanson. “They do great exhibits and have smaller spaces that they rent out to artists.”

Arete Gallery - This cutting-edge gallery is dedicated to showcasing artists whose work elevates humanity, from environmental causes to disabled veterans.

New Hope Railroad - All aboard for a short trip through the rolling hills of Bucks County on vintage train cars. This season, check out Santa’s Steam Train Ride or the North Pole Express. Fun fact: It’s aimed at kids, but grownups love it, too.

Shopping

Need to do some last-minute holiday shopping? New Hope's buzzing downtown is lined with small boutiques that are full of personality.

Wax N Scent Studio - This next-level candlemaking experience is part spa, part BYOB lounge — the perfect place for a date night or a bachelorette party, according to owner Moe Simmons. Don't want to make your own? There are also ready-made candles with 100% natural soy and lead-free wicks.

David M Mancuso Antiques at the Old Church - New Hope is known for its antiquing and this converted church is one of the best, with one-of-a-kind discoveries ranging from antiquities to mid-century modern.

Hearts Afire - An eclectic shop in an 18th century building with handmade jewelry and only-in-New-Hope finds like a skull vase. “It’s my favorite place for homewares,” says Matt.

Savioni - When he’s looking to spiff up his look, this high-end boutique is Matt’s destination of choice (there’s also a great selection of women’s clothes).

Peddler’s Village - On the outskirts of town, the 42-acre Peddler’s Village is worth the detour. Part amusement park (complete with a 1920s carousel) and part destination shopping area, it goes big on holiday decor.

It’s about an hour and a half from Midtown Manhattan to New Hope.

Pit stop

Take a detour en route and check out nearby Princeton, which we visited a few weeks ago in The WeekEnder. There’s nothing like strolling through the historic university campus, which doubles as an open-air sculpture garden with works by Alexander Calder, Maya Lin, and more.

Listen

Ween - New Hope has a rich connection to music and theater, but one of the town’s most famous exports is Ween, an indie band that’s as eclectic as the town itself, with a sound that fuses everything from funk to country to gospel.