This Unknown Riverside Hideaway Surprisingly Named A Must-Visit Fall Destination

Hidden in plain sight on the Pennsylvania border, a small New Jersey town holds over 300 years of history.

It sits along the same Delaware River where Washington forged his legendary victory, yet most Americans don’t even know it exists.

Your first inclination might be Camden, but we at Travel Off Path wouldn’t try to trick you into visiting one of America’s most downtrodden cities, constantly finding itself on the wrong side of headlines.

While you shouldn’t take on the impossible task of chowing down cheesesteaks behind the wheel, this much more enjoyable idyllic hideaway is still a quick drive from Philly, making it a worthwhile getaway with easy access.

Reaching peak autumnal beauty in the coming months, this relatively unknown town on a global scale entices visitors from neighboring states to make the trek down to this waterfront haven and was just named a must-visit fall destination by AFAR.

Lambertville, New Jersey: Immerse In Calm, Vibrant Nature

AFAR is in love with Lambertsville. Not only has this little-known hideout been named a fall must-visit this year, but it has also made AFAR’s ‘Where to Go in 2024′ list too.

Flying well under the radar for most, Lambertville packs a punch during fall despite its diminutive size.

We all know leaf peepers are in full force once green tree lines begin transforming to crimsons and golds.

This region of the U.S. is teeming with low-key map-dots making a name for themselves only a fraction of the year, and Lambertville is one of them.

You can witness stunning parks turn from sprawling green forests into a mix of rustic and vibrant hues, making for perfect photo-ops, such as Goat Hill Overlook and nearby Washington’s Rock.

AFAR claims the best time to visit for the ultimate rush of fall colors is mid to late October, though arriving anytime before it’s time to carve into your turkey won’t disappoint with blooms of wild flora and kaleidoscopic leaves.

One of the best spots to capture picture-perfect beauty is Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, also known as “D & R” to save you some syllables.

Here, you can canoe, picnic, bike, hike, ride horses, or cast a reel into the river for pickerel and perch in splendid weather until November. Expect highs in the 60s until then.

A Double Dose Of Small Town Charm

There’s one aspect of Lambertville that makes it truly unique — it’s a border town.

No, not the kind where you cross to buy questionable medicine at bargain bin prices — the kind where you can double dip in two equally charming towns simply by crossing the pedestrian-friendly bridge (Bridge Street) over the Delaware.

On the flip side of Lambertville is New Hope, Pennsylvania, another riverside heartthrob with postcard foliage and nostalgic main drags.

Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is your best bet for similar photo-ops as the Jersey side.

It’s definitely worth visiting since it’s so easy to cross, but let’s stick to the script — Lambertville is the place receiving most of the hype.

Being a 45-minute drive from Philadelphia, you can make it your mainstay or a fun-filled day trip.

There are cozy inns such as Lambertville Guesthouse, offering just 26 guest rooms in a historic community staple dating back to the 1800s.

And if you don’t want to risk clogging arteries with Philly’s world-famous cheesesteaks, Lambertville has plenty of local eateries ready to welcome you, such as popular Bell’s Tavern.

Shop ‘Til You Drop: Lambertville Is New Jersey’s ‘Antique Capital’

Macklemore may be a one-(or maybe two) hit wonder, but he made thrift shopping cool again.

Lambertville’s claim to fame before AFAR’s publicity is being known as New Jersey’s ‘antique capital’.

Aligning with the town’s centuries-old history and vintage vibes, it should come as no surprise that you can shop ’til you drop as if you’re that old man on the beach with a metal detector that we all promise ourselves we’ll never be.

Tucked away outside of town is the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, a very popular gathering spot to “dig for gold”, if you will.

There are also multiple shops in town within walking distance from each other, such as A Touch of the Past Antiques and Antiques Center at the People’s Store, both with rave reviews.