JudyADenver

I am working on the return portion of our next road trip Sept, 2011. We will be driving from Old Saybrook, Ct going toward our home in Denver. We are hoping to avoid the boring interstate hotel chains along the way.

Should we spend one night in Lambertville, New Hope or Frenchtown and another night in Ephrara? Or should we spend 2 nights in Ephrata? My husband has never been to the Lancaster area and is intrigued.

Neither of us are antique shoppers but we appreciate the architecture. We need towns which will have a few restaurant choices for dinner.

I am having a very difficult time finding highly rated accommodations in any of these towns which are dog friendly. So far I have only found the Smithton Inn in ephrata and the Woolverton Inn near New Hope.

vjpblovesitaly

I have not been to Frenchtown in a long time but I was in New Hope and Lambertville in April. They are both cute towns. You can walk from one to the other so I guess it's two for the price of one. I've never been to Ephrata.

happytourist

I don't remember Ephrata as being a particularly quaint town, but we really enjoyed visiting the Ephrata Cloister and learning about an early monastic group that settled there.

http://www.ephratacloister.org/

lcuy

We loved the Churchtown Inn, which is in the general area.

Tenshi

Lambertville & New Hope are nice, if you haven't eaten in Peddler's Village (it's country style). Otherwise, I personally have to recommend world known Paganini http://www.paganiniristorante.com/ in nearby Doylestown, PA Doylestown is a place Philadelphians consider a romantic get-away. Though, you'll still want to catch live entertainment in New Hope.

Kutztown, PA is definately Amish related. There is the Rodale Institute where there is a small garden and over 300 acres of field. More frequently I have seen the Amish are travelling down that street than in Lancaster. Also there is Renniger's Kutztown Farmer's Market open on Saturday & Sunday. It's famous for antiques and Amish goods/foods/folk crafts.

lolfn

New Hope, Lambertville and Doylestown are all cute towns. As mentioned NH and Lambertville are separated by a walkable bridge so you can kill both in one stay. Doylestown is bigger, but still very quaint, and about 15 min away. The whole surrounding countryside is quite beautiful and historic. Frenchtown is smaller than the other towns but also quaint.

When we've gone to the Lancaster area we've enjoyed Strasburg. A very quaint town with a fascinating railroad museum--and I wouldn't think I'd like that sort of thing.

JohnfromNewHope

Judy,

I live in New Hope and of course highly recommend it. It is steeped in history and the views and vistas are amazing. As for B&B's? The best in the area, which was just recently rated as the 2nd best B&B ib AMERICA, is the Inn at Bowman's Hill. If you're lucky to score a room there you will want to look me up and thank me in person. Restaurants? Way too many to name. Its a dining mecca. If you decide to come, send me an email and I'll recommend a few. Good luck!

elberko

JohnfromNewHope,

Why not post your recommendations here? That way all of us reading this thread can benefit.

~Liz

JudyADenver

The more I read about the New Hope area, the more interested I become. I reserved 3 nights at the Wedgwood Inn in New Hope because it's the only B&B I could find (except for the Wolverton which is beyond our budget) which accepts dogs.

I haven't reserved the Lancaster area, but am leading toward Strasburg, Pa at the Clarion Inn (dog friendly). The hotel is closed due to renovation so I am waiting to read more reviews before booking.

John from New Hope--I don't know how to send you an email but I would love to know your restaurant suggstions.

JohnfromNewHope

OK,well let me know your tastes and budget and I'll give you some recommendations. Also, beware. The Lancaster area while lovely to look at has very few things to do for a family ohter then look at the farms.

JudyADenver

JohnfromNewHope--We are staying 3 nights in New Hope Oct 3,4,5(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) I presume it will be too cold to eat on a patio. Traveling with a dog, we cannot leave her in our B&B room. When we travel, we try to park in front of a restaurant then leave her in the car. That way we can periodically check on her. (We have a great fear of her being stolen). This is may be a tall order in a small town with limited street parking. If you know of any restaurants in New Hope or nearby which would have parking within view, please let me know.

My husband and I are not into antiques or quilts, do you think an overnight in Strasburg, Pa might prove to be boring for us?

Gretchen

You should go to the Lancaster Central Market. Maybe you are foodies?

JudyADenver

The lancster Central Market sounds perfect. We will only have one afternoon in this area. Anything else we should see?

tomfuller

On you other thread you mention Strasburg. the Historic Strasburg Inn @ One Historic Drive 800 872-0201 is pet friendly and has 100 rooms. Be sure to visit the railroad museum.

JudyADenver

The Clarion Historic Strasburg Inn is my top choice. The hotel is currently closed for renovation until March 1. I am waiting to talk to them about their limited pet friendly rooms.

JohnfromNewHope

Judy, Near New Hope on the jersey side is a restaurant called the Stockton Inn. They will allow your dog into the bar area. mention my name to the bartender there. Her name is Sandy.They also have an outdoor HEATED area. Very good food. As for some restaurants with parking you can view. That severly limits your choices. Here are a few but parking in New Hope is a challenge.

Havana's (avg food)
Italia Cucina ( great food)
Logan Inn (outdoor heated area)
Mansion Inn
Marcella's

These are not the best places but they fit your need for the dog. If you go to the Stockton Inn during the week and you want to reach me, Sandy has my phone number. But as for your dog? New hope is a VERY safe town.

RebeccaGallagher

Hey Judy!! Sounds like you have a terrific trip planned, and if you haven't settled your "Lancaster County" accommodations, I definitely think you should consider staying at the Historic Smithton Inn. Full disclosure... I'm biased... I'm the innkeeper !! I love Ephrata, there's lots to do nearby, and good accessibility to the general area. And my husband and I still pinch ourselves that we get to live in this cool 18th century Inn (we bought the B&B in June of 2009). Anyway, when I say your post I thought I'd chime in... no matter where you stay, you'll fall in love with this lovely county!!

debsnj

There is a French Bakery on one of the side streets in New Hope, JohnfromNewHope can point you in the right direction, great for a treat. We go often as day trippers from NJ. John, I've always wondered about the museum by the large parking lot? Any info?

JohnfromNewHope

Deb,

The bakery that you refer to is called C'est La Vie. Its down an alley way. The large parking lot is for the Bucks County Playhouse which is closed for renovations. The other large building is empty and for sale. I'm not familiar with a museum in that parking area.

debsnj

I wasn't referring to that parking area when I mentioned the parking area. Another metered parking area on the west side of the main drag. I know there is a deli with healthy type food alongside the lot.