When visiting River House at Odette’s, guests are often fascinated by the history of the surrounding Bucks County community. Located along the route of Old York Road, New Hope is a year-round destination offering a wide selection of music, art, and history-related experiences. Whether visiting for business or pleasure, there are plenty of recreational activities as well as dining options, wineries, antique stores, and Delaware River hotels such as the luxurious new River House at Odette’s.

Read on for a brief history of New Hope, PA, and all that this quaint area has to offer.

The Origins of New Hope

Nearly 10,000 years ago, the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans made their way along the Delaware River in search of land, forests, and water, with many settling in what is now known as New Hope, PA. Much later, during the early part of the 18th century, New Hope was established when a man by the name of William Penn approved a sale of land to Robert Heath to build a mill and form a village.

The Revolutionary War 

New Hope was exposed to increased exposure during the American Revolutionary War when General George Washington marched through the town, spending the night there with his troops to prepare for the Battle of Trenton, where he defeated the Hessian forces. Today, you can visit the Revolutionary War sites where these events took place, including the Washington Crossing State Park, and trek to other nearby historical sites in Mount Airy, Hopewell Borough, Cranbury, and Englishtown.

Transportation Hub

Due to its prime location on the banks of the Delaware River, New Hope has been a significant transportation hub for nearly all time. From the time that the Lenni-Lenape Native Americans settled it, the quaint town has served as a stopover for stagecoaches, canal boats, trains, trolleys, and automobiles journeying to and from New York. The adjacent 60-mile long Delaware Canal was also used to transport coal and lumber, with as many as 100 barges passing through each day. An interesting fact, the footprint where River House at Odette’s now stands was originally home to an overnight stop for those workmen transporting materials down the rolling river.

Tourism and Modern-Day New Hope 

New Hope remains an active community and tourist destination, home to dozens of art galleries, antique shops, museums, historic buildings, luxury-lifestyle hotels, and meeting venues. It’s a beautiful place to explore whether you’re visiting for a corporate retreat, family vacation, romantic getaway, posh wedding, or special event with amazing new experiences debuting regularly, including River House at Odette’s, as well as a farm-to-table restaurant, market, and brewery.

Are you planning a visit to New Hope, PA? Be sure to book your stay at our luxury-lifestyle hotel in Pennsylvania for a trendy yet historical experience along the Delaware River. Book your stay online or call (215) 682-2022.

 

With New Hope’s big-city amenities and small-town ambiance, this area has become an attraction for the modern-day traveler, whether for business or pleasure.  In fact, Travel + Leisure magazine named New Hope as one of “America’s Favorite Towns.” As if New Hope wasn’t already amazing on its own, it’s getting better thanks to the Riverfront Revitalization Strategic Plan that was introduced in 2008.

Under this plan, several new businesses and restaurants are expected to come to this area, including a new luxury lifestyle hotel – River House at Odette’s. Debuting in the spring of 2020, this fantastic addition to New Hope has generated new development that is currently taking place.

Check out some of the development happening in New Hope, and the hotel that is behind it all.

River House at Odette’s

River House will debut next spring and is the first luxury lifestyle hotel serving residents and visitors in New Hope. The hotel features beautiful views of the Delaware River and utilizes natural reclaimed materials, a vibrant jewel tone color palette, local art, curated furnishings and a mix of soft fabric and fine finishes to complete the design. It will be home to 36 guest rooms and suites as well as private dining rooms, conference meeting areas and a ballroom for weddings and events up to 200 guests.

The reason why the River House has spurred new growth in the New Hope area is simple. It is where elegance meets the elements. First, the luxury hotel introduces an elegant, urban-inspired look and feel that businesses desire for off-site meetings and conferences. It’s current, refreshing and modern. A perfect example is the piano bar and members-only rooftop lounge. Thinking about getting married soon but not sure where to celebrate this joyous occasion. Don’t worry, we got it covered! The River House is now booking weddings for fall 2020. The perfect destination for couples who are about to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Curious about the other businesses in this area?  Here are some can’t-miss venues that deserve a date on your calendar.

Stella

Stella is a farm-to-table restaurant run by Chef Jose Garces. The menu features American classic dishes with Garces’ twist, such as spaghetti pie, ricotta fritters, and dark chocolate fondant. This new restaurant was announced in 2016 and is part of New Hope’s master plan. Certainly, a long time coming, but definitely worth the wait.

Bucks County Children’s Museum

The Bucks County Children’s Museum recently expanded its space in an effort to drive more tourists to the attraction. Roughly 30 percent of their overall summer attendance comes from outside the region, so the museum is currently hosting a #BucksKidsGoBig photo contest on Instagram. This 10,000 square foot museum features award-winning attractions and is best suited for kids ages 1-7.

Ferry Market

The Ferry Market offers a unique collection of food vendors that serve gyros, deep-dish buns, and fresh cheeses and meats. The list of vendors changes, so there is always something new to discover. Plus, the Ferry Market has extended summer hours and First Firework Fridays.

Great Barn Brewery

The Great Barn Brewery is the first farm microbrewery in Bucks County. It embodies a farm-to-glass concept that utilizes ingredients from the soil. The taproom is open on the weekends, where you can enjoy a great selection of beers on tap, from oatmeal stouts to IPAs to Pale Ales.

Bucks County Playhouse

The Playhouse has been a staple of Bucks County for decades, ever since it opened in 1939. One of America’s most famous regional theaters, many legendary actors have delivered performances at this coveted hall, including Liza Minnelli, Robert Redford, Jessica Tandy, Angela Lansbury, Alan Alda, and more. If you are a fan of the performing arts, you cannot miss out on seeing a show at this cultural landmark.

Logan Inn

Established in 1727 and known as one of America’s oldest continually operated inns, the Logan Inn has been a staple of New Hope ever since its inception. With numerous events hosted annually, this is a great place to spend a couple of nights and experience history in an authentic way. It’s also a great location to host private groups or corporate retreats.

New Hope is getting a new look – and this is just the beginning. To join the mailing list for The River House and keep up to date with the progress of this up and coming area, visit us at riverhousenewhope.com.