New Jersey may not be Venice, but we do have a handful of canals. The Cape May Canal, Morris Canal, and Delaware & Raritan Canal are three of the most notable. Along the banks of the D&R Canal, you’ll find one of the most charming small towns in New Jersey. Lambertville is overflowing with antique shops, wonderful restaurants, and fantastic views. Read on to discover why you’ll want to visit, and who knows, you may even find a few things to do in Lambertville this weekend!

Let's start with a little history.
Flickr/Wally Gobetz
Lambertville is a little town in Hunterdon County with a population of about 4,000 residents. It was officially incorporated in 1849 but has been populated since the 18th century. For many years, Lambertville was a factory town, due to its proximity to the Delaware & Raritan Canal and the Belvidere Delaware Railroad. Some of these factories survived until the 1970s.

At that time, the town was flooded with creative types who revitalized the city, opening galleries and cafes and restoring old buildings. Lambertville has several sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The James W. Marshall House was added in 1970. The Delaware and Raritan Canal was added as a historic district in 1973. The Lambertville House was added in 1978. Nearly the entire city was listed as the Lambertville Historic District in 1983! The history is fascinating, but you'll definitely want to visit for the food.
The town isn't even two square miles in area, but it offers over 40 top-rated restaurants. You can find so much great food here, no matter what you're looking for. There are fantastic grab-and-go traditional American options, plus delicious ethnic choices. There are plenty of waterfront options if you'd like to enjoy a great view while you dine!
Facebook/Music Mountain Theater
Or maybe you'd prefer to have a little fun while enjoying culture? There's plenty to do in Lambertville. You'll certainly want to check out the Music Mountain Theatre, a 256-seat performing arts venue that will offer live performances year-round.

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Lambertville is also the unofficial "antiques capital of New Jersey." There are plenty of wonderful antiques and vintage stores here. You never know what sort of diamonds in the rough you'll come across!
Zeete/Wikipedia
If you're outdoorsy, hike or bike along the Delaware & Raritan Canal Tow Path Trail. Visit in April for one of their most unique events, Shad Fest. Celebrating the Shad fish, you can shop, dine, make crafts, listen to live music, take the kids on carnival rides, and more. All kinds of food are available, you don't even need to like fish.
If you visit Lambertville, you'll surely want to check out Howell Living History Farm.
Facebook/Howell Living History Farm
Located in Hopewell Township, "Howell Farm is a time machine that takes visitors to the year 1900 when horse-drawn buggies traveled the lanes of Pleasant Valley and when farms were bordered by snake fences and Osage orange trees." There are live animals and frequent events including hayrides, logging and blacksmithing demonstrations, maple sugaring, and more. During the fall, they are home to New Jersey's longest-running corn maze. However, this is one of the best things to do in New Jersey with families at any time of year!

Have you ever been to Lambertville, New Jersey? What’s your favorite thing to do in the area? It’s one of our favorite small towns in New Jersey thanks to the wide variety of attractions. It’s such a dream of a Garden State town! Tell us all about your favorite places to go in the comments.

Looking for a place to stay in Lambertville, NJ? Check out the selection of vacation rentals on Vrbo!

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Canals in New Jersey

Sarah | November 22, 2021

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