The Most Charming River Towns In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, also known as "the Keystone State," is a glorious state with excellent cities and wonderful landscapes throughout the area, thanks to the Appalachian and Pocono Mountains running through the state. Many of the communities woven through the state carry the founding of the United States with a history and deep connection to the rivers that flow through them, along with unique cultural attractions that make these towns stand out from many others. Each of these communities is worth taking a weekend trip to when wanting to find some last-minute plans outside of the cities. From Jim Thorpe’s whitewater adventures on the Lehigh River to New Hope’s artistic spirit along the Delaware, these towns showcase the variety and charm that Pennsylvania’s river communities have to offer.
Jim Thorpe
Located in Carbon County in the Northeastern part of the state is Jim Thorpe, a town situated along the Lehigh River. Jim Thorpe was once known as East and West Mauch Chunk until 1954, when the community renamed itself to honor the iconic Pro Football Hall of Fame athlete and two-time gold medal winner. With the Lehigh River, whitewater rafting is extremely popular in town, with Jim Thorpe River Adventures and Pocono Whitewater Rafting available for anyone wanting to explore the waters near town or fly fishing within the community.
On either side of the river, the community is filled with historic buildings in the Old Mauch Chunk Historic District and incredible local businesses. Just west of the Lehigh River on Broadway is the Stabin Museum, an art museum founded by Victor Stabin, a Brooklyn artist, who moved to town in 2003, and has dedicated his art, hosts art classes for the next generation of artists, and has a restaurant called Cafe Arielle all housed in a fully renovated old factory building. Another Museum to explore in town is the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, a museum dedicated to preserving the history of the community and Carbon County in the heart of the Historic District.
New Hope
Just across from Lambertville, NJ, on the west side of the Delaware River, is New Hope, a borough in Bucks County. New Hope is known for its history, arts and culture scene, and scenic beauty. A natural place to visit is the Delaware Canal State Park, featuring a 58.89-mile-long towpath that goes through town with endless views of the adjacent Delaware River. Visitors of this iconic pathway can enjoy a nice walk, go biking, or running, as the New Hope section of the trail is about 12.5 miles long, giving people a solid adventure and scenic views of the river.
The rest of New Hope, like Lambertville across the river, is an excellent and charming community with a very wonderful downtown. A fantastic hotel to visit in downtown is the Ghost Light Inn, a 12-room boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown and next to Ferry Landing Park, giving its guests exquisite views of the Delaware River. The Ghost Light also hosts events, has a gorgeous patio, and a restaurant called Stella of New Hope, further adding to a wonderful stay for all guests and visitors of the hotel.
Bloomsburg
Just off Interstate 80 is Bloomsburg, the only incorporated town in Columbia County with the Susquehanna River flowing through the south side of town. Bloomsburg is known for hosting the Bloomsburg Fair since 1855, being the home of Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg, and having a vibrant arts scene. The Bloomsburg Town Park is an excellent place to enjoy a relaxing day. It has basketball courts and a disc golf course, and it offers people lovely views of the adjacent Susquehanna River across the street. Visitors and residents can also hike near the Susquehanna River, explore the waters via boat or raft, and go on some fishing expeditions.
Since the community has an artsy scene, the Haas Center for the Performing Arts on Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg's campus hosts magnificent plays and performances for all who live and visit town to enjoy. The center is also the home of the University's music, theatre, dance, and the Haas Gallery of Art, keeping that art-themed theme to the community. As mentioned, the town hosts the Bloomsburg Fair, which has musical performances and exhibits showcasing education, livestock, agriculture, arts and crafts, and much more.
Bethlehem
Just about 30 miles south of Jim Thorpe is Bethlehem, a city in Northampton and Lehigh Counties, and it has the Lehigh River flowing through the area. Bethlehem is known for its history, industry, earning its namesake on Christmas Eve in 1741 during the Colonial Era, earning the nickname "Christmas City USA," an arts and culture scene, and its higher education scene, as Lehigh University, Moravian University, and Northampton Community College are in the city.
With the Lehigh River flowing through the city, the Historic Bethlehem River Tours takes people on kayak and bike adventures on the river or biking on the D&L Trail. Guests can either kayak on their own or ride in a tandem kayak. Another excellent place to visit when exploring the Lehigh River is Sand Island Park, an outdoor oasis offering something for everyone, such as trails, picnic areas, basketball courts, and much more. The park gives a solid scenic view of the river thanks to the Sand Island Trail.
Bethlehem is filled with plenty of landmarks and tourist attractions. One of them is the SteelStacks, a 10-acre campus that was once the Bethlehem Steel Factory. The factory closed in 1995 and has since been a home dedicated to the arts, culture, family events, community celebrations, and much more. The multiple furnaces on campus give the place its distinct name, and they are about 230 feet tall.
Milton
Located on the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County, the borough of Milton is known for its historical industrial heritage, location on the river, and historic buildings. Right on the Susquehanna River is the Milton State Park on an 82-acre island. The park sits between Milton and the adjacent West Milton, and is a perfect scenic spot for hiking, exploring the views of the Susquehanna River, soccer, and a wonderful place to study nature. The park also has a boat launch for those looking to explore the Susquehanna River or who want to go on a fishing expedition. An excellent activity in town is the Mural Tour, where the artwork brightens up buildings and showcases what the town was and is today. Another fun place to visit with the family is the Milton Model Train Museum, a museum dedicated to showing its visitors model trains and what the borough looked like throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
Morrisville
Right on the Delaware River and across from Trenton, NJ, is the borough of Morrisville. Morrisville is known for its rich history, its role in the Revolutionary War, and its location on the Delaware River. An excellent place to enjoy the river and the view of the adjacent Trenton is the Capitol View Riverwalk. This 0.7-mile-long trail gives people in the town and neighborhood incredible views of the Delaware River for a leisurely walk.
As a community that was settled in 1624, it has tons of history throughout. An excellent place to learn more about the town's history is at the Historic Summerseat. This building was once the headquarters of General George Washington during the Revolutionary War in December of 1776 to plan the Battle of Trenton, and was owned by two signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, Robert Morris and George Clymer. Summerseat is open to the public and can host tours, public events, and private events.
Selinsgrove
Just near the middle of the Susquehanna River is Selinsgrove, a borough named to honor Revolutionary War Captain Anthony Selin. The rest of Selinsgrove is known for its local restaurants and shops, and is the home of Susquehanna University. A place to explore in town is the Isle of Que, a five-mile-long peninsula with relaxing streets, scenic views of the landscape, and boat access for those wanting to explore the rivers.
Within the community, visitors and residents can find local restaurants and shops, as well as landmarks such as the Governor Simon Snyder Mansion, the home of the third governor of the state. The mansion itself allows its visitors to learn more about the community's history, and was Snyder's home from 1816 until he died in 1819. The mansion is made from 18-inch limestone, has a fireplace in each room, and the floors are connected by a curved staircase. Within the mansion is the Selin's Grove Brewing Co., a perfect spot for a cold beer and excellent food with friends and family after a long day.
Finishing Up
"The Keystone State" is large, diverse in land and population, and has iconic rivers flowing through, giving the communities meaning and a unique history for the next generation to learn about. Each of these river communities in Pennsylvania has charm, local spirit, and its local restaurants and shops that induce people to return to these laid-back communities, again and again, along with potentially calling these places home. These towns are excellent for adventurers looking for their next fish to catch in the river, the next trail to explore, or history to unravel.
