When a national magazine set out to select the 50 Best Christmas Towns in America, a Bucks County town was right in the forefront.
New Hope ranked No. 1 in a list of formidable possibilities for a “get-away” Christmas holiday, according to Country Living Magazine.
“Who wouldn’t want to spend their Christmas in this lovely East Coast locale?” the article asked.
New Hope Borough Council President Connie Gering said, “It’s an honor to be recognized nationally for our holiday festivities, a well-deserved tribute to the organizers of the parade and tree-lighting ceremony, the New Hope Railroad’s North Pole Express and all our businesses and merchants who add that special sparkle to the season. We all take pride in what New Hope has to offer and truly appreciate being named a No. 1 destination this winter.”
The article specifically mentioned the North Pole Express which brings so many families to the New Hope community for a ride through the woods. But there’s so much else that contributes to holiday cheer in the town – the sparkling lights, the handsome Christmas tree in front of the Logan Inn, caroling and hot cocoa and, of course, the fantastic shopping, stores bursting at the seams with the kind of special gifts and individual service that can’t be found online or in big-box stores.
Holiday menus and tasty treats offered by the many restaurants lining the quaint streets are also a big draw for travelers as well as local visitors.
The holiday joy is not confined to the town alone. Just a few miles away the lights of Peddler’s Village burn bright in the night sky.
Weekend and overnight visitors can find cozy lodging both in town and hidden away in the nearby countryside. One picture-pretty bed-and-breakfast that prides itself on its holiday decorations is the romantic Inn at Bowman’s Hill between New Hope and Washington Crossing.
While New Hope is No. 1 on the list, four other Christmas towns are within easy driving distance for Bucks Countians. They include No. 18, nearby Bethlehem, self-proclaimed Christmas City; No. 28, Bernville in Berks County, home of Koziar’s Christmas Village; No. 17, New York City, and trailing the list, No. 50, Dyker Heights in South Brooklyn, N.Y.
The remaining towns are scattered across the map from Atlantic to Pacific, from Nantucket in Massachusetts to Carmel-by-the-Sea in California.
