The Delaware River Towns display a certain culture of maturity and class that is hard to find in many other places. The rustic, historic, and downright beautiful buildings in Doylestown or Lambertville exude a degree of excellence and care for their community, while places like New Hope show a tight-knit suburban community full of proud residents.
For a teen these places may seem “boring” or “dull”, but it is quite the contrary. The number of cool locations to visit is full of fun for any type of person from a bookworm to a music fanatic.
Bookstores
Farley’s Bookstore – Farley’s Bookstore is a classic New Hope spot that has been avidly visited since 1967. It has a very comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, while still having enough material to keep a teenager engaged. They have a wide variety of graphic novels while also having plenty of historical and nonfiction books for any history buffs interested.
Phantasm Comics – Phantasm Comics is another New Hope spot and is a personal favorite of mine. The amount of currently running comic books alone would be staggering, but that doesn’t even begin to crack the surface of what they have. Trade paperbacks galore, along with an insane amount of B Movies that will make any Troma Entertainment fan giddy with excitement.
Central Books – Central Books is an amazing Doylestown bookstore. It is my favorite used bookstore I have ever been too, and for good reason. There’s something there for everybody. Classic works of fiction, medical books, auto-biographies of dead political figures, and many other niche books. It feels like you’re entering a fortress of literature every time you step in their doors.
Food
Dilly’s – Dilly’s is a great little food joint by Centre Bridge. Dilly’s is known for the signature “Dilly Dogs”. They strive for an affordable but tasty meal that will be sure to keep you coming back for more.
More Than Q – More Than Q is an astoundingly good barbeque place in Lambertville that brings the style of Texas BBQ to New Jersey in a major way. The brisket is easily some of the best in the area and the pickles are to die for.
Stockton Market – Stockton Market is a great marketplace full of a lot of awesome things for you and your friends. The macaroons from Sciascia Confections are the best I have ever had, while the pizza from Market Pizza is absolutely sublime.
Nina’s Waffles & Ice Cream – Nina’s is an incredible ice cream shop originating in New Hope. It is easily the best ice cream you can get in any of the Delaware River Towns, let alone the whole East Coast. The affordability of the ice cream and the amount of care put into every scoop is incredibly commendable and I highly recommend stopping by before summer ends.
Coffee Shops
Rojo’s Roastery – Rojo’s Roastery is an awesome little coffee shop in Lambertville. The prices are affordable, the service is great, and most of all it is just great coffee. The iced black coffee is easily some of the best I have ever had.
The Zen Den – The Zen Den is a Doylestown coffee shop with a lot of spunk and an interesting atmosphere. Their website describes the place as a “homey, calm, and very welcoming environment”, and I would be inclined to agree. The level of comfort you get there is immeasurable and is sure to give anybody who goes some much-needed serenity to their life.
Record Stores
Siren Records – There are not enough good things to say about Siren Records. It is my favorite Doylestown spot and has so much to it. The record selection is incredibly vast for a variety of musical interests, the cassette collection is full of awesome and affordable new releases, and the Street Fight 3: Third Strike arcade cabinet is a blast to play on. Of course, I cannot forget how nice the clerks are there. The amount of love for the records they sell is truly something else and I highly recommend starting a conversation with them.
The amount of things you can do as a teen in the Delaware River Towns is something that should not be overlooked. Every time I visit I feel there is something fun and exciting to do for teens.
About the Contributor
Joshua Bell is a writer and musician from Baltimore, Maryland. His main interests are in playing music, more specifically punk rock. He started writing at a young age and does it purely out of a passion for the art form.
Several of his family members live in New Jersey so he often visits and soaks up the culture that comes with it. The Delaware River Towns have a special place in his heart, and he loves writing about the towns.
