Pennsylvania's Hidden Borough On The River Full Of Art And Charm Is Nestled Between Philly And New York City

Nestled along the Delaware River, Yardley, Pennsylvania, is a small, walkable village that feels worlds apart from large cities while being reasonably close — within approximately 70 miles — to two of them by car. It sits in Bucks County, roughly 45 minutes from Philadelphia, and less than two hours from New York City. This makes the borough a logical stop for travelers who crave tranquility but want to remain within easy reach of the metropolises. The borough itself is compact, with lovely Victorian buildings lining Main Street and framing Yardley's riverside setting where Brock Creek flows into the Delaware River. 

Much of the town's appeal lies in the fact that you can stroll seamlessly from coffee shops to parks to eateries — with no vehicle necessary. The nearest small regional airport, Trenton–Mercer Airport, is only about 10 minutes away across the river, and is handy for private-charter access and short regional flights. Philadelphia International Airport is the closest major international airport for most scheduled long-haul and domestic flights, and is situated roughly 50 minutes away from town, depending on traffic. Newark Liberty International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and LaGuardia Airport are also within reasonable driving distance if you're coming from or continuing into the New York metro area. 

When choosing between airports, it usually comes down to a trade-off between convenience and flight options. Once you're nestled in Yardley, though, accommodations include a mix of bed and breakfasts, chain hotels, and small inns clustered in neighboring towns like Langhorne, Newtown, and Princeton. Whether it's Hampton Inn & Suites Newtown, which offers free breakfast and well-sized, pet-friendly rooms, or Courtyard by Marriott Ewing Princeton with its restaurant and fitness center, you're sure to find an option that suits your taste and budget. If you're staying in Philadelphia, the Guild House Hotel, an intimate and timelessly elegant property honoring women's history, makes a fine choice for lodging.  

Yardley isn't New York or Florence, so you won't find towering museums or blockbuster exhibitions here — but that's precisely part of its charm. For a borough of its size, Yardley's arts community packs a mighty punch. Small galleries, workshops, and community arts organizations keep Main Street and nearby neighborhoods humming with a wealth of classes, exhibits, shows, and public art initiatives. 

The center of the artistic community here is unquestionably the Arts of Yardley (AOY) Art Center. The eclectic center runs classes for adults and youth and offers rotating gallery shows, lending the borough the feel of a genuine arts village. Workshops run the gamut from mending broken pottery to fish painting. The popular Student & Faculty Show showcases the work of youth, adult students, and instructors. Also worth attending are the Fine Craft Show & Bake Sale as well as the Small Works Market, an annual holiday art market focused on small, affordable, and original art. Plus, AOY takes the fun outdoors with Paint Our Towns, an event in which 75 artists from across Yardley and nearby towns vie for a $500 prize. 

Additionally, the region's broader Bucks County arts scene — including New Hope, Doylestown, and other river towns — regularly features sculpture trails and public art exhibitions. Head to Bucks County Community College and experience fabulous works amid lush landscaping at the free Bucks Sculpture Walk. Noteworthy among them are two bronze fountains and two cat masks by Stella Elkins Tyler that date back to the 1930s. And that's not all. The Arts & Cultural Council of Bucks County, for its part, actively holds year-round events that support the creator community, like its A&C Spring Exhibition. Looking for more? Just an hour's drive from Yardley, between Lancaster and Philly, is the underrated borough of Downingtown, offering charming arts activities in spades.  

What Yardley lacks in size, it more than makes up for in character. The borough's historic charm permeates its picturesque streetscapes, with modest buildings made of brick, wood, or stone lining narrow sidewalks. Georgian and Federal buildings dating back to the 18th century stand alongside 19th-century structures that reflect a variety of architectural styles, from Gothic Revival to Queen Anne. Although Yardley was incorporated in 1895, its story began in 1682when founder William Yardley first purchased land from Pennsylvania founder, William Penn. 

Today, there are a number of history-infused shops and restaurants in the area to choose from. Pop into the Zagat-rated Yardley Inn for some delicious American fare made with local ingredients, or stop by Pretty Bird Coffee to fuel up on lattes, scones, or other treats. Just outside the historic core, the Edgewood Village Shopping Center includes boutiques and McCaffrey's Food Market, known for its gourmet groceries and top-notch catering. The Continental Tavern, an outbuilding of the estate of William Yardley's nephew, Thomas, served as a way station on the Underground Railroad. Though it was destroyed by a fire in 1876, the current building was erected just a year later. Today, patrons love feasting on everything from burgers to buffalo wings and washing it all down with the tavern's specialty drinks.

The Yardley Historical Association — which is housed in a 1878 library building near Lake Afton — maintains letters, photographs, maps, and other materials that chronicle life in Yardley. The Association also offers an array of educational programs, seasonal events, and tours. Gather Place Museum, housed in the historic 1877 African Methodist Episcopal Church and listed in the National Register of Historic Places, provides interactive history lessons and even live reenactments. The history tour doesn't end there, either. Only 10 miles from Yardley is Langhorne, a quaint Pennsylvania borough with a charming historic downtown.