Bob’s Hope

Traveler staffers Mary Beth LaRue and Krista Rossow recently spent a day with National Geographic photographer Bob Krist and his wife Peggy in their charming small-town home of New Hope, Pa. MB dishes:

Just an hour north of Philadelphia, New Hope seems like a different planet. As the road winds into town, the scenery changes from forest and farmland to a quaint village with dozens of boutiques and restaurants lining the road. Families and couples stroll down the main drag, stopping for a beer at Havana or into Farley’s for a read. It first reminded me of a cross between Portland, Oregon, and Iowa City, but everyone else said it reminded them of Maine.

Bob and Peggy live just a couple of blocks off Main Street, in a former mill on a creek. An expanse of trees stretches up a hillside with a train that goes into town. When they restored the house (well, pretty much rebuilt; all that was standing before was a huge stone wall) they added a gorgeous deck perfect for stargazing or sunrise-watching.

Before dinner, Peggy took us for a quick tour of the town, which is best walked through, not driven past. We saw a couple of local star restaurants Tastebuds and Marsha Brown as well as eclectic boutiques like Heart of the Home and Nova Ice (102 S. Main St.; +1 215 862 9640), where I picked up a couple pairs of earrings and sunglasses for under 30 bucks. For dinner we crossed the Delaware River (just a ten-minute walk) to Lambertville, New Jersey. We made a quick stop at the Boathouse, an upscale bar designed by set designer Jim Hamilton to look like the inside of a ship, before a steak dinner at Hamilton’s Grill Room, a light and airy space overlooking the river. As we walked back on a footpath, the evening was silent and clear—the stars the most vivid I’d seen them since leaving Iowa. I would have happily traded the cheesesteaks we ate the next day in Philly for another night in the open air.

Book your next trip with Peace of Mind
Search Trips

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet