The Delaware & Raritan Canal stitched together New Jersey’s 19th‑century commerce, floating coal and goods between the Delaware River and Raritan Bay. Today, its 70+ miles of towpath are a beloved greenway—flat, scenic, and almost entirely car‑free. Expect stone‑dust surfaces shaded by sycamores, hand‑cut locks like Kingston and Blackwells Mills, and bridges built for mules now carrying cyclists.

Wildlife watchers come for herons, turtles, and—yes—occasional bald eagles along the Delaware. History fans trace George Washington’s 1776 crossing near Titusville, then coast to Princeton’s battlefield and collegiate Gothic. Food people won’t go hungry: river‑town cafés, farm‑to‑table plates, and campus classics fuel long rides.

Spring and fall bring mild temps and fiery foliage; summer rides mean early starts and extra water. The towpath is mixed gravel—32–50 mm tires ride best. E‑bikes (Class 1–2) are treated as bicycles in NJ state parks. Carry a bell, yield to walkers, and check for post‑storm closures. Helmets are smart on every mile.

Lambertville

Lambertville is a postcard of Victorian rowhomes, antique shops, and canal bridges, perched at the Delaware River just across from New Hope, PA. It’s the perfect base for riding the Feeder Canal north to Bulls Island and Frenchtown, or south to Washington Crossing and Trenton.

Highlights include sunrise on the canal just north of town, the quiet woods of Bulls Island Recreation Area, and golden‑hour views from Goat Hill Overlook. Weekends bring the Golden Nugget Antique Market and a lively dining scene tucked into brick alleys and old factories.

• Top rides: Lambertville ⇄ Frenchtown (32 mi RT, flat); Lambertville ⇄ Washington Crossing/Titusville (18–26 mi RT).
• Good eats: El Tule (Peruvian‑Mex), Liberty Hall Pizza (Neapolitan pies), The Hawke (tavern favorites), Under the Moon Café (eclectic comfort).
• Coffee: Rojo’s Roastery (small‑batch), Union Coffee (house‑baked treats).
• Bike rentals: Pedego Electric Bikes Lambertville (e‑bikes; typically ~$80–$120/day), Big Bear Gear in West Amwell (hybrid/comfort bikes; often ~$40–$65/day—confirm seasonally).

Where to stay: Browse river‑town B&Bs and canal‑side apartments on VRBO Lambertville or compare boutique hotels and inns on Hotels.com Lambertville.

Princeton

Princeton pairs leafy lanes and lake views with world‑class academics. The D&R’s Main Canal skirts Lake Carnegie and threads through Kingston and Griggstown—classic, flat towpath with lockhouses, stone arched bridges, and bird‑rich marshes.

Between rides, stroll Nassau Street, linger in Morven Museum & Garden, or birdwatch in Institute Woods and the Rogers Wildlife Refuge. Kayakers paddle quiet backwaters right off the towpath near Alexander Street.

• Top rides: Princeton ⇄ Kingston ⇄ Griggstown (18–24 mi RT), Princeton ⇄ Blackwells Mills ⇄ East Millstone (28–36 mi RT), ambitious out‑and‑back toward New Brunswick.
• Good eats: Small World Coffee (local institution), Jammin’ Crepes (buckwheat wraps, seasonal), LiLLiPiES (butter rolls, quiche), Blue Point Grill (seafood), Agricola (farm‑to‑table), Nomad Pizza (wood‑fired), Eno Terra in Kingston (canal‑side Italian).
• On the water: Princeton Canoe & Kayak Rental (seasonal; canoes, kayaks, SUPs) by Lake Carnegie and the canal.

Where to stay: Find walkable campus‑area stays on VRBO Princeton or check hotels near Nassau Street and Route 1 via Hotels.com Princeton.

How to get in: Fly into Newark (EWR) or Philadelphia (PHL). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com Flights. EWR to Lambertville is ~1 hr by car; PHL to Lambertville ~1 hr 5 min depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive in New Jersey, Settle in Lambertville

Morning: Travel day. Land at EWR or PHL, pick up a car, or rideshare to Lambertville (~1 hr; rideshare typically $90–$150 depending on time).

Afternoon: Check into your inn. Stretch your legs with a 5–8 mile shakedown spin north on the towpath to Stockton and back—quiet canal, low bridges, and heron‑spotted banks.

Evening: Dinner at Liberty Hall Pizza for blistered margheritas, spicy diavola, and garden salads. Nightcap at The Hawke (classic cocktails, pub fare) or a stroll along the canal footbridge as the lights of New Hope reflect across the Delaware.

Day 2: Feeder Canal Classic—Lambertville to Frenchtown (32 mi RT)

Morning: Coffee at Rojo’s Roastery (try the Lambertville blend) and a hearty breakfast sandwich at Union Coffee. Roll north toward Stockton and Bulls Island—pull off to walk the pedestrian bridge over the Delaware for sweeping river views.

Afternoon: Continue to Frenchtown on smooth stone‑dust. Lunch at Lovin’ Oven (seasonal plates, standout salads, excellent baked goods) and an espresso at Early Bird Espresso & Mercantile. Return south with the current of cyclists and joggers; keep an eye out for turtles sunning on logs.

Evening: Book El Tule for a Peruvian‑Mexican feast—ceviche clasico, lomo saltado, or enchiladas suizas. If you’re up for dessert, stroll Bridge Street for truffles at La Chocolate Box, then kick back at your stay.

Day 3: Washington Crossing & Titusville (18–26 mi RT, choose your turn‑around)

Morning: Grab pastries at Lambertville Trading Company and head south on the towpath. It’s a mellow ride to Washington Crossing State Park (NJ side) where you can explore the Johnson Ferry House and read about the 1776 crossing.

Afternoon: Picnic on the riverbank (pick up sandwiches in town before you roll), or detour into Titusville for a casual lunch at local taverns. Continue another few miles toward Trenton if legs feel good, then spin back as the canal widens and birdlife picks up.

Evening: Casual dinner at Under the Moon Café (grandma‑chic décor, empanadas, meatloaf, seasonal specials). If you want a destination evening, drive 15 minutes to Brick Farm Tavern in Hopewell for farm‑sourced plates and local pours from Sourland Mountain Spirits.

Day 4: Transfer to Princeton + Kingston & Griggstown Locks

Morning: Transfer to Princeton (by car ~45–50 minutes; rideshare ~$60–$110). Prefer to ride? The canal route is a scenic 27–30 miles but takes 3–4 hours—great for stronger riders with an early start.

Afternoon: Check in near Nassau Street, espresso at Small World Coffee, then ride the Princeton ⇄ Kingston ⇄ Griggstown loop (18–24 miles RT). Stop to photograph Kingston Lock (Lock 8) and the stone arched bridge; watch for red‑winged blackbirds in the marsh.

Evening: Dinner at Eno Terra in Kingston—house‑made pastas, a deep Italian wine list, and a patio that feels made for cyclists. Return to town for a cone at The Bent Spoon (cult‑favorite artisanal ice cream) on Palmer Square.

Day 5: Big Towpath Day—Blackwells Mills and East Millstone (28–36 mi RT)

Morning: Breakfast at Jammin’ Crepes (buckwheat crepes loaded with local eggs, mushrooms, or seasonal fruit). Ride north‑east along the Main Canal to Blackwells Mills—peek into the historic locktender’s house and pause at the old wooden bridge.

Afternoon: Continue to East Millstone if you’re feeling strong. Picnic lunch from Olsson’s Fine Foods (assembled earlier) on a shady bench by the water. On the return, detour to Terhune Orchards for cider doughnuts and, if timing permits, a quick tasting at their winery.

Evening: Clean up and treat yourself to Blue Point Grill—order the day‑boat scallops, grilled octopus, or swordfish with lemon caper butter. Post‑dinner, sip a nightcap at The Dinky Bar & Kitchen in the historic rail station.

Day 6: Princeton Culture + Paddling Afternoon

Morning: Coffee at LiLLiPiES (don’t miss the buttermilk biscuits), then a self‑guided Princeton campus walk—Nassau Hall, Blair Arch, and outdoor sculpture across campus. Visit Morven Museum & Garden for early American history and seasonal blooms.

Afternoon: Switch gears at Princeton Canoe & Kayak Rental (seasonal) for a relaxed paddle on Lake Carnegie and the canal—look for great blue herons and painted turtles. If you prefer to stay on two wheels, explore Institute Woods and the Charles H. Rogers Wildlife Refuge (gravel paths; ride courteously).

Evening: Farm‑to‑table dinner at Agricola (crispy Brussels, roast chicken, seasonal veg boards). Craving pizza? Nomad Pizza’s margherita and spicy soppressata pies are textbook. Finish with a twilight walk along the canal near Alexander Street.

Day 7: Easy Roll, Last Sips, Departure

Morning: Leisurely spin along the canal spur by Lake Carnegie—just 5–8 flat miles to warm the legs and say goodbye to the water. Grab a final cappuccino at Small World Coffee or a breakfast sandwich at Jammin’ Crepes.

Afternoon: Check out, then head for EWR or PHL. Compare flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Already local? Celebrate with one last Bent Spoon scoop before the drive home.

Evening: Travel home with a camera roll full of locks, bridges, and river sunsets—and legs ready for your next rail‑trail.

Practical Tips for the D&R Canal

• Surface & tires: Crushed stone and packed dirt. 32–50 mm tires are ideal; road slicks work in dry weather but can be sketchy after rain.
• Water & food: Services cluster in towns (Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown, Princeton, Kingston). Carry water and snacks between clusters.
• Rentals: Reserve e‑bikes/hybrids on weekends (Lambertville) and confirm helmets, locks, and flat kits are included.
• Etiquette: Announce passes, yield to pedestrians and horses, and slow at narrow bridges. Leashed dogs are common—ride predictively.
• Weather: Summer humidity is real; start early. After big storms, check for temporary washouts or closures.

In a week, you’ll ride two personalities of the D&R—the Delaware‑hugging Feeder Canal and the quiet Main Canal—while sampling river‑town cafés and Princeton’s refined dining. Flat miles, layered history, and easy logistics make this New Jersey bike trip one to repeat with friends or family.