From places near and far, guests come to Stockton to nourish their senses and restore their souls. Amidst a landscape of rolling hills and winding roads descending towards the Delaware River, to-dos slip away as quickly as the current flows south under the Stockton Bridge.
Every component of the inn is designed to cultivate moments of leisure that linger long after you leave. Modern rooms with plush Matouk linens invite you to sleep in, our team caters to every need as you dine in the firelit tavern, and the nearby towpath lined with water views offers the perfect place to breathe in fresh country air.
Beyond our boutique hotel with a wishing well is a string of vibrant New Jersey and Pennsylvania towns built along the river and connected by bike paths, hiking trails, and walkable bridges. Originally early American settlements, Stockton, Frenchtown, Lambertville and New Hope evolved, from Prohibition to PRIDE, into bustling hubs for artists, epicures, antiquers, farmers, naturists and city transplants who opt for a bucolic life steeped in beauty and history.
Three Days in Stockton is our series celebrating the constellation of people, places and activities that make the Delaware River Valley so unique. Many destinations we feature are accessible by foot, a bike ride on the towpath or within a short drive of the Stockton Inn restaurant and boutique hotel (if not a part of it). Inspired by our own history as the countryside escape for countless literary greats, artists and socialites through the centuries, this is your curated guide to three unforgettable days in Stockton and the communities that surround it.
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The Itinerary.
Day One
~ 15.00
Check in, sink in
Settle into your room and feel time begin to slow. Let your complimentary bottle of wine breathe as you enjoy some signature, house-made potato crisps with French onion dip. Whether you enjoy a book in the reading nook or by the fire, pause for a soak or long shower, late afternoons here in Stockton are for unwinding, little by little.
~ 18:00
Tavern glowing, dinner served
Start the first night of your Stockton culinary journey with Chef Bob Truitt and our James Beard Award-winning team. The 300-year-old, on-site tavern is rich in history, renovated with modern touches, and overflowing with warmth — from the flickering fire to the welcoming staff. Have a drink suited to your preferences: sommelier-selected wines, New Jersey craft beers on tap, or a cocktail or mocktail from legendary bartender Brian Miller.
Progress through dishes inspired by the seasons and sourced from the plethora of farms and fields around the inn. Lump crab soldiers with preserved lemon aioli and smoked trout roe, fall chicories, and sunchoke soup with Asian pear, brown butter and maitake mushroom are perfect starts. For a cozy night in the tavern, we love richer entrees like plump mussels with market sourdough in a fragrant broth, roast chicken roulade with black garlic or the chef’s take on “Meat & Potatoes,” a 24-day dry aged ribeye with béarnaise aioli and hasselback.
~ 20.00
Night cap, checkmate
Before retreating to the sanctuary of your room, enjoy a game of chess by the fire in the private guest lounge, tucked away beneath the guest rooms of the main inn. A night-cap or hot tea from the honor bar surrounded in hand-painted wallpaper and soft, velvet couches provides the perfect close to a perfect evening.
Day Two
~ 8.00
Parisian pastries
Stop in for fresh-from-the-oven bites at Stockton Inn’s sister property: The Stockton Market. Just across the street, bookended between our hotel and the Delaware River, this sprawling brick market houses a bustling café serving an all-day, counter menu of gourmet dishes, artisanal coffees, croissants, confections and baked goods. Made-to-order breakfast includes specialties such as the Smoked Salmon Benny with poached eggs, spinach, smoked trout roe and tarragon aioli and Honey Bee Toast topped with whipped ricotta, pear, apple, fig, honey drizzle and mint.
~ 9.00
River stroll, revived senses
Accessible just steps from the inn, the D&R Canal Towpath welcomes runners, cyclists, dogwalkers and individuals out for a stroll. The ideal way to take in the famed Delaware River Scenic Byway, the 70-mile towpath stretches from Trenton to Frenchtown with the vibrant and walkable towns of Lambertville and New Hope along the way. Just north of the inn, you’ll find a dam and historic Prallsville Mill with breathtaking views of the Delaware River and surrounding woods.
~ 11.00
The treasure hunt awaits
With three distinct stores within 15 minutes of each other and a wide range of art and antique dealers at each, this antique center is an easy way to see why the Delaware River Valley is regarded as a mecca for antiquers and collectors.
The Stone House, formerly the Thomas Walton House and a landmark on the National Registry of Historic Places, offers unique pieces and 30 high quality dealers throughout its 7,000-sq. ft. property (open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm).
Kolbe’s resides in an old historic farmer hotel from the 1760s overlooking the Delaware River midway between Frenchtown’s arts destinations and New Hope’s bustling center. This distinct venue houses 50 dealers blending fine art, antiques and treasures (open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.)
The People’s Store is a four-story emporium in the center of Lambertville’s buzzy Union Street specializing in eclectic European, American and Asian antiques (open daily 10 am – 6 pm).
~ 14.00
Provisions, picnic, something pretty
For lunch at the market, Try outstanding quality takes on classics like the cubano, BLT or grilled cheese and tomato soup. Specials, curated by the team’s trips to Paris, may feature melty camembert fondue with honey and French onion soup, depending on the season. The market is BYOB with no corkage fee, so feel free to select a bottle from Stockton Inn’s cellar at half-off restaurant pricing.
If it’s a beautiful day, inquire about our tailor-made picnic baskets at the front desk and dine al-fresco anywhere on the property, river, or canal.
~ 16.00 (do not disturb)
In-room massage
Let us bring the spa to you with an in-room treatment by our esteemed masseuse. Experience unparalleled rest and restoration without having to leave the property. Simply speak with our front desk to make arrangements based on your preferred time.
~ 19.00
Whet your palate on a waterfall terrace
Join head bartender Brian Miller on our three-tiered terrace for a cocktail that draws upon some of the most distinguished drinks through time. In the warmer months, immerse in the beautiful landscape as a soft breeze floats in from the river. In fall and winter, the insulated, fully heated and enclosed terrace is packed with cozy fire pits, dining tables, lounge seating and ebullient chatter.
~ 20.00
Farewell dinner finery
For the second night of your culinary journey, experience a different side of the restaurant in our formal dining room – characterized by a prominent stone hearth, white marble floors, modern art, and a glass wall looking into the gardens. Connected to the tavern by a hallway and one cohesive menu, these two diverse settings offer unmatched ambiances where guests have an opportunity to try the dishes they missed the night before. Indulge in house-made pastas, pristine seafood and locally sourced roast dishes like duck and steak. Opt for a wine pairing to indulge your senses.
Day Three
~ 8.00 (hit snooze)
Breakfast is served
Luxuriate longer in your plush Matouk bathrobe and order fresh pastries, coffee, and breakfast dishes straight to your room. Whether you relax in the dining room of our carriage house suite or remain tucked in bed with a tray full of nourishment, this is your permission to rest deeply and take in every last bit of this restorative stay. Moments like these linger long after you leave.
~ 11.00
Until next time.
Three days is never enough. But don’t worry, we’re never too far. Just follow the Delaware River that runs through the landscapes of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Come by car or train or plane and we’ll be here, waiting with your favorite glass of wine, the extra pillow you asked for, and morning coffee in the lounge, just how you take it.
Ready to begin your Three Days in Stockton itinerary? Visit our exclusive offers page to learn about the perfect midweek getaway or two-night escape package.
