Tucked along the Delaware River in the suburbs of Philadelphia, New Hope, Pennsylvania, is the kind of small, charming town that feels made for a perfect day trip. With its artsy vibe, cozy cafés and picture-perfect streets, it was the ideal spot for my friends and me to wander, shop and soak up the sunshine.

We kicked off our day the best way possible — with lunch at Havana, one of New Hope’s iconic spots. The outdoor patio was buzzing with life, with sing-along tunes playing loud on the speaker and plates of food that looked almost too good to be true. We snagged a table in the shade, ordered a bunch of shareable plates (because who can ever pick just one thing?) and settled in. Between the great food, the lively crowd and nonstop laughter at our table, it already felt like the start of one of those days you never want to end.

With full bellies and nowhere to be but exactly where we were, we wandered in and out of the town’s endless little shops, everything from funky art galleries to antique treasure troves and boutiques selling jewelry and other fun trinkets. Every corner felt like it had its own little story.

Of course, no sunny-day adventure is complete without ice cream. We found a local creamery (the kind that actually makes the ice cream on site) named Moo Hope and treated ourselves to giant scoops. I went for a mix of Moose Tracks and Strawberry, while my friends indulged in more unique flavors like Cookie Monster and Chocolate Pudding Crunch.

We wrapped up our girls’ day with a crate-digging session at a local record store … and it did not disappoint. Among the highlights? A classic copy of The Beatles’ Rubber Soul and Taylor Swift’s original 1989 album. It was the perfect end to a day full of surprises.

I am already excited for what’s to come on our next adventure.

— Emily Gladu, administrative & events coordinator