Some inns have ghosts, others have: The Clutter Fairy, who visits guest rooms in the wee hours of the night, scattering little treasures everywhere, making sure guests can't find a place for their own things. Some inns have ghosts, others have: The Pillow Monster, who piles useless mounds of pillows on the bed, making it impossible to lie down. Toss them all to the floor, and you can't even walk to the bathroom.

Hard to believe that an hour's drive from the intensely urban areas of New York City and Philadelphia are the peaceful rural charms of New Jersey's Hunterdon County and Pennsylvania's Bucks County, just across the Delaware River. Activities: We can't imagine a better way to spend a hot summer day than tubing on the Delaware River. Slip on a bathing suit, a pair of river shoes (or old sneakers), slather on the sun screen, and head over to River Country. They'll haul you up river in an old school bus, then drop you off for a leisurely float back down to your starting point. More energetic? Tow paths on both sides of the river--once trod by mule teams pulling canal barges--are ideal for hiking and biking. Several state parks await exploration on both sides of the river, including Ringing Rocks County Park, containing rocks that ring like a bell when struck. Both New Hope and Lambertville have dozens of shops for browsing; it's an easy walk across the bridge from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. Heading west on Route 202 will bring you to more shops at Peddler's Village in Lahaska. Rainy day? Spend it exploring Doylestown's amazing museums, including the Mercer Mile and the Michener Museum. More info… Inns: Dozens of charming B&Bs can be found on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania sides of the Delaware River, both in the main towns of Lambertville and New Hope, as well as in surrounding countryside. If you want to be in the middle of the action, then look for an in-town B&B, so you can walk to all shops, restaurants and galleries without fighting for a parking space. If you prefer a more pastoral setting, then select an inn a few miles away. You can't beat the quiet setting overlooking the river at Chestnut Hill on the Delaware in Milford, NJ. The bright and sunny Rose Garden room has blissful views of the Delaware River; Teddy's Place takes its name from the many bears in residence, and the Country Cottage has lots of space for a longer stay. After breakfasting on baked German pancakes, we were ready to walk or bike along the river. When it's hot, just grab a tube and float off the inn's dock. Milford is a sleepy river town, yet just a block away is the Milford Oyster House for first-rate seafood dinners. A short walk from the charming village of Stockton, NJ is the Woolverton Inn, a 200-year-old stone manor house surrounded by meadows and woods. Hand-painted murals highlight the décor; you can splurge on a luxury room like the rustic Stockton Quay, with a spectacular slate-tiled bath. Thrifty travelers will be delighted with the affordable Primrose's Bower, with a faux view mural painted over the queen-size bed, and a private bath just across the hall. A bit off the beaten path is the historic Bucksville House B&B. Painstakingly restored to its 1795 origins, the inn is furnished with hand-crafted reproductions and wonderful antiques. Each guest room is appealing and a great value, but our favorites are the spacious third-floor suite and the Back Room. Beautiful grounds surround the inn, with spacious patios, a stocked pond, and herb, flower, and vegetable gardens. More Bucks County inns… More Hunterdon County inns… Find a B&B | Specials | Recipes | Message Boards | Gift Certificates | Store | Book Online