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These New Jersey River Towns Are Full of Americana Charm—and They're Just 1.5 Hours From NYC

Travel + Leisure

05-07-2025

Travel + Leisure

These New Jersey River Towns Are Full of Americana Charm—and They're Just 1.5 Hours From NYC

The Delaware River towns—including Lambertville, Frenchtown, and Stockton—are easily accessible from both New York City and Philadelphia (about 1.5 hours by car), making them a convenient weekend or day trip destination. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities like walking, biking, and kayaking along the D&R Canal towpath. The region hosts unique events, including Milford's bed races Lambertville's Shad Festival. From historic inns to countryside retreats, the area offers a range of cozy places to stay, including The National Hotel in Frenchtown and Woolverton Inn in Stockton. The river towns offer a wide variety of dining options with a focus on local ingredients and seasonal menus; don't miss the inventive farm-driven dishes at FinnBar in Frenchtown. The drive north along the Delaware River from Lambertville to Riegelsville is just over an hour. This idyllic stretch of western New Jersey is dotted with postcard-pretty towns that blend Americana charm with elevated local eats, funky cultural gems, and a refreshing lack of pretension. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills, bucolic farms, and a winding river that seems to slow time, the region invites you to breathe a little deeper. Each town along the way—Lambertville, Stockton, Frenchtown, and Milford—has its own personality, from Lambertville's art-forward sophistication to Milford's low-key magic. But they all share a certain alchemy: a deep sense of history, an easy relationship with nature, and a thriving creative spirit that feels both timeless and very now. I've been lucky enough to call Frenchtown home for the last five years, and I'm still discovering new gems tucked into these river towns. Whether it's a new farm stand, a hidden hiking trail, or a pop-up jazz show, the region is endlessly surprising—and impossible not to fall in love with. And while it's just a short drive from both New York City and Philadelphia, it feels like a world away. A fiction bookshelf in Frenchtown Bookshop. 'The towns that have formed along the Delaware carry with them a quaint sense of history, with Victorian architecture and bountiful nature blended with modern shops, restaurants, and bars,' says Carolyn Gadbois, owner of Union Coffee in Lambertville, which is known for its quality brew, excellent vegan brownies, and buzzy community events. 'There's plenty to do and much to see, but in a way that feels like you're escaping reality to a simpler, more beautiful time.' Start your trip in Lambertville, where antique shops—The People's Store houses more than 50 European, American, and Asian antiques dealers—and art galleries line the blocks and the canal-side towpath is made for strolling or biking. The town comes alive in the spring and fall—Gadbois recommends April for the Shad Fest or October for Halloween when "the houses and businesses go all out with decorations." In Stockton, explore Stockton Market, filled with wood-fired pizza, local cheeses, and a very good chicken salad curry sandwich. Don't miss Odd Bird Brewing, tucked inside a former gas station—it's a quirky local favorite. The D&R Canal towpath, which stretches more than 70 miles from Frenchtown to New Brunswick along the Delaware River, is ideal for a scenic walk or ride. Take a guided kayak or bike tour—you might even spot a bald eagle overhead. Or, strike out on your own, like Scott Sheldon, co-owner of the Frenchtown Bookshop. 'We load up our bikes, park in Frenchtown, and ride to Lambertville for lunch on the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park trail,' he says. The bookstore, which Sheldon and his wife opened after relocating to the area, is now a cultural cornerstone. Curl up with a new read in the charming backyard or catch one of the many author events. 'Like many residents of northern New Jersey and New York City, we discovered the river towns as a recreation destination,' he explains. When it came time to retire, the couple considered a long list of places, from the Berkshires to Martha's Vineyard. 'The river towns came out on top because of their natural beauty, easy access to culture, and friendly and literate residents.' Frenchtown continues to evolve while keeping its creative, offbeat spirit. ArtYard, a contemporary arts center with an ever-surprising lineup of exhibits and events, anchors the town's cultural scene. Shops like Modern Love, a beautifully curated boutique, add to its charm. Don't miss Gather, a flower studio and gift shop with dreamy arrangements and locally made treasures. According to Sheldon, most visitors are here to unplug and explore. 'Their ideal visit often includes spending time in nature, whether hammering the 'musical' rocks at Ringing Rocks Park, rafting on the Delaware, strolling the boutiquey downtowns, or dining at the area's easygoing farm-to-table restaurants,' he says. He also recommends becoming an 'agrotourist' for the day. The 579 Trail winds through dozens of small farms, stands, and wineries. Local favorites include Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse for farmstead cheeses (my kids love visiting the cows and watching the cheesemakers at work), Pie Bird Farm for just-baked treats and colorful bouquets, and Phillips Farms in Milford for seasonal fruit and flower picking. Many of these spots also host farm dinners, cider tastings, and pick-your-own flower nights throughout the summer—check local calendars for events that might coincide with your trip. Bird's eye view of dishes from FiNNBAR. This vibrant BYOB spot serves Peruvian and Mexican cuisine in a cozy, colorful setting. The ceviche is a standout, and the lomo saltado is beloved by locals. With a lush outdoor patio and warm service, El Tule offers bold flavors and a taste of tradition. Set in a historic 1870s inn, Anton's offers an ever-changing seasonal menu with an emphasis on local ingredients and refined comfort food. The romantic ambience, wood-paneled bar, and white tablecloth service make it a go-to for special occasions and elegant dinners. Helmed by former Chez Panisse chef Cal Peternell, FinnBar brings creative, farm-driven cuisine to a sleekly restored inn. Expect unfussy but inspired dishes, a strong cocktail game, and occasional DJ nights. Bonus: A portion of profits supports Studio Route 29, a progressive local art studio. Overlooking the Delaware River and housed in an 1838 building, Riegelsville Inn serves hearty American fare in a cozy tavern setting. Top-notch live music, weekend brunch, and a deck with river views make it a perfect stop after walking the dramatic 1904 Riegelsville suspension bridge. This intimate, chef-run cafe from the cookbook authors behind the beloved "Canal House" series has refined yet rustic menus that change daily, but you can always expect impeccable ingredients, precise technique, and timeless flavor. Come for the beloved Sunday dinner and dig into foaming lemon butter asparagus and rhubarb and strawberry short cake. This stretch of the Delaware leans into its local flavor with delightfully quirky events. Milford hosts bed races down its main drag on Milford Day, Frenchtown welcomes Santa by canoe (bagpiper and Vikings included), and Lambertville's Shad Fest celebrates its namesake fish with music and street food. The New Hope/Lambertville Pride parade is the only one in the country to cross state lines. Exterior of Lambertville Station Inn. A restored 1850s landmark, The National Hotel blends history with hospitality. The upstairs rooms are cozy and quiet, while downstairs you'll find a lively bar with frequent live music, creative cocktails, and plenty of local flavor. It's the heart of Frenchtown's nightlife and a favorite for visitors who want to stay right in the action. Set in a converted 19th-century train station on the river, this boutique inn offers modern comforts with a dose of history. Many rooms feature river views, and the adjacent restaurant is perfect for a post-check-in meal. The location is ideal for exploring both Lambertville and neighboring New Hope on foot. Lambertville House is a historic hotel with updated, elegant rooms, some with fireplaces or spa tubs. Located in the center of town, it's steps away from shopping, dining, and the canal path. The cozy bar is a hidden gem, especially in the cooler months. A romantic countryside retreat on 10 acres of farmland, Woolverton Inn is perfect for those wanting to unwind. Guests rave about the serenity, beautifully appointed rooms (some with whirlpool tubs or fireplaces), and the indulgent three-course breakfasts served daily. It's a favorite for anniversaries and peaceful getaways. Aerial view of West Milford, New Jersey. This region is a convenient escape for city dwellers—less than two hours by car from Philadelphia and New York City. The nearest major airports are Newark Liberty International (EWR) and Philadelphia International. Amtrak stops in nearby Trenton, and from there it's a scenic drive through rolling countryside to the river towns. You can easily park and walk in towns like Lambertville, New Hope, and Frenchtown. For broader exploration—say, a trip up to Milford or down to Stockton—a car is helpful. Biking is a favorite local activity thanks to the D&R Canal towpath. 'Talk to strangers, watch the ducks, sit by the river, cross the bridge by foot,' says Gadbois. 'Breathe and enjoy a little bit of quiet in a creatively vibrant, socially inclusive and beautiful place to live.'

This Charming Town Is an Easy Day Trip From NYC or Philadelphia—and It Has 70+ Miles of Scenic Trails, Americana Vibes, and a Gorgeous Riverfront

Travel + Leisure

08-06-2025

Travel + Leisure

This Charming Town Is an Easy Day Trip From NYC or Philadelphia—and It Has 70+ Miles of Scenic Trails, Americana Vibes, and a Gorgeous Riverfront

Frenchtown sits along the scenic Delaware River and hugs the D&R Canal towpath—perfect for walking, biking, tubing, kayaking, and even horseback riding in warmer months. The National Hotel, a renovated 1851 landmark, features cozy rooms, live jazz, and a speakeasy-style basement bar. Frenchtown's events, from the Mermaid Parade to the Aqualumina Festival, create a vibrant, community-centered vibe year-round. In addition to its outdoorsy activities, the town is an arts and culture haven, with a cutting-edge art center an independent bookstore that hosts renowned authors. Frenchtown is less than two hours by car from New York City and Philadelphia, making for an ideal day trip or weekend getaway. When I tell people I live in Frenchtown, New Jersey, I usually get a blank stare. But this tiny riverfront town—just over an hour's drive from both New York City and Philadelphia—is the kind of place that captivates. My parents moved here nearly 20 years ago after a weekend getaway. I loved bringing friends to stroll the pretty bridge, sip coffee from local roasters, and browse the bookstores and boutiques. It made for a perfect day trip from New York City, our home for more than a decade. Then, during the pandemic, my husband, dog, baby, and I moved here full-time. Now, our baby is 5, and we also have a 3-year-old. At first, I was skeptical—a city girl wary of small-town life. But over time, I fell fully in love. Frenchtown sits along the Delaware River and hugs the historic D&R Canal towpath, which stretches more than 70 miles and is popular with walkers, cyclists, and the occasional horseback rider. In the warmer months, you'll see tubes floating lazily downstream and kayaks tracing the edges of the river. It's an outdoor lover's dream. But it's also an arts and culture haven, home to unexpected delights: a world-class experimental art center, an independent bookstore that hosts renowned authors, and a speakeasy hidden under an 1851 hotel. "Frenchtown snuck up on me," says Jill Kearney, executive director of the town theater and art gallery, ArtYard. "But I discovered this remarkable convergence of urban refugees, longtime farmers, a vibrant queer community, and a human scale where you know the name of the cafe owner and pharmacist. It's not just beautiful—it's meaningful." Cara Lin, who owns The National Hotel (the town's only), Bamboo House restaurant, and the buzzy National Hotel restaurant and bar, adds, "The people are the best part of Frenchtown. There's something about the pace, the kindness, the support—it's a good getaway and a great place to live." Guest room in The National Hotel. This renovated 1851 landmark features 10 cozy, well-appointed rooms upstairs and a lively bar downstairs that serves thoughtfully crafted cocktails, a warm vibe, and, on many nights, live music, especially jazz. 'The music is so good, I don't feel like I'm working,' says Lin. It's a favorite of locals and visitors alike for its accessibility, charm, and unbeatable location in the center of town. Run by former Chez Panisse chef Cal Peternell, this sleekly updated historical inn starts to get busy for happy hour at 4 p.m. It keeps its buzz going through the surprisingly affordable, farm-to-table, funky-yet-elegant dinner service, and then to vinyl-spinning DJ nights. Bonus: 70 percent of FinnBar's proﬁts go directly to the progressive art studio, Studio Route 29 (more on them below). In the wintertime, order a cocktail and cozy up by the fireplace. The sushi bar serves fresh fish and zingy flavors at reasonable prices, and the tonkotsu ramen is deeply satisfying. For a grungy vibe and plenty of local gossip, head downstairs to the basement bar, Rathskeller (a.k.a. 'The Rat.') This cozy BYOB spot dishes up some of the best Mexican food in the area. From fresh guacamole to flavorful enchiladas, everything is made with care and bursting with flavor. It's a great place to sit outside and people-watch, too. A community hub and cafe, Early Bird offers great coffee, light bites, and a selection of curated home goods. Locals gather here to chat, work, and enjoy the friendly vibe. 'On a nice day, there's always a crowd out front with their dogs,' says Kearney. Exterior of the Frenchtown Bookshop. Founded by Kearney, ArtYard is an experimental arts center offering cutting-edge exhibitions, artist residencies, and beloved community events like Hatch (a nod to the site's early days as a chick hatchery) and Aqualumina (a festival of river-inspired light and creativity). A beautifully curated independent bookstore with a robust calendar of readings and community events, the Frenchtown Bookshop has quickly become a cultural mainstay. Don't miss the lively children's section and frequent signings with big-name authors. On a beautiful day, it doesn't get much better than sitting on the porch here and thumbing through books. With more than 70 miles of flat, scenic trail along the river, this historic route is ideal for walking, cycling, or even horseback riding. It's also dog- and stroller-friendly, making it perfect for family outings. 'Being near the river is very calming,' says Kearney. (Pro tip: Take a break for a small-batch ice cream cone from Sandy's Scoops. Their seasonal flavors change constantly, but don't sleep on the cherry chocolate chunk or the peach oolong tea sorbet.) During the warmer months, the Delaware River becomes a playground for paddlers and floaters alike. Several local outfitters, including Delaware River Tubing, offer rentals and shuttle services. From the quirky and colorful Mermaid Parade to Aqualumina Festival, where lanterns and performances light up the river's edge, Frenchtown's events bring locals and visitors together in joyful, unexpected ways. There's usually something fun happening at Wild Fern Brewing, too, from storytelling slams to pottery workshops—extra enjoyable with a Pinecone, their West Coast-inspired pale ale, in hand. Shelves filled with merchandise in Modern Love. The joyful, inspiring Studio Route 29 showcases work (paintings, zines, and more) from artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you're around on a second Thursday, stay for the Films for Friends series and settle in for a fun movie screening, popcorn included. This impeccably curated boutique features beautifully designed home goods, jewelry, and gifts. With a serene, minimalist aesthetic and a focus on artisanship, Modern Love is a must-visit for design lovers. This charming floral studio doubles as a shop with plants and locally made treasures. The arrangements are elegant and whimsical, ideal for a thoughtful gift or simply bringing some beauty home. Frenchtown locals Beth and Nick Blatt quit their jobs to follow their dream of opening a bakery, and the lines at Honey Moon are proof of a sound decision. The charming shop offers baguettes, focaccia, a lineup of seasonal pastries and sweets (my kids are obsessed with their sticky cinnamon buns), and frozen sourdough pizzas (I'm always glad when I have one in my freezer). I struggle to leave without a cute little ramekin or a new pair of dangly earrings every time I visit Dalla Terra. This shop is also my go-to for gifts. With handcrafted ceramics, textiles, and glassware from artisans around the world, every item tells a story of beauty, craftsmanship, and a deep appreciation for nature and design. An old barn with fallen leaves in rural Frenchtown, New Jersey. Andrew Kazmierski/Adobe Stock The best time to visit Frenchtown is from April through October. Warm weather brings life to the Delaware River and towpath, and festivals like Aqualumina light up the calendar. Fall foliage is stunning along the river, and the town's small shops and restaurants shine with cozy charm. The Uhlerstown-Frenchtown Bridge from Frenchtown, New Jersey to Uherlstown, Pennsylvania. Frenchtown is under a two-hour drive from New York City and Philadelphia. The closest major airports are Newark Liberty International and Philadelphia International. Amtrak stops in nearby Trenton, from which a rental car or ride-share service can get you to town. While there's no direct train, the drive is scenic and pleasant. Frenchtown is walkable end to end, so park once and stroll to explore. For excursions to nearby river towns like Lambertville or Stockton, a car is helpful. Biking is popular and safe along the towpath and neighborhood streets. This charming little town on the Delaware River may not have the prestige of the Hamptons or the polish of Hudson—but that's exactly the point. Frenchtown is funky and warm. 'The best part of the town is its people,' says Lin. 'The countryside is beautiful and the people are kind.' Whether you're escaping for a weekend or falling in love for good, there's something here waiting for you.

How Nevada City became an LGBTQ+ haven for travelers and transplants

Yahoo

30-05-2025

Entertainment
Yahoo

How Nevada City became an LGBTQ+ haven for travelers and transplants

When the first settlers came to the Sierra Nevada foothills in the late 1840s, they came for gold. Decades after the California Gold Rush ended in 1855, a different crop of settlers—including artists, musicians, and LGBTQ+ people—came looking for something other than precious metal. History runs deep in Nevada City, a hilly, pine-scented community of barely 3,000, which boomed in 1849 upon the arrival of early settlers like Captain John Pennington and William McCaig. During its heyday, miners came and went, chasing the ebb and flow of eureka. Even President Herbert Hoover lived here in the late 1890s, earning $2 a day pushing ore carts, and staying at the National Hotel—a mining camp, built in 1856, that's still in operation as The National Exchange. Today, downtown Nevada City is a national historic landmark, preserving a community rooted in its gilded past. That authenticity is the appeal that continues to draw a variety of tourists, especially LGBTQ+ people, where the opportunities in Nevada City—with its pristine nature, and its devil-may-care sense of expression—are worth more than gold. (Related: California gold rush towns are booming again. Here's what to see and do.) Located between Sacramento and Reno, at the edge of Tahoe National Forest and barely two hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada City emerged as a stopover for folks seeking a retreat from urban confines. During the AIDS crisis, the town was a breath of literal fresh air, marked by soaring trees, rolling hills, and swimming holes along the Yuba River. For travelers, the city remains a breath of fresh air—teeming with parks, festivals, restaurants, shops, and hotels set against a bucolic backdrop steeped in history. The city's shift came after a miners' strike in 1956 shuttered the Empire Mine, a once-prosperous wellspring responsible for nearly 6 million ounces of gold. The Empire Mine became Empire Mine State Historic Park, with 14 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback trails. The Yuba River boasts swimming holes and white-water rafting, while the 850,000-acre Tahoe National Forest offers everything from climbing and caving to fishing and camping. In town, folks flock to main drags like Broad Street and Commercial Street for shopping and dining, from worldly wares at Asylum Down clothing store to grain bowls at Heartwood Eatery and Hot Toddies with live jazz at Golden Era, a cocktail bar in a historic saloon space dating to the Gold Rush. Quaint inns and handsome suites, meanwhile, provide lodging that transports guests back in time—albeit with modern-day amenities—at places like the brick-clad 1856 Speakeasy Suites and the six-room Broad Street Inn. It's Nevada City's nature—coupled with its accessible location and preserved-in-time aesthetic—that helped transform the community into an enduring haven beyond its mining boom. From time immemorial, LGBTQ+ people have existed everywhere, even in mines. (Related: Must-see LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every kind of traveler.) 'Because Nevada City was becoming this huge boom for the Gold Rush, there were so many men coming here, and so much money,' explains Anthony Jones, general manager of the The National Exchange, which finished an extensive renovation in 2021, and hosts events like drag bingo and belly dances. Entertainment emerged in the form of the Nevada Theatre, an 1865 venue that still operates as an LGBTQ+ cornerstone and hosts screenings with Nevada County Pride. 'The theater was such a big thing historically, and contemporarily,' Jones adds. 'That's where so much of the lore came from, that this was an environment that attracted more people associated with LGBTQ+ cultures.' Jones cites migration, especially from cities where LGBTQ+ people could blend in, the 'hippie movement' in the 1960s, and the AIDS crises as catalysts for Nevada City becoming a queer sanctuary. 'That's why you have that cultural tie to bohemian culture,' says Jones. 'There are lots of communes up here, many with different gender identities and vibes, and after the pandemic, even more people moved here, mainly from the Bay.' Local hotels, like The National Exchange and Grass Valley's Holbrooke Hotel, became bastions. 'These hotels that had more of an inclusive environment,' Jones explains, citing historic photos of cross-dressing men at The National Exchange, and a speakeasy at the Holbrooke where a door led directly to the mines, providing discrete passage for queer people. 'Because they had entrances that were not public, and there wasn't a lot of light inside, they could hide their behavior.' He describes Nevada County as having a diverse culture of coexistence. 'Regardless of the view that they're expressing, or their lifestyle, people have chosen to live up here for a reason—the 'leave me alone' reason,' says Jones. (Related: How destinations are helping LGBTQ+ visitors travel with pride.) As Nevada City's diverse community continued to grow, more LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses popped up such as Take a Look Books, Thorn&Alchemy Art, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Fudenjüce vegetarian restaurant, and Lost & Found Vintage, as well as a longstanding theater, dance, and burlesque culture. One restaurant that celebrates that, Lola is named after the larger-than-life dancer, Lola Montez, who performed during the Gold Rush and lived in Grass Valley. Today, diners can enjoy steak frites and porterhouse pork chops in a stately dining room bedecked with historic imagery of the risqué performer, while the adjoining bar keeps her spirit alive with monthly drag bingo. Along with expressive events, including queer book clubs, potlucks, and picnics put on by Nevada County Pride, the city keeps people coming back, and planting roots. Nevada County Pride Board Chair, Rick Partridge relocated to Nevada City from the Bay Area with his husband. 'We were overwhelmed by how much everybody gets along,' he recalls. Lorraine Gervais, a jazz and R&B singer who has been in the area for 50 years, performs at Pride functions and same-sex weddings. 'Back in the '70s, cool people started coming here and they started transforming the culture,' she describes, pointing to artists David Osborn and Charles Woods, who arrived in the 1960s from San Francisco, as early pioneers in Nevada City's cultural shift. 'They had a graphic design firm, and they loved Nevada City, and a few of their friends came, and things started rolling.' (Related: Here are the 10 best destinations for LGBTQ families.) Nevada County Pride began 40 years ago as a social club for gay white men, according to Rick Partridge. Over time, it shifted into a non-profit with a board comprised mostly of women. 'We moved the needle significantly,' he says, highlighting an uptick in allied volunteers who want to support their trans kids or non-binary siblings. 'We ended last year with maybe 50 volunteers, and now we've more than doubled.' In addition to Nevada County Pride programming, which runs the gamut from queer film series to youth gatherings, the organization works to be as inclusive as possible, providing alternatives for sober people, the trans community, and beyond. Formed in Nevada County in 2002, Pat Rose became the treasurer of PFLAG and coordinated fundraisers with Nevada County Pride. 'We started doing more events that would involve both groups,' she notes, like running booths at the Nevada County Fair and marching in the Nevada City Constitution Day Parade. 'The first year was hard, as there were a lot of negative people who yelled at us, but as the years passed, we saw a slow change to people cheering us as we rode on our float down Broad Street.' That change is baked into Nevada City's DNA, from its first settlement as a Gold Rush town, to its entertainment scene its cross-dressing miners, and its LGBTQ+ influx. 'We didn't design it this way,' Jones stresses, of both The National's refurbishment and the town's evolution. 'We didn't come in here and say, 'We want drag.' They were here. The things that exist today seemed to have happened then. I would never want to be the one changing the culture; I want to see the culture show itself a bit more.' (Related: World's best destinations for LGBT Pride celebrations.) Matt Kirouac is an award-winning writer based in Oklahoma City, and the co-founder of The Gay Lane, a travel site 'celebrating queer culture in unexpected places."

How this Gold Rush town became an LGBTQ+ haven for travelers and transplants

National Geographic

30-05-2025

National Geographic

How this Gold Rush town became an LGBTQ+ haven for travelers and transplants

When the first settlers came to the Sierra Nevada foothills in the late 1840s, they came for gold. Decades after the California Gold Rush ended in 1855, a different crop of settlers—including artists, musicians, and LGBTQ+ people—came looking for something other than precious metal. History runs deep in Nevada City, a hilly, pine-scented community of barely 3,000, which boomed in 1849 upon the arrival of early settlers like Captain John Pennington and William McCaig. During its heyday, miners came and went, chasing the ebb and flow of eureka. Even President Herbert Hoover lived here in the late 1890s, earning $2 a day pushing ore carts, and staying at the National Hotel—a mining camp, built in 1856, that's still in operation as The National Exchange. Today, downtown Nevada City is a national historic landmark, preserving a community rooted in its gilded past. That authenticity is the appeal that continues to draw a variety of tourists, especially LGBTQ+ people, where the opportunities in Nevada City—with its pristine nature, and its devil-may-care sense of expression—are worth more than gold. (Related: California gold rush towns are booming again. Here's what to see and do.) Locals and tourists walk across the South Yuba River Bridge, a pedestrian walkway and bike path in South Yuba State Park. The bridge is also known as the 49er Crossing because of its historical association with the California Gold Rush and the Forty-Niners. Photograph By Andri Tambunan / Guardian / eyevine/Redux An oasis in the forest Located between Sacramento and Reno, at the edge of Tahoe National Forest and barely two hours from the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada City emerged as a stopover for folks seeking a retreat from urban confines. During the AIDS crisis, the town was a breath of literal fresh air, marked by soaring trees, rolling hills, and swimming holes along the Yuba River. For travelers, the city remains a breath of fresh air—teeming with parks, festivals, restaurants, shops, and hotels set against a bucolic backdrop steeped in history. The city's shift came after a miners' strike in 1956 shuttered the Empire Mine, a once-prosperous wellspring responsible for nearly 6 million ounces of gold. The Empire Mine became Empire Mine State Historic Park, with 14 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback trails. The Yuba River boasts swimming holes and white-water rafting, while the 850,000-acre Tahoe National Forest offers everything from climbing and caving to fishing and camping. The shops and eateries along Broad Street support the LGBTQ+ community with rainbow flags during Pride Month. Although Nevada City is known for its welcoming vibe, it didn't celebrate its first Pride until August 6, 2023. Photograph By Chris Allan, Shutterstock In town, folks flock to main drags like Broad Street and Commercial Street for shopping and dining, from worldly wares at Asylum Down clothing store to grain bowls at Heartwood Eatery and Hot Toddies with live jazz at Golden Era, a cocktail bar in a historic saloon space dating to the Gold Rush. Quaint inns and handsome suites, meanwhile, provide lodging that transports guests back in time—albeit with modern-day amenities—at places like the brick-clad 1856 Speakeasy Suites and the six-room Broad Street Inn. Taken sometime after 1933, this old photo captures stores and shops located on the corner of Broad & North Pine Streets in Nevada City, Calif. Photograph By Roger Sturtevant, Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congres It's Nevada City's nature—coupled with its accessible location and preserved-in-time aesthetic—that helped transform the community into an enduring haven beyond its mining boom. From time immemorial, LGBTQ+ people have existed everywhere, even in mines. (Related: Must-see LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every kind of traveler.) The emergence of an LGBTQ+ community in Nevada City 'Because Nevada City was becoming this huge boom for the Gold Rush, there were so many men coming here, and so much money,' explains Anthony Jones, general manager of the The National Exchange, which finished an extensive renovation in 2021, and hosts events like drag bingo and belly dances. Entertainment emerged in the form of the Nevada Theatre, an 1865 venue that still operates as an LGBTQ+ cornerstone and hosts screenings with Nevada County Pride. 'The theater was such a big thing historically, and contemporarily,' Jones adds. 'That's where so much of the lore came from, that this was an environment that attracted more people associated with LGBTQ+ cultures.' Jones cites migration, especially from cities where LGBTQ+ people could blend in, the 'hippie movement' in the 1960s, and the AIDS crises as catalysts for Nevada City becoming a queer sanctuary. 'That's why you have that cultural tie to bohemian culture,' says Jones. 'There are lots of communes up here, many with different gender identities and vibes, and after the pandemic, even more people moved here, mainly from the Bay.' Local hotels, like The National Exchange and Grass Valley's Holbrooke Hotel, became bastions. 'These hotels that had more of an inclusive environment,' Jones explains, citing historic photos of cross-dressing men at The National Exchange, and a speakeasy at the Holbrooke where a door led directly to the mines, providing discrete passage for queer people. 'Because they had entrances that were not public, and there wasn't a lot of light inside, they could hide their behavior.' He describes Nevada County as having a diverse culture of coexistence. 'Regardless of the view that they're expressing, or their lifestyle, people have chosen to live up here for a reason—the 'leave me alone' reason,' says Jones. (Related: How destinations are helping LGBTQ+ visitors travel with pride.) In the summer, thousands of locals and visitors take to the waters of the South Yuba River to cool off, especially during July when average temperatures reach 88°F in Nevada County, Calif. Photograph By Elias Funez/The Union via AP A boomtown for LGBTQ+ tourists, residents, and businesses As Nevada City's diverse community continued to grow, more LGBTQ+-owned and allied businesses popped up such as Take a Look Books, Thorn&Alchemy Art, Three Forks Bakery & Brewing Co., Fudenjüce vegetarian restaurant, and Lost & Found Vintage, as well as a longstanding theater, dance, and burlesque culture. One restaurant that celebrates that, Lola is named after the larger-than-life dancer, Lola Montez, who performed during the Gold Rush and lived in Grass Valley. Today, diners can enjoy steak frites and porterhouse pork chops in a stately dining room bedecked with historic imagery of the risqué performer, while the adjoining bar keeps her spirit alive with monthly drag bingo. Along with expressive events, including queer book clubs, potlucks, and picnics put on by Nevada County Pride, the city keeps people coming back, and planting roots. Nevada County Pride Board Chair, Rick Partridge relocated to Nevada City from the Bay Area with his husband. 'We were overwhelmed by how much everybody gets along,' he recalls. Lorraine Gervais, a jazz and R&B singer who has been in the area for 50 years, performs at Pride functions and same-sex weddings. 'Back in the '70s, cool people started coming here and they started transforming the culture,' she describes, pointing to artists David Osborn and Charles Woods, who arrived in the 1960s from San Francisco, as early pioneers in Nevada City's cultural shift. 'They had a graphic design firm, and they loved Nevada City, and a few of their friends came, and things started rolling.' (Related: Here are the 10 best destinations for LGBTQ families.) Nevada Country Pride in the pines Nevada County Pride began 40 years ago as a social club for gay white men, according to Rick Partridge. Over time, it shifted into a non-profit with a board comprised mostly of women. 'We moved the needle significantly,' he says, highlighting an uptick in allied volunteers who want to support their trans kids or non-binary siblings. 'We ended last year with maybe 50 volunteers, and now we've more than doubled.' In addition to Nevada County Pride programming, which runs the gamut from queer film series to youth gatherings, the organization works to be as inclusive as possible, providing alternatives for sober people, the trans community, and beyond. Formed in Nevada County in 2002, Pat Rose became the treasurer of PFLAG and coordinated fundraisers with Nevada County Pride. 'We started doing more events that would involve both groups,' she notes, like running booths at the Nevada County Fair and marching in the Nevada City Constitution Day Parade. 'The first year was hard, as there were a lot of negative people who yelled at us, but as the years passed, we saw a slow change to people cheering us as we rode on our float down Broad Street.' That change is baked into Nevada City's DNA, from its first settlement as a Gold Rush town, to its entertainment scene its cross-dressing miners, and its LGBTQ+ influx. 'We didn't design it this way,' Jones stresses, of both The National's refurbishment and the town's evolution. 'We didn't come in here and say, 'We want drag.' They were here. The things that exist today seemed to have happened then. I would never want to be the one changing the culture; I want to see the culture show itself a bit more.' (Related: World's best destinations for LGBT Pride celebrations.) Matt Kirouac is an award-winning writer based in Oklahoma City, and the co-founder of The Gay Lane, a travel site 'celebrating queer culture in unexpected places."

Republican Rep.: Why It's Time to Institute Neighborhood Watch in the Western Hemisphere

Newsweek

30-04-2025

Politics
Newsweek

Republican Rep.: Why It's Time to Institute Neighborhood Watch in the Western Hemisphere

The "neighborhood watch" concept is one with which most Americans are familiar. A group of neighbors works together to combat crime and promote safety by being vigilant in reporting suspicious activity and maintaining consistent communication with law enforcement and each other. It's time the United States and our Western Hemisphere partners adopt this simple model. But this only works if it's a collective effort. It requires all invested parties to commit and participate actively. The United States and our allies are facing unprecedented threats from highly sophisticated adversaries seeking to weaken our alliances, undermine our way of life, and deteriorate our readiness. Representative for Arkansas's 1st Congressional District Rick Crawford speaks to the press during the inauguration of the Cuba-US Agricultural Coalition Conference at the National Hotel in Havana, on November 8, 2018. Representative for Arkansas's 1st Congressional District Rick Crawford speaks to the press during the inauguration of the Cuba-US Agricultural Coalition Conference at the National Hotel in Havana, on November 8, 2018. ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images Over the last 20 years, while the U.S. was fighting the war on terror, our adversaries have made inroads throughout the Western Hemisphere in a clear effort to circumvent the position of the United States as a global leader and exploit our neighbors. Russia and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have launched intelligence missions right here on U.S. soil as the CCP has instigated an economic chokehold on South American countries through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and corruption. These adversaries are sending a clear message to the U.S.: We are within reach. The most jarring and overlooked illustration of the CCP's pervasive influence and investment is mere miles off the southeast coast of the U.S. in the Caribbean islands. In countries such as Suriname, Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, and other countries, the CCP has dug its financial claws into these economies, funneling billions of dollars into substandard infrastructure projects. As of 2022, 10 Caribbean countries have joined the CCP's Belt and Road Initiative. This resource-dense part of the Western Hemisphere provides several strategic benefits for Beijing and its ultimate pursuit of global dominance. Bottom line—the CCP has set its sights on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and its location in the Western Hemisphere isn't coincidental. I have traveled throughout the Western Hemisphere extensively since 2017. In my many conversations with these countries' leaders, they have made it clear the U.S. is their preferred partner. However, China shows up offering false hope through predatory investments, infrastructure improvements, and deals on the spot. Because the CCP can operate in an exceedingly nimble manner, empowering their officials to write checks before even getting up from the negotiating table, many CARICOM country leaders are put in a position where they seize what appears to be an immediate economic benefit before evaluating risks or alternative possibilities. For the last 20 years, while CARICOM was not on anyone's radar as a vulnerability, CCP state-owned companies had been immersed in extensive construction of critical infrastructure in these countries. The CARICOM nation's people were typically unaware this was a CCP strategy to counter the U.S. and extend their control into the Western Hemisphere. To protect U.S. national and economic security interests, we must engage our neighbors and provide them concrete gestures of partnership. The Trump administration is already taking action to curb and counter the CCP influence in the most unassuming of places. While recently visiting Guyana, Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the failure of U.S. companies to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the CARICOM region. He's right—if more U.S. companies engage in the region, then these countries will not be reliant on the CCP's nefarious and predatory partnerships. The CCP is playing the long game, and we must focus on long-term results as well. They are eating our lunch and we can't afford to continue looking the other way. The growing influence and investment in our Western Hemisphere neighborhood make it clear we are all in this fight together. A "whole-of-hemisphere" approach is necessary to combat the CCP's growing aggression. The U.S. and its partners can still win in a peer-to-peer competition if we act in a swift and unified manner. The U.S. and our regional partners have an opportunity to win economically and introduce these eager to engage CARICOM countries to a model of capitalism that serves their own needs to grow and thrive while addressing our individual strategic national security interests as well. What I know is the U.S. and its Western Hemisphere neighbors have far too much to lose if we sit by and do nothing. Congressman Rick Crawford (Ark.-01) is the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.