Day Trip from Philadelphia to Old York Cellars Wine Country
Wine Country, River Towns, and Leisure Escapes
Looking for an easy day trip from Philadelphia that combines wine, food, shopping, and time outdoors? Old York Cellars is about an hour from Center City, surrounded by the rolling countryside of Hunterdon County and close to Princeton, New Hope, Lambertville, and Peddler’s Village. That makes the winery an ideal anchor for several very different escapes from the city. Spend the morning browsing an antique market, biking beside the Delaware River, or exploring a historic downtown. Then trade city streets for vineyard views, award-winning New Jersey wines, and a leisurely meal at Old York Cellars.
Start with Old York Cellars
Located in Ringoes, New Jersey, Old York Cellars offers much more than a traditional winery tasting. Visitors can reserve a guided wine tasting, enjoy wine and Spanish-inspired food, spend the afternoon in a private cabana with a fire pit, or settle in for a chef-curated wine pairing experience. Weekend visits can also include Bubbly Brunch and live music in the Vineyard Tent.
“Trade city streets for vineyard views, award-winning wines, and a leisurely meal in Hunterdon County.”
Five Ways to Plan Your Itinerary
1. Old York Cellars and Princeton
Combine New Jersey wine country with one of the state’s most walkable and historic downtowns. Begin your day in Princeton with a walk through the Princeton University campus and the surrounding neighborhoods. Browse the shops around Palmer Square, visit the Princeton University Art Museum, or stop for coffee before heading into the countryside.
Old York Cellars is less than 30 minutes from downtown Princeton. Arrive at the winery for a guided tasting, a late lunch overlooking the vineyard, or an afternoon of wine, food, and live music. This combination is ideal for visitors who want culture, architecture, shopping, and wine without trying to fit too many stops into one day.
Suggested Schedule
- 10:00 am — Explore downtown Princeton and the university campus
- 12:30 pm — Drive to Old York Cellars
- 1:00 pm — Enjoy a guided wine tasting or vineyard lunch
- 2:00 – 5:00 pm — Relax with wine, food, and live music
2. Old York Cellars, Lambertville, and New Hope
Lambertville, New Jersey, and New Hope, Pennsylvania, sit across the Delaware River from one another, connected by a walkable bridge. Together, they offer independent shops, art galleries, antiques, restaurants, and plenty of river views. Spend the morning exploring one town, walk across the bridge to the other, and then make the short drive through the countryside to Old York Cellars.
At the winery, slow the pace with a guided tasting, lunch, a private cabana, or an afternoon in the Vineyard Tent. On Saturdays and Sundays, live music adds another reason to stay for a few hours. Visitors planning a later dinner, food and wine pairing experience, or Wine & Comedy show can reverse the schedule and make Old York Cellars their evening destination.
Suggested Schedule
- 9:30 am — Arrive in Lambertville or New Hope
- 10:00 am — Browse the shops, galleries, and antique stores
- 12:00 pm — Walk across the bridge and explore the other side of the river
- 1:30 pm — Head to Old York Cellars
- 2:00 pm — Enjoy wine tasting, lunch, or a reserved winery experience
3. Bike Along the Delaware and Visit the Vineyard
For a day that balances activity with relaxation, begin with a bicycle ride along the Delaware and Raritan (D&R) Canal towpath. The trail follows the Delaware River through Lambertville, Stockton, and other historic communities. Its compacted surface, canal and river views, and access to river towns make it one of the region’s most enjoyable recreational rides. Choose a short out-and-back ride or plan a longer route based on your experience and schedule.
You can bring your own bikes or conveniently rent a bicycle locally through Big Bear Gear Bike Rentals in Lambertville, NJ.
After your ride, change out of your cycling gear and drive to Old York Cellars for lunch, a guided wine tasting, or a relaxed afternoon overlooking the vines. Check current trail conditions before leaving Philadelphia, particularly after heavy rain or winter weather.
Suggested Schedule
- 9:00 am — Begin a towpath ride near Lambertville or Stockton
- 11:30 am — Finish your ride and explore Lambertville
- 1:00 pm — Drive to Old York Cellars
- 1:30 pm — Enjoy lunch and wine at the vineyard
- 3:00 pm — Relax with live music or reserve a guided tasting
4. Hunt for Antiques, Then Head to Wine Country
Early risers can begin the day at the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market, located just south of Lambertville. This longtime regional destination brings together outdoor vendors and indoor shops selling antiques, vintage décor, collectibles, art, jewelry, and unexpected finds. The market is open year-round on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Outdoor shopping begins early, making this an especially good stop before an afternoon at the winery.
Suggested Schedule
- 7:00 / 8:00 am — Browse the Golden Nugget Antique Flea Market
- 10:30 am — Stop in Lambertville or New Hope
- 12:00 / 1:00 pm — Arrive at Old York Cellars
- Afternoon — Enjoy a guided tasting, lunch, a cabana, or live music
5. Peddler’s Village and Old York Cellars
Peddler’s Village in Bucks County offers another easy pairing with a winery visit. Begin with a stroll through its landscaped grounds and collection of specialty shops. The village hosts seasonal displays, festivals, and family activities throughout the year, so there is often something new to see. After shopping, cross the Delaware River and head into New Jersey wine country for an afternoon or evening at Old York Cellars. This route works especially well for visitors who prefer shopping and dining to hiking or biking.
Suggested Schedule
- 10:00 am — Arrive at Peddler’s Village
- Late Morning — Shop and explore the village
- 1:00 pm — Drive to Old York Cellars
- Afternoon — Reserve a tasting, lunch, or private cabana
- Evening — Stay for a Chef-curated Wine Pairing Dinner, a Wine & Comedy Night or a seasonal event.
Want to Stay the Night?
Any of these Philadelphia day trips can easily become an overnight getaway. Stay in Lambertville, NJ or New Hope, PA for river views, walkable shopping, and nightlife. Choose downtown Princeton for restaurants, cultural attractions, and a classic college-town setting. Flemington offers another convenient option close to the winery, including the newly restored Union Hotel, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott right on Main Street.
Recommended Accommodations:
Plan Your Philadelphia Wine Country Day Trip
One of the pleasures of visiting Old York Cellars is how much variety you can fit into a single getaway. Explore a historic university town, hunt for antiques, bike beside the Delaware, shop in a Bucks County village, or walk between two river towns—then end the day with New Jersey wine, chef-crafted food, and vineyard views.
Old York Cellars | 80 Old York Rd | Ringoes, NJ
Approximately 1 hour from Philadelphia