New Hope is located at the confluence of the Delaware River and Aquetong Creek, which begins its two-mile course in neighboring Solebury Township at Ingham Springs, the most productive spring in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The name "Aquetong" comes from a local Indian word meaning "place of the pine trees," while "Ingham" refers to Samuel D. Ingham, an industrialist, congressman and advocate of the canal that would run through the town. Near its end in New Hope, the creek forms a scenic millpond and waterfall near the Bucks County Playhouse, a former mill.

The surrounding area features low, rolling hills, and consists largely of preserved forest and farmland.

New Hope's primary industry is tourism. On weekends the streets are crowded with tourists visiting the many restaurants, antique shops and art galleries, or taking the popular walk along the river and the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal. Compared to surrounding communities, New Hope has a vibrant night life, although most businesses are required to close for the night by 2:00 AM.

Located in an attractive historic mill, The Bucks County Playhouse features a constant stream of plays and musical productions. New Hope was once a popular spot for Broadway shows to be tested and fine tuned, and many notable stage actors bought weekend homes in the area. It was also home to an art colony, founded by Edward Redfield and William L. Lathrop, that produced important regional work. Other members or associates with the colony included George Sotter. The area later grew to become a popular gay resort in the 1950s and today New Hope still has an active and large gay community. A common joke among locals was that the town had no hardware store, but three gay bars[citation needed] (although the town now has a hardware store and only one gay bar remains). New Hope also has somewhat of a reputation as a hangout for hard-core motorcyclists (bikers) on weekends in the warmer months.

New Hope is also a terminal point on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad. On weekends, tourists can ride the historic and scenic line through Bucks County.

Generally regarded as the half way point between Philadelphia and New York City, New Hope is located along the route of York Road. As the former main highway between those two great cities travelers would stay overnight and be ferried across the river the next morning. Though this route is largely obsolete, the section of U.S. Route 202 that passes through town still bears the name York Road.

During these early days, the town was known as Coryell's Ferry, after the owner of this business. The current name came into use following a large fire that burned down several mills in the area--their reconstruction was considered a "new hope" for the area.

The night prior to his famous crossing of the Delaware several miles to the south, George Washington is said to have lodged in New Hope. Historic former residents include James A. Michener and Aaron Burr.

New Hope was in the news in 1983 when NBC network anchorwoman Jessica Savitch and her boyfriend drowned after their car overturned into the Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal. The canal passes by Odette's Restaurant, where the couple had dined on a rainy evening and visibility was poor. (Information taken from Wikipedia)