One of my favorite places to visit is Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. Washington Crossing, located in Upper Makefield, is most famous for George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River in 1776. This village is adjacent to the Delaware River and a stone’s throw distance to the Delaware Canal Towpath which runs from Easton to Bristol and is 60 miles in length. Here is the perfect itinerary on what to do in Washington Crossing:
Grab A Quick Bite To Eat
Have you ever been to Vince’s Pizzeria and Taproom in Newtown on Durham Road? We thought we’d stop there for a quick slice of pizza since it was only 15 minutes from Washington Crossing. They have live music on an outdoor patio, a beer and wine wall, and signature pizzas like the mind-blowing Sausage and Honey Pizza topped with mild Italian sausage or the Sweet and Salty Pizza smothered with fresh mozzarella, crispy bacon, caramelized onion, and honey!
Explore The Exhibits In The Visitor's Center
In the Washington Crossing Visitor’s Center, visitors can find information about Washington Crossing Park, view historic exhibits, or see an exact replica of President Washington leading his troops across the Delaware River. There is also a 248-seat auditorium for movies, concerts, speaking engagements, and community gatherings. During our Friday night visit, we witnessed a beautiful exhibit filled with artifacts and replicas of the tents and other tools that were used back then. This was the perfect precursor to the outdoor tour.
Take A Fall Lantern Tour
The Washington Crossing Fall Lantern Tours are held on Fridays and Saturdays in October at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Curious, history-seeking visitors meet at the park for a one-hour tour. You will venture on to an exciting excursion through the historic park, taking part in a living history presentation that brings to life the harsh conditions General Washington’s men endured during the fateful nights of battle during the Revolutionary War and the battles that followed the crossing of the river. Did you know that it took the American Army roughly 4 hours to the river crossing site to the outskirts of Trenton? Corinne, our guide, explained so much of the history of the exact area we were standing in which led to the privileges we have today. She was dressed in colonial attire and took us with a candle-lit lantern to a group of reenactors. The sound of the fife and drum created a mysterious atmosphere on this beautiful, dark night.
Meet-and-Greet With The Sheep At Thompson-Neely Farmstead
Enjoy a meet and greet with the sheep of Thompson-Neely Farmstead in the upper park. The house on this property served as a temporary regimental army hospital during Washington’s winter campaign, where sick and injured soldiers were brought to this home for medical treatment and recovery. The Thompson-Neely House is surrounded by outbuildings needed for farm life in the 18th century. There is a smokehouse, chicken coop, and privy there today. You can even visit the park’s flock of sheep in the restored barn. On one of my visits to Washington Crossing Park, I brought my nephew and nieces to the canal path and were lucky to see the flock past the fence as they grazed in the grass.
Go Leaf Peeping At Bowman's Hill Tower
If you want one of the best views of the county during the fall when the leaves are bursting with beautiful vibrant colors, take a trip to Bowman’s Hill Tower. I think my favorite part of this adventure was the long, loopy road you had to drive to get to the top of the mountain! These 125-foot-tall tower gives you the perfect bird’s eye view of the countryside and Delaware River. Bowman’s Tower was built of local field stone in 1929-1931 to commemorate what may have been a lookout point for George Washington’s troops to watch for enemy activity on the Delaware River. Doing a panoramic with our eyes surrounded us with the beauty of vibrant orange, green, brown, and yellow tree leaves, along with the perfect view of the river and landscape of the county. It truly was breathtaking!
Hike Up To See Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
The Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve is a must-see in the county! Year-round, visitors will encounter an outdoor museum of native plants, growing on 134 acres. There is so much to see from the hardwood forests to meadows, steep hillsides, ponds, a creek, and other wetlands. There is even a Native Plant Nursery for gardeners to bring a piece back to their OWN gardens. After riding and parking our bikes midway through the preserve, we ventured through Penns Woods to New Pond. We saw frogs, beautiful plants and foliage, and flowers, all in a beautiful fall backdrop. In addition to the trail I mentioned, there are approximately twenty other trails along with the Visitor Center and Stone Bridge.
Take A Bike Ride Through Washington Crossing Historic Park
Have you ever tried an e-bike? Don’t knock it until you try it! You can pedal like you would on a regular bike and increase the cadence to go up every mountain at ease in a safe fashion. My girlfriend, sister, and I gave it a try and we were pleasantly surprised! As a matter of fact, we could have kept riding for hours with how FUN it was. Voltage Bikes in Washington Crossing is owned by a husband-and-wife team, Mary and Chris, who also have a location in Warminster. At their shop, you can purchase or rent Velotric and Aventon e-bikes and accessories. We all met at the shop on River Road, walked across the street to Washington Crossing, and gave the bikes a test run after adjusting the heights of our seats. Matt, the owner of Washington Crossing Tours, books bike tours with live availability, making it a fun idea for any group to take a tour for any reason whether it be a business networking event, or just for friends who could use a dose of fresh air. The tour allows you to ride along the picturesque Delaware Canal Towpath and immerse yourself in the natural beauty and rich history of the surroundings. Matt treated us to an impressive tour of the park area from the Thompson-Neely Farmstead to Bowman’s wildflower preserve and the tower. When we were on the bikes, we inhaled the smell of fall leaves, viewed the beautiful homes along the canal path, and daydreamed while looking in awe at the vast Delaware River. Breathing in the fresh air, smelling the crisp fall air, and witnessing the beautiful fall foliage was just what the doctor ordered!
Whether you go with a date, your parents, or yourself, you will not be disappointed when you take a ride on an e-bike, walk, or just sit on a park bench by the gorgeous Delaware river in the magnificent, historical Washington Crossing right in the beautiful county of Bucks!
