washington crossing historic park

We were staying across the river in Stockton, NJ, so this museum and park were just a short beautiful drive away. The bridges are charming, and driving along a snowy Delaware and its banks is breathtaking. Since we were there during early March with snow on the ground, we didn't spend any time in the park; we went straight into the museum. It's small but interesting and worth a visit, especially if you are a history lover.

Stroll the path of history, joining the spirits of notable colonials who fought for our freedom. Visit actual colonial buildings (check the visitor's centre for times available). The newly refurbished visitor's centre offers a gorgeous panaromic view of the Delaware river (site of the famous crossing), a nice gift shop a small, but notable museum. Tours can be booked, seminars are held and restrooms are available at the centre. The park also boasts some wonderful trails, a wildflower preserve, Bowman's Tower (once just a hillock lookout, the Tower was built to give a greater perspective of the area) and assorted special events. This site is an important place to experience, especially for children, since it brings history alive.

We went on a very cold afternoon the Monday before Christmas. A school group was there so we went to different areas from them so we didn't have fight our way through them to see things. Very easy to do a self guided tour. They had some boats in the water (getting ready for the re-enactment a few days later at Christmas). You could walk down onto the dock to see them up close but couldn't get on them. This was very cool for my 10 year old daughter (We now live in NC, I'm originally from Bucks County) to see in person as she had just done a report on Washington crossing the Delaware. So many people in the Philadelphia area don't realize the history right at their doorsteps and don't appreciate all the history they can walk through (And sometimes touch) in person instead of reading it on the internet. My favorite part was seeing the very large painting in the theater. When I was growing up my grandparents lived across the street from the woman who funded the restroration of that painting (the Washington Crossing Foundation was willed her home on Radcliffe Street in Edgely). I love looking at it in person. Staff on site is very knowledgeable and friendly.

Stopped here after the Washingtons Crossing event on a warm winter afternoon. We took a guided tour of the area, which was very interesting and informative. Our guide had lived in the park area before it became a National Park. He was very interesting and informative. The orientation movie is also excellent. Well worth a visit and a walk.

We experienced a refreshing sense of American history on our visit to Washington Crossing State Historic Park. The park is almost 500 acres of historic preservation of the site & events leading up to General Washington’s crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Night 1776 from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. A Revolutionary War Museum, Visitor Center, restored buildings, farms & reenactments throughout the year bring family fun and learning to every visit. Picnicking facilities, bicycle & hiking trails provide many hours of activity. After crossing in darkness, General Washington’s 2,500 troops surprised & defeated the British – Hessian forces at Trenton, NJ; this attack, followed by battles the following day at Trenton & Princeton, NJ proved to be pivotal events in the Revolutionary War. Replicas of The Durham Boat are on display. General Washington specifically requested the Durham boats for his use to cross the Delaware River. The Durham boat, dated as early as 1757, that was 65 feet long & 8 foot beam could carry 20 tons of iron & 150 barrels of flour. The Park continues the celebration of Washington’s historic crossing with an annual reenactment on Christmas Day.

I am not a big history buff but I do enjoy these old stories. This was a live reenactment of George Washingtons crossing of the delaware on Christmas night. The entire intersection is basically shut down to accommodate this event. There are spectators on either side of the river pa and nj. Linking the 2 sides is a very pretty open grate bridge. The actual event doesn't take that long. The actors take there time trying to navigate the waters from one side to the other. You can basically walk wherever you want. The bridge is closed to vehicle traffic but you can walk along there. The banks of the river are open too. Live cannon shots are heard from one side . And on the other soldiers line up and parade back over the bridge. There is a tavern right there that is open for drinks and hot chocolate. Very busy inside but a very Kool little stop. Bathrooms are available inside and they charge a small 1 dollar donation. Prepare to walk, there is a large hill where I parked . And park on the right side heading away from the river because they do ticket the other side. I would go back next year. Maybe stop at the tavern for a cold one and wait to see if George would let me buy him a beverage.

I've been here several times over the past 10 years. Its a very beautiful place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are many walking paths to take along the Delaware or along the canal. Very well maintained and clean park. There are historic buildings that you can look at and also the boat that carried General Washington across the Delaware River on the way to Trenton to do battle. Its very interesting if your a history buff and I think interesting enough for the kids for at least a little while. They do a reenactment that I have not been able to catch but would love to. I hear its awesome just prepare for cold weather because its during December. I have walked along the canal and then crossed the bridge over into the park that extends into New Jersey State. We didnt have time to hike a lot of the Jersey side because we had already walked close to two hours along the canal. There's plenty of trails to walk if you enjoy doing that activity. Plus its very easy, flat walking for the most part. We did see more historic bldgs. on the jersey side and a visitors center there as well. Absolutely worth visiting.....nice to walk over the bridge into New Jersery rather than drive...a whole new view of the Delaware; plus you can take your time and really look at things. We took our dog and apparently this is a VERY popular place for people to take their dogs because we seen them everywhere. One good thing, the grass we seen and the walkways were not messy because of dog waste. It was very, very clean :)

Spent a cold and blustery day, December 7th., watching a reenactment of His Excellency, General George Washington's perilous crossing of the ice clogged Delaware River, on Christmas night of 1776. Despite the very cold weather, the reenactors were spirited and of good cheer, each versed in the history of the day and the specific roles each of their namesake characters played on that fateful Christmas night 238 years ago. The people who role played today are a top notch group who enjoy doing what they do and are quite skilled at it.Many of the buildings at the park were open and lecturers in period costume explained various crafts and trades of the era. The soldiers, continentals and state militias, were well versed in the history of their particular units and the weapons used. If you are into American history and/or early period firearms, and can make it to a reenactment of the Delaware River crossing by the first American General of the Army, I highly recommend it. Souvenirs of this memorable outing? Their shop is very well stocked.Afterwards you can warm up and eat a hearty meal at the nearby Washington Crossing Inn.

Quiet... historic... simple... delightful... I didn't have enough time. The residents of Washington Crossing strive to keep the Washington Crossing Historic Park all of the above. I found myself enchanted with the place and sad that I hadn't found it earlier in the day. There is the monument about this being the area where Gen. George Washington crossed the Delaware River on his way to the Battle of Trenton. That is just the beginning. While there is a famous picture of Washington standing in a boat, this park is a reminder that there were many boats, many men, many crossings and many hours involved in the event. A number of period houses and businesses are available for touring or just peeking in the windows. The visitors center has artifacts, knowledgeable staff and a nice gift shop. The best thing I can say is that it is now on my destination list of historical areas to visit and spend some time. Oh, and the historical park on the New Jersey side is a good place to visit as well. Take care on the bridge between the two.

Wonderful park, very clean and history is all around you, this is one of the places that made us who we are as a country. I have even seen Bald Eagles here, how great is that.

A very nice site. It is NOT Disneyland, or Disneyworld, or Dollywood, but a very nicely done historical site. A little bit off the beaten path, but still very nice. Be sure to see both the PA side and the NJ side. I walked across the bridge on a nice fall day; highly recommended.

I have visited this park before and after the multi-million dollar "renovation". The new visitors center is just a huge waste of space - there are hardly any exhibits, with a huge auditorium with no film to view. You have to pay to have a volunteer/guide provide a tour of the various houses. The officials who run this park from PA need to take a ride over the bridge to the NJ park and see what nice exhibits are displayed there. I think it would be beneficial to all if the National Park Service took over this park, as a national historical site and properly maintained it, like Valley Forge and Independence Hall. The only good thing about this place are the restrooms, which are great - when they're working!

We were on our way to visit New Hope when we got a bit sidetracked here and, boy, was that a great thing! My husband and I were just exploring and ended up following the signs to the farmer's market that happened to be open that morning. That ended up being pretty small--friendly vendors but not really worth the side trip. However, since it was in the parking lot of the park, we decided to look around and found ourselves in the visitor center. Since a guided tour group just happened to be forming, we decided we might as well go since we had already stopped by What a great decision that ended up being. It started with a pretty good little 20 minute video and then we were taken by a guide, Stan, on a 40 or so minute tour. Stan was fantastic! If you enjoy history (or just wish you knew more about the Revolutionary War), he's your man! It wasn't very much walking but we did really learn about the crossing and were able to see the interior of the Tavern that still stands in the spot. If you have the time and the inclination, your time will be well spent here! Just to clarify--there is no fee for visiting the park and the visitor's center but there is a fee for the guided tour (the movie is included in the tour).

We loved our guide, Barbara. This is an outside stroll along a path, along the Delaware river, to visit a few historic buildings. Along the way you learn about the events surrounding Washington crossing the Delaware, see a boat house (with replica boats), and learn more about the famous painting. Barbara was great answering kids' questions.

There are several structures of historic nature at this site. The young man who served as our guide was a touch rough around the edges but he was still in high school which explains that. He was very knowledgeable and quite personable in his information delivery,also very solicitous to our guest with a broken foot. The historic aspect of the site is the claimed turning point in colonial fortunes on Washington's crossing of the Delaware. The guided tour is well worth taking.