Where Washington Crossed the Delaware
A trip along the Delaware via Route 32 through Morrisville and Yardley will bring you to Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania, 500 acres that are open year-round (there's a separate Washington Crossing State Park across the river in New Jersey). Most people know that Washington crossed a big river in a small boat on Christmas Eve of 1776, and many people are familiar with the heroic painting depicting this event, with Washington standing in the boat, his eyes on the farther shore. This was the spot, and a copy of the enormous painting by Emanuel Leutze is on display at the Visitors Center, where a new 15-minute film provides a good orientation to the park. An annual reenactment of the historic crossing takes place here at Christmas. There's also a well-stocked museum store.
The park is divided into upper and lower sections separated by 4 miles; Washington left from the lower site, where you can tour McConkey's Ferry Inn (1752), where Washington ate before he crossed the river, several historic buildings in Taylorsville, and the Memorial Building.
A lovely alternative to driving to the lower park site is biking the tow path that connects the areas. Here, you can tour Thompson-Neely House, where General Washington, Brigadier General Stirling, and Lieutenant James Monroe decided on the year-end push into New Jersey. On a nearby hilltop, Bowman's Hill Tower, a 125-foot stone structure built in 1931 -- now equipped with an elevator -- will reward you with a stunning view of this part of the Delaware Valley. Washington Crossing State Park is located at the intersection of routes 32 (River Rd.) and 532, 3 miles north of I-96 from Exit 31. P.O. Box 103, Washington Crossing, PA 18977 (tel. 215/493-4076; www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing). The park is open Tuesday through Saturday 9am to 5pm; Sunday 12 to 5pm, and closes 1 hour earlier in winter. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2 for ages 6 to 17.
Once part of the park, Bowman's Hill Wild Flower Preserve (tel. 215/862-2924; www.bhwp.org) adjacent to Bowman's Hill Tower, now operates independently. This enchanting 134-acre arboretum, nature center, and botanical preserve features more than 24 paths that wind through diverse habitats, illustrating different botanical wonders. Open daily 8:30am to sunset. Admission is $5 for adults. $3 for seniors, $4 for ages 4 to 14.
Along with the specific accommodations listed below, contact the Bucks County Bed and Breakfast Association, P.O. Box 154, New Hope, PA 18938 (tel. 215/862-7154; www.bbonline.com/pa/buckscounty), which includes inns located in the wonderful New Jersey towns of Lambertville, Stockton, and Frenchtown. Also visit www.bedandbreakfast.com for more suggestions.
