| Daytrips from Philadelphia | |
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As summer comes to an end and fall arrives, many area residents and visitors alike will be making the trip north on I-95 to exit 31 in Yardley and then north on PA-32 to New Hope, Bucks County.
The trip on PA-32 takes you through the beautiful Bucks County countryside which will soon be awash in the colors of fall.
Your first stop along the way should be at the Washington Crossing Historic Park.
Washington Crossing
Historic Park
Photo by John Fischer
The park commemorates the site where George Washington crossed the icy Delaware River on December 26, 1776. Following the crossing, Washington and his troops marched into Trenton and defeated the Hessian army, thus bringing new hope to the Continental Army, which had previously suffered serious defeats in New York.
The park is divided into two major sections separated by about 3.5 miles and includes over 500 acres of historic areas and open parkland.
The McConkey Ferry Section of the park is near the intersection of PA-532 and PA-32. It contains the Memorial Building and Visitors Center along with several restored historic buildings, including the Durham Boat House, which contains replicas of the boats used by Washington and his troops. There is a $5.00 admission fee charged which allows access to a guided walking tour, the Thompson-Neely House and Bowman's Hill and Tower.
The northern section of the park contains not only several historic homes, but also the famous Bowman's Hill Tower, which offers outstanding views of the Bucks County countryside.
View from Bowman's Hill Tower
Photo by John Fischer
Nearby is the Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve which is devoted to the preservation of the native plants of Pennsylvania.
The Washington Crossing Historic Park is just seven miles south of the historic town of New Hope.