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Washington Crossing Historic Park
See the spot where the General George Washington’s boats quietly took the Revolutionary soldiers to the battles of Trenton and Princeton.
Walk among the grounds where his troops waited patiently by the side of the Delaware River, close to several historic houses and work buildings that represent Pennsylvania industry and home life in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
The network of trails that lead throughout the forested grounds are great for walking, running and hiking, as well as cycling.
Washington Crossing Historic Park has been preserved as both a historic and nature area by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
On Christmas night, 1776, General George Washington and his Revolutionary troops met here to secretly cross the Delaware River so that they could surprise the British and Hessian troops presumably celebrating in Trenton, several miles south.
General George Washington and his Revolutionary troops met here to cross the Delaware River in 1776.
Washington Crossing Historic Park is divided into two sections: the lower park holds the visitor center and several buildings, and the upper park once functioned as an infirmary during the battles and an original grist mill.
The visitor center video tells of the 10 days from the time of the crossing through the revolutionaries’ victories at Trenton and Princeton.
Open every day. Bowman’s Tower, which is also in the park, is open every day as well (weather permitting).
History buffs get into the spirit of the season when they witness Washington Crossing the Delaware River, a free, annual reenactment staged at 1 p.m. on Christmas Day at Washington Crossing Historic Park.
A day of family-friendly activities accompanies the full dress rehearsal a few weeks prior to the real thing.
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.