(Note: This review is for the Thompson-Neely Section of Washington Crossing Historical Park, since…read moreI didn't have time to visit the main section! Washington Crossing Historic Park is more than 500 acres, and it has several sections.) The Thompson-Neely Section includes the Thompson-Neely Bridge, the Thompson-Neely House, the Thompson-Neely Grist Mill, and a memorial cemetery (graves of Washington Crossing soldiers). The Thompson-Neely House and grounds served as an encampment site for part of the Continental Army in December 1776. So there's a lot of history here, and you can walk along the Delaware Canal Towpath to each of the sites in this section. It's perhaps not as organized as the main section of the park; there's no visitor center in this section, but it's not too complicated - there's parking near the General Sullivan Pavilion and the house and grist mill, and then you can wander to each of the sites. (I don't recall a map of the section anywhere, but each site is on Google Maps, and that's what I used to make my way between them.) I was at the park in the late afternoon, and I don't think the house or grist mill was open, but I enjoyed walking along the towpath to the memorial cemetery, the bridge, and to see the exterior of the house and grist mill. New Hope has a lot to offer, but Washington Crossing Historical Park is great to include on your itinerary for exploring the area if you want to take in a little local/regional/American history!

On a cold, snowy Christmas night in 1776, the Continental Army changed the course of history. Led…read moreby George Washington, they braved the rough Delaware River to land at Johnson's Ferry in NJ and march on to victory against the British. Operated by the Friends of Washington Crossing, my partner and I visited the site on the PA side this morning where their departure was preserved at Washington Crossing Historic Park. Reservation was easily made yesterday on their website for the 10:30am tour. Between the Upper Section that has the Thompson-Neely House and Revolutionary War Soldier's grave. The Lower Section has the Visitor Center and the Old Village right at the site of the crossing. This encompasses 500 acres, which represents much more than a single event. Upon arrival, we had time to walk around the perimeter of the Visitor Center. When the building opened at 10am, we entered and were greeted by the staff. Inside had a wonderful auditorium and exhibit hall that featured the canon Marquis de Lafayette gave to the Continental Army. Our tour started by watching a short film about the history of the crossing. We further followed our tour guide David Price outside to the large white barn to view a Durham boat, similar to what George and his men used during the crossing. He led us along the Delaware River among the fall foliage to talk about the war leading up to and following the December 26 Battle of Trenton. He was able to make history come alive for us at $7 per person. The park also has wonderful historical homes but were closed while we were there. It's an ideal spot for picnicking, hiking, and bird watching. The well-maintained trails and scenic overlooks allow visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the area. They do reenactments of the crossing on Christmas Day and one earlier in December. It's recommended to check their website. It's a remarkable place offering a unique blend of American history and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike, which we can recommend.

I came up here on a very humid and hazy day. The visibility was a little low, but we could still…read moresee pretty far out. The steps were steep, but not too terrible. At the top of the tower the staircase gets even more windy and narrow. I do feel as though $7 was on the higher end to just climb the stairs and come down. Though, if I had the chance I would come back in the fall, as I imagine the view is spectacular during that season.

I've been here during the summer and during the Fall, it's always a beautiful view! I haven't been…read moreback in a while but both times the elevator was broken. (And even when it is working there's still steep steps to walk up just fyi). You can buy tickets there and they do a combo with the wildflower preserve too. It's a pretty drive up there as well. Definitely recommend.

The Old Library by Lake Afton dates from 1878. It currently houses the Yardley Historical…read moreAssociation, which maintains the building. Architecturally, the building's style is "carpenter Gothic" with a steep gable roof, decorative slate work, and pointed arched windows. It could be mistaken for a country chapel sitting alongside Lake Afton. The Old Library is a perfect spot for community events, and it may be rented for meetings and special occasions. It's interior layout consists of one large room with a restroom.

On the other side of the river bank from New Hope, it's difficult to tell which one is more…read morecharming, though this one is not to be missed.

Lambertville is of course not in Princeton, but a town of its own on the Delaware River on the…read moreborder with Pennsylvania and even more beautiful New Hope is across the river. Lambertville is only a few miles from the famous place where Washington and his army crossed the Delaware in the middle of the winter. It is a charming touristy town with lots of antique shops and galleries. Even the drive here is more than worth it: start from Kingston up Laurel Avenue, and turn left in Rocky Hill. From here it is a straight but winding road past Blawenburg, Hopewell in smiling rolling country. Take any small countrylane on your left or right and drive around: the land is full of surprises and souvenirs of America's past.

This is a great historical site, even though it is a recreation. It's still a lot of fun to see…read morePA's founder William Penn's dwellings as they might have been. The visitor center sells the tickets, has a gift shop, and quite a thorough exhibit on William Penn and his decision to found a colony and the influences behind how he ran it, including his conversion to Quakerism. The house itself has tours regularly, and our tour group was pretty big. They have evidence of the foundation and recreated his summer house based on multiple sources, and the house has a different vibe than something from the colonial area around a hundred years later. You can see a simpler and English-inspired architecture with dark wooden interiors and focus on basic metal and wooden furnishings. The tour passes through the more public rooms, the bedrooms, and the kitchen where the tour finishes. The tour guide did seem to have a particular interest in herbs that were used medicinally at the time. The overall information was interesting to learn about Penn, his family, and life at the time. On site, they also had a few reenactor tradespeople, including a joiner, two weavers, and two blacksmiths. They were all very enthusiastic about answering questions on their crafts. There is also a garden to walk through and some livestock. Between the indoor and outdoor exhibits, it was a really thorough site with different things for everyone to enjoy.

I went to Pennsybury manor on a field trip as a chaperone…read more The manor is the place where William Penn stayed for a short time. You can see vegetable gardens, a barn, a wooden boat, a kitchen, and a guy squashing apples to make cider. (Kids love that). There is also a little workshop where a guy does woodworking. Another guy was carving a log into a canoe. There is a gift shoppe which sells pencils and stuffed animals, if you can't find one at the local discount mart in your neighborhood and have a paucity of these in your bedroom. There is also a tour of the mansion. It has no lights. It is not original but recreated to perhaps be like the original. There is also a outhouse adjacent to this structure, but people are prohibited from making deposits in it.

This amazing memorial to the Greatest Generation is adjacent to the New Jersey State House. At the…read morecenter, Lady Victory is surrounded by six service markers and two story walls that represents the six branches of the military and list the respective New Jersey Medal of Honor recipients. Located along the outer circle are battle scenes from the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. There is also a small amphitheater with seating. At 8:30 PM, this is not a very safe neighborhood so I only stuck around for a few minutes to appreciate it before I was on my way. [Review 11528 overall, 1308 of 2019.]

A very nice little memorial conveniently located across the street from the New Jersey State House…read more The main statue is surrounded by timeline photos of the war.

Scenic views with the bridge, water and the Duke building that looks like a castle!…read more The Christmas tree is lovely! Parking lot close by.

It's the old bridge between Hillsborough and Raritan that has been turned into a walking…read morebridge.The view of the Raritan River is quite pretty.No big deal but worth a walk over if you are around.There were a lot of ducks out there yesterday with babies.If your familiar with the mallards excellent child raising skills, they won't be there long!

The Princeton Battlefield Memorial was commissioned to honor the first victory of George Washington…read moreand the Continental Army against the regular British Army in 1777. From first conception in 1887 to dedication in 1922, the project took 35 years to complete due to lack of funds and artistic differences between the local civic groups in charge of selecting a site, retaining a sculptor and overseeing proprieties required by the Princeton town fathers. Ultimately, they settled on Frederick MacMonnies from the Paris Ecole Des Beaux Artes, who was grateful for the work. He in turn retained the services of the Piccarelli Brothers of Bronx, New York, the best stone carvers of their day, who had also completed the marble figure of Abraham Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC. On June 9, 1922, the dedication took place with keynote speakers MacMonnies, President Warren G. Harding, and many lesser luminaries. Given to flights of gilded oratory, Harding said in part: "...Here the genius of General Washington reached the height of its brilliancy in action. Here his followers wrote their highest testimony of valor. Here liberty-seeking devotion struggled through privation and unbelievable exertion, to gain the heights. The crimsoned prints of numbed and bleeding feet marked the route a pathway to eternal glory. Thither they trudged through storm and torrent; but from here, in the hour of victory, went our winged messengers to let all men know that liberty was safe in the keeping of her son's...." It is genuinely an impressive stone monument. Within its folded granite can be seen the dying General Hugh Mercer being supported by a nameless soldier. On top, the visage of General Washington looks ahead, seemingly seeing the results of the bloody fight and also perceiving where all this would end a few years on.

On January 3, 1777, a surprise attack by the Continental Army routed the British and led to their…read moreretreat from Southern New Jersey. Many historians consider the Battle of Princeton to be a pivotal battle in the war for independence. Of course, the American troops were led into this battle by General George Washington. This imposing monument was dedicated in 1922, and features many delicate and intricate carvings on all faces. Check out the gorgeous image of Washington on his horse surrounded by dozens of his followers. The main inscription reads: "Here memory lingers to recall the guiding mind whose daring plan outflanked the foe and turned dismay to hope when Washington, with swift resolve, marched through the night to fight at dawn and venture all in one victorious battle for our freedom".