For our next Bucks County road trip, we’re exploring the greater Yardley area with side trips to Washington Crossing Historic Park, chowing down on some Owowcow ice cream in Chalfont, and a day of fun at Sesame Place in Langhorne.
Pretty Bird Coffee
Time to fuel up for our adventure in the center of Yardley at Pretty Bird Coffee. Expect a line at this popular coffee shop. As our visit was in the summer, I chose a Ferrero Rocher iced latte and a breakfast sandwich. Yum! It was a perfect way to start our Buckyard Road Trip!
Washington Crossing Historic Park
The main attraction for visiting this region of Bucks County was Washington Crossing Historic Park. Don’t be confused- Washington’s Crossing State Park is across the Delaware River in New Jersey, but we’re staying on the PA side.
The park visitor center includes a small museum with artifacts and information regarding Washington’s crossing of the Delaware. One fascinating exhibit during my visit was about soldiers’ health; the leeching jar really caught my kids’ attention. They also enjoyed climbing into the tent in the exhibit, recreating what life was like as a soldier. Outside, see the location where Washington led his soldiers across the wide Delaware River on those fateful December days.
Also in the park are historic properties open for tours, including the Thompson-Neely House and Mill, and the Historic Village, which includes an inn, boathouse, and blacksmith shop. Tours are given through the complex. We were able to listen to a talk about the boathouse. The park is in a beautiful setting along the Delaware River. Our summer visit was much different than the weather that Washington and his crew faced on Christmas of 1776.
Bowman’s Hill Tower and the Thompson-Neely Bridge
As part of the Historic Park, located north of the visitor center, is Bowman’s Hill Tower, a 125-foot observation tower located within Washington Crossing Historic Park. It offers stunning panoramic views of the Delaware River Valley, Bucks County, and New Jersey. A lookout in Washington’s party scouted this hill for any movement by the enemy. Walk or take an elevator to the top.
Across from Bowman’s Hill on the riverside of the road is the Thompson-Neely Bridge and the burial site of soldiers who died in the encampment during and leading up to the crossing of the Delaware. There are paths to explore. Also, the Delaware Canal Towpath bisects the park and is 60 miles in length. On a nice day, grab your bike and explore!
Before leaving the park, my middle son needed to get a tricorn hat for himself (one that he has never worn again).
Vault Brewing
For lunch, we headed back to Yardley to eat at Vault Brewing. It is located in a former bank building in downtown Yardley. The historic atmosphere makes it a unique stop for lunch or dinner, as the vaults are now used in a much different capacity! The food menu features creative wood-fired pizzas and other pub fare, as well as salads and appetizers. As for the drinks, Vault Brewing offers a wide variety of craft beers brewed on-site, along with cocktails and wine. It’s a great spot to relax and refuel after a morning of exploring. Their beers included excellent IPAs, sours, and even a Saison.
Owowcow Ice Cream
With five locations, including Lambertsville, NJ, Chalfont, and Newtown, PA, Owowcow’s ice cream is award-winning. With good reason! On a summer night, expect a line way out the door. But it moves quickly. Scrumptious flavors like I Hate Chocolate, Sweet Honey Cream, and Cookie Monstah satisfy any palate. Look for additional flavors based on the season. You’ll be saying “Oh WoW!” once you taste Owowcow!
Sesame Place
For many travelers, Bucks County is simply the home of Sesame Place. Sesame Place is a family-friendly theme park located in Langhorne, themed entirely around the beloved characters of Sesame Street. It’s perfect for kids of any age. The younger set will love seeing their favorite characters as well as the daily parade with plenty of dancing and waving, as well as the smaller, kiddie rides. Older kids will enjoy the roller coasters and water rides. Sesame Place was a hit with all of my kids, from ages 9 to 2.
This Buckyard Road Trip, or Bucks County Road Trip, centered around Yardley, brought us to a fun and diverse set of attractions, including Washington Crossing Historic Park, Vault Brewing Company, and even Sesame Place.
