Trips: Washington Crossing Trip

We visited Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey twice this spring/summer.  As a history major in college, I love visiting historical places and as a former zoo employee, I also love visiting nature parks.  Washington Crossing State Park provides a bit of both history and nature for visitors.

The Visitor Center has ample parking, beautiful lawns and trees surrounding it, and a nearby picnic area.  Inside we were able to explore two areas with American Revolution Era artifacts including weapons and clothing.

Visitor's Center

On our second visit, we arrived just before their musket demonstration ended.  Everyone in my family enjoyed getting to see (and hear) the firing of the musket.

Musket Demonstration

Johnson Ferry House  

A short drive from the Visitor Center is the Ferry House which is open to the public and furnished with period furniture.  It was probably used by General George Washington after the December 25, 1776 crossing of the Delaware River.

In the kitchen, they had a mortar and pestle set up to grind corn.

A selection of flowers, fruits, and vegetables from the kitchen garden.

Bedroom upstairs

Bedroom upstairs

Kitchen Garden 

Nature Center 

Washington Crossing State Park is also home to a Nature Center which houses a variety of natural artifacts including different animal skulls to examine and touch, turtle shells, stuffed birds, and nests, among other items.  There is also a section with puzzles, books, coloring sheets, and live animals.

There was a deer outside the Nature Center.  We were able to see it out the window before it returned to the woods.

Bee's hive set up. 

Exhibits showing the seasons and natural artifacts that can be found in the area.

There were several animals including a corn snake and several different aquatic turtles.

Felt puzzle 

Completing a puzzle of insects 

We saw several different birds on each of our visits to the Nature Center.

There are several different bird feeders outside the front of the Nature Center. 

Park 

There are also two playground areas with swings and climbing areas for the children.  We spent time playing there on both visits.

Washington Crossing State Park in New Jersey is a great place to visit with the family. We brought our lunch on both visits, picnicking near the river, and toured the Park itself after lunch. For individuals who like to hike, there are also numerous trails of varying difficulty with abundant wildlife. 

Interested in learning more about Washington or the Colonial America?