Explore a serene shoreline drive, George Washington’s Delaware River crossing in 1776, delightful mill buildings, canoeing, hiking, biking, and antique shops.

Trenton, NJ route mapNestled just over an hour between  Philadelphia and New York, this serene shoreline drive along the Delaware River is amazingly remote for such a densely populated place. This drive starts in Trenton, at the State House of New Jersey, on Route 29 north. About 8 miles down the path, turn right on Route 546 to visit Washington Crossing State Park, site of George Washington’s Delaware River crossing in 1776. As you drive through the park, a 22-mile waterway is visible, which leads to a canal that is neatly contained within the Raritan and  Delaware Canal State Park.

Back on Route 29, stop to catch a view of the gorgeous brick facades of Lambertville. Continue north to Stockton, home of the Stockton Inn, which motivated the Rodgers and Hart song, “There’s a Small Hotel.” Prallsville Mills Historic District is just around the corner and home to enjoyable mill buildings and a forest of oaks and willows.
Route 29 shoots you straight through a forest of oak and maple to the Bull’s Island Recreation Area, which offers hiking, canoeing,  and biking.  End this historic trip in Frenchtown, whose streets are lined with antique shops, 19th Century homes,  and the restored 1851 National Hotel.

Starting Point:
Trenton, NJ

Distance of Drive:
30 miles

Must Eat:
Frenchtown Inn
5 Bridge Street, Frenchtown, NJ 08825
Phone: 908-996-3300
Call ahead to confirm hours of operation.

Best Time of Year for Drive:
Year round

Points of Interest on Drive:
Prallsville Mills Historic District
Washington Crossing State Park
Delaware River
Stockton Inn
Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park
National Hotel
Bull’s Island Recreation Area

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Filed under: Best Road Trips