Burlington on the Delaware River

Burlington lies on the banks of the Delaware River and combines riverside scenery with a rich city history. The Riverfront Promenade features a nearly one-mile-long linear park; at the same time, the city's history stretches from a house dating to 1743 to memories of the Underground Railroad. The Bard How House is home to an interactive exhibit for children. If you want to combine culture, time outdoors, and activities on the water with your family, Burlington offers a variety of themes to consider when planning your trip.

Riverfront and outdoor activities

The Riverfront Promenade is a long, narrow park on the Delaware River. It includes a bandstand and also serves as a venue for concerts and larger social events. Boaters can access the Delaware River via a boat ramp for a daily or seasonal fee. The park, events, and boat ramp cater to different interests on the water, without requiring them to be part of a single program.

A separate path runs through Kennedy Park Extension, along this section of the lake. This offers another nature-focused option alongside the riverside scenery. If you're planning a stay that includes outdoor exercise, you can consider this path as well as the Riverfront Promenade; the two locations differ in their described settings, one by the river and the other by the lake.

The parks also offer different features. Wooded Sixth Street Park has a basketball court, playground equipment, and picnic tables. Burlington Dog Park has two fenced areas, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. Families with children can take the playground equipment into account when making their choice; travelers with a dog will find the separation by dog size a specific feature of the dog park. The parks offer everything from sports and play to a dedicated area for dogs.

History and art in Burlington

The Burlington County Historical Society campus in Burlington is home to the birthplaces of James Fenimore Cooper and Captain Lawrence. The Bard How House was built by Bennett Bard in 1743 and is now home to an interactive exhibit for children. Here, a precisely dated historic building meets an exhibition experience specifically designed for children. For families who want to include culture as well as outdoor activities in their plans, this is a distinctive facet of Burlington.

The history of Old City Hall also reflects changing uses. The current building was constructed in 1839 as Lyceum Hall for public lectures and theater performances, and as a cultural center. In 1851, it was turned over to the city for municipal purposes. Lyceum Hall was returned to its original use as an arts center: offerings include art exhibitions, concerts, classes, and holiday camps. Lyceum Hall is also a center for creative arts and art education in Burlington.

The city's historic landscape includes 40 notable buildings. Several buildings in Burlington served as stations on the Underground Railroad. “Presidents, Printers and Patriots” offers another way to explore Burlington City's past; the title highlights three centuries of the city's history. The Mantas, also called the “Leaping Frog,” a tribe of the Lenni Lenape, called Burlington Island Matinicunk. These names and historical references add different chapters of the city's history to its architecture.

When searching for a vacation rental in Burlington, you can start by considering which focus best suits your trip: city history and art, the riverside setting, or parks for spending time outdoors. This makes it easier to choose a destination based on the experiences that interest you and your family most.

More destination pages

To explore more destination pages: Cinnaminson, Bordentown, Southampton, Mt Holly, Maple Shade, Cookstown, Riverton and Wrightstown.

For the main travel overview: Burlington.