Yardley: Murals, Remembrance, and the Delaware Canal

Yardley brings together a range of travel experiences: a state memorial site, murals and art installations around town, and the Delaware Canal with its long towpath. The Delaware River is also part of the geographic picture: Yardley borders it. If you’re looking for a vacation rental, it can help to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip—perhaps culture and local history, outdoor activities, or a seasonal event.

Remembrance, Murals, and Local History

In July 2006, The Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield was designated Pennsylvania’s official state memorial site for the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The site is located in the 64-acre Memorial Park at 1950 Woodside Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania 19067. Its dedication gives the site a clear focus on remembrance, distinct in theme from the town’s murals and art installations.

The Yardley Duck Walk is a stroll through town, with a map leading to four-foot-tall fiberglass ducks. The ducks were designed by seven local artists. Their unusual size can give families a specific topic to talk about; families are also among the visitors to the Delaware Canal’s long towpath. Yardley thus offers both art to enjoy together and a connection to outdoor activities.

Another artistic feature is the “Greetings from Yardley” mural at 15 South Main Street. Local artist Tony Napoli created it as a giant vintage-style postcard. Yardley’s murals are also a special destination on the Lower Bucks County Mural Tour, a self-guided tour by the Langhorne Council for the Arts. The murals are therefore not just individual works around town but also part of a broader art theme on the tour.

Local history includes the Yardley-Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church on South Canal Street: the small wood-frame church was built in 1877. The memorial site, murals, and church each offer a distinct perspective—from remembrance and contemporary art to a 19th-century building.

The Delaware Canal and Seasonal Experiences

Yardley and neighboring towns along the Delaware Canal make use of the nearly 60-mile-long towpath. It is visited by runners, cyclists, and families. The nearly 60 miles refers to the entire towpath and gives you a sense of its scale; its varied users show that it plays a role in different kinds of outings. Together with Yardley’s location on the Delaware River, this offers a different perspective on the town from its art and history themes.

One seasonal event is Canal-O-Ween, a weeklong celebration during which nearly 500 glowing jack-o’-lanterns light up the Delaware Canal in Yardley. Event details may change, so check current dates and information before your trip. This way, you can factor this seasonal theme into your plans without confusing it with the town’s lasting connections to art and history.

Pennsylvania-Made Drinks

Stone’s Throw Pub at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley serves only wines, beers, and spirits made in Pennsylvania. The drinks selection may change over time, so check the details before visiting. When choosing a vacation rental, you can now weigh the themes that matter to you and match your accommodation’s location to your planned outings.

Discover More Destinations

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For the broader travel overview: Bucks.