Bordentown is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey.
Its history dates back to the colonial era when it was an important port town.
In 1682, the Europeans first settled in Bordentown, where it was known as “Farnsworth’s Landing.”
In 1717, Farnsworth’s Landing became Borden’s Town.
Joseph Bonaparte, disguised as the Count de Survilliers, also settled here after the abdication of his brother Napoleon Bonaparte.
The city’s strategic location made it a target during the American Revolutionary War, and the British army occupied it for a time.
The “Battle of Bordentown” took place on December 26, 1776, where the Continental Army won.
Today, Bordentown is a charming small city with a quaint downtown area and various things to do.
Here are the best things to do in Bordentown, NJ:
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
Downtown Bordentown is a charming historic district with Victorian-style buildings, tree-lined streets, and various shops and restaurants.
The downtown area is also home to the Bordentown Historical Society Museum, housed in an 1885 train station.
Walk through the Historic Downtown Bordentown and admire the landmarks and homes of the city.
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
The Historic Downtown Bordentown houses several art galleries, antique shops, and various restaurants, which also integrate pieces of history.
Bring your kids to the Family Friendly Treasure Hunt, a great way to explore downtown Bordentown, as partner establishments also offer prizes.
Start at the information center, pick up a map, and follow the clues to find the treasures.
The whole family will enjoy this activity as you learn about the city’s history while having fun.
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
This house was once the home of Napoleon’s brother, Joseph Bonaparte.
He built the original three-story house with the largest library in the United States.
Unfortunately, a fire razed the first house.
In 1816, Joseph Bonaparte built an even bigger house on the property.
This second house stands today and is open to the public for tours.
The estate also includes vast gardens, a museum, and an events space.
You can tour the house, tagged as the second-finest home in the United States, furnished with original furniture and artwork from the family’s collection.
The estate is now a museum and park that offers visitors a glimpse into the life of the Bonaparte family.
Located near Philadephia and New York, the estate grounds are also open to the public.
They are great for picnicking, hiking, or just enjoying the gorgeous views of the trees and the pond surrounding them.
The Bordentown Bluffs Trail is a favorite spot for birdwatchers as it offers stunning views of the river and is home to various birds.
The New Jersey Audubon Society classified the Crosswicks Creek as a Very Important Birding Area.
Enjoy the view along the way, and appreciate the rhododendrons and beauty of the mountain laurel.
You’ll find eagles and red-tailed hawks at Bordentown Bluffs Trail, part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.
The best time to go birdwatching is during the winter as you might also see bald eagles.
Formerly part of the Point Breeze Estate, Bordentown Bluffs Trail is now open to the public for hiking, walking, and birdwatching.
The unpaved trail is moderately complex, but it is worth it as you enjoy the stunning views of the river and the city.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is a linear park that runs through Central New Jersey, from Trenton to New Brunswick, along Bordentown.
The park follows the historic Delaware and Raritan Canal routes, which they once used for transportation and shipping.
For history buffs, you can explore the 19th-century canals in the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park, as they remain intact and are still used today.
The park is also an excellent place for walking, running, biking, and picnicking, or you can go fishing in the Delaware River as the state park offers access to the river.
There are also canoe and kayak rentals available if you want to explore the river at your own pace.
The park also has a towpath that runs parallel to the canal, which is excellent for biking, walking, and jogging, where you will see stunning views of the river and wildlife along the way.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is great for enjoying the outdoors.
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
The Old Bookshop of Bordentown is a quaint little shop located on Farnsworth Avenue.
The shop specializes in selling old books, which are perfect for those who are looking for unique finds.
The Old Bookshop of Bordentown is the perfect place to find a rare and unique book.
Booklovers will have a great time browsing the shop’s collection, including various genres.
The Old Bookshop of Bordentown also carries a wide variety of new and used books, which are perfect for those looking for a good read.
The shop is open year-round and is worth visiting for those looking for a unique shopping experience.
The White Hill Mansion is a historic house located in Bordentown, New Jersey, at the bluff of the Delaware River.
Built in 1721, the mansion represents a blend of architectural styles throughout its 300 years.
Studying its nooks and crannies will yield different architectural designs that range from the colonial brickwork to the 1900s Queen Anne design.
The well-preserved house was once a winter Lenape settlement before becoming one of the main battlefields of the Revolutionary War.
You can also explore the mansion grounds, which offer stunning views of the Delaware River, aside from its garden, orchards, and hiking trails.
The White Hill Mansion is a great place to learn about Bordentown’s history and appreciate the beauty of the mansion and its grounds.
Crystal Lake Park is a public park located in Bordentown, New Jersey.
The park is on 370 acres of land and features a lake, making it a great place to enjoy the outdoors.
Crystal Lake Park features diverse vegetation, including upland forests, wetlands, and meadows.
The park is also part of a working farm, perfect for those who want to experience farm life.
Crystal Lake Park is also one of the main access points of Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park.
Birdwatchers will also have a field day in Crystal Lake Park, which is home to various birds.
The Bordentown Historical Society Friends Meeting House Museum stands amid a tree-lined street surrounded by townhouses built in the 1800s.
Built in the 1740s, the preserved meeting house museum is one of the oldest buildings in Bordentown.
The Museum features a collection of Quaker artifacts, displays, and exhibits that tell the story of the Quakers in Bordentown.
The Museum also offers volunteer-led guided tours.
These volunteers also wear period costumes.
The Bordentown Historical Society Friends Meeting hosts rotating exhibits annually, including Untold Stories, Battle of the Kegs, and Religion in Bordertown.
The Bordentown Historical Society Museum is excellent for learning about the city’s rich history.
Bordentown Beach is a great place to enjoy the sun and the sand.
The beach is adjacent to Crosswicks Creek and is a perfect spot for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and picnicking.
Bordentown Beach is one of the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park entries.
Other things that visitors can do in Bordentown Beach are kayaking, canoeing, and birdwatching.
Bordentown Beach is also a great place to relax and enjoy its tranquility while watching the sunset.
Sit on one of the benches and gaze at the scenery.
The Record Collector is a famous music store known for its extensive collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes.
The Record Collector also sells music-related merchandise such as posters, t-shirts, and hats.
It specializes in vinyl records and carries various genres, ranging from rock to jazz.
The Record Collector also offers a wide selection of used records, perfect for those looking for rare finds.
Voted as the favorite independent record store in the tri-state area, the Record Collector is a must-visit for music lovers.
The Bordentown City Farmer’s Market is the perfect place to find local produce, baked goods, and prepared foods.
The market also features vendors selling flowers, jewelry, and other handmade items.
The Bordentown City Farmer’s Market is open year-round on Farnsworth Avenue, Bordentown’s main street.
Visitors can also find various restaurants and cafes nearby the market, making it the perfect place to spend a Sunday morning.
Nature enthusiasts can spend the day soaking in nature at Abbott Marshlands; a 3000-acre of open space, perfect for outdoor lovers.
It’s home to many kinds of animals, plants, ponds, woodlands, and freshwater tidal and non-tidal marshes and swamps.
Here, you can spend a quiet day observing the plants and animals in their natural habitat, while taking advantage of its fresh air and peaceful atmosphere.
There are picnic tables to use for lunch or snacks, as well as trails for scenic walks and some for biking.
Fishing, kayaking, and canoeing are also fun here.
Abbott Marshlands was named for Charles Conrad Abbott, a 19th-century writer, archeologist, and naturalist.
Nothing’s more memorable than sharing a picnic with loved ones during your travels, and Bordentown doesn’t disappoint!
Located at Ward Avenue, Joseph Lawrence Park features a picnic pavilion with tables to use for lunch or snacks with your family.
It also features athletic fields and regularly hosts local baseball and football games, which you can watch when there’s a scheduled game.
It’s also fun here during the 4th of July with amazing fireworks display.
Joseph Lawrence Park is also great for biking, walking, and jogging at its well-maintained trail.
Whether you’re on the run or you want to chill out on a nice morning, Turtle Beans Specialty Coffee is the best spot to get your coffee fix in Bordentown.
The coffee shop roasts its own coffee in-house and hosts coffee tasting, where you can try all the types of coffee it offers.
Owner Steve Fonseca grew up in Costa Rica picking up coffee beans with his sister and mother.
His knowledge about coffee is visible in how he treats the customers and how delicious the coffee offerings are.
You can visit Turtle Beans Specialty Coffee on Farnsworth Avenue.
If you’re traveling with kids, they can enjoy playing and interacting with each other at 2nd Street Park.
It’s a nice little park with a kiddie area, which features a play structure, where they can climb, jump, slide, swing, and run.
2nd Street Park also has sports fields for football, as well as an enclosed basketball court.
It’s a great spot to burn off the kids’ energy while being surrounded by natural and fresh air; away from the city’s noise.
There are also shady benches to use while watching over the little ones.
Lunch and dinner also come in handy in Bordentown at Chickie’s & Pete’s.
It’s a sports bar and restaurant offering a crab-heavy menu with specialty drinks, happy hour, and daily offerings for everyone.
It’s popular for its signature Crabfries, as well as its mouthwatering lobster roll, crab cake, snow crab legs, calamari, and white mussels.
Also, there are lots of TVs here to watch your favorite sports while enjoying the food and drinks.
You can find Chickie’s & Pete’s on Highway 130.
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
Crosswicks Creek Park is a great place to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Find it in Cream Ridge, New Jersey, 18 minutes from Bordentown.
Make the most of your visit by taking a trail hike, enjoying the river views, and looking for wildlife.
Crosswicks Creek Park is also a great place if you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature; Crosswicks Creek Park is the place for you.
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
Rest near the river or find a spot in the woods to appreciate the beauty of nature.
Otherwise, you can explore the Historic Walford house, which is the park’s centerpiece.
The house is open for weekend tours and is a great way to learn about the area’s history.
The park is also a great place to enjoy some peace.
EQRoy / Shutterstock.com
The Kinkora Trail is a great place to spend a day hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
It’s in Columbus, New Jersey, ten minutes from Bordentown.
The 2.1mi trail is inside the Township Park, passing through the Kinkora Farmlands and other scenic areas.
The Kinkora Trail offers activities and is perfect for those looking for a challenging hike.
The trail is dog-friendly for those who want to exercise with their furry friends.
It also features a playground in the middle of the trail, making it an excellent place for families.
Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The New Jersey State Museum is in Trenton, New Jersey, 12 minutes from Bordentown.
Established in 1895, it’s one of the oldest museums in the state.
The Museum is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of New Jersey.
It features a wide variety of exhibits, perfect for those interested in learning about the state’s history.
The Museum houses artifacts from the pre-colonial and the colonial eras, mainly a collection of a Native American tribe’s artifacts.
The New Jersey State Museum is in a four-story building, which also houses a Planetarium, a research and laboratory space, and a museum gift shop.
The Museum’s Bureau of Archaeology and Ethnography owns more than 100,000 collections of prehistoric artifacts.
The Museum is open year-round and is worth a visit for those looking to learn about the history of New Jersey.
Iron Plow Vineyards is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a glass of wine.
The vineyard is located in Columbus, 12 minutes from Bordentown.
It uses sustainable farming methods.
Iron Plow Vineyards is open year-round and features a tasting room where visitors can sample the different wines.
The Iron Plow Vineyards also sell artisanal cheese, charcuterie boards, and other food items.
The vineyard also features a variety of events throughout the year, such as live music and wine tastings featuring local artists.
Iron Plow Vineyards is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with friends or family.
Bordentown is a great place to visit for a day or a weekend, especially if you’re looking for a unique immersing experience in the local scene.
These places offer something different and are great ways to spend your time in Bordentown.
There’s plenty to do for all ages, whether you’re looking for a place to hike, relax with a glass of wine, or learn about the area’s history.
Whether you’re a local or just visiting, Bordentown has something for everyone to enjoy.
Discover the world.
© All rights reserved.
