Burlington lies on the banks of the Delaware River and combines a riverfront with parks, cultural venues and historic architecture. When planning your trip, you can therefore focus on different aspects: the Riverfront Promenade, trails and parks, or the city’s history. Cultural attractions also include the Bard How House and Lyceum Hall.
Riverfront, Promenade and Parks
The Riverfront Promenade is a linear park about one mile long along the Delaware River. It includes a bandstand and is also a venue for concerts and larger social events. If you want a concert to shape your stay, check the dates for your travel period. This lets you consider the riverside promenade and event planning as two distinct aspects of Burlington, without assuming that an event takes place year-round.
For boaters, the boat ramp on the Delaware River is relevant: it provides access for a daily or seasonal fee. A footpath runs along part of the lake in Kennedy Park Extension. The information about the promenade and the footpath thus describes different ways to include Burlington’s parks and waterfront in your plans.
Other parks offer different features. Burlington Dog Park has two fenced areas, separated for large and small dogs. Wooded Sixth Street Park includes a basketball court, play equipment and picnic tables. When comparing park amenities, the specific differences stand out: a lakeside footpath, separate fenced areas for dogs, or play and sports facilities with picnic tables.
Historic Sites and Culture
The Burlington County Historical Society campus in Burlington includes the birthplaces of James Fenimore Cooper and Captain Lawrence. The campus also includes the Bard How House, which Bennett Bard had built in 1743. It houses an interactive exhibit for children. The building’s history and the exhibit provide two distinct points of interest: the date the house was built and an exhibit topic specifically aimed at children.
Lyceum Hall is a center for creative arts and arts education. The building was restored to its original use as an arts center. Offerings include art exhibitions, concerts, classes and summer camps. The history of today’s Old City Hall also goes back to the name Lyceum Hall: the building was constructed in 1839 for public lectures, theatrical performances and use as a cultural center. In 1851, it was transferred to the city for municipal purposes. These details connect its former public and cultural uses with Lyceum Hall’s current focus on art and education.
Architecture and local history are also closely connected: Burlington has historically significant architecture, with 40 notable buildings. Several buildings served as stations on the Underground Railroad. The “Presidents, Printers and Patriots” heritage tour highlights three centuries of Burlington City history. These topics offer different perspectives—from individual buildings and the Underground Railroad to a broader historical overview.
The name Matinicunk for Burlington Island is also part of the area’s early history. The Mantas, also called “Leaping Frog” and a Lenni Lenape tribe, used this name for the island. Along with its buildings and historic sites, this traditional name offers another way to explore Burlington’s past.
Discover more destinations: Cinnaminson, Cookstown, Bordentown, Pemberton Township, Palmyra, Wrightstown, Moorestown, Mount Laurel
For the broader travel overview: Burlington.
