Langhorne is a borough in Pennsylvania of a little over 1,600 people, although areas surrounding the borough are also often considered to be part of greater Langhorne. Prior to the European settling of the borough, it was known as an area of Lenni-Lenape natives. In the early 18th century, the land was settled by Dutch and British people. Soon, more settlers came to the area, and stores were built for trade between residents and travelers. In 1876, this growing village became incorporated under the name Langhorne, and it was named for a Supreme Court Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, Jeremiah Langhorne, who was also a resident of the area. Today, visitors can tour the Langhorne Historic District to see the old Langhorne Library, Joseph Richardson House, and Tomlinson-Huddleston House, all places of historical significance for the original village.
Visitors to Langhorne should check out Bella Tori, a small Italian restaurant located inside a historic Victorian mansion where Sunday brunch is served regularly. You may also enjoy visiting the African American Museum of Bucks County, which is known for its Building on the Dream: From Africa to Bucks County exhibit, an exhibit with interpretive reading panels and a complete memorial list of the enslaved African Americans who were registered in the county during the 1700s and 1800s. Another must-see in Langhorne is the Catawissa Nature Preserve, which is a small public park hidden downtown.
On the outskirts of Langhorne Borough is Sesame Place, a Sesame Street-themed amusement park. This large attraction has children’s rides, a water park, and multiple restaurants. You may also enjoy visiting Shady Brook Farm, which is a large farmer’s market that offers flower and berry picking plus a seasonal plant nursery shop. Not too far away is Parx Casino, which is a traditional casino with live horse racing events hosted weekly.
Campgrounds Near Langhorne, Pennsylvania
For camping near Langhorne, check out Deer Wood Campground, which offers primitive sites for a low nightly rate. While you may not have hookups here, you will find campsites with fire rings, lots of shady trees, and bathroom and shower facilities with heat. For RV camping with hookups, consider staying at the Colonial Woods Family Camping Resort, which has full-service sites plus a pool. This campground also hosts events every month, from Memorial Day celebrations in May to three Halloween camp parties in October. Any time of year, the campground has an open camp store with food and supplies plus a recreational hall and outdoor pavilion. Another camping option is Beaver Valley Campgrounds, which offers secluded, forested campsites and free Wi-Fi and cable TV at most sites. There is also a camp store at this location, bathroom facilities with heat and air conditioning, an outdoor pool, a playground, basketball and volleyball courts, and hiking trails.
State Parks Near Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Spruce Run Recreation Area is a state park in New Jersey that covers over 1,200 acres of land next to the shores of Spruce Run. Visitors can enjoy fishing for nearly 30 different species of fish here or boating and sailing in the water. There is also a beach at the park that has lifeguards on duty in the summertime.
Also in New Jersey is Parvin State Park, which was once the home of the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1942. In the later 1940s, the area was used as a camp for Prisoners of War while, today, it is used as a nature and wildlife preserve full of pine forests and swamps. At the park, you’ll find a campground with 56 RV-friendly sites with fire pits and picnic tables. However, there are no hookups at the campground, though there are bathhouses, laundry facilities, and a dump station.
Stephens State Park in New Jersey surrounds the Musconetcong River, which is popular with anglers looking to catch brown, brook, or rainbow trout. Hunters can also use 400 acres of the park’s land during appropriate hunting seasons. Walking paths along the river lead to picnic sites and part of the historic Morris Canal, which is a 90-mile transportation canal that was built in 1931 to move boats of coal from Pennsylvania to New York through New Jersey.
National Sites Near Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Deshler-Morris House was built by David Deshler in 1752 in what was then known as the Germantown area of the state. In 1793 and 1794, President George Washington stayed at this house to avoid the outbreaks of smallpox in other cities. In 2009, after the house was donated to the National Park Service by the last owners of the home, it was renamed the Germantown White House. Visitors to the house can now tour it and its accompanying museum plus walk the Germantown Hike Trail, which runs for 1.5 miles in front of this building and nine others on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia.
Also located on Germantown Avenue in Philadelphia is the National Constitution Center, which first opened its doors in 2003. This educational center focuses on the United State Constitution, and it often hosts learning events and classes with guest speakers like past Supreme Court Justices. A museum area inside the center includes documents like an original copy of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and an original copy of the Bill of Rights. There are also 42 statues here to celebrate the nation’s Founding Fathers.
If you’d like to see the site where the United States Declaration of Independence and Constitution was officially signed, be sure to stop by Independence Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This site and building was founded in 1732 and was home to many historic events, like the ringing of the Liberty Bell. Visitors today may visit this site and get free tickets to tour the location with a guide. After your visit, be sure to also stop by the Liberty Bell Center, which houses the original Liberty Bell and information on its history.
National Forests Near Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Finger Lakes National Forest is home to some of the most scenic waterfalls and gorges in upstate New York. This forest is also where you can find plenty of hiking trails, including the Greendale Loop Trail, a 4-mile trail featuring a historic walking bridge over a creek. Inside the forest, you may encounter bird species like Northern goshawks, ruffed grouse, American woodcocks, and scarlet tanagers. Stargazers also like staying in and near the forest since the Aurora Borealis may be seen from its location on clear nights.
Vermont’s Green Mountain National Forest is home to over 2,000 archeological sites, including the remains and evidence of colonial-era farmlands. There are six wilderness areas in the forest, plus campgrounds like Greenwood Lodge and Campsite. It has 40 full-service camping sites and outdoor games and three ponds. Moosalamoo Campgrounds has 18 primitive RV sites. Experienced hikers like taking the North Bourne Pond Loop Trail in Green Mountain National Forest, which is a difficult 14-plus-mile trail with views of South Bourne Pond and Prospect Rock.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests combined make up nearly 2 million acres of land and expand across Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. At least 53 threatened and endangered plant and animal species can be found in this forest, and there are well over 50 miles of streams available to fish in. While RVers are permitted to camp in a dispersed manner throughout most of the forest, camping with full hookups is available at Camp Burson nearby. Climbers also love to use the Rushing Waters Circuit Trail in these national forests, which is a hike and climb along the greater Appalachian Trail to the top of Lookout Mountain. At nearly 16 miles long, this trail is strenuous, but it does come with rewarding views of the Whitetop and Rogers Mountains.
