America's Oldest Bridge Is Over 320 Years Old Within A Beautiful Pennsylvania Park

From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Golden Gate, bridges across the United States have made history, standing as architectural works of art and feats of engineering. They not only define the skylines of some of the most beautiful cities in the U.S., but also serve as practical crossings over bodies of water or large gaps. One such example is the Frankford Avenue Bridge, the oldest standing bridge in the country, crossing Pennypack Creek in Philadelphia. The bridge is a major highlight in Philly's beautiful, 1,600-acre Pennypack Park.

Completed in 1697, when Pennsylvania was still a British colony, the nearly 330-year-old Frankford Avenue Bridge (also called the Pennypack Creek Bridge, the Holmesburg Bridge, and the King's Highway Bridge) has a storied history. The stone arch bridge has supported interstate trade, transportation, and reportedly some of the biggest events in American history: a messenger carrying news that the American Revolution had begun, and George Washington as he traveled to New York City for his inauguration as the first president of the United States. In recognition of its rock-solid (pun intended) engineering and place in transportation history, the bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. It's still in use for vehicles and pedestrians and was rehabilitated in 2018. It's now over twice as long as its original length of 73 feet.

The bridge is located on Frankford Avenue in the Holmesburg neighborhood of Northeast Philadelphia, about 11 miles from City Hall in downtown. Visitors who want to cross the historic landmark can reach the bridge by car or public transportation from the city center or Philadelphia International Airport. Pedestrians can directly access the bridge from Pennypack Park and get a view. Drivers, however, will have to keep going, as there are no parking lots beside the bridge.

You may forget that you're in one of the largest cities in the country as you meander through Pennypack Park. The park's signature walking and biking trail follows Pennypack Creek, from wetlands around the Delaware River, leading into neighboring Montgomery County and ending at old-growth forests and the grassy meadows of the Pennypack Preserve. Along the trail, small paths splinter off into more secluded areas of the park. Even though Philadelphia does have a bicycle-sharing program and several bicycle rental shops, there are no rentals available near the park as of this writing. Also, note that locals, including the running group Philly Runners, consider the section of the park between the Frankford Avenue Bridge and Roosevelt Boulevard to be "a little less scenic" and warn of broken glass. The city, however, has made recent efforts to clean up the area, removing 170 tons of trash in March 2026, as reported by NBC Philadelphia.

If you'd rather visit the park for a low-key afternoon, you'll also have several activities in serene nature to choose from – especially around the Fox Chase neighborhood. The park is stocked with trout and has several other historical sites and public art. Avid birdwatchers should bring a pair of binoculars, as there are dozens of species of birds in the park, including ducks, red-tailed hawks, and woodpeckers in the woodier sections. At the southwestern corner of the park, where Pennypack Creek empties into the Delaware, you may even spot bald eagles nesting. Visitors eager to learn more should stop by the park's Pennypack Environmental Center, which was founded as a bird sanctuary nearly seven decades ago. It is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week.

Philadelphia's Center City and Valley Forge National Historical Park outside of the city are more geared toward visitors; however, "The Northeast" offers visitors a window into Philly's burgeoning and diverse food scene. Residents with origins from all over the globe call this part of Philly home. If you're ready to try something new, try authentic Georgian Adjara khachapuri, a delicious cheese bread, at Georgian Bread (5 miles from the bridge); Colombian-style ribs or chorizo at On Charcoal (3.5 miles away); or kebabs and plov, a traditional Uzbek fried rice dish, at Plov House (4.5 miles away). If you're looking for local eats in the neighborhood, head over to the Liberty Bell Diner, just a block east of the bridge, for traditional American fare. Or, grab an authentic stromboli or Philly cheesesteak from La Nova, two blocks west of the bridge. All of these restaurants have hundreds of five-star reviews on Google Maps.

Throughout sprawling Northeastern Philadelphia, you'll find access to public transportation (including buses and trains), as well as ample parking. Visitors planning to drive to Pennypack Park have a few parking lots to choose from. There's a larger parking lot for Pennypack Park off of Pine Road and a smaller lot for the Pennypack Environmental Center and the historic Verree House on Verree Road. While driving or using a navigation app, be sure to use your mobile device hands-free, as Pennsylvania is cracking down on distracted driving. Being a more residential neighborhood, there are only a handful of hotels and short-term rentals in the area. 

While you may feel in touch with nature at Pennypack Park or around the Frankford Avenue Bridge, you likely won't be able to see the starry skies above at night. If you're aiming for the stars (literally) on your trip to Pennsylvania, head to Cherry Springs State Park, an idyllic destination for stargazing about four hours outside of Philadelphia.