2019 Visit Bucks County Destination Guide

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Official Tourism Promotion Agency

Tour the

WINE, BEER & ICE CREAM TRAILS

20 Awesome

THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS

8 Ways to Experience

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE


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about

Bucks County offers scenic countrysides, history, the arts, downtown charm, miles of vineyards, gourmet dining, small town villages, award-winning accommodations, Ale and Ice Cream Trails and Sesame PlaceÂŽ. Bucks County is ideally located 25 miles from Philadelphia and 75 miles from New York City.

VisitBucksCounty.com


VISITOR CENTER Start your getaway at the Bucks County Visitor Center in Bensalem. Browse hundreds of brochures for things to do, places to stay, eat and shop. Purchase a made-in-Bucks County souvenir in the gift shop and stay for the exhibits and seasonal events.

CREATIVE BUCKS COUNTY EXHIBIT This interactive exhibit brings to life 13 of Bucks County’s famous artists, authors, playwrights, photographers, lyricists and composers, including Oscar Hammerstein, Pearl S. Buck, Edward Hicks and Henry Mercer.

LOCAL ARTISTS IN THE GALLERY Each month, local artists exhibit works in the Theater Gallery. Stop in to view the displays and purchase works of art! Additional exhibits rotate throughout the year in the Main Gallery.

Bucks County Visitor Center Theater Gallery

Bucks County Visitor Center

Creative Bucks County Exhibit

VISIT US!R Hours: Every day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3207 Street Road Bensalem, PA 19020 215.639.0300

Gift Shop at the Visitor Center


Bucks County Quilt Show

SEASONAL EVENTS BUC S COUNTY QUILT SHOW

Marvel at more than 100 quilted pieces sewn by local crafters. Every year a new set of colorful quilts hang from 25-foot high beams in the Main Gallery from July through September.

HOLIDAY TREES AT THE VISITOR CENTER

Don’t miss Holiday Trees at the Visitor Center, a beautifully decorated display of trees inspired by local attractions and artisans. Holiday Trees at the Vistor Center

For more on the Visitor Center, go to VisitBucksCounty.com/VisitorCenter


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QUA ERTOWN & SELLERSVILLE

Step back in time with a walk down W. Broad Street in Quakertown. Be sure to stop at McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn for dinner and a show at the Arts & Events Center, shop at Sine’s 5 & 10 and grab a microbrew at The Proper Brewing Company. Then, pop over to Sellersville for dinner and an overnight stay at Washington House Hotel and a live show at the Sellersville Theater.

Washington House Hotel & Restaurant

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BRISTOL

This blast-from-the-past riverside town with its newly renovated docks for boaters is home to the award-winning Bristol Riverside Theatre, The Historic King George II Inn and Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum, as well as tons of shops and restaurants.

Bristol Riverside Theatre

DOYLESTOWN

Doylestown was founded when William Doyle received permission to build a tavern on the corner of Main and State Streets. Today, the county seat of Bucks County is a hiptown home to the magnificent Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum, James A. Michener Art Museum, unique shops and exceptional dining.

NEW HOPE

Doylestown

Originally known as Coryell’s Ferry, New Hope houses more than 200 years of history. This small river town with a big city feel is home to eclectic shopping, an impressive theater at the Bucks County Playhouse, cultural attractions and a vibrant dining scene. Drive several minutes up the road and stop at Peddler’s Village, a distinct shopping village with more than 65 shops and award-winning gardens.

NEWTOWN

Founded by William Penn in 1684, Newtown remains one of Bucks County’s must-see historic areas. Its famous State Street, which is home to unique shops and eateries, is just minutes from Washington Crossing Historic Park and balances the borough’s history with contemporary experiences. New Hope

YARDLEY

Yardley was once the home of several stops along the Underground Railroad. Situated along the Delaware Canal, this walkable downtown offers an array of shopping and unique restaurants and breweries. Tour Underground Railroad stops at VisitBucksCounty.com/UndergroundRailroad

For more, go to

VisitBucksCounty.com/Towns Lake Afton, Yardley


20 AWESOME THINGS

Kids’ Castle

Sesame Place®

1. Stop and smell the roses at Bowman’s Hill Tower & Wildflower Preserve, Washington Crossing 2. Climb the rock wall at Bucks County Children’s Museum, New Hope 3. Go tubing at Bucks County River Country, Point Pleasant 4. Children’s Theater at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Bristol Riverside Theatre in Bristol or Newtown Theatre in Newtown 5. Catch a movie at the County Theater, Doylestown 6. Scale the walls of Doylestown Rock Gym & Adventure Center, Doylestown 7. Explore the obstacles at Giggleberry Fair in Peddler’s Village, Lahaska 8. Inspire your little artists at the James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown 9. Climb, slide and play at Kids’ Castle, Doylestown 10. Marvel at Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, Doylestown 11. Admire the art at Moravian Pottery & Tiles Works, Doylestown 12. Climb aboard the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, New Hope 13. Kayak at Nockamixon State Park, Quakertown 14. Step back in time at Pennsbury Manor, Morrisville 15. Make music at Ringing Rocks Park, Upper Black Eddy 16. Ride Oscar’s Wacky Taxi at Sesame Place®, Langhorne 17. Fruit-picking and family fun at Shady Brook Farm, Yardley 18. Explore Washington Crossing Historic Park, Washington Crossing 19. Picnic under the planes at Van Sant Historic Airfield, Erwinna 20. See new heights at Aerial Adventure Park at Hellerick’s Family Farm, Doylestown For even more kid-friendly fun, check out VisitBucksCounty.com/Kids

Bucks County Children’s Museum


unty eum

Taste the area’s fresh, locally made flavors along the Ice Cream Trail spanning Upper, Central and Lower Bucks County.

Dairy Delite, Levittown Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar, Newtown Moo Hope, New Hope Nina’s Waffles, Doylestown, New Hope, Newtown & Peddler’s Village OwowCow Creamery, Chalfont, Newtown, Ottsville & Wrightstown Sweet Pea, Doylestown Tanner Bros Dairy Farm, Warrington Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream, Doylestown & Yardley OwowCow Creamery

For more on the creameries, check out

VisitBucksCounty.com/IceCreamTrail

Moo Hope

Nina’s Waffles Nina’s Waffles


An architectural landmark of Bucks County, embark on a scenic driving tour of the County’s 12 remaining covered bridges. Also, be sure to check out the self-guided Hertiage Conservancy Barn Voyage tour!

MILL,

Get turn-by-turn directions at VisitBucksCounty.com/CoveredBridgeTour

Frankenfield Covered Bridge


5 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE

CASTLES & CULTURE

Bucks County is home to not one, but five castles! Three of which were built by the late archaeologist and philanthropist Henry Chapman Mercer. Marvel at their architecture and learn their history. 1. FONTHILL CASTLE Tour the 44 rooms of the architectural masterpiece built by Doylestown’s own Henry Chapman Mercer. The entire castle is designed with homemade tiles and filled with 6,000 books and 18 fireplaces! 2. GLEN CAIRN Built in the early 20th century in Bryn Athyn as the home to the (Glenn) Pitcairn family, today the castle serves as a museum of religious art and history. Reserve your spot ahead of time for a Highlights or Family Tour! 3. MERCER MUSEUM Six floors of more than 50,000 artifacts from America’s Industrial Revolution are on display at this castle along the ‘Mercer Mile.’ 4. MORAVIAN POTTERY & TILE WOR S A tilemaker at heart, Mercer built this factory that still operates today as a “working history” museum that produces handmade tiles and mosaics

Fonthill Castle

5. SAND CASTLE WINERY The design of this castle is based on a fortress in Bratislava. Taste European classics like Pinot Noir and Riesling with views of the Delaware River here. Read more at VisitBucksCounty.com/Castles

Mercer Museum




8 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE The expansive countryside is home to many parks, trails and nature centers, perfect for a day of biking, hiking or running.

1. Take a bike ride through open fields and farms at Tyler State Park! Follow the winding contour of Neshaminy Creek through 1,711 acres of land. Hop off your bike for a jog along four miles of trails where the 2. creek joins the Delaware River in Neshaminy State Park. The park also offers a playground and boat launch ramps for kayaking. Bike along the blacktop trail around Lake Galena at Peace Valley 3. Park. Spy one of 250 bird species in 14 miles of trails, woods and meadows that are bursting with wildlife and wildflowers. Go across the street to Peace Valley Lavender Farm. Hike down to the boulder field at Ringing Rocks Park, 4. which is filled with rocks that ring like a bell when struck with a hammer.

Core Creek Park

Connect with nature from Ralph Stover State Park to 5. Tohickon Valley Park. The winding trail connecting the two parks offers some of the best views in all of Bucks County. Take in the breathtaking countryside from atop “High Rocks,” a 200-foot sheer rock formation. 6. One of Bucks County’s best places for a hike is the scenic 5,000-acre Nockamixon State Park. Pass through hardwood forests, explore the remnants of a long-forgotten summer camp or see migrating waterfowl, boaters and fishers on the lake. 7. Explore the 1,200 acres of Core Creek Park as you run along safe and well-mapped paths. Take a side trip along Lake Luxembourg. 8. Run along the Delaware Canal on Bucks County’s longest trail, the 60-mile Delaware Canal State Park. The canal is a piece of Pennsylvania history from the mid-19th century and contains many miles of river shoreline and 11 islands.

Take 360-degree tours at VisitBucksCounty.com/OutdoorAdventure Lake Nockamixon


72 HOURS FOR THE

HISTORY LOVER Pack your bags and head back in time with this three-day itinerary through some of Bucks County’s historic places.

DAY ONE

Explore Washington Crossing Historic Park. Wander past buildings left behind from colonial times and relive General George Washington’s famous crossing. Get a bird’s-eye view of the vibrant, scenic countryside along the Delaware River at Bowman’s Hill Tower, which stands 125-feet tall. Head to New Hope to learn about the historic significance of its surrounding grounds at Locktender’s House, the first interpretive center within Delaware Canal State Park. Visit the Parry Mansion Museum and observe the different furnishings throughout the historic rooms, each showcasing a distinct era. At night, experience a guided tour of historic sites and their lingering spirits with Ghost Tours of New Hope.

DAY TWO

Tour a reconstruction of William Penn’s former estate, Pennsbury Manor. Visit one of the several impressive mansions along the Delaware River. The historic Andalusia is a two-hundred year old estate and former country home of Nicholas Biddle. Travel back in time to The Moland House, one of General George Washington’s former headquarters where he and his 11 thousand troops were stationed in 1777. Stop by Summerseat in Morrisville. This former estate of Thomas Barclay was George Washington’s headquarters from December 8-14, 1776, before his famous Christmas night crossing of the Delaware River.

DAY THREE

Head to Doylestown where you can visit the Bucks County Civil War Museum or take a Doylestown Cemetery Walking Tour.

Pearl S. Bucks House

Only a short drive away is the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. This Polish-American Roman Catholic Shrine founded in 1953 has been visited by several U.S. Presidents. Drive north to the Pearl S. Buck House, the former home of the Pulitzer-Prize winning author, writer and humanitarian. 3-day itinerary for the history lover at VisitBucksCounty.com/History

Washington Crossing Historic Park


22 WAYS TO EXPERIENCE

ART IN THE COUNTRYSIDE Scenic landscapes and bountiful nature make Bucks County an idyllic place for artist inspiration and interpretation. Tour the many galleries and studios!

MUS

1. Artists of Yardley, Yardley 2. Centre for the Arts, Bristol 3. Chapman Gallery, Doylestown 4. Gallery des Artistes, New Hope 5. Gathering, An Art Gallery and Boutique, Doylestown 6. James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown 7. Lachman Gallery, Perkasie 8. Main Street Gallery, Quakertown 9. Mastercraft Gallery, Quakertown 10. Mercer Museum, Doylestown 11. Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, Doylestown

Doylestown Arts Festival

12. New Hope Arts Center, New Hope 13. Patricia Hutton Galleries, Doylestown 14. Phillips’ Mill Youth Art Exhibition, Doylestown 15. Touchstone Art Gallery, Yardley 16. Rich Timmons Studio & Gallery, Doylestown 17. Silverman Gallery of Bucks County Impressionist Art, Holicong 18. Stover Mill, Pipersville 19. The New Hope Gallery and Print Shop, New Hope 20. The Upstairs Gallery, Lahaska 21. Touchstone Art Gallery, Yardley 22. Tyler Park Center for the Arts, Newtown For more stores, go to VisitBucksCounty.com/Galleries

James A. Michener Art Museum


LIVE

ENTERTAINMENT Looking for a little live music? Spend your evening at an entertainment venue, theater, or comedy club.

McCoole’s Arts & Events Place

Bristol Riverside Theater

Bristol Riverside Theater, Bristol Bucks County Playhouse, New Hope Comedy Cabaret, Doylestown Gypsy Stage Company, Quakertown Heritage Center Theatre, Morrisville Newtown Theatre, Newtown McCooles Arts & Events Place, Quakertown Murder Mystery Dinner at Fisher’s Tudor House, Bensalem Murder Mystery Dinner at Peddler’s Pub, Lahaska Sellersville Theater, Sellersville Smoke & Mirrors Magic Theater, Huntingdon Valley The Pour House at New Hope Winery, New Hope The Rrazz Room, New Hope Town and Country Players Barn Theater, Buckingham Xcite Center at Parx Casino®, Bensalem For more ideas, go to

Bucks County Playhouse

VisitBucksCounty.com/Entertainment


TOUR THE

WINE & ALE TRAILS Enjoy Bucks County’s beer, wine and spirits! Experience local flavor along the Wine Trail, Ale Trail or with a Distillery tour.

Buckingham Valley Vineyards

WINE TRAIL

Crossing Vineyards and Winery

Bishop Estate Vineyard & Winery, New Hope Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Buckingham Boyd’s Cardinal Hollow Winery, Peddler’s Village Chaddsford Winery, Peddler’s Village Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Newtown Rose Bank Winery, Newtown Rushland Ridge Vineyards, Jamison Sand Castle Winery, Erwinna Unami Ridge Winery, Quakertown Vivat Alfa Winery, Doylestown Wycombe Vineyards, Furlong


ALE TRAIL

Broken Goblet Brewing, Bensalem Bucks County Brewery, Pipersville Doylestown Brewing Company, Doylestown Free Will Brewing Company, Perkasie Geronimo Brewing Company, Doylestown Great Barn Farm to Glass Taproom, New Hope Langhorne Brewing Company, Langhorne Mad Princes Brewing, Doylestown Moss Mill Brewing Company, Huntingdon Valley Naked Brewing Company, Huntingdon Valley Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company, Croydon The Proper Brewing Company, Quakertown Red Lion Brewery, Quakertown Tower Hill Brewery, Chalfont Triumph Brewing Company, New Hope Vault Brewing Company, Yardley

DID YOU KNOW?

Bucks County’s own Faber Distilling Co. distills here and is distributed in more than 100 locations across the U.S.!

Moss Mill Brewing Company

Hewn Spirits

DISTILLERIES

1675 Spirits, Bensalem Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey, Bristol Hewn Spirits, Pipersville & Peddler’s Village Triple Sun Spirits, Newtown

See more and what’s coming soon at VisitBucksCounty.com/BeerWineSpirits Triumph Brewing Company


WHERE TO STAY Get cozy in one of Bucks County’s many bed & breakfasts situated on sprawling farms, off country roads and in charming downtowns. Or stay at the many contemporary, affordable hotels near major attractions.

BED & BREA FASTS AND COUNTRY INNS 1740 House, Lumberville 1870 Wedgwood Inn of New Hope, New Hope A Wishing Well Guesthouse, New Hope Aaron Burr House Inn, New Hope Ash Mill Farm, Holicong Black Bass Hotel & Restaurant, Lumberville Bridgeton House On The Delaware, Upper Black Eddy Bucks County Cottage on the Delaware, Yardley CanalView Guest House, Morrisville Carriage House of New Hope, New Hope Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope Doylestown Inn, Doylestown Doylestown Mainstreet Inn, Doylestown Fox and Hound Bed & Breakfast, New Hope Frog Hollow Farm Bed & Breakfast, Kintnersville Galvanized America Inn and Art Gallery, Pipersville Golden Pheasant Inn & Restaurant, Erwinna Golden Plough Inn, Lahaska Hargrave House Bed & Breakfast, Doylestown Highland Farm Bed and Breakfast, Doylestown HollyHedge Estate, New Hope New Hope Lodge, New Hope Olivia’s Bridge Street Inn, New Hope Pineapple Hill Inn Bed & Breakfast, New Hope Plumsteadville Inn, Pipersville Porches on the Towpath Bed & Breakfast, New Hope The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm, Holicong The Inn at Bowman’s Hill, New Hope The Raven Resort & Restaurant, New Hope The Temperance House, Newtown

Galvanized America Inn and Art Gallery

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Olivia’s Bridge Street Inn

Ra

Ex Vi Ca Black Bass Hotel & Restaurant


HOTELS Washington House Hotel & Restaurant

SpringHill Suites, Langhorne

Radisson Hotel

Experience the great outdoors! VisitBucksCounty.com/ Campgrounds

Best Western Motor Inn, Quakertown Best Western Plus, Bensalem Bridgeton Mill House, Langhorne Candlewood Suites, Bensalem Clarion Inn, Levittown Clarion Inn & Suites of New Hope, New Hope Comfort Inn, Trevose Courtyard Marriott, Bensalem Courtyard Marriott, Langhorne Hampton Inn & Suites, Yardley Hampton Inn & Suites, Bensalem Hampton Inn & Suites, Warrington Hampton Inn, Quakertown Hampton Inn, Warrington Holiday Inn, Bensalem Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Quakertown Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Warminster Holiday Inn Express, Langhorne Holiday Inn Express, Bensalem Home2Suites by Hilton, Warminster Homewood Suites, Newtown Homewood Suites, Warrington Inn of the Dove, Bensalem Knights Inn, Trevose Motel 6, Warminster Neshaminy Inn & Bar, Trevose Quality Inn & Suites, Bensalem Quality Inn & Suites, Morrisville Quality Inn & Suites, Quakertown Radisson Hotel, Trevose Red Roof Inn of Oxford Valley, Langhorne Red Roof Inn, Trevose Residence Inn by Marriott, Langhorne Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, Langhorne Sleep Inn, Inn & Suites, Bensalem SpringHill Suites, Langhorne Springhill Suites, Quakertown Washington House Hotel & Restaurant, Sellersville Wyndham Philadelphia Bucks County, Trevose To book your stay, visit VisitBucksCounty.com/PlacesToStay


SEASONAL EVENTS

Bucks County Designer House & Gardens Tour

Tinicum Arts Festival

Peddler’s Village Strawberry Festival

Upper Bucks Brewfest

SPRING

SUMMER

Bucks County Designer House & Gardens Tour

Fonthill Castle, Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

Bucks County Restaurant Week

Doylestown Arts Festival

Moravian Pottery & Tileworks Festival

Middletown Grange Fair

New Hope Celebrates PrideFest

New Hope Automobile Show

Newtown Irish Festival

Peddler’s Village, Bluegrass & Blueberries Festival, Peach Festival

Opening Day at Sesame Place® Parx Casino, Bucks County Food & Wine Festival Peddler’s Village, Strawberry Festival, PEEPS® in the Village, Spring Kidsfest Quakertown Arts Alive! Spring Festival Washington Crossing Spring Brewfest

Polish-American Festival and County Fair at Our Lady of Czestochowa Shady Brook Farm’s Summer unWINEd Concert Series Tinicum Arts Festival Upper Bucks Brewfest Yardley Beer Fest


Peddler’s Village Scarecrow Festival

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place®

FALL Bucks County Plein Air Festival Bucks County Book Festival Bucks-Mont Oktoberfest! Canal-O-Ween’s Jack-O-Lantern Stroll The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place® Newtown Beerfest

Christmas Crossing Reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park

Peddler’s Village Grand Illumination

WINTER A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place® Bucks County Wedding Show Byers’ Choice®, Ltd., A Christmas Carol Christmas Crossing Reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park Holiday Trees at the Bucks County Visitor Center

Shady Brook Farm’s, Fall Fest, PumpkinFest, Pumpkin Fest After Dark and Horrorfest

New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, North Pole Express

Peddler’s Village, Scarecrow Festival

Peddler’s Village, Grand Illumination

Quakertown Autumn Alive! Festival

Pennsbury Manor, Holly Nights

Village Renaissance Faire

Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show

Pearl S. Buck House Festival of Trees

Washington Crossing Fall Brewfest For a full list of Bucks County events, go to VisitBucksCounty.com/Events


VisitBucksCounty.com

OFFICIAL TOURISM PROMOTION AGENCY 3207 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020 215.639.0300

Join the conversation! #VisitBucksCounty • @VisitBucksPA • #ExploreInBucksCo

Cover Photos: Fonthill Castle, Great Barn Brewery, Bridgeton House on the Delaware, Core Creek Park, Washington Crossing Historic Park (Kevin Crawford Imagery), Sesame Place® Photo Credits: 1675 Spirits, Andalusia/En Route Marketing, Anthony Sinagoga, Bill Johnson, Dad’s Hat Rye Whiskey, Dave Garrett, Frankenfield Covered Bridge, Kevin Crawford Imagery, Kory Aversa, Mark Garvin, Natalie Wi, Nockamixon State Park, OwowCow Creamery, Paul Boger, Peddler’s Village, Philly Grub, Proper Brewing Company, Radisson, Reflections by Ruth, Sand Castle Winery, Sara Brace, Sesame Place®, SpringHill Suites, Visit Philadelphia


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