Bucks County is a true travel destination with its miles of landscape, historical landmarks, small town shopping, beautiful state parks, and an extensive art scene, just to name a few. Whether you are traveling from a distance, Philadelphia and South Jersey are only a short drive and New York is only 75 miles away. Or if you are local, there is always something to do, or somewhere new to explore in your own backyard.
Below is a list of hidden gems of Bucks County that you do not want to miss:
Fonthill Castle - Doylestown:
Once the home of Henry Chapman Mercer (the noted archaeologist, antiquarian, artist, and writer of the area), this concrete castle consists of 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces, and 200 windows. Each room features interior walls, floors, and ceilings filled with original handcrafted tiles. You can shop for your own tiles at the Moravian Pottery and Tileworks Shop!
Mercer Museum - Doylestown:
This museum pays tribute to Henry Chapman Mercer. The collection showcases 40,000 objects, ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn vehicles, all that he collected and believed to be preserved and on display for all to see.
Silver Lake Nature Center - Levittown:
This 460-acre, forested park includes a nature center with seven walking trails to explore a range of habitats. There's even a natural play area for kids, hands-on exhibits, and an amphitheater for outdoor events.
Ringing Rocks County Park - Upper Black Eddy:
This 128-acre park consists of existing igneous diabase boulders that resonate when simply struck by a hammer. This spot is perfect for an afternoon picnic or bike ride and has the county's largest waterfall. It is open daily, from sunrise to sunset.
Snipes Farm & Education Center - Morrisville:
This farm is a 7th generation, family-owned and operated farm by the Snipes family, dating back from 1688. In 2008, it was founded as a 501(c)(3) educational organization, known as the "outdoor classroom". They offer year-round outdoor learning, field trips,trios, and community education events.
Tyler State Park - Newtown:
This park consists of 1,711 acres filled with roads, trails, and facilities and is carefully nestled within an original farm and woodland setting. Neshaminy Creek meanders through the park, dividing the land into several interesting sections. If you go down the trail along the boathouse, you'll find a rope swing to jump off! It is open daily, from 8am to sunset.
Hortulus Farm Garden and Nursery - Newtown:
A destination within itself, this garden and nursery is a community that offers landscape design, container design, and indoor tropical plant design and installation. They hope to inspire, educate, and delight those with the same common interests.
Covered Bridges - Bucks County:
Bucks County is home to 12 covered bridges that are still remaining out of 50 bridges and is spread throughout the county. You can step back in time into history by taking a stroll in the Covered Bridge Self Driving Tour.
Byers Choice - Chalfont:
Every day is Christmas at the Byers' Choice Gift Shop and Christmas Museum! Step back in time to Victorian London by envisioning Christmas displays all throughout. Visitors also have the chance to witness first-hand how the Carolers are made through an observation deck. It is open year round and admission is always free.
Peace Valley Lavender Farm - Doylestown:
This small lavender farm is set in the back roads of Bucks County. They have roughly 3,000 lavender plants in production and they dry and distill their own lavender on site to make a wide variety of products that are available in their gift shop.
Delaware Canal - Bucks County:
Take a walk, stroll or bike ride along the 58.89-mile-long Delaware Canal back into American history. The towpath allows you to experience the riverside to farm fields to historic towns, while enjoying the ever-changing scenery along its corridor.
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve - New Hope:
The 134-acre preserve is the only botanical museum in the country dedicated to native plants, providing a documented living native plant collection that features over 700 of Pennsylvania’s 2,000 native plant species. The visitor center has exhibits, a gift shop and educational programs for children and adults.
Bowman’s Hill Tower - New Hope:
Rising 125 feet in the air, Bowman’s Hill Tower offers a 14-mile view of the surrounding area from a bird's-eye view. It may be visited on its own or as part of a combination ticket when visiting other attractions in the park. After you climbed the tower and worked up an appetite, enjoy food at Bowman’s Tavern which is close by and delicious!
Crossing Vineyards - Washington Crossing:
This family-owned and operated winery is one of the best in the county with their award winning wines. It is located on a 200-year-old Bucks County estate less than a mile from the famous Washington Crossing Park. You'll never run out of things to do with their tastings, events, dinners, and summertime concerts!
As you can see there is plenty to #ExploreinBucksCo, that you'll never run out of things to do!
