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Don Giles 2011
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By Bob Waite
Bucks County is a major tourist destination for people all over the United States. Last year alone there were 8.4 million visitors who came to Bucks County. A million come to each year to New Hope alone. A few people can be wrong—but the numbers speak for themselves. Yet, I know that many of us, including myself, do not see Bucks County—its scenic country roads, small towns, historic sites, museums, galleries, restaurants, wineries and river sports are ignored and we carry on our lives without realizing that we live in place that is very attractive to many people. We drive the same roads, visit the same restaurants, and shop at the same stores. We don’t see Bucks County as somewhere to vacation, simply because we live here. But if do take a vacation right in our backyard, we save ourselves the trouble that comes with traveling, such as driving in unfamiliar places and often being a slave to an itinerary.
So, what’s a staycation? Actually it is anything we want it to be. I believe, for the most part, we go on vacations for three reasons. We take a vacation to see the sights, do things we like to do and to have time to relax and leave the workaday world behind. Planning a staycation in Bucks County is easy if we keep sightseeing, activities, and relaxation as our agenda. I am just providing you with an outline and some suggestions on what I like see, the things I like to do and what I consider relaxation. The opportunities for being a backyard tourist in our county and the surrounding area are endless.
Sightseeing
Just driving on the backroads of Bucks County away from what’s familiar will reward us seeing rural Bucks County and its small towns, farms and wooded areas with new eyes and we may find small villages we have never seen before. Just a long drive on River Road will open our eyes to one of our country’s most scenic drives. Self-guided walking tours of towns like Newtown and Doylestown will help us see how many historic sites there are in relatively short hikes. Old cemeteries and churchyards can connect us to our ancestors and people who lived here centuries ago. The New Hope Historical Society offers guided tours of the town on the first and third Saturdays of the month for $10. For more information, visit www.newhopehistorical.org/visit.
Another way to sightsee is to take the self-guided covered bridge tour. Bucks County’s covered bridges are, not only romantic, but they are historic treasures that we can enjoy. On the self-guided tour, you can see 12 Bucks County covered bridges in the comfort of your car, while driving through some of the most beautiful parts of our county. Information, directions and an app that can be used for taking this pleasurable tour can be found at www.buckscountycbs.org.
If you need help with your scenic investigation. Chris’s Jeep Joyrides will take you by jeep on tours of Bucks County’s backroads. For more information on this very unique service, call 215-664-7092, email ridewithus@buckscountyjoyrides.com or visit www.buckscountyjoyrides.com.
Bucks County is rich in historic museums and sites. After all, our nation’s founding depended on a battle in Trenton, NJ and General George Washington taking the Continental Army across the Delaware to Trenton, New Jersey on Christmas night 1977 to surprise-attack a garrison of Hessian mercenaries. Washington Crossing State Park commemorates this historic crossing of the Delaware. The battle fought there was a turning point in the American War of Independence. In the park is a visitor’s center where visitors can find information on the crossing, find out about events, watch videos and look at other educational exhibits and material. Also, the town that stood there, Taylorsville with houses, a blacksmith shop and an inn are preserved for us to see.
This historic Pennsylvania State Park also has two other locations: Bowman’s Hill Tower, located at near the corner of Rt. 32 (River Road) and Lurgan Road, a few miles south of New Hope, PA, and the Thompson-Neely House & Farmstead where you can see sheep gathered on the grounds and even watch them be sheared. For more information, visit www.washingtoncrossingpark.org.
Across the river is the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, New Jersey that has housed soldiers during the French and Indian War. It also played a role in the Battle of Trenton and was used as a hospital during the Revolutionary period and played an important role in various capacities throughout the 18th and 19th century. Artifacts and documents are exhibited that give us a glimpse of what we were when we first became a nation. For more information on this historic treasure, visit www.barracks.org. While in Trenton, you may also want to visit the New Jersey State Museum and the Planetarium that has Ultra-High Resolution 8K projection system and 140 spacious, specially-designed reclined seats. For more information on the Planetarium, visit www.nj.gov/state/museum/explore-planetarium.shtml.
Other historic sites to visit on your sightseeing tour are Pennsbury Manor, which is a reconstruction of William Penn’s 17th century plantation along the Delaware. It is located at 400 Pennsbury Memorial Road. Morrisville, PA. There you can take guided tours and catch a glimpse of early colonial life in Pennsylvania. There are special programs for children. It is a magnificent re-creation of early colonial history. For more information, visit www.pennsburymanor.org.
While in the Morrisville area, you may want to visit Summerseat, which was General George Washington’s Headquarters in December 1776 and owned by two signers of both the Declaration of Independence and the American Constitution, Robert Morris and George Clymer.
One of my favorite museums is the Gather Place, a converted historic AME church in Yardley that has been restored and turned into a regional African American history museum through the efforts of Shirley Lee Corsey and a group of supporters. In the museum you can see Shirley perform as Harriet Tubman and other women who made a difference in the struggle against slavery. It is a place to gather and tell the stories of the African-Americans of Yardley. And, not just African-Americans, but all who lived tin Yardley. For more information, visit www.gatherplace.org.
A few other historical jewels are the Bucks County Civil War Museum in Doylestown (www.civilwarmuseumdoylestown.org), the Bolton Mansion in Levittown (www.boltonmansion.org), Pearl S. Buck National Historic Landmark in Perkasie (www.pearlsbuck.org), Summerseat in Morrisville, the Grundy Museum in Bristol and The Moland House in Warminster (www.moland.org). Craven Hall in Warminster, which is the home of the John Fitch Museum. John Fitch built the first steamboat before Fulton. To learn more about steamboats on the Delaware during the early days of America, visit www.craven-hall.org. On Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the summer, the New Hope Historical Society offers tours of the Parry Mansion Museum.
No staycation in Bucks County should be taken without a visit to the Mercer Museum. The museum founded by Henry Mercer, an eccentric genius, left us a legacy by preserving preindustrial revolution crafts. A historian and archaeologist, Mercer, who lived from 1856-1930, designed a six-story concrete castle to display the over 30,000 items ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn vehicles. Such everyday life items as the equipment for the healing arts, tinsmithing, dairying, lighting and even such large objects that include a whale boat, stage coach and Conestoga wagon. This huge collection and large concrete building that houses these items were donated to the Bucks County Historical Society to be shared with the public. Now because of the Society’s continuing efforts, the collection has increased to 40,000 objects. To see hours and a schedule of events and exhibits, visit www.mercermuseum.org.
Another museum, owned and operated by the Bucks County Historic Society is Henry Mercer’s house, Fonthill Castle. The Historic Society says on its website, “… the castle serves as an early example of reinforced concrete architecture and features forty-four rooms, over two hundred windows and eighteen fireplaces.” The Fonthill Castle is located at East Court Street & Route 313, Doylestown, PA. For information about events and tours of this amazing structure visit www.mercermuseum.org/visit/fonthill-castle.
Bucks County is known for being the center of an art movement known as Pennsylvania Impressionism. And the Michner Art Museum in Doylestown has one of the largest collections Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings in the country. The Michner Art Museum is now considered a world class art museum that identifies itself on its website as “… home to a world-class collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and a permanent collection that explores a variety of artistic expressions. The Museum presents changing exhibitions, and hosts a wide range of programs, including lectures, artist conversations, gallery talks, artist studio tours, dance and music performances.”
Founded by means of a grant from novelist and philanthropist James Michener, the museum, which began in the former Bucks County Jail, has expanded by the addition of the “Patricia D. Pfundt Sculpture Garden, terraces, and courtyard that encompasses 40,000 square feet of public space that includes the Gift Shop, Terrace Cafe, Education Center, the Research Library, and gallery space.” The Michener Art Museum is located at 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA. For information on the collections, exhibits, programs and events, visit www.michenerartmuseum.org.
Activities
Shopping in Bucks County is not just shopping anywhere. In New Hope you can find everything from quirky novelties, bookstores, boutiques, souvenir shops, upscale clothing for men and women and gourmet foods. Doylestown’s State Street and Main Street have stores, boutiques and many niche shops. Newtown is surrounded by shopping centers and two areas are very prominent—State Street and Sycamore Street. In every town in Bucks County from Bristol to Yardley, to Quakertown and in between there are many compelling shopping venues. The quality boutiques, furniture stores, haberdasheries, home décor stores, gourmet food stores and bookstores are so numerous that it is not possible to list them all.
Peddler’s Village is a shopping village that also has amusements, dining and inns. It is a major tourist destination for people outside the county and therefore a great place to go when taking a staycation. At Peddler’s Village you can find 60+ specialty shops that sell apparel, accessories, home goods, furniture, fine art and handcrafted items, books, toys and games, and plenty of gifts and collectibles. Events and themed decorations are always going on. Peddler’s Village is located at Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, PA. For information on hours, events, stores, restaurants, amusements and inns, visit www.peddlersvillage.com.
It is estimated that there over 65 art galleries in Bucks County and many more if you include Hunterdon County, Mercer County and Burlington County on the other side of the River. The artistic talent in Bucks County and surrounding areas brings art lovers from all the northeastern states. Painters, sculptors, fine craftsmen and more are displayed in New Hope, Newtown, Lahaska, Doylestown, Buckingham, Bristol, Quakertown, Sellersville, Perkasie, Yardley, Lambertville, NJ Frenchtown, NJ. And if your staycation includes July 12th and 13th you may want go to the Tinicum Art Festival at 852 River Road, Erwinna PA. For more information, visit www.inicumcivicassociation.org.
Area farms are a great place to visit while taking a staycation in Bucks County. On farms there are country stores that sell produce, meats, baked goods, ice cream, sandwiches and other foods which can be eaten outside on the premises. Hellerick's Adventure Farm, located at 5500 N. Easton Road, Doylestown, PA has miniature golf, a silo climbing wall, Aerial Adventure, where children can soar through the air on ziplines. Hellerick’s Farm also has corn mazes, farm animals, slides and a tractor tire playground. Some of the farms to visit are Tabora Farm in Chalfont, Bolton Farms in Silverdale, Merrymead Farms in Lansdale, PA, Doyle Farm in Neshanic Station, NJ, Charlann Farms in Yardley, PA, Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse in Milford, NJ, Cherry Grove Farm in Lawrence Twp, NJ, and Shady Brook Farm in Yardley.
Outdoor recreation in Bucks County includes fishing, kayaking, hiking, bicycling, climbing, white water rafting, tubing and swimming, ziplining, and of course golfing. Along the Delaware, on both sides of the river, are places where canoes, rowboats, tubes, kayaks, rafts and other recreational equipment can be rented. The Delaware Canal towpath is 60 miles long and stretches from Bristol to Easton. The Towpath is used for biking, walking, fishing, bird watching, dog walking and exploring.
Lake Nockamixon, the largest lake in Bucks County, is located in the 5,286-acre Nockamixon State Park. Popular activities at the park are picnicking, swimming in the pool, hiking, biking, disc golfing, hunting, fishing, boating and camping. For more information on this Upper Bucks County park and lake, visit www.visitbuckscounty.com.
There are areas for fishing, hiking, boating and picnicking throughout the County. Some of the most popular are Tyler Park in Newton, Peace Valley Park in Chalfont, Core Creek Park in Langhorne, Lake Towhee Park in Applebachsville, Playwicki Park in Langhorne by the Neshaminy Creek and Silver Lake Park in Bristol.
An exciting park for children and adults alike is Ringing Rock Park in Upper Black Eddy, which has a deposit of large boulders brought there by a moving glacier. The rocks can be made to ring by striking them with a hammer. Nearby the Tohickon Creek flows through the 45-acre Ralph Stover State Park, making a scenic picnic area. Activities at Ralph Stover Park are fishing, hiking, rock climbing, picnicking and whitewater boating. And these are all only a sampling of the parks in Bucks County. For more information on parks, visit www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation,www.buckscounty.gov/162/Parks-Recreation and www.visitbuckscounty.com.
Though not a park, a novel kind of recreation can be found At Tree Trail Adventures, where the adventurous can have “the thrill of balancing on quirky bridges made of wood, cable and rope that span 10 to 50 feet above the forest floor. There are also zip trails where you can glide on a series of tree-to-tree zip lines that weave through the forest. There are also adventures tailored to children seven years old and up. For more information, visit www.treetrails.com.
Relaxation
Sometimes on vacation we are looking for a way to just take it easy—to sit outside, viewing the scenery and drinking a glass of wine as we are sung to by birds, enamored by flowers and trees and surrounded by rows of grapevines. At times like those we may want to check out The Bucks County Wine Trail. The Wine Trail is comprised of family owned wineries not far from each other. There are eight wineries on the trail: Aviator Vineyard & Winery, Bishop Estate Vineyard and Winery, Buckingham Valley Vineyards, Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Manoff Market Cidery, Rose Bank Winery, Rushland Ridge Vineyard & Winery, and Sand Castle Winery. They have events and a brochure that can be downloaded from their website. Also for a map you can look at the brochure or down load the map by itself.
Two wineries on the New Jersey side of the river that are relaxing to visit are Federal Twist Vineyard and Unionville Vineyard. Federal Twist Vineyard is located at 8 Federal Twist Rd, Stockton, NJ. Federal Twist Vineyards is owned and operated by a multigenerational family. For information about wines, events and even staying at the vineyard, visit www.federaltwistvineyard.com. The Unionville Vineyards team manages and sources grapes from six vineyards, spread across three New Jersey counties. Unionville Vineyards is located at 9 Rocktown Rd, Ringoes, NJ. For information about wines, shopping online and events, visit www.unionvillevineyards.com.
New hope is a town steeped in romance. And it is a has its share of the over 40 Bed & breakfasts in Bucks County. Spending a few nights in a romantic B&B is a perfect way to spice up your marriage and enjoy being home and away from home at the same time. And while you are there you can enjoy the town and maybe even see a play at the Bucks County Playhouse.
The Aaron Burr House is fully renovated Victorian beauty in New Hope. This New Hope B&B is known for its wonderful breakfasts. The host, Lisa Pretecrum, is a graduate of the acclaimed Ballymaloe Cookery School in East Cork, Ireland. She works with local farms to bring you the best and freshest ingredients. In the rooms at the Aaron Burr House, are antiques, private bathrooms, air conditioners, streaming flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi connection and free on-site parking. The Aaron Burr House is located at 80 West Bridge Street, New Hope, PA To book a room, call 215-862-3277 or visit www.aaronburrbandb.com.
Porches on the Towpath is another charming B&B in New Hope. Their website states, “Porches is tucked away at the end of a quiet lane and fronts the historic Delaware Canal. Walkers and cyclists pass by on the towpath right outside our garden gate, mules clip-clop past pulling barges, and the whistle of the steam train floats across the canal.” Originally a granary built in the 1830, Porches has been extensively renovated and carefully preserved. They offer thirteen charming and comfortable guest rooms, all with central air and private bathrooms. To book a room call 215-862-3277 or visit www.porchesonthetowpath.com.
Across the River in Hunterdon County, but close to New Hope is the Woolverton Inn Bed & Breakfast. The Woolverton’s website states, “Our romantic inn offers 14 luxurious cottages and guest rooms which are styled with relaxation in mind.” The Woolverton Inn is located at 6 Woolverton Rd Stockton, New Jersey, To book a room, call 609-397-0802 or visit www.woolvertoninn.com.
This is a taste of what a vacation in Bucks County can include. It is not a full meal. There is much left out—the towns, the entertainment venues, the nature centers, the trails, antiques, summer celebrations, festivals, music venues, and much more things that would fit into or even transcend the categories of sightseeing, activities and relaxation. We are a major tourist destination and also a wonderful place to live. So, we can do both—live here and visit.
Bob Waite is the editor of Bucks County Magazine.