Bucks County, Pennsylvania is spread across 622 square miles and has a population of just over 625,000. What that means for visitors is vast farmlands and beautiful state parks that are the perfect distance from one of the largest cities in the US. With so many traditional family fun activities to enjoy in the city nearby, let’s take a look at some less conventional, but still fun, things to do in PA when you visit Bucks County.
Peddler’s Village
Visit the colonial-style buildings, breathtaking gardens, and unique shopping and dining opportunities that make up the storybook Peddler’s Village. People looking for places to visit near Pennsylvania have been wandering the brick pathways and 12 annual festivals and events for more than 55 years. Shopping includes clothing and gift shops, art galleries, bookstores, local foodie finds, wineries, and so much more.
With plenty of pubs, coffee shops, and snack stops, there’s tons of dining options to keep everyone fueled up all day long. Families will love making time for the Giggleberry Fair, a Bucks County playhouse with something for everyone. Activities include the three-story Giggleberry Mountain, the Grand Carousel, the Game Room, and Giggles Discoveries, a safe area designed exclusively for kids six and under.
Covered Bridge Tour
When it comes to PA attractions, the 12 covered bridges of Bucks County are a must-see. Once called “kissing bridges,” each bridge has a rich history, an architectural story, and a bit of romantic charm to add to the ambiance. Formal tours are available, but there is also a self-guided driving tour that families can take at any time. Make the most of one of the most popular day trips in PA by packing a picnic and dropping in at any time to tour of the covered bridges.
A few of the bridges have been restricted to foot traffic only, but some bridges on the tour can still support vehicle traffic. Along the way, visitors will stop at the Cabin Run Covered Bridge located in Plumstead Township, the Erwinna Covered Bridge on the 528-acre Erwin Farmstead, Knecht’s Covered Bridge that’s build from Hemlock, and many others.
Stone House Driving Tour
For more must-see Bucks County events, pack up the family and take another driving tour. This one winds through Bucks County and stops along the way at the many historic stone houses built in the countryside. Visitors should be aware that most of the stone houses are now private homes, so be sure to be respectful of the homeowners and enjoy from a distance.
A few of the stops on the tour include the home of Revolutionary War General John Lacey, the Penn-Walton Homestead built on land deeded originally in 1743, and Liberty Hall, the original residence built in Quakertown and the hiding place for the Liberty Bell during the Revolutionary War. The driving tour starts in New Hope, a small town with big-city options for eclectic shopping, charming dining, and plenty of cultural attractions. The tour concludes in Doylestown, the county seat of Bucks County, with plenty of one-of-a-kind finds from our nation’s history.
Shady Brook Farm
If you’re looking for outdoor activities for kids, Shady Brook Farm is the place to go. Stop by all year long to enjoy seasonal events or join one of the seasonal wagon-ride farm tours. General admission provides access to a wagon-ride farm tour and the choice of picking your own seasonal fruit or planting a seed if there’s no picking in season. Kids will enjoy the jumping pillows, go-carts, spider web crawl, and the playgrounds.
The entire family will appreciate the Farm Market featuring homegrown fruits and veggies, homemade nut butter and honey, fresh cheeses, plenty of fresh bakery items, and a full-service deli featuring soups, salads, and sandwiches. Then, drop into the Rose Bank Winery or gather together for a cone of Uncle Dave’s Homemade Ice Cream to round out your visit.
Peace Valley Lavender Farm
If you love the aroma of lavender and don’t mind a little farmland fun, you’ll love everything about the Peace Valley Lavender Farm. Drop-in throughout June and July to see (and smell!) the lavender field in bloom. Swing by all year round to explore the unique shop on the farm featuring all things lavender. Start with a whiff of all the bath and body products and sachets, and finish with lavender luxuries for your kitchen, including lavender-infused honey and sugar. Everything in between includes dried floral arrangements, gift baskets, products for the home, and a whole section of gifts all under thirty dollars. And if the kids are getting a little squirrely before you’ve finished shopping, let them play across the way at the Peace Valley Park.
More Farmers Markets
As long as the farmer’s markets are open, there’s always plenty of fun stuff to do in Pennsylvania. The Quakertown Farmers Market features unique antiques and collectibles along with a continually-rotating roster of vendors supplying fresh foods and crafts for the home. The indoor Ferry Market is a hub for local social events, features fresh seasonal produce and healthy prepared foods, and is located on Main Street in New Hope. Rice’s Sale and Country Market is another shopping destination that can’t be missed. With more than 30 acres of indoor and outdoor shopping, more than 400 vendors, and everything from vintage thrifting to beauty consulting and local vegetables, there’s something for everyone.
Family Fun in Bucks County PA
With so much to see and do, plus a few of the more traditional destinations such as the Bucks County Free Library and the Bucks County Children’s Museum, there’s plenty to keep the family busy and happy all year long.
Are you looking to move to the Bucks County area? Contact our team at Bay Property Management Group to help you find the perfect home for you and your family.