Bucks County is my home county and I’m obviously a bit partial to this county, this part of the state, and this part of the country. I’ve been all over and I think Bucks County is one of the best places on earth. There’s natural beauty along the Delaware River that has attracted creative types for decades. There’s great small towns—Doylestown is the quaintest county seat. There’s great history from Pennsbury Manor to Washington Crossing. I never grow tired of exploring the area.
THE FANCY PANTS TOWNS: DOYLESTOWN AND NEWTOWN
Doylestown is the quintessential upscale small town. As the county seat of Bucks County Doylestown is home to several county municipal services and the County Courthouse sits at the center of town. The main streets south of the courthouse contain small business and a respectable bar and restaurant scene. Newtown is Doylestown "light". While Newtown has more historical qualities it's lacking in the volume and quality of commercial options. The attraction of these two towns are the clusters of Victorian style houses on the streets off the commercial districts. In both these towns it's worth parking in this residential areas and taking a longer walk into town.
Both of these towns also serve as a gateway to Bucks County's Delaware River area and could effectively serve as the morning and evening bookends to a midday trip through the Delaware Valley.
Local hardware store? Check. Brick and stone front stores from the 1800s? Check.
Doylestown is the quintessential upscale small town. As the county seat of Bucks County Doylestown is home to several county municipal services and the County Courthouse sits at the center of town. The main streets south of the courthouse contain small business and a respectable bar and restaurant scene. Newtown is Doylestown "light". While Newtown has more historical qualities it's lacking in the volume and quality of commercial options. The attraction of these two towns are the clusters of Victorian style houses on the streets off the commercial districts. In both these towns it's worth parking in this residential areas and taking a longer walk into town.
Both of these towns also serve as a gateway to Bucks County's Delaware River area and could effectively serve as the morning and evening bookends to a midday trip through the Delaware Valley.
Local hardware store? Check. Brick and stone front stores from the 1800s? Check.
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Old school bank with columns? Check. Victorian house with Americana drapes? Check.
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THE DELAWARE RIVER
My favorite section of the greater Philadelphia area.
My favorite section of the greater Philadelphia area.
WASHINGTON CROSSING
The name is a giveaway - this is the stretch along the Delaware where George Washington and the Continental Army crossed into New Jersey early on Christmas morning to surprise the Hessians - German mercenaries employed by the British during the Revolutionary War. The 1776 sneak attack was an early success for the Continental Army and provided hope that the American forces could overcome British rule. Today there's a few historical recreations dotting a short foot path. On Christmas morning the crossing is re-enacted. Imagine opening your presents, then going to play with them and having your parents say - "Let's go watch Washington cross the Delaware!" Such was life in the Hamill house circa 1989.
The name is a giveaway - this is the stretch along the Delaware where George Washington and the Continental Army crossed into New Jersey early on Christmas morning to surprise the Hessians - German mercenaries employed by the British during the Revolutionary War. The 1776 sneak attack was an early success for the Continental Army and provided hope that the American forces could overcome British rule. Today there's a few historical recreations dotting a short foot path. On Christmas morning the crossing is re-enacted. Imagine opening your presents, then going to play with them and having your parents say - "Let's go watch Washington cross the Delaware!" Such was life in the Hamill house circa 1989.
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BOWMAN'S HILL TOWER
One of my earliest childhood day trip travel memories is going with my Grandparents to Bowman's Tower. The Tower is a bit of an oddity in that all it is, is a tower. After taking the steps to the top there's a panoramic view of the Bucks County countryside. You may think this tower dates to the Revolutionary War - it would have provided an excellent lookout to identify approaching armies - but in fact it was constructed in 1930. The tower stands 125 feet tall and costs $6 to enter. There's an elevator or you can take the stairs to the top. |
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PENNSBURY MANOR
Pennsbury Manor is the former estate of Pennsylvania’s founder William Penn. One key note about this property: it is a reconstruction. Despite having a land grant for what is most of present day Pennsylvania, Penn died penniless and the house was falling into disrepair during his lifetime. The current recreation was completed in 1939. |
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PEDDLER'S VILLAGE
As a young child some of my fondest memories are visiting Peddler’s Village. As the name implies, this shopping center is organized like a colonial era village. My brother and I would race along the brick paths that connected all the old fashioned looking stores. There was a water wheel that we always tossed pennies into the water below. There was a game store on the far side that had a stock of Dungeons and Dragons merchandise. Peddler’s Village had seasonal events, so it was common for our family to visit a couple of times a year. The best event was the annual scare crow contest where some of the most imaginative scare crows dotted the brick pathways. In winter there was a gingerbread house contest. Stopping here on the way to or from New Hope and the Delaware River always brings back great memories.
As a young child some of my fondest memories are visiting Peddler’s Village. As the name implies, this shopping center is organized like a colonial era village. My brother and I would race along the brick paths that connected all the old fashioned looking stores. There was a water wheel that we always tossed pennies into the water below. There was a game store on the far side that had a stock of Dungeons and Dragons merchandise. Peddler’s Village had seasonal events, so it was common for our family to visit a couple of times a year. The best event was the annual scare crow contest where some of the most imaginative scare crows dotted the brick pathways. In winter there was a gingerbread house contest. Stopping here on the way to or from New Hope and the Delaware River always brings back great memories.
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