Best of Bucks County
A panoply of brilliant things to do and places to see.
Anyone who is intimately familiar with Bucks County knows how special a place it truly is. From world-class restaurants to wonderful shops to eminently capable healthcare providers, the county offers a sky-high quality of life.
With this “best of” edition, we focus on places to see and things to do—namely, museums, festivals, and parks, among other high points. (Ralph Stover State Park’s High Rocks has more than a few of those, quite literally.)
Here we celebrate some of our favorite ways to spend time in Bucks County. That said, even if we devoted 20 pages to the county’s vast riches, we would still need more space to do it justice.
The Andalusia Historic House, Gardens, and Arboretum is an architectural and horticultural marvel in Bensalem that traces its roots back to 1973—the year a man named John Craig sought a pastoral refuge amid Philadelphia’s yellow fever epidemic. The National Historic Landmark includes 50 acres of gardens and woodlands, as well as a stunning building known as the Big House. Andalusia, which is a “Partner Garden” of the Royal Horticultural Society, has been awarded Level II accreditation by ArbNet. andalusiapa.org
Yardley and New Hope wrangle a lot of attention among Bucks County riverfront hot spots—and deservedly so—but don’t forget about Bristol. Bristol Waterfront Park is a unique spot where locals fish, stroll, and just take in the sights, which includes a memorial to the late abolitionist, Harriet Tubman. Make a day of it by visiting one or more of Bristol’s fabulous shops and restaurants, like the historic King George Inn; plus, if the mood strikes, the tasting room for Dad’s Hat Distillery is right in town. visitbristolborough.com
Apart from the one in Mount Gretna out west in Lebanon County, few arts festivals in Pennsylvania can compete with the Doylestown Arts Festival in terms of size, scope, and sheer quality. Doylestown’s version takes over the town for two days every September. The festival has become one of D-town’s most popular events, featuring every kind of art imaginable, live music, food, etc. Whether you prefer your art on canvas, in sculpted form, as a photograph, or some form not easily described, chances are you will find something to fall in love with when the festival comes to town. dtownartsfestival.com
The Lenape Indians were among the first inhabitants of the more than 5,200 acres in Quakertown now occupied by Nockamixon State Park. The park borrowed its name from the Lenape phrase nocha-miska-ing, interpreted as “at the place of soft soil.” Opened in December 1973, the park includes a 1,450-acre lake—Bucks County’s largest—created by damming the Tohickon Creek. The park has become a haven for people who seek peace on its modest hills, quiet trails, and, of course, the sprawling lake, which has become a popular destination for various watersports.
Heading into the Quakertown Historic District is like talking a walk back in time. The pace is relaxed, the architecture reflects a more halcyon time, and many of the businesses have historical significance. This includes McCoole’s at the Historic Red Lion Inn, a fabulous restaurant that dates back to the 1740s, and Sine’s, a family-owned five and dime that has been in operation since 1912. Of course, Quakertown has plenty other reasons to visit apart from historical significance. Hot spots such as the Karlton Café, the Parlour Tabletop and Tome, and Proper Brewing are the kinds of places that become habits. It also hosts fantastic community events such as the Quakertown Alive! festival. quakertown.org
Bucks County has an abundance of gorgeous natural spaces, yet few compare with Ralph Stover State Park in Pipersville. Not only does it have well-maintained trails and access to the meandering Tohickon Creek, but Ralph Stover also has a number of bluffs with unbeatable views—of the creek, of the surrounding valley, and of open skies dotted with raptors. Ralph Stover is also a destination for rock climbers; just add ropes, a helmet, and an adventurous spirit.
Sellersville Theater 1894 has history in its name; the number refers to the building’s deep roots in American history. The building has been many things since then, including, as of 2002, a venue for live music and other entertainment. Countless performers, including musicians of just about every genre imaginable, have taken the stage of the intimate venue. Concertgoers from Bucks County and beyond consider the theater a favorite, while the just-next-door restaurant known as The Washington House remains a popular pre-show stop for dinner and libations. st94.com
Given the popularity of the Devon Horse Show, equestrian sports may seem like the provenance of the Main Line, but it’s a big deal in Bucks County, too. The Tinicum Park Polo Club in Erwinna, north of New Hope on River Road, hosts polo matches May through September—and it’s a fantastically good time. The matches are fun, as is the customary “replacing of the divots” tradition between matches. It’s also a beautiful location, tucked between the Delaware River and the Delaware Canal Towpath. tinicumparkpoloclub.org
From the Michener and the Mercer to Fonthill and the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works, Doylestown boasts some of Bucks County’s finest cultural treasures. It’s also home to the area’s most unique: VAMPA. The one-of-a-kind museum is devoted to the lore of vampires and the occult. Within its walls you will find vampire-themed art, items alleged to have been touched by the paranormal, and historical artifacts—including hundreds of vampire-killing kits of antiquity; apparently, these were once akin to keeping handguns in the house as a “just in case.” No matter your spiritual beliefs, VAMPA is a place well worth exploring. vampamuseum.com
Nearby: About 30 minutes from the northernmost edge of Upper Bucks County is the town of Orefield, home of Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre. From new releases to cult classics, Shankweiler’s shows films (and hosts events) in the kind of atmosphere that has mostly disappeared from American culture. The drive-in’s roots stretch back to the 1930s. While the grounds and facilities have been updated since its founding, Shankweiler’s offers an experience from a simpler time. shankweilers.com
More to Love About Bucks County
These vibrant professionals, providers, and organizations, add to the elevated quality of life for which Bucks County has become known: Carr Home (carrhome.com), Gibson Family Law (gibsonfamilylaw.com), KS Pools & Patios (kspoolsandpatios.com), Lower Bucks Hospital (lowerbuckshosp.com), Miracle Dental Center (miracledentalcenterpa.com), SERHANT. Realtor Carie Ann Ochsenreither (serhant.com), Oil Divine (oildivine.com), The Oral Surgery Group (theoralsurgerygroup.com), Rosenello’s Windows (rosenelloswindows.com), Solebury School (solebury.org), St. Mary Medical Center (trinityhealthma.org), and World Elite Martial Arts (instagram.com/worldelitemartialarts).
These vibrant professionals, providers, and organizations, add to the elevated quality of life for which Bucks County has become known: Carr Home (carrhome.com), Gibson Family Law (gibsonfamilylaw.com), KS Pools & Patios (kspoolsandpatios.com), Lower Bucks Hospital (lowerbuckshosp.com), Miracle Dental Center (miracledentalcenterpa.com), SERHANT. Realtor Carie Ann Ochsenreither (serhant.com), Oil Divine (oildivine.com), The Oral Surgery Group (theoralsurgerygroup.com), Rosenello’s Windows (rosenelloswindows.com), Solebury School (solebury.org), St. Mary Medical Center (trinityhealthma.org), and World Elite Martial Arts (instagram.com/worldelitemartialarts).
Photo courtesy of En Route Marketing for Visit Bucks County
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, August 2025.
