Best of Bucks County
Bask in the area’s many outdoor jewels.
Having split my youth between Northeast Philadelphia and Bucks County, I felt like I had the best of both worlds. Even in Philly, we had ample outdoor spaces where we could escape the asphalt and concrete, among other evidence of humankind. In Bucks County, though, that’s where my love of open spaces and natural wonders took root.
My desire to be close to nature has only intensified in the years since. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find the places listed on these pages informative, if not prescriptive. I won’t get into the many healing benefits of nature, because if you’ve ever been awed by a tree’s foliage, amazed at the architecture of a spider’s web, or moved to tears by a mountain, you already know.
Anyone who has not yet visited Bensalem’s Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum will likely be surprised by what they find there. A National Historic Landmark, Andalusia spans 50 acres of gardens and woodlands, as well as the 1797-built Big House, the Grotto, and other outbuildings sprinkled throughout the grounds. The wondrous property ends at the edge of the Delaware River, so take a seat on the rock wall overlooking the river and enjoy the view. andalusiapa.org
The unique ecosystem of 48-acre Aquetong Spring Park in New Hope includes walking trails, wetlands, and, as its name suggests, a natural spring. The spring’s pristine waters cascade over a small waterfall, feeding a creek that terminates in the Delaware River, right next to the Bucks County Playhouse. Open since 2021, the park came into existence after the draining of a manmade lake in 2015 so the area could return to its natural state. soleburytwp.org/recreation
Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve includes 134 acres of meadows, woods, wetlands, and other natural areas that prompt exploration. Native plants are a specialty, as more than 700 of the state’s 2,000 native species grow naturally on the grounds. Open year-round, the preserve is worth visiting often, as the experience changes from season to season, if not day to day. bhwp.org
Nearly 60 miles long from Bristol in the south to Easton in the north, Delaware Canal State Park enables visitors to see inimitable views of Bucks County’s best: historic towns, farmers’ fields, the river and canal and the wildlife that inhabit both, even the occasional polo match in Tinicum. It’s perfect for riding, running, walking, birding, and so much more. pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation
Henry Chapman Mercer built Fonthill Castle to be not only his home, but also his showplace for his sprawling collection of Moravian tiles. It’s a rather unique home, and perhaps not the most comfortable, built entirely of poured reinforced concrete. The castle, which took four years to construct, feels at one with its outdoor surroundings. Schedule a tour for an in-depth look; the property takes on a festive and delightfully spectral air around the winter holidays. mercermuseum.org/about/fonthill-castle
The Hellerick “family farm” in Doylestown, right on the edge of Plumsteadville, looks vastly different than the one Paul Hellerick remembers from his youth. Under his leadership, the property has evolved into Hellerick’s Adventure Farm, a family destination where locals can find all manner of attractions: mini-golf (including nighttime glow golf), goat yoga, an aerial adventure course, flower picking, etc. Even with all that, Hellerick’s is still an active farm, with considerable acreage devoted to U-pick crops that recall the property’s agrarian beginnings. hellericksfarm.com
Located on a 67-acre estate in Perkasie, The Pearl S. Buck House welcomes visitors into the home of one of America’s finest writers, thinkers, and humanitarians. Besides the beautiful house, where Buck’s life, legacy, and vast library come to life, be sure to spend the time to explore the property, including the award-winning gardens. pearlsbuck.org
Peddler’s Village is Lahaska has shopping and dining galore—including one of the area’s best bookstores—but it’s also a place to simply exist out in the open air, feeling at one with the community and happy to be alive. There’s always some sort of festival or special event injecting life into the village, from winter holiday celebrations to apple festivals. This time of year, it’s the scarecrows’ time to shine. peddlersvillage.com
Getting to the High Rocks section of Pipersville’s Ralph Stover State Park takes some doing, but the trip is well worth the effort. High Rocks is a peaceful and relatively remote destination overlooking the Tohickon Creek Gorge. A popular spot for rock climbing and birding, High Rocks also has miles of well-tended hiking trails that lead down to the winding Tohickon and back again. Recommendation: Take a seat on a rock by the water. Bring a book. Or don’t. pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/recreation
There’s a lot to love at Ringing Rocks Park in Upper Black Eddy, though the boulder field gets most of the headlines. Strike some of the rocks with a hammer, and they’re likely to sing—or ring like a bell, hence the park’s name. In addition to the musical and seemingly magical boulder field, allot some time to the park’s hiking trails and Bucks County’s highest waterfall; estimates of the cascade’s height vary, but 20 feet is a safe bet. buckscounty.gov/facilities
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Life, October 2026
