Filled with golden leaves, covered bridges and inviting B&Bs, Bucks County is the perfect retreat for the changing season. The 622-square-mile colonial Delaware River region is less than two hours from Long Island and as one of the first four counties in Pennsylvania it has many Revolutionary-era sites to see. Down the street, foodies can get a taste of the modern, exciting artisanal food and beverage scene, plus a few surprises.
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Stay
A fall adventure in Bucks County calls for a cozy B&B experience. Opt for the 16-room Logan Inn, a property that evolved from The Ferry Tavern (which opened in 1722). It’s a cozy corner property, just steps from the bridge leading over the Delaware River in the heart of New Hope. For those who want a more intimate experience, the eight-room inn at Bowman Hill feels like a private country house on five acres of woods and manicured lawns. Rooms feature two-person whirlpool tubs, fireplaces and balconies. Not to mention the heated swimming pool—perfect for a dip after a day on the trail. And there’s also the immaculate French country estate-style 22-room Hotel Du Village. It’s an elegant, modern B&B bordering a cornfield just a mile-and-a-half from downtown New Hope. Country touches—like its leather tufted couches, cozy backyard fire pit and s’mores station—make this retreat extra inviting.
Choose your adventure
image: photo courtesy of visit bucks county
One of the best ways to enjoy the Delaware River is through a bike tour. River Towns Ride led by Encore Rides is a 15-mile exploration of New Hope, Stockton, Lambertville, Centre Bridge and Lumberville. Bikers can spot Revolutionary-era inns and mills and expansive private homes along the way. Not to mention, the miles of trail along the Delaware River are well-manicured and scenic.
Ketanga Fitness Retreats offers truly unique fitness-themed adventures, where visitors feel the burn and see all the location has to offer. Think hip-hop cardio boxing sessions, pilates on Lake Galena in Peace Valley Park and pilates-and-pinot on the lush lawn of Buckingham Valley Vineyards & Winery, followed by a wine tasting. This winery harvests delicious reds, whites and rosé. And for $5, visitors can pour as many samples as they like.
Eat
What better way to reward yourself for an active day than with a great meal? In New Hope, try Marsha Brown southern Creole-style restaurant, where patrons can dine under the sweeping ceilings of a converted church. Guests rave about the chopped salad with shrimp, asparagus, broccoli and artichoke in a ranch dressing and the house Hacienda Clair de Lune Cabernet Sauvignon. Sprig & Vine is an easy way to get more veggies. The BBQ tempeh sandwich features cornmeal-crusted tempeh with apple-bourbon BBQ sauce, chipotle-cabbage-carrot slaw and greens on multigrain bread. And the black lentil soup, containing roasted oyster mushrooms, corn, tomato, scallion and chili-cashew sour cream, is hearty and satisfying.
In Doylestown, try Italian-Mediterranean fusion at Genevieve’s Kitchen, where the seared rare ahi tuna burger with radish sprouts and wasabi aioli is a standout. Nearby, the Hattery offers 14 rotating beers, plus a lovely champagne on tap called Zardetto Brut Cuve. The grilled swordfish, which is served on a fluffy bed of saffron rice with a sweet curry roasted corn salsa, is rewarding after a long day of cardio.
While you’re there
Fonthill Castle is a labyrinthine 44-room concrete castle that features elements of Medieval, Gothic and Byzantine architecture. On the same property, visitors can find Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, an operational tile-making facility. There they can watch makers create tiles in many shapes, sizes and styles—from medieval designs to characters from the Canterbury Tales—using the original tile-making methods (think giant cookie cutters). For sweeping views, climb up the 125-foot Bowman’s Hill Tower that was built in 1929 to commemorate where Washington watched for enemy activity. Bucks County is also home to 19th century Covered Bridges—12 remain of the original 36—an ideal spot for the perfect autumn Instagram shot.