Dreaming of the perfect post-lockdown weekend getaway? If so, considering adding Bucks County to your bucket list! Located just an hour north of Philadelphia, Bucks County makes for the perfect weekend trip in the tri-state area. Brimming with restaurants, cafes, wineries, museums, small-town villages, bustling towns, and natural attractions, it’s the ideal destination for a weekend getaway.
If you’re looking to spend a weekend in Bucks County, keep reading for my top recommendations for the best things to see and do.
*This post is sponsored by Visit Bucks County. All opinions are my own. Thank you Visit Bucks County for sponsoring this trip!*
Where to stay in Bucks County
home 2 suites warminster
The Home 2 Suites Warminster is located near major highways and popular attractions, making it the ideal base for a weekend getaway in Bucks County. Home 2 Suites is an extended-stay chain that focuses on style, comfort, and sustainability. The bright, colorful, decor and variety of amenities make it an attractive hotel for families and solo travelers alike. No matter where I’m traveling to, I can always depend on Hilton for quality service and comfortable accommodations.
rooms and amenities
Amenities include free breakfast, a swimming pool, a fitness center, free wifi, a patio, free parking, and more. Upon arriving, the staff greeted us warmly and welcomed me with a swag bag full of goodies! Our suite was spacious, clean, and fully stocked with a kitchenette, desk/workstation, and seating area.
At the hotel, protocols were also in place to ensure everyone’s safety and the staff was very friendly and helpful. As far as amenities and location, you couldn’t ask for better accommodation. Click HERE for more great places to stay in Bucks County.
What to see and do in Bucks County
From wineries and farms to gardens and art museums, Bucks County boasts a variety of attractions for every traveler. Whether you’re looking for adventure, culture, or history, Bucks County has something for you.
fonthill castle
If you’ve ever wondered what it would have been like to live in a castle, you’ll get a glimpse of that at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, PA. Fonthill Castle was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer, an archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramist, and scholar from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Growing up, he loved castles and dreamt of one day building his own – and he did just that. At the age of 51, he began construction of the castle and lived here from 1908-1912.
While Fonthill was his primary residence, it also served as a showplace for his extensive Moravian tile collection. The interior of the castle is adorned with colorful ceramic tilework along the walls and ceilings. This is an interesting, historical place to check out if you’re planning to visit Bucks County. My favorite parts were admiring all of the beautiful tile work inside and seeing the gorgeous views from the top-floor balcony.
Fonthill Castle offers one-hour guided tours and is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 am – 5 pm. Click HERE for more information and to book a tour. While you’re in the area, be sure to check out Mercer Museum as well, which was also designed by Henry Mercer.
michener art museum
Michener Art Museum was originally the Bucks County Prison and is now a world-class museum that includes special exhibitions, a sculpture garden, public programs, musical performances, and events.
Named after Pulitzer Prize winner and Bucks County native, James A. Michener, it is home to the largest collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings and is more than 35,000 square feet. Michener Art Museum is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the art and rich cultural heritage of the Delaware Valley Region.
One display you should definitely see there is the Essential Work Exhibit (through July 11, 2021). This compelling collection of photography showcases the lives of locals during 2020 as we faced a pandemic, virtual work and school, and fighting for racial justice. In addition, be sure to view Through the Lens: Modern Photography in the Delaware Valley (through August 15, 2021).
Michener is one of the best museums I’ve visited in the tri-state area and I was in awe of the variety of exhibits. Each one was unique and made me want to learn more. I highly recommend adding Michener to your Bucks County itinerary! Click HERE for more information.
bowman’s hill wildflower preserve
For an escape into nature, head to Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve. It’s a 134-acre nature preserve and botanical garden located in New Hope, PA. It boasts native wildflowers, ponds, walking/hiking trails, and a creek. While you’re there, stop by the Native Plant Nursery to buy some plants for your collection. The preserve offers guided tours, group tours, and events throughout the year. Click HERE to learn more and book a tour.
the parry mansion museum
Parry Mansion was built in 1784 by one of New Hope’s founders, Benjamin Parry. It’s now a museum that includes 11 rooms with furnishings from various time periods. It was great to take a step back in time and see how the Parry family lived. A visit here is also a great way to learn about the history of New Hope.
Tours of the mansion and grounds are offered on Saturday and Sunday starting at 1 pm. The New Hope Historical Society also offers guided tours of Historic New Hope to get a deeper understanding of the events that took place there. Click HERE to check out their website and learn more.
african american museum of bucks county
Located inside the Parry Mansion Museum is the African American Museum of Bucks County exhibit. The museum celebrates the history and culture of African Americans in Bucks County and pays tribute to the accomplishments and contributions of the African American community near and far.
The exhibit is a fantastic place to learn more about African American history and the contributions of the Black community to Bucks County. I was overcome with joy, sadness, and inspiration all at once while visiting the exhibit. I must say, the organization is doing a wonderful job educating and sharing the vibrancy of African heritage. It was an honor to speak with the President and Executive Director, Linda Salley during our visit. Renovations to the museum’s new building are underway and it’s slated to be completed in 2022. Click HERE for more information.
Where to eat in Bucks County
solstice newtown
If you’re looking for a great brunch, lunch, or dinner spot, look no further than Solstice. Solstice is a modern American restaurant located in Newtown, PA (about 45 minutes from Philadelphia). This newly-opened restaurant features seasonally-focused dishes made with the freshest local ingredients. Furthermore, the bright, modern atomosphere makes it such a pleasant place to enjoy a meal.
Our dinner at Solstice was just incredible. Everything was fantastic – from the quick, friendly service to the flavorful, creative dishes. It was some of the best restaurant food I’ve ever had. The attentiveness of the team, stunning food presentations, welcoming vibe, and quality ingredients truly make Solstice a stand-out establishment. It is definitely now one of my favorite restaurants!
We had the pan-roasted salmon, Malbec-braised wagyu beef short rib, house-ground filet burger, spring pea hummus with toasted focaccia, poached asparagus, grilled leeks, strawberry crisp, cardamom apricot pound cake, and blueberry tart. Everything was 10/10. In addition, protocols were in place to keep guests and staff safe.
I highly recommend visiting if you’re local or traveling to Bucks County soon. Their summer menu also just launched, which features some fresh flavors that are perfect for the season. Click HERE to learn more and book a reservation. A huge thank you to the Solstice team for hosting us!
poco’s
Poco’s is an upbeat, Mexican-American restaurant, bar, and comedy cabaret located in Doylestown, PA. I recommend getting the nachos, chips and salsa, and chicken enchiladas.
the caketeria
For sweet treats, head to The Caketeria in Newtown, PA. With their variety of freshly-made gourmet cakes, it’s the perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth in Bucks County. Also, make sure to check out more spots along the Sweet Spots Trail.
ferry market
If you can’t decide what to eat, head to Ferry Market! Located in New Hope, Ferry Market is a culinary market and food hall serving a variety of cuisines, from pizza to burgers, and even vegan options. I recommend trying Lima Fusion, Salty Pineapple, and Sciascia Confections. At Salty Pineapple, I recommend the Dole whip and Dole whip shake. At Lima Fusion, you can’t go wrong with the chicken or beef empanadas, chicken anticuchero, or burrito bowl. Everything we ordered was delicious and I can’t wait to try some of the other spots at Ferry Market in the future.
Final thoughts
Have you started planning summer travel yet? If you’re local and haven’t visited Bucks County, I hope this list has inspired you to add it to your list. If you’ve visited before, what were your favorite towns, attractions, or food spots? Let’s chat in the comments!
Liked this post? Pin it for later!
This is really insightful. I had no idea Bucks County was this interesting. Thanks for highlighting my local area. Great pictures!
Thanks for reading! ☺️
Lovely blog post! I had no idea Bucks County had so many exciting things to offer. Will be checking it out, thanks!
Thanks for reading! The area is filled with hidden treasures 💕
Next time your in Bucks County, be sure to visit the historic Moland House. We would love to give you a tour. Our reenactment is August 28.