You don’t have to go far to find fun things to do when you plan a family vacation to Bucks County, Pennsylvania, a large suburb of Philadelphia, conveniently located 75 miles from New York City and close to Trenton, New Jersey. In Bucks County, your family will learn about its rich history and how that history continues today. Offering families everything from water slides to farms, from sports to history, Bucks County, PA has plenty of attractions to entertain your family on your next vacation.
Although many of the activities listed below are busiest in summer, the area has great weather in spring and fall, and even ski resorts in winter. Call ahead to check hours of operation if you’re traveling in the off-season.
Fun for Little Ones
(Toddler to Age 8)
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne, PA 19047
866/GO4-ELMO, 215/752-7070
The ideal first theme park for children under 7, Sesame Place brings all your favorite characters out to play. Your family will have a great time enjoying family favorites like the rides at Elmo’s World, Big Bird’s Balloon Race, Sunny Day Carousel, Cookie Mountain, Ernie’s Bounce Bed and a stroll down the Sesame Street Neighborhood. For wet and wild fun, check out Sesame Streak, The Count’s Splash Castle, and Big Bird’s Rambling River. Chill while watching age-appropriate shows like “Elmo Rocks” and “Let’s Play Together” and the popular parade, Neighborhood Street Party. If possible, plan a visit midweek as weekends are extremely crowded.
Giggleberry Fair at Peddler’s Village
Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, Bucks County, PA
215/794-4000
Let your kids go wild at Giggleberry Fair, an indoor fun center that has video games, arcade games, play rooms, and rides. Your kids can tackle, Giggleberry Mountain, one of Pennsylvania’s largest and most attractive obstacle course and they can fuel their creativity at Giggles Discovers, a unique play area with a fire station, a puppet stage, a waterway and the interactive lightspace. Top it off with unlimited rides on the 1922 restored Grand Carousel.
Crayola Factory
30 Centre Square
Easton, PA 18042
800/CRAYOLA, 610/515-8000
A great trip for your colorful kids, the Crayola Factory is a place where your kids can color to their heart’s content. Paint, draw, and colora with the latest Crayola products, learn about the history of this creative product, and participate in dozens of interactive projects and activities. Allow time to stroll around Easton, Pennsylvania, a restored mining town whose proud inhabitants have built a thriving downtown packed with bakeries, galleries and crafts shops. It’s fun to see how loving care can bring life back to what were once poor miners’ red brick row houses.
Silver Lake Nature Center
1306 Bath Road
Bristol, PA 19007
215/785-1177
Come out to see some natural beauty at the Silver Lake Nature Center. This 253-acre land has abundant foliage, rare plants and animals, and easy access to the wetlands and woodlands. Enjoy the beautiful landscape while participating in some fun outdoor activities and nature walks.
Fun for Older Children
(Up to Age 18)
Sport Aviation, Inc.
Van Sant Airfield
516 Cafferty Road
Erwinna, PA 18920
866/687-8359, 610/847-8320
Let your children touch the sky at historic Van Sant Airpfield where they offer lessons in flying. Learn to fly a glider or biplane by qualified instructors, or sit back and enjoy a piloted ride in classic aircraft such as an open cockpit biplane, Piper Cub or Aeronca Champ. When you’re not up in the air your family can relax with hamburgers and hotdogs available on weekends in the summer in the picnic area.
Haycock Stables
1035 Old Bethlehem Rd
Perkasie, PA 18944
215/257-6271
For the little ones who dream about horses, take them to Haycock stables where they can hit the trails on a beautiful horse. They specialize in family trail rides guided through Nockamixon State Park. They offer mounts for all ages and if you have a favorite, you can request it when you make your reservation. Pony trail rides are also available. Be sure to make a reservation in advance.
Ghost Tours
New Hope, PA
215/343-5564
For some good natured thrills, take your family on a ghost tour . Said to be one of the most haunted towns in the region, these walking tours are led by lantern through the streets of New Hope, Pennsylvania. Hear about the phantom Hitchhiker and other ghost stories as you tour historic buildings at night. Tours begin at Main and Ferry Streets and are held weekly on Saturday night at 8pm from June through the third weekend in November. During September and October, tours are offered on both Friday and Saturday nights. If you arrive in the afternoon, have a stroll down the touristy main street of this former hippie enclave, now a bustling stop for families on their way to the nearby Amish country.
Fun For the Whole Family
Washington Crossing Historic Park
Washington Crossing, PA 18977
215/493-4076
Who said history was boring? At Washington Crossing Historic Park, you’ll learn about when General George Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 to defeat the Hessian troops. This simple history lesson is taught by re-enactments around the park, and tours of historical structures. A Reenactment of the actual crossing takes place annually on Christmas Day.
Bucks County River Country
2 Walters Lane
Point Pleasant, PA 18950
215/297-5000
Known as the world’s river tubing capital, at least around Pennsylvania, cool off in the Delaware River with River Country’s wet and wild activities. You can go kayaking, canoeing, tubing, or rafting. Moms check out the Mom and Me Day special on Wednesday to go tubing with your kid in a snuggle tube.
Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Road
Yardley, PA 19067
215/968-1670
Visit one of the last working farms in Bucks County for some good family fun. You’ll get to pick your own crops such as strawberries and raspberries in June, peaches in August, apples beginning in late August and, of course, pumpkins in October. Pick you own flowers from the flower garden or select quality flowers and plants in the Garden Center, and buy fresh food in the Farm Market. Year-long festivals offer hayrides, live music, and homemade ice cream.
The Mercer Mile
84 South Pine Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
215/345 0210
Your kids will be surprised when they see the Mercer Mile and their eyes are greeted by a towering castle. This museum complex is sure to be a sight to see, as the Mercer Museum is joined with Fonthill Castle, the 1912 home of Henry Chapman Mercer, archaeologist, anthropologist and scholar. Find out what it was like to live in the pre-industrial 18th and 19th centuries as you view everyday items from those times. You’ll also get to see what a real castle is like with Fonthill’s 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces and over 200 windows of varying size and shape. Don’t miss the tile collection with its amazing array of patterned ceramics at the nearby Moravian Pottery & Tile Works at 130 East Swamp Road.
Michener Museum
138 S. Pine St.
Doylestown, PA 18901
215/340-9800
For a more artistic experience, the Michener Museum will show your family the visual splendors of art. With their many ongoing exhibits, and permanent exhibits, your family will enjoy seeing art from the visual heritage of the Bucks County region including the finest collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist Paintings and works from the Arts and Crafts Movement. Also for your kids, the Children’s Gallery will help inspire your kids to create art of their own.
Pennsbury Manor
400 Pennsburg Memorial Road
Morrisville, PA 19067
215/946-0400
Visit the country manor home of William Penn, also known as the Pennsbury Manor. The manor has been reconstructed to present life in the 17th century, and includes a 43-acre plantation, manor house, outbuildings, livestock, and gardens. Come on by for events like cooking demonstrations on an open hearth, garden tours, and demonstrations of historical trades like blacksmithing and wood cutters. Bring along some lunch and enjoy it in the Picnic Pavillion.
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I love how you focus on the actual trip. You have a very distinctive style. This was funny and entertaining.
this looks interesting! I will be in San Diego come November to attend the convention of the National Association of Realtors. I will include this beach to my "must see" . Im pretty excited to see this place.
what a beautiful place i want to visit the beautiful beach with beautiful people.
lucky you our beaches are under control of mulla
Hi, by baby is nearly 4 weeks old and i have started back at work but on nights, i have been getting txt's and phone calls off my partner all night saying that our baby has non stop crying since i left for work today. We think it is down to that he knows that i am not there and is crying out for me. Could anyone be able to give me some advise on how my partner could settle him pleas.
thank you Daddy I
i need to get there
To Victor: That is because we want this island paradise all to our SELFISH, SELFISH, SEELLLFIIISSHHHH SELVES!
psssshhh! that's nothing… with BORACAY Island and AMANPULO Island
Actor Tom Cruise, Supermodel Naomi Campbell, Actor Robert de Niro, Supermodel Claudia Schiffer, Singer Mariah Carey, Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, Singer Diana Ross, etc. already had a vacation here at AMANPULO ISLAND. Others go to dirty and crowded resorts, Exclusivity at its finest!
Check out my site for some great pictures and my own experiences/reviews of Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Dollywood, The Great Smoky Mountains, etc! Its <a href="http://somewhereinthemountains.blogspot.com/">here</a>
Good news for those of us who are more interested in substance over gimmicks. As a youngish grandparent, looking forward to introducing my grandson to the joys of cruising, on Crystal and others.
Thanks
wow that is lovely. perfect for a road trip. i miss those pair now
Very good and thanks for sharing this informative post.
hi i can recive uur magazine every monthe pleaz i wait bye
hhhmmm…i wonder why does the Boracay beach in Philippines not in the list..
Here is all the letter needs to say:
(Date)
I (parent's name), authorize my child/children, (child/children’s name) to travel to (destination) on (date of travel) aboard Airline/Flight # (flight information) with (accompanying adults), returning on (date of return).
Signed by parent or parents
Address:
Telephone/Contact:
Notary Public Signature/Seal
I want there, with my family.
It's my dream to be there for summer holliday.
it's truly awesome……………………
iam from kurdistan cool site and fntsc places
SameProb –
we hear some users have been having trouble getting these documents via email. It's really hard to troubleshoot this, so if you don't get the documents, can you please email us at ftf[at]familytravelforum.com and we'll make sure to send you the links. Posting your complaints here won't help at all! thanks, and sorry for the hassle-
Hi Derek,
Although there are regulations about transporting minors between some U.S. states (and they vary), our members have never reported a problem with this. It's mainly an issue transporting minors over national borders.
In any case, we subscribe to the "Better safe than sorry" school of travel. Therefore, why not ask the girls' mother to fill out the Permission to Travel letter with her contact info, and give you a copy of the girls' birth certificates to verify the Mom's identity, so that you have some paperwork with you.
While traveling, it sounds like you may be able to reach her by phone in case there's any trouble at the airport, but we don't anticipate there would be.
Let us know if you have any other questions and safe move –
very good
I would spray Rataway fragrance from Rataway.com . Rataway Fragrance is non-poisonous and non-toxic.
To protect food place food in a plastic bag or box and spray bag with Rataway Fragrance. Also use Rataway fragrance to protect car engines, computer cables, wiring, air conditioning equipment,camping supplies, etc…. Stops rats, mice, rodents, monkeys, etc from nesting & chewing.
Same problem — if you go thru the hassle of requesting these via the email link, you get sent to a page that isn't working. Don't bother trying to get them!!!
Excellent overview of a very un-touristy part of Amsterdam
I do not have legal custody of my soon to be step-daughters and their mother needs me to take them with me to Alaska (I am staioned up there) before she can head up there herself. she has to stay behind for another week to finish selling the house. What legal documentation am I going to need for them to fly with me to Alaska?
These ideas are great. I studied abroad when I was a junior in college. I lived in Florence, Italy for the summer with the American Institue of Foreign Study. It was a great program, but I really wish I had some of these tips when I was planning my journey.
What is the average weather Aug-Oct?
Hi from Spain,
personally as an active dad trying to be healthy and get the kids away from the computer games / X box ect… I'd add hiking in the many national parks, or surfing, scuba or kayaking from Spain 1000s of km of beaches !!!!
saludos desde España
Richard Harris
The Iberostar resort complex in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic also allows you to stay at one resort while enjoying the restaurants, bars, and entertainment in the other Iberostar Resorts.
The Iberostar Bavaro in Punta Cana is the highest rated family resort. Since it is often booked far in advance, you will not be disappointed by staying in the Iberostar Punta Cana or the Iberostar Dominicana and enjoying the grounds of all three resorts.
very good living of style
This is an interesting point of view. The points you raise are very helpful. I came across this site recently which I think will be of great use http://www.bookcapetown.com Check it out!
Big thanks for keeping me awake and entertained.
If all posts were as interesting as this, the web would be such a better place. Thank you very much. Some other site that brought me great pleasure was http://www.bookcapetown.com
Hi David,
This same document "Permission to Travel Letter" is good whether a minor under 18 years is traveling with one birth parent or none. Just adjust the information you provide in it.
thanks, let us know if you have problems!
Tthe Information about the documents required for the children for traveling abroad is great! You have provided the required form is appreciated and made more convinient.
My name is sanjib adhikari. I am a register trekking guide in the
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There are many types of treks in Nepal, ranging from relaxed easy
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You can find great local food restaurants with great service and good prices, for instance in Jaffa their are great fish and seafood restaurants, and you can not visit Israel with trying humus.
Maybe next time….
looking for single parent or one-parent authorization form letter
Visited parkmall today. Out of Africa BBQ and Steakhouse is on soft opening. This is my report! Details come from the manager and owners who gave me a tour….it is like a museum!
The restaurant is amazing, animal heads, African paintings and sculptures. There is a African Safari Lodge upstairs that is not yet finished, since they are on soft opening. An original 100 year old bar from South Africa and separate antique wine rack.
They have a Father's Day special of CROCODILE. The ownertold me that they would have Ostrich, Wild Boar, Water Buffalo, Turtle, Deer, Lamb, Venison, Goat, Iguana and other exotic meats after their grand opening in July of 2009.
The chef was trained by two of the Out of Africa Group chefs from South Africa. I met Mike who is the on site consultant from South Africa, watching over the menu and operations. He said there is another Out of Africa Fastfood Franchise under construction elsewhere in Cebu.
Also an Out of Africa Sports Bar is being located near J.Y.
So this is great, a major international franchise has come to Cebu first, before Manila!
The manager told me that they tested the menu for 6 months in Cebu, before opening the first franchise and their flagship restaurant in the Philippines of Out of Africa BBQ and Steakhouse in Parkmall.
The crocodile was great!
intp
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Hi PatSea, sorry to be getting back to you so late! As a matter of fact, I did go to the plate boundry, it was incredible, very cool and slightly scary! I was able to do both the Golden Circle tour and the plate boundry area in only two days, so you should be fine! Iceland was amazing, and two days is really all you need to see the major geological sites!
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This was really an informative article. I enjoyed reading it a lot. Here is a site that I think will be of great interest to the readers http://www.aardvarktravelcentre.co.za . Keep up the great work!
nice information…and photos are interesting
Maybe discuss with children what sort of attractions or venues that they would like to specifically visit. Visit/research online tourist/city web sites and engage with the the site and children, as to what is relevant or of interest to them for later visits.
This might generate incentives for them (and perhaps all) to look foward to. This may reduce any chance of them trying to wander off (or pester you), without your knowledge, to try find a nearby venue to the hotel, for their satisfaction/entertainment. Then parents can arrange for visits for their children, or ideally for the whole family to their chosen attractions or venues.
I simply love the Sheraton Universal for a weekend getaway with my family. So close to everything and in the heart of Hollywood. For us it is the perfect choice for family travel. My kids love the Ultimate Star Burger bar. Building your own burger with all those great topping choices. What fun!
This just made my day that much brighter. Thanks a million. Something else I stumbled across was this http://www.journeyintoafrica.co.za . Take a look! Keep up the great work!
I got unbelievable rate through room savers coupon yesterday night in Hollis Maine which was even less than 50% pf normal rate.
Does anyone out there recommend the Four Seasons Maui for teenagers or should we go next door to the Grand Wailea?
There are lots of ways to have fun without cost. Fun without cost is something that many of us used to have when we were children – times when laughter was easy, we didn't worry about personal loans or what many other people thought. Even going to the movies has become an expensive proposition, but there are ways to have fun without spending money. Like cooking food in dinner to be share with the family together instead of eating in the restaurant. Also, going to beach together. Cheap and affordable beaches can be your destination for a summer vacation.
I didn't really like the Poble Espanol because it was pretty touristy but the kids kind of liked it. DOn't miss Parc Guell, it's the best of all the Gaudi attractions for children as it's outside and a real park with crazy architecture and elements. Kids like the cable car ride to Montjuic too – be sure to get an ice cream at when you unload – you can get a cone that loads three scoops across on a super wide cone.
If you are planning on visiting our beautiful country and would like to participate in a fun activity. Please visit http://www.CebuSportFishing.com and read about the low price sport fishing charters we have available.
We also have ties with the local resorts and travel agencies and can recommend a great place for you to stay.
Feel free to e-mail us at sales@cebusportfishing.com should you need assistance or require information about cebu.
Rob
http://www.FilipinoAngler.com