A Bucks County Sampler

New Hope

New Hope, Pennsylvania, the popular riverside artist colony recently named as one of the “Top 25 Art Destinations in the Country” by American Style Magazine, offers eclectic charm comfortably offset by casual sophistication. Peppered with bed & breakfasts, galleries, historical attractions, restaurants and nightlife along Main Street and beyond, New Hope is as enchanting now to the diverse crowds that peruse its streets—from bikers to the GLBT crowd—as it was to so many eminent figures of yesterday. Here are some of the many ways to spend a day or a weekend in town.

Things To Do

New Hope & Ivyland Railroad

A narrated train ride on antique coaches meanders through scenic Bucks County, with themed excursions taking place during holidays.
Details: 32 W. Bridge Street | (215) 862-2332 | newhoperailroad.com

New Hope Arts Center

National exhibitions, tours, performances and outdoor sculptures throughout New Hope help fulfill this organization’s mission to support the arts of the region.
Details: 2 Stockton Avenue | (215) 862-9606 | newhopearts.org

New Hope Winery

Housed in a 17th-century barn, the New Hope Winery offers free tastings of its fruit wines, along with a full selection of reds and whites.
Details: 6123 Lower York Road | (800) 592-WINE | newhopewinery.com

Dining & Nightlife

90 Main

90 Main serves World Fusion small plates and tapas in a nouveau lounge atmosphere.
Details: 90 S. Main Street | (215) 862-3030 | 90mainlounge.com

The Landing Restaurant

It’s riverside dining in summer and fireside dining in the winter at this relaxed New Hope restaurant dishing out regional American cuisine.
Details: 22 N. Main Street | (215) 862-5711

Marsha Brown Refined Creole Kitchen & Lounge

In a 125-year-old-plus stone church, Marsha Brown dishes out prime meats and seafood along with her own Southern family favorites.
Details: 15 S. Main Street | (215) 862-7044 | marshabrownrestaurant.com

Triumph Brewing Company

To wash down a contemporary American meal, diners choose from Triumph’s own freshly brewed beer. Brewery tours are also available.
Details: 400 Union Square | (215) 862-8300 | triumphbrewing.com

Shopping

Diana Michaels Fine Jewelry

The sparkling, custom-made jewelry includes diamond-encrusted engagement rings and other treasures.
Details: 25 N. Main Street | (215) 862-5747 | dianamichaels.com

Gratz Gallery & Conservation Studio

Gratz Gallery focuses on New Hope artists, such as The Philadelphia Ten and painters from the venerable Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Details: 30 W. Bridge Street | (215) 862-4300 | gratzgallery.com

Sterling Leather

Customers can spend hours browsing the leather and shearling jackets and coats, Western boots and hats, Minnetonka moccasins, handbags, briefcases and more.
Details: 97 S. Main Street | (215) 862-9669 | sterlingleather.com

Places To Stay

1870 Wedgwood Bed & Breakfast Inn

The Wedgwood Inn combines Victorian splendor with modern amenities such as two-person Jacuzzi tubs and wireless Internet access.
Details: 111 W. Bridge Street | (215) 862-2570 | wedgwoodinn.com

Logan Inn

At Bucks County’s oldest continuously run inn, each room recalls the Revolutionary War period.
Details: 10 W. Ferry Street | (215) 862-2300 | loganinn.com

Mansion Inn

This 1865 Baroque Victorian manor displays the original architectural elements of the 1800s.
Details: 9 S. Main Street | (215) 862-1231 | themansioninn.com

Doylestown

A favorite destination in Bucks County, Doylestown boasts an impressive belt of historical attractions, but it is perhaps best known for the late prolific author, philanthropist and teacher James A. Michener, who resided in the town and considered Doylestown rich in history and flavor. Here are just a few ideas for time well spent here.

Things To Do

Fonthill Museum

Anthropologist and archeologist Henry Mercer’s concrete castle—built between 1908 and 1912—boasts 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces and more than 200 windows.
Details: E. Court Street & Route 313 | (215) 348-9461 | fonthillmuseum.org

James A. Michener Art Museum

The museum, located within a reconstructed prison, showcases Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings, special exhibitions and the work of regional artists.
Details: 138 S. Pine Street | (215) 340-9800 | michenerartmuseum.org

Mercer Museum

Another castle, this six-story museum houses more than 40,000 artifacts of early America, including a Conestoga wagon, horse-drawn carriages and antique fire engines.
Details: 84 S. Pine Street | (215) 345-0210 | mercermuseum.org

Moravian Pottery & Tile Works

This National Historic Landmark and working history museum produces decorative tiles and mosaics.
Details: 130 Swamp Road | (215) 345-6722 | buckscounty.org/government/departments/tileworks

Dining & Nightlife

Andre’s Wine & Cheese Shop

Wine and cheese are the stars at this restaurant/specialty shop serving lunch and dinner and selling hard-to-find cheese, charcuterie, olives and more.
Details: 22 S. Main Street, #4 | Phone number | andreswineandcheese.com

Chambers 19 Bistro & Bar

Free live musical entertainment from Thursday through Saturday, plus casual local fare, makes this one of Doylestown’s favorite spots for meeting old and new friends.
Details: 19 N. Main Street | (215) 348-1940 | chambers19.com

The Freight House

Offering fine cuisine, outstanding service and an award-winning modern design, The Freight House pours an array of cocktails and affordable premium wines.
Details: 194 W. Ashland Street | (215) 340-1003 | thefreighthouse.net

Pennsylvania Soup & Seafood House

More than a dozen soups—from butternut squash to baked potato—are on the menu with gourmet sandwiches, seafood selections and daily specials.
Details: 22 S. Main Street | (215) 230-9490 | pasoupandseafood.com

Puck Live

This intimate 100-person theater captures the essence of live music by hosting local, regional and national talent. Music buffs can also enjoy food and drinks on the outdoor patio.
Details: Printer’s Alley, 14 E. Court Street | (215) 348-9000 | pucklive.com

Shopping

The Doylestown Bookshop

The largest independent bookstore in Bucks County features a wide selection of books for children and adults, plus greeting cards and gifts.
Details: 16 S. Main Street | (215) 230-7610 | doylestownbookshop.com

Monkey Business

For the hippest kids in school, Monkey Business carries designer children’s jeans and other clothing from brands like Zoo York, Ella Moss and Splendid.
Details: 41 E. State Street | (215) 340-1890 | monkeybusinesskids.com

Siren Records

Siren Records leads the region’s independent record scene with its live music schedule and new and used CDs, DVDs, books and vinyl.
Details: 25 E. State Street | (215) 348-2323 | sirenrecords.com

Places To Stay

Doylestown Inn

This fully restored, elegant 1902 inn boasts a spectacular four-story atrium with skylights and is within walking distance to museums and dozens of restaurants and shops.
Details: 18 W. State Street | (215) 345-6610| doylestowninn.com

Highland Farm Bed & Breakfast

Oscar Hammerstein II called Highland Farm home, and his influence remains in the library and wrap-around porch where he wrote lyrics for the musical Oklahoma.
Details: 70 East Road | (215) 345-6767 | highlandfarmbb.com

Bristol

Bristol is the oldest town in Bucks County and the third-oldest in Pennsylvania. Because the Merchant Shipbuilding Corporation set up shop here in 1917, the town’s Delaware Riverfront resembles a New England seaport. Bristol hosts events at the river’s edge, providing a perfect opportunity to stroll, shop or dine in the Radcliffe Street Historic District. Here’s a look at what’s doing in Bristol.

Things To Do

Bristol Riverside Theatre

Since 1986, Bucks County’s premier professional regional theater has provided award-wining entertainment, including dramas, comedies, musicals and world premieres.
Details: 120 Radcliffe Street | (215) 785-0100 | hbrtstage.org

Margaret R. Grundy Memorial Museum

The Victorian-era home of former Senator Joseph Grundy overlooks the Delaware River and depicts a genuine—and free—Victorian experience. Special tours by appointment.
Details: 610 Radcliffe Street | (215) 788-7891 | grundyfoundation.com

Silver Lake Nature Center

Some 235 acres of woods, lakes, marshes and meadows make Silver Lake a great spot for kayaking, bird walks, pond tours and seasonal festivals.
Details: 1306 Bath Road | (215) 785-1177 | silverlakenaturecenter.org

Dining & Nightlife

King George II Inn

This 17th-century landmark offers gourmet American cuisine in a relaxing and elegant setting overlooking the Delaware River.
Details: 102 Radcliffe Street | (215) 788-5536 | kginn.com

Café Bombay

Café Bombay serves up traditional and innovative Indian cuisine from all parts of the country.
Details: 233 Mill Street | (215) 788-4239 | cafebombay.biz

Kelch House Eatery

The New American lunch and dinner menus change every night, and on Friday and Saturday evenings, the meals are served against the backdrop of live piano music.
Details: 101 Mill Street | (215) 788-3850 | kelchhouse.com

Shopping

Another Time Antiques

Established in 1978, Another Time offers antique, estate, new and custom-made pieces.
Details: 301 Mill Street | (215) 788-3131 | bristolantiques.com

Places To Stay

Days Inn Bristol

Honored with five out of five Days Inn sunbursts for quality, the hotel offers free continental breakfast, free high-speed wireless Internet access and a restaurant and lounge.
Details: 1100 Green Lane | (215) 788-8400 | daysinn.com