Small Town Charmy: Philadelphia and The Countryside

Welcome to beautiful Bucks County, a gateway to Philadelphia's countryside.  Stretch your legs on the cool, shady sidewalks of the quiet, friendly and historic town of Yardley, a quintessential Bucks County town.  Stroll past cafes and beautiful homes.  This is just the start of your charmy tour.  Find Rt. 32 North (River Road).  Hug the scenic Delaware River as you make your way north to historic Washington Crossing.

Among the fresh air and green surroundings, you can't help but sense the overwhelming feeling of history.  This is, of course, where George Washington made his famous crossing of the Delaware River a few centuries ago.  You'll have a far more relaxing visit than Washington did.  Treat yourself to a self-guided walking tour of the park and get a closer look at the various sites along the way.  Make your way over to McConkey's Ferry Inn, an 18th century inn and tavern that dated back to Colonial times.  Then you can stop by the Taylorsville Store, built in 1828, and now supplying happy travelers with souvenirs, snacks and ice cream.  After you've taken plenty of snapshots and gotten your fill of ice cream, head north once again along River Road to your next stop.

New Hope is a rivertown hub for boutique shopping, art appreciation, and fine dining.  Hop out of the car and go for a walk down Main Street, taking note of all the cool shops and interesting art you'll want to visit along the way.  Get some fresh air with a hike along the Canal Towpath, the only remaining continuously intact canal of the great towpath era of the early 19th century.  It's a great way to stretch your legs after spending the day in your car and take in the riverside scenery.  After you've caught your breath, hop a ride on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad.  These guys will be happy to give you a good old fashioned railroad ride through the scenic Bucks County countryside.  These vintage passenger coaches are restored to their original 1920s glory, and provide a relaxing bit of respite as you prepare to hit the road again. 

Heading west now to central Bucks County finds you on a scenic trip through Lahaska/Pedlers Village and Bucks County's Antique Row.  If you love shopping, you'll find it hard not to pull over.  Your short drive now brings you to the sights, sounds, and stops of your next destination.  Put the car in park and say hello to the streets of Doylestown and its impressive cultural district.  We highly recommend a stroll by the Mercer Museum.  This stunning "concrete castle" is a walking tour of 18th and 19th century American life.  Collections and exhibits chronicle the lives and tasks of early Americans through their tools, trades, and occupations, all left behind by Henry Mercer, the museum's namesake and a well-known figure in the Doylestown area.  Be sure to learn all about him, because your next stop is Fonthill Museum, Henry's former residence and an equally amazing concrete castle set back on acres of beautiful grounds.  At Fonthill, you'll explore 44 rooms of elaborately adorned decorations, stunning ceilings, and furnishings.  Just next door is Moravian Pottery and Tile Works.  This is the perfect place to pick up some souveniers for yourself and friends and family back home.  But don't worry too much about home.  You have more exploring to do.  First, get some good food and rest in Doylestown. 

Wake up to the sound of birds chirping on Doylestown's State and Main Streets, pack your things, and grab a cup of coffee for the road. Another day of roadtripping awaits. You'll be taking a drive south towards Philadelphia for a stop in one of its most popular destinations, Manayunk. Its Main Street is lined with boutiques, art galleries, and tasty restaurants and cafés. Start your walk around town with a tall cup of Joe at Mugshots Coffeehouse and Café. These master brewers use only fair-trade, organic coffee and proudly support local farmers. Now that you’re fueled up, this would be a great time to walk alongside the Tow Path on the Schuylkill canal. Stop by Pretzel Park for a nice sit-down, and rest your well-traveled feet.

You're now heading to the western countryside of Philadelphia as you travel the roads of Pennsylvania’s famous Main Line on your way to Phoenixville. First, make a pit stop at Ardmore and if you need more shopping, check out Suburban Square, which has an assortment of high-end stores and other boutiques. Check out the Ardmore Farmers Market for some farm-fresh snacks. They’re open seven days a week to serve fruits, veggies and delicious meats. Your trip along Lancaster Avenue (the Main Line's chief artery) will treat you to stops in several charming villages like Wayne, which boasts a tight collection of boutiques and other attractions.

Welcome to your final destination, Chester County's gateway community of Phoenixville. Once a site of great iron and steel mills, its Main Street is now a hub for food, drink, and entertainment. Make a stop at the Phoenixville Foundry, located just off Main Street. It gives a historic glimpse of 19th century life in Phoenixville and the Schuylkill River Valley. Stop for a show at the Colonial Theatre, which (fun fact), was featured in the motion picture The Blob. You've covered a lot of ground. Get some R & R with dinner and a night's rest in yet another charmy PA town.