Bucks County genuinely rewards a weekend. Doylestown has castles and museums within walking distance of each other; New Hope has the river, galleries and restaurants; and the county has state parks, wineries and a well-preserved Revolutionary War site. Here's what to put on your wedding website.
Doylestown — the best base
Walkable, compact, and unusually rich for a town this size.
Fonthill Castle — a poured-concrete castle built by archaeologist Henry Mercer as his home, filled with tiles from around the world. Unlike anything else in Pennsylvania.
Mercer Museum — a second concrete castle, this one holding tens of thousands of pre-industrial American tools arranged floor to ceiling. Strange and genuinely memorable.
Moravian Pottery & Tile Works — a working tile factory, still producing by Mercer's methods.
James A. Michener Art Museum — Pennsylvania Impressionists and changing exhibitions, in a converted county jail.
Main Street — independent shops, restaurants, and bars within a few blocks. The easiest afternoon for guests with no plan.
New Hope and the river — 20–30 minutes
New Hope — galleries, restaurants, antique shops, and a walkable riverfront. Cross the footbridge to Lambertville, New Jersey for more of the same.
The Delaware Canal towpath — 60 miles of flat walking and cycling along the canal. Access at New Hope, Lumberville, and Point Pleasant.
Bucks County Playhouse — a converted mill on the river running professional theatre.
Bowman's Hill Tower — 125 feet up, with views across the river valley. Seasonal hours.
Parks and outdoors
Tyler State Park, Newtown — 1,700 acres, a covered bridge, trails, and the Neshaminy Creek.
Peace Valley Park, New Britain — Lake Galena, 14 miles of trail, and the best sunset views in the county.
Nockamixon State Park, Quakertown — the largest lake in the county, with boating and trails. Upper Bucks, so a longer drive.
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve, New Hope — 134 acres of native plantings, quiet trails, and much less crowded than the state parks.
Ringing Rocks County Park, Upper Black Eddy — a boulder field that rings when struck, plus a waterfall. Odd and worth the trip.
History
Washington Crossing Historic Park — where the Delaware crossing happened in 1776. Riverside, with historic buildings and open ground.
Pearl S. Buck House, Dublin — the Nobel laureate's home, preserved.
Wine and beer
Bucks County has a working wine trail with several vineyards, most with tasting rooms and views — worth a half day for guests who want an outing with a destination. There's also a growing brewery scene across the county.
Check hours before recommending. Many tasting rooms are weekend-only or seasonal.
Shopping
Peddler's Village, Lahaska — more than 60 shops in a landscaped village setting, with restaurants and seasonal events. The most reliable rainy-day option for guests.
Doylestown Main Street — independent retail, walkable.
New Hope — galleries, antiques, and specialty shops.
With kids
Sesame Place, Langhorne — a theme park about 20 miles south. Worth knowing if several guests are bringing young children.
Tyler State Park — trails, open space, and the creek.
Mercer Museum — surprisingly good for older children; the scale of it lands.
By guest type
| Guest | Send them to |
|---|---|
| First-time visitors | Doylestown — castles, museums, Main Street |
| Outdoorsy | Tyler State Park or the canal towpath |
| Wants a scenic day | New Hope and Lambertville |
| History interest | Washington Crossing, Mercer Museum |
| Shopping | Peddler's Village |
| Wine or beer | The county wine trail |
| With small kids | Sesame Place, Tyler State Park |
| Rainy day | Mercer Museum, Michener, Peddler's Village |
What to put on your website
Pick five, not twenty. Guests won't read a comprehensive list, and a curated one gets used.
Suggested five for most weddings:
- Doylestown Main Street and the Mercer Museum
- New Hope and Lambertville
- Tyler State Park or the canal towpath
- Peddler's Village
- Washington Crossing Historic Park
Add drive time from the hotel for each, and note that guests will need a car.
Frequently asked questions
What is Bucks County known for? River towns along the Delaware, Revolutionary War history at Washington Crossing, the concrete castles Henry Mercer built in Doylestown, and a strong arts scene in New Hope and Doylestown.
What should wedding guests do in Bucks County? Doylestown is the best base for a first visit — Fonthill Castle, the Mercer Museum, and a walkable Main Street. New Hope and the Delaware River are the most scenic option.
Is Doylestown walkable? Yes. Main Street has restaurants, shops, and bars within a few blocks, and the museums are close by. It's the best option for guests without a car once they've arrived.
What's there to do on a rainy day? The Mercer Museum, the Michener Art Museum, and Peddler's Village all work indoors. Doylestown's Main Street shops and restaurants are walkable under cover of an umbrella.
Is Bucks County good for kids? Yes. Sesame Place is about 20 miles south in Langhorne, and Tyler State Park has trails and open space. The Mercer Museum lands well with older children.
How far is New Hope from central Bucks County? About 20 to 30 minutes by car, depending on where in the county you're starting.
Do guests need a car to sightsee? Yes, unless they're staying in Doylestown or New Hope and content to stay there. Bucks County attractions are spread out and public transport between them is minimal.
Weddings at The Arbor
The Arbor at The Bucks Club is a wedding venue in Jamison, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, about ten minutes from Doylestown and thirty from New Hope.
Attraction hours and seasonal openings change — verify before publishing on your wedding website.
Last updated: August 2026