Seeing Eastern Pennsylvania from Philadelphia or New York

Hi!  Did you know you can view wildlife and waterfalls, climb mountains and raft rivers, and visit small town America without going all the way to Colorado ?  Have you ever wondered about getting outside the big city for a little bit and seeing some countryside?  But where to start, which small town do you choose?

I created this trip to help foreign visitors visiting either Philadelphia or New York City .  (Hopefully most of you living there already know this stuff.)  It takes you through the region of Eastern Pennsylvania where I have lived for over 20 years to some of my favorite spots.  The trip begins in Doylestown, travels north up the Delaware River to the Water Gap, then west into the mountains to the town of Jim Thorpe along the Lehigh River.  (It can also be done backwards.)

It includes small museums, shopping, LOTS of scenic drives, good chances to see wildlife, 2 great rivers, hiking as much or as little as you like, as well as the possibility of boating, steam train rides, hot air balloon or even biplane excursions.

If you are starting from Philadelphia take the SEPTA train 1.5 hours north to Doylestown.  The station is right in town and only a few minutes walk will bring you to either the 1812 House or the Doylestown Inn (accommodations).  If you prefer larger modern hotels (and have a car) there is a Hampton Inn on Easton Rd. in Warrington just 5 minutes outside town.  But I’d advise staying right in the Boro for a better experience.  Coming from NYC you can take a train out to a convenient stop in NJ, then rent a car.  Very simple, straight south on Route 202 will get you to Doylestown in 2 hours or less.  I go generally 78 to 278 to 202.

Doylestown is a walking day.  There are 2 museums right in town:  The James E. Michener Art Museum and the totally unique Mercer Museum .  Numerous boutique shops, over 2 dozen restaurants (last time I tried to count!) will also keep you busy.  If you feel energetic, about 5 blocks east on Court St. is Fonthill Park (Mercer’s home).  It closes at 5pm but the park is also worth an evening walk (in summer it’s light until 8:30 ) as it’s always open and you can go right up to the castle.  On your way back turn left on Cottage St ., then right on Maple, which runs into State St.  This will bring you back to the center of town a different way.  www.fonthillmuseum.org/index.htm 

Another evening activity is the County Theater, an old movie house right in the center of town that shows indie/art/foreign films.  www.countytheater.com/   There are also bars that feature live music, like this one www.pucklive.com/ but I’ll leave you to investigate the current range of shows for yourself whenever you decide to come.

If you happen to come on a Friday in the Autumn, a 5 block stroll west on Court St. (past the Margaret Meade House) will bring you to Central Bucks West.  Here if you’re lucky you might catch that inimitable American pastime, a small town high school football game, complete with cheerleaders, marching band and hotdogs.  The rest of the town will be here, and you can at least find out what all the lights and noise is about.