The county seat of Bucks Co. has a buzzing downtown, more than one castle and an impressive literary history, as one-time home to authors Pearl Buck and James Michener, both of whom have namesake venues here (a 60-acre homestead estate and art museum with a kid-happy sculpture garden, respectively). It also hosts a ton of intriguing opportunities for kids to play and learn.
Romp regally: The Central Park Kids Castle — sized for ages 2 to 9, with an enclosed all-abilities section — contains a maze packed with diversions. Find a friendly dragon, a drawbridge, a tree house, a goose-egg hunt, a rocket ship and a twisty tube slide. Nearby bathrooms are equipped with changing tables on both the men’s and women’s sides. (425 Wells Rd.)
Museum-hop: Sister sites Fonthill Castle & Mercer Museum appeal to kids with their regal architecture and treasure trove of early Americana, hidden within countless nooks and crannies. Don’t forget to look up! (E. Court St. & 84 S. Pine St.)
Eat: Hickory Kitchen serves up best-of-Bucks BBQ in budget-easing family meals for four to six, laden with meats, sides, biscuits or rolls. (9 W. Court St.)
Bird blissfully: 250-plus avian species have been spied at the Peace Valley Nature Center, home to tranquil Lake Galena and 14 miles of nature trails that host preschool, family and moonlight hikes. (170 N. Chapman Rd.)
Snack: Nina’s Waffles & Ice Cream scoops 100 hand-crafted, no-egg frozen flavors alongside homemade waffles in a palate-pleasing, sweet-to-savory range. (30 E. State St.)
Want to make a day of it in other great local towns and neighborhoods? Check out our other Take the Kids features.
Delaware: Bear | Clayton/Smyrna | Newark | Rehoboth Beach | Riverfront Wilmington
New Jersey: Cape May | Mt. Laurel | Lambertville | Voorhees
Pennsylvania: Fairmount Philly | New Hope | Wayne | West Chester
