Where To Go For Some Fresh Air and Outdoor Fun All Year Long

Here are some great outdoor destinations that are must-sees no matter what month you visit Bucks County.

Tyler State Park

Address:
101 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940

Hours: 
Dawn - Dusk every day
Open all year round

Tyler State Park Neshaminy Creek

Tyler Park Creek Bridge

Tyler State Park is located in Newtown, PA, and is roughly 1,711 acres with many fun activities.  While traveling through the park, you will encounter the Neshaminy Creek that adds natural beauty to this state gem.

A multitude of picnic areas are scattered around the park. Bring your own food and drinks and have a nice barbecue with the family.  Barbecue pits are located in the dam area as well as the picnic/playground area in the park.  Restrooms are conveniently located near all picnic areas. This is a pet-friendly park, so bring your dogs as well.

Tyler Park Fire Pit/Picnic Area 

One of my favorite aspects of Tyler Park is the fire pit.  It is great all year round to enjoy.  In the summer you can roast marshmallows while watching kayaks and canoes ride by on the Neshaminy Creek.

Another one of my favorite activities is boating.  Canoe rental and kayak rental are available from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day.  It is one of the most relaxing and fun boat rides you will ever experience gliding down the creek.

Tyler Park is a fishing-friendly area.  The main pavilion (follow signs through park) is where most of the fishing occurs. Not everyone may be fish lovers, so keep in mind that the canoe/kayak rental is in the same area as the fishing if some want to boat instead. More importantly for the kids, the main pavilion area is where the Ice Cream Man makes a stop usually everyday during the hazy, hot days of summer. Who doesn't love ice cream?

If you visit Tyler Park during the winter, you may think there is nothing to do. Not true.  Many winter activities to get involved in such a cross-country skiing, ice fishing, ice skating and sledding. Of course, these activities require the proper weather.  Check the winter report before you venture out.

So, who loves disc golfing? Tyler Park is the perfect location to hone your disc golfing skills to perfection.  The park offers a 27-hole course with the objective of the game being to get the frisbee into the net with as few tries as possible.

Of course, there is also horseback riding that is available for kids, beginners and advanced riders. Before you plan your visit to Tyler Park, take a look at the Things to Do page and the Calendar of Events so you do not miss out on any activities.

Map of Tyler Park

Core Creek Park

Address:
901 Bridgetown Pike
Langhorne, PA 19047

Hours:
8am - sunset
Open all year round

Core Creek Park Entrance

Core Creek Park is also located in Lower Bucks County along with Tyler State Park, but it offers very different activities.  Core Creek Park is approximately 1,200 acres and offers fun activities to enjoy in Lake Luxembourg located in the heart of the park.

Core Creek Lake Luxembourg

Many locations for grilling and picnicking are available throughout the park. As for kid's activities, Core Creek has great playgrounds, basketball courts, soccer fields and water-fun to explore.

One of the most fun warm-weather activities at Core Creek is the paddle boat rentals (Open May - September). The park also offers kayak, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, and you can also bring your own small boat for the lake. Take the family for a scenic paddle boat ride while getting some exercise at the same time.

Core Creek Boat Rental Building

If boating is not your forte, take a walk, a bike ride and/or a horseback ride through one of the many nature trails offered. While on the trails, keep an eye out for wildlife and see how many different species you can spot in the park.

In the winter, the lake is open (depending on the lake conditions) for ice skating and ice fishing.

Core Creek Dog Park and Bench Area

Now to my favorite aspect of Core Creek Park, which is the dog park. (All of Core Creek is pet-friendly)

The dog park is an enclosed off-leash dog park for registered members of the only.  The park provides a section for small dogs, and a separate section for large dogs.  Not a member of the dog park? You can still enjoy the sites by relaxing on one of the benches next to the gate and watch the dogs frolic without a care in the world.

Not Too Many Children Like Museums - But How About A Children's Pretend Play Museum?

We have all been in the situation where our parents drag us to another boring museum as children. Most young children think once you've seen one painting you've seen them all. Well, did you ever want to experience a museum that is strictly for children? Now you can at the Bucks County Children's Museum.

Bucks County Children's Museum

Address:
500 Union Square
New Hope, PA 18938

Hours: 
Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday: 10am - 4pm
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 12pm-5pm

Admission: $7.00 per person

Bucks County Children's Museum

The Bucks County Children's Museum is an establishment built on imagination.  It is an interactive and educational setting designed for children 1 and up.  Throughout the exhibit, children will get an in-depth look at Bucks County's history and culture in a way that is for young children.

The museum is geared toward children 1 to 8 who have a broad imagination and enjoy pretend play.  It takes about 90 minutes to walk through the entire exhibit.  The visit is not too long (since we know children's attention spans are short), but not too short.  Parking is available in the parking lot the museum is located in as well as on the street. Both are metered parking.  One quarter equals twenty minutes, so make sure you bring along an adequate amount of quarters.  (Some parking kiosks in the lot accepts credit cards.)

Any Bucks County locals looking for a family-friendly location to have a children's party? Bucks County Children's Museum hosts parties as well. You and your guests can even take a short walk across the parking lot to take a ride on the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad to end the day.

Don't forget to take a look at the museum's calendar to plan the perfect visit for you and your family.

Triumph Brewing Company 

Feeling hungry? Triumph Brewing Company is a short walk across the parking lot from the museum. They offer children menus as well as a 15% discount when you show them your Bucks County Children's Museum receipt.  You can't beat the location or the price, so why not stop by on your way home?

Sesame Place

Address: 
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne, PA 19047
Please click here to see park hours and events

It's theme park time. Get your family together to experience the family fun at Sesame Place. Come to Sesame Place to experience the water rides, the roller coasters and amusements as well as the various shows and parades.

Get acquainted with the Sesame Place characters by clicking here before your visit, and keep an eye out for them as you walk around the park. You never know when you may see Bert and Ernie, so keep your cameras (or phones) ready.

After your Sesame Place adventure, enjoy plenty of dining options inside the park and outside the park. Enjoy some clothes shopping while you are in the area by stopping in the Oxford Valley Mall. Don't forget to go into the Oxford Valley Movie Theater located next to the mall to catch up on the latest family movies out in theaters.

Horseback Riding

Tyler Park Stable Inc.

Address:
451 Swamp Road
Newtown, PA 18940

Hours: (weather permitting)
Monday - Wednesday: 9am - 3pm
Thursday: Closed
Friday - Sunday: 9am - 3pm

Tyler Park Horseback Riders 

*Must be 12 years and older to ride a horse
*Pony rides are available for children younger than 12 

One of the best aspects of Bucks County is the open fields and state parks. One of my favorite activities is to go horseback riding in Tyler Park at Frank's Stables. Even the most inexperienced riders can jump on a horse and enjoy the beautiful views of Tyler Park during their ride. Frank's Stables offers guided tours through the nearly 2,000 acre state park.  This is a great family activity that all ages will enjoy.

Pony rides last 30 minutes to 1 hour. Guided horse rides last as long as you would like.

Prices:

Guided Trail Ride: $30 for one hour
Pony Ride: $15 for 30 minutes, $30 for one hour