The scenic Route 32 runs through the gently rural Bucks County, in the heart of Pennsylvania. It is only 25 miles away from Philadelphia and 75 miles from New York City but gently rural Bucks County can feel centuries removed from these great American cities.

I’d love to take Route 32 by horse and buggy but as second best a scenic drive along its quiet, leafy byways was a perfect contrast to my busy explorations of the arts and culture of Philadelphia.

A little Pennsylvania history

The founder of Pennsylvania – William Penn – started the fashion for weekend retreats in Bucks County back in 1683 when he created a country estate here beside the Delaware River.

Driving along beside the Delaware River the road passes through Washington’s Crossing State Park, site of a famous turning point in the American Revolutionary War. George Washington led troops across the icy and swiftly-flowing river here on Christmas night 1776 to surprise the Hessian troops at the battle of Trenton and Americans re-enact the crossing every year.

A Place Called New Hope

Not the title of a Star Wars film but the cute little village that was my next stop in Bucks County PA. New Hope has two claims to fame – art and ghosts.

Artists started a community here back in the 19th century and there are now dozens of galleries and charming cafes. A prestigious arts and crafts festival is held every September with over 125 artists presenting and selling their work.

New Hope is also home to the Bucks County Playhouse – established in the 1930s in an old grist mill that was about to be demolished but has seen stars from Grace Kelly to Robert Redford and Jessica Tandy tread the boards.

Ghost tours of New Hope are run by Adele Bamble by lantern-light through what is said to be the most haunted town of the region. There’s a phantom hitchhiker who may appear in the moonlight, and a Revolutionary soldier haunting the Logan Inn.

Fall Foliage in Pennsylvania

You should try to visit Bucks County, PA during the height of Pennsylvania’s stunning display of fall (autumn) foliage. A great way to experience this is on the New Hope and Ivyland Railroad.

Elegantly restored 1920s vintage passenger coaches trundle along a 35-mile, two-and-a-half-hour round trip, pulled by a 1925 Baldwin steam locomotive.

I stopped for lunch and some shopping at the Peddler’s Village shopping enclave, built to look like an 18th century village set amid pretty gardens and the focus of Bucks County festivals at Halloween and apple harvest time.

The Bridges of Bucks County

For more nostalgia, Bucks County has 12 covered bridges dating back to the 19th century, carefully preserved and there’s no doubt they sold me on the charm of Pennsylvania’s Bucks County.

A covered bridge driving tour is a great way to take in the scenery in many more out of the way corners of the county. Perhaps you won’t be driving a horse and buggy but driving, walking or biking through all the Bucks County covered bridges is a great way to spend a weekend in Pennsylvania.

By Natasha von Geldern

Have you driven Route 32 through Bucks County, PA?

By Natasha von Geldern on March 4, 2019.