Planning a Trip

Getting There -- The best automobile route into Bucks County from Center City is I-95 (N.). Pa. 32 (which intersects I-95 in Yardley) runs along the Delaware past Washington Crossing State Park to New Hope, which connects to Doylestown by U.S. 202. By train, the R5 SEPTA commuter rail ends at Doylestown.

From New York, take the New Jersey Turnpike to I-78 west; follow to exit 29 and pick up Route 287 south to Route 202, which crosses the Delaware River at Lambertville, straight into New Hope. To stay a bit more north and rural, depart I-78 at exit 15 in Clinton and take Route 513 south 12 tranquil miles, crossing the Delaware at picturesque Frenchtown, New Jersey.

Visitor Information -- Get details on attractions, events, and lodgings, plus discounts and packages, from the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau, 3207 Street Rd., Bensalem, PA 19020 (tel. 800/836-2825; www.visitbuckscounty.com). A new Bucks County Visitors Center, Peddler's Village (shop #165) in Lahaska (tel. 215/794-3130), operates during local store hours (which fluctuate season to season; visit www.peddlersvillage.com). You can also visit the New Hope Visitors Center, 1 W. Mechanic St., New Hope, PA 18938 (tel. 215/862-5030; www.newhopevisitorscenter.org), open 7 days a week, hours varying seasonally. The Visitors Center keeps seasonal hours. January to March: Monday to Friday 11am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 10am to 5pm; April: Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm; May to December: Monday to Thursday 10am to 5pm, Friday 10am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm.