Biking & Country Walking -- Walking or riding along the Delaware River or along the canals built for coal hauling on either side of the river can be the highlight of a summer. The following two routes are particularly convenient: The first is between Lumberville and the point, 3 miles south, where Route 263 crosses the Delaware into New Jersey. The towpath along the canal on the Pennsylvania side is charming, and Lumberville has a quaint general store.
The second route, also just south of Lumberville, follows River Road (Rte. 32) south and west to Cuttalossa Road, which winds past an alpine chalet, creeks, ponds, and grazing sheep clanking their antique Swiss bells. Cuttalossa Inn, Cuttalossa Road, Lumberville (tel. 215/297-5082; www.cuttalossainn.com), offers superb cuisine in a spectacular setting and is open for lunch and dinner.
The Lumberville Store, Rte. 32, Lumberville (tel. 215/297-5388), rents all kinds of bicycles at moderate day rates. It's open daily from 8am to 5pm and has wonderful sandwiches for the road. In Frenchtown, New Jersey, the Cycle Corner of Frenchtown, 52 Bridge St. (tel. 908/996-7712; www.thecyclecorner.com), has a new fleet of Giant Sport/Comfort bikes for hire by the hour, day, or week; call for hours.
Canoeing & Tubing -- The award for relaxing family fun goes to Bucks County River Country, 2 Walters Lane off Route 32, Point Pleasant (tel. 215/297-5000; www.rivercountry.net). You can drift down the Delaware -- which stays above 70°F (21°C) all summer and moves at leisurely 1 1/2-mph pace -- from Upper Black Eddy and Riegelsville back to headquarters 8 miles north of New Hope. Rates are $15 to $36 per person for activities that include tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and rafting.
Covered-Bridge Tour -- Contact the Bucks County Convention and Visitors Bureau for a self-guided driving tour of the area's 11 remaining covered bridges.
Steam Railway Tour -- The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, 32 West Bridge St., New Hope (tel. 215/862-2332; www.newhoperailroad.com), steam railway chuffs a 45-minute loop between New Hope and Lahaska, and offers dinner and Christmas trips.
