Business & Tech

Top 12 Reasons to Visit Bucks County

Big event at Parx racetrack makes the list.

, the county’s tourism office, has created a list of 12 reasons for tourists to visit Bucks County in 2012.

Making the list were various art exhibits, anniversaries and openings as well as the multi-million dollar Cotillion Stakes at , which was recently .

Here’s the list:

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Discover 12 reasons why Bucks County is a top travel destination this year: 

1. Uffizi Comes to Bucks County

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The James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown will be the only Northeast venue to exhibit master paintings and tapestries from the famed Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. Offering of the Angels: Treasures from the Uffizi will be on view April 21 through August 11.

2. Michener Museum Opens New Event Space

This spring, the James A. Michener Art Museum will also debut a new 2,500-square-foot, glass-enclosed event space overlooking an eclectic sculpture garden.

3. Happy 50th Anniversary Peddler’s Village!

Peddler’s Village in Lahaska is throwing a year-long birthday party! The village, with 70 specialty shops, six restaurants and a luxury inn on premise, is celebrating 50 years in 2012 with a host of events, festivals and activities.

4. Buttonwood Grill Opens at Peddler’s Village

This spring, the Buttonwood Grill will open at Peddler’s Village. In the spirit of the 50th anniversary, the restaurant’s name honors the historical roots of the village’s original Buttonwood Inn. To embrace the village’s scenic landscapes, the Buttonwood Grill overlooks a beautiful Buttonwood tree that holds a special place in late founder Earl Jamison’s heart.

5. Fonthill Castle Celebrates 100 Years of History

One hundred years ago, tile-maker and collector Henry Mercer moved into the Doylestown castle home he built and called it Fonthill Castle. From February through May, visitors can get an insider’s look at the private side of Henry Mercer’s life during the Intimate Henry Tour.

6. Moravian Pottery & Tileworks Turns 100!

Along with Fonthill Castle, Henry Mercer’s labor of love, Moravian Pottery & Tileworks, turns 100 years old. To celebrate a century of achievement and imagination, Vance Koehler, the curator at Moravian Pottery & Tileworks will explore the history of the tiles of Fonthill in a special one-hour tour in March. They have also released two special edition tiles marking the two years of construction in 1911 and 1912, which can be purchased at the Moravian Pottery & Tileworks gift shop.

7. Feast with Food Tours

What started as a passion for food has quickly transformed into a culinary adventure. Bucks County Food Tours takes visitors on a behind-the-scenes journey filled with the finest locally-produced foods in the region. The customized tours feature uniquely-themed itineraries such as Meat and Greet, Ice Cream Social, Vegan Voyage, Seize the Cheese and more.

8. Play at the Bucks County Children’s Museum

The Bucks County Children’s Museum recently opened in New Hope and is a welcomed addition to Bucks County’s family-friendly attractions. Geared to children eight years old and younger, the museum features interactive displays including an artifact dig, hot air balloon ride simulation and many more county-inspired activities.

9. Parx Racing® Awarded Exclusive Grade 1 Race Recognition

Parx Racing®, the renowned Bucks County racetrack, has been awarded the first Grade I race to ever take place in Pennsylvania. This industry recognition puts Parx Racing® in an exclusive club of Grade I races in the country. Parx Racing® has responded to the honor by making the Cotillion Stakes a million dollar race, the same purse as the celebrated PA Derby GII. 

10. The Curtain Rises Again at the Bucks County Playhouse.

The show WILL go on! A year after going dark, a Bucks County couple purchased the theater and will kick off with a shortened summer season later this year. The Playhouse has been an institution in the theater community since 1939 with stars like Grace Kelly, Liza Minnelli, Walter Matthau and Robert Redford gracing the stage.

11. Bucks County Tourist Customized Byers’ Choice Caroler®

Can’t visit? Bring a little bit of Bucks County into your home! Visit Bucks County partnered with Byers’ Choice to create a limited edition figurine, The Bucks County Tourist. The customized Caroler® is holding an official Bucks County Destination Guide, brochures and map. Proceeds benefit tourism marketing dollars for the county.

12. Pin Bucks County!

Visit Bucks County continues to be a social media trailblazer in the tourism industry, joining just a handful of other destinations that use Pinterest to promote tourism. With more than 1.5 million users, Pinterest is the latest social media site to capture the attention of consumers all over the globe, allowing users to pin images onto online boards. The tourism office will be using Pinterest to share images of all there is to see and do onto categorized boards including topics like play, stay, dine and shop in Bucks County. Check out our newest Pinterest board “Top 12 Reasons to Visit Bucks County in 2012”: http://pinterest.com/visitbuckspa

 


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