While summer isn’t quite over, it’s already time to get ahead of leaf-peeping season, and luckily, Philadelphia is spoiled by a plethora of nature-rich activities right in our own backyard or a short drive away. So it’s no surprise that Bucks County—a picturesque cluster of historic towns and small villages just 25 miles outside of Philly—is the number one destination in the U.S. for a fall foliage getaway. Based on search volume, including attractions and travel tips from Priceline's AI tool and expected costs for travelers during peak season, Priceline.com has dubbed Pennsylvania’s Bucks County as the best place to chase scenic landscapes this autumn.
Bucks County is famous for its rural farms, fields, orchards, and historic settlements that make for an idyllic backdrop to fall foliage. Check out our travel tips for a perfect #FallFoliage day:
Take a drive along the Delaware River through Bristol's waterfront and follow the tree-lined Highway 412 in Upper Bucks for riverside views or pass through any of the 12 charming covered bridges to see the colors change. Ditch the car altogether (according to Priceline, the average rental car costs $84 per day) for a weekend two-and-a-half-hour train ride on the New Hope Railroad, an antique passenger coach fleet. Stop by for a leisurely walk through piles of leaves at Washington Crossing Historic Park in New Hope and get a bird's-eye view of 14 miles of surrounding forest from the nearby Bowman’s Hill Tower. You can also walk, bike (and picnic) under tree canopies along the Delaware Canal State Park, a 60-mile tree-lined towpath between Easton and Bristol, or hike to the top of Ralph Stover Park for an overlook of the Tohickon Creek.