Action Sports Park  (Skate Boarding's Finest)                Perkasie,  Bucks County

Alan Seeger Natural Area                      Belleville, Huntingdon County

 

This is one of our best kept "local" secrets, I think.  We take our kids here every summer for a fun day trip in the great outdoors.  Just 10 miles from Boalsburg, it is a beautiful place to hike and to enjoy splashing in Standing Stone Creek, and to "get away from it all," without having to go very far at all!

How to get there: East of State College on US Rt 322, turn south on Bear Meadows Road at the sign for Tussey Mountain Ski Resort. Alan Seeger Natural area is 10 miles south along this road, one mile past the Detweiler Run Natural Area. When you reach Stone Creek Road, turn left (east) for one-quarter mile across a small bridge and into the Alan Seeger parking lot.

 

address:  Rothrock State Forest, Belleville, PA 17004

website:  http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/oldgrowth/alanseeger.aspx

Briarbush Nature Center                                           Abington, Montgomery County

Briar Bush grounds feature over a mile of trails winding through a variety of natural habitats. Native plants and wild animals can be found here year round, especially at the Bird Observatory. The Museum is full of interactive exhibits, touch tables and play areas and is home to over 30 resident animals.

The Nature Center also has plenty of programs for the kids Infant Sign Language, Magic Mornings, Preschool Pioneers and Jr. Birders Club.  Click here to see the programs.

Burpee Park                                                                Doylestown, Bucks County

I have passed this park more than a hundred times and never really looked at the park. We went yesterday and well, this is really a great little park!  It is fenced in and shaded which is super nice and right in the town of Doylestown. You can play a bit then head over to Jules for pizza or browse Busy Bee toy store.

Covered pavilion, playground, swings, spinny thing,  basketball and volleyball courts, softball field and picnic area. Plenty of room for everyone.

Bushkill Falls, The Niagra of Pennsylvania            Bushkills, Pike County

The "Niagara of Pennsylvania", Bushkill Falls is among the Keystone State's most famous scenic attractions. This unique series of eight waterfalls, nestled deep in the wooded Pocono Mountains, is accessible through an excellent network of hiking trails and bridges which afford fabulous views of the falls and the surrounding forest.

Hiking the trails and viewing the towering 100-foot Main Falls are not the only activities possible on the expansive grounds of Bushkill Falls. Check out the Pennsylvania Wildlife Exhibit, Native American Exhibit, fish Twin Lakes, visit our variety of gift shops, stop at the Fudge Kitchen for delectible sweets in the Wagon Wheel Pavilion, take a paddle-boat ride, or enjoy a round of miniature golf. At Bushkill Falls there's plenty for the entire family to see and do!

Churchville Nature Center                                         Churchville, Bucks County

A unique place for education, preservation, and conservation, Churchville Nature Center is a facility of the Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation, and is an area rich with diversity.  The contrasting environments of meadow, marsh, woodland, pond and lake are all within an easy walk.  The Churchville Nature Center welcomes people of all ages … for study, active exploration and contemplation.

Clark Nature Center                                                  Newtown, Bucks County

I pass this place quite a bit enroute to downtown Newtown, quite a nice little place. Originally named "Mount Pleasant" in the mid 1800's, the house was sold to Newtown Township in 1997 to be preserved in perpetuity.

There is a wilderness trail that loops the entire 50 acre property and along two seasonal streams. Grab the kids and a jogging stroller only (not paved) for the sites and sounds of nature. If you are quiet enough, you may see turkey, deer, and the numerous species of birds that call this park home

Core Creek Park                                                Middletown Township, Bucks County

I have been driving by Core Creek Park since I was a kid. . but didn't venture into it until this past year. Who knew you could rent boats and kayak, canoe, row or aquacycle yourself about the lake. Oh so much to learn my friend.

Core Creek's central feature is the lake, Lake Luxembourg, which is the also the central feature to many of the park's wildlife. Hanging out by the lake and it's tributaires will bring you close to the wildlife in the park, including white-tailed deer, wading birds, song birds as well as frogs,  turtles and yes, sometimes snakes. If there is a fisherman in the family, expect the chance to catch bass, walleye, catfish, bluegill, carp and other native species.

Kemper Park                                                                Warminster, Bucks County

This park is perfect for a little get-away with small kids. It has it all!

• a small shallow stream for rock throwing, fishing and duck watching
• Playground with rockwall, three slides (one super steep)  and swings
• covered pavillion and table for eating
• flat even path for walking
• field for running and running and running

Kids Castle at Central Park                          Doylestown, Bucks County

Kids Castle at Central Park in Doylestown is a MUST SEE!  Kids and Adults will have a ton of fun crawling around the three story castle and the sliding down the giant slide. So awesome.  The entire castle is surrounded by sand. . so bring the shovels and buckets. Also, swings and smaller towers and bridges surround the giant castle for the smaller kiddos. Central Park includes: