Lower Bucks County is situated in the most perfect little southeastern corner of Pennsylvania. The county is in the suburbs of both Philadelphia and Trenton, about an hour and a half train ride from New York City and Washington, DC and 45 minutes from the Jersey Shore points. There're plenty of historic sites and the area is rich with nature preserves and culture.
But, Lower Bucks has its own little secrets. There are things to do and sites to see and places to eat that only the locals know about. Traditions are made with each passing season to be carried on until you move away. From the way we speak, the places we eat and the outrageous events that happen each year, it’s easy to miss Lower Bucks while away at college. And the biggest ones are the things we don’t even realize we take for granted until we move away.
1. Wawa
Wawa might be the greatest convenience store known to man. Okay, scratch that, it is the greatest convenience store known to man. No matter what you’re craving, Wawa has your back. They serve from candy and chips all the way to hot food prepared exactly how you like it in front of your eyes. You can pick up a gallon of milk, party supplies, and even bread while you’re out. And it doesn’t matter what time of day. You want soup and a cup of apple slices for lunch? You got it. Craving a hoagie (yes, hoagie. Not a sub) and a milkshake at 3 am? No problem, Wawa has it. You can fill up your tank with a cup of coffee (right now only $1!) at sunset as you gaze at the beauty of the structure that is Wawa before you. As far as your imagination stretches and as far as the eye can see, Wawa provides you with whatever you’re craving.
2. Yardley Ice House
This secret little wonder is hidden in the Yardley borough behind some business buildings right on Main Street. If you live in this area, the Yardley Ice House is THE summer destination for all your frozen treats. The water ice is handcrafted and they have well over 20 flavors mixing up your summer days. It’s not uncommon to see people of all ages including whole families, teenagers who just got their licenses and couples on a first day sitting on the benches outside Yardley Ice House on a warm summer night. It’s actually such a favored little landmark in Lower Bucks that there’s an unofficial countdown each season until it reopens in the spring. If you find yourself in the area, definitely make Yardley Ice House a place on your destination list.
3. Hoagie Haven
Now, I know you’re all thinking “Hoagie Haven is in Princeton, NJ and therefore not something unique to Lower Bucks.” This is true, but the culture is something that is unique. Teenagers and young adults alike have an obsession with Hoagie Haven. If you announce on social media you’re going, you’ll have at least 3 more people come along. It’s not uncommon to see people with t-shirts and Frisbees with the Hoagie Haven logo on it. The Friday/Saturday night drive to Princeton is only complete if you leave with a half-eaten Phat Lady or a Dirty Sanchez tucked safely in the seat belt next to you.
4. Pork Roll
If you went away to school out of state or at least an hour and a half away, you realized quickly that here in Lower Bucks, we say things a little weird. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve gotten into spirited debates over the names of foods. We debate about pork roll. What is a Taylor Ham? Who is Taylor? Is that the name of the pig whose ham this came from? The sandwich is literally pork on a roll. Pork roll.
5. Water Ice
Another foodie debate: water ice. Many people refer to it as Italian ice, but water ice is more appropriate. It’s not a solid ice but rather a mushy, melty form of flavored ice, leaving room for some water in between. The name Italian ice is misleading. I think I’ll be getting a red, white and green block of ice with maybe a pizza and pasta on the side.
6. “Wuder” and “Crick”
On top of having different names for things, we actually say things differently. The amount of times I got asked, “wait, what did you just say?” when I first moved into college was astounding. I did not realize I said things like “water” and “creek” differently. They say it’s the Philly accent, but you don’t really notice an accent until you’re taken out of the region. So yes, we call water “wuder” and a creek “a crick”. Deal with it.
7. “Town”
This is more of a slang term. It doesn’t matter if you’re from Yardley, Newtown or New Hope, if you say you’re going into “town”, everyone will know what you mean. This is whatever borough you live closest to. A popular middle school hang out place, “town” was always filled with kids who couldn’t yet drive but wanted to get out. We all had those days and are probably (very) glad they’re over.
8. Levittown vs Yardley
The battle of the ages. These two towns are in such a rigorous battle it stretches generations and lives beyond high school. The rivalries are held true as we moved onto college. You know who lives where. Demeaning nicknames such as “Yardley yuppies” emerged from hostile behaviors. The battle cry of “Can’t Stop L-Town” can be heard ringing through the neighborhoods where all the street names start with the same letter. The battle is very important- except to those who don’t live in either of the neighborhoods (much like myself). Then, this rivalry is simply an entertainment factor. You all know it’s true.
9. Shady Brook Farm
Shady Brook Farm is the place to be in the fall and winter. Their fall feature has kid-friendly things from pumpkin picking and painting to terrifying attractions at Horrorfest such as a Haunted Hayride and a corn maze called “Carnage.” If you’re home for the season, it’s a must attend. But when Christmas rolls around, something truly special happens. Shady Brook Farm offers a drive-thru light show. From historical monuments to the 12 Day of Christmas all the way to 20 foot long tunnels of lights, the Shady Brook Lightshow is one that never ceases to amaze. You can choose to stay in your car or take a hayride through in the open December air. I never realized how special this light show was until I took friends home from school and they were completely amazed. It’s our own little-hidden secret.
10. Tyler State Park
While Shady Brook Farm is the fall and winter destination, Tyler State Park is the summer and fall destination. Tyler is a nature reserve with multiple hiking trails of different levels. There’s always bike riders, joggers, people taking a stroll and even people on horseback roaming the park. They offer canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding down the Neshaminy Creek on pleasant summer days. And, if you know the park well enough, you can go off the trails and find some very special, secluded spots to find your Zen. In the fall, all the leaves change at once and it’s an autumn wonderland. Tyler State Park is definitely one of the best-kept secrets of Lower Bucks.
11. Pennsbury Prom
Pennsbury High School (my alma mater) has a specific reputation in Lower Bucks. In 2003, Reader’s Digest awarded Pennsbury “best prom.” Seventeen Magazine did a spread on the year’s most popular event and our local Philadelphia News station recognized the stupendous event. But why? It’s an event that gets the whole community involved. The students, art department teachers, and parents start in June the year before prom, planning, organizing and creating all the decorations. Everything is made by hand and then used to decorate the East Campus building. There’s a walkthrough for the whole community to see all the hard work put in. But it doesn’t end there. Most proms have people arrive in limos and nice cars. That’s not how it works here. The students are expected to create a parade float based on the year’s theme and they arrive via the access road between the two campus buildings. The people of all ages (even alumni come back) come out to watch the parade floats and see everyone all dressed up. Pennsbury has another claim to fame. Our performing artists are nothing short of spectacular. In the recent years, we’ve hosted John Mayer, Asher Roth, Ryan Cabrera, Thomas Ian Nicholas, the Quincy Mumford Band, T. Mills, Rick Seibold and even Maroon 5. It’s truly a night to remember.
Whether you’re away at school or moved permanently from the area, there’s always going to be little pieces you miss. From the way we talk or the weird traditions we have, Lower Bucks will always be special. As they say “you can take the girl out of Lower Bucks, but not the Lower Bucks out of the girl.”
