by Gianna Caruso • D&L National Heritage Corridor
Kids are going back to school soon but that doesn’t mean the fun is over yet! This month’s Journey Through the D&L blog will give you some fun places to visit throughout the Corridor during any month and any season. And don’t worry, although it’s labeled “Family Fun,” many of these locations are perfect for friend groups and adults too!
Pick-Your-Own Produce and More!
There’s nothing quite like spending time with family as you pick local, seasonal produce. With a Corridor covering over 165 miles, there’s bound to be plenty of farms and markets to choose from.
Down in Yardley there’s Shady Brook Farm, one of the last working farms in historic Bucks County. With a year-round farmer’s market that carries specialty food and drink products, opportunities to pick your own produce, and special events throughout the year, it’s no wonder Shady Brook is such a popular family destination.
Live in the Lehigh Valley? Then head on over to Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms in Breinigsville – home to the first ever corn maze in the Lehigh Valley! They’ve got line dancing events, seasonal attractions, and chances to pick your own apples, potatoes, pumpkins, and vegetables. Grim’s Orchard also has a bakery and kitchen on site, with wine and hard cider beverage options for adults!
There’s something for those farther north too! In Luzerne County there’s Brace’s Orchard, a farm in Dallas that’s nearing its bicentennial. On its 100-acres, they grow fruit including apples, peaches, plums, pears, and more. And in Carbon County there’s Spring Mountain Farms. Located in Lehighton, their pick-your-own season runs from July through December and is filled with currants, blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwiberries, apples, peaches, and pears.
For the History Buffs!
There’s a lot of heritage to share within the Corridor, and plenty of places that make it enjoyable for kids and adults alike!
Pennsbury Manor is a 43-acre recreation of William Penn’s country estate located in Morrisville. Those at Pennsbury consider themselves “stewards of the past,” telling stories of the various people that lived on the land. Visitors can enjoy demonstrations and hands-on activities, gardens that contain heritage plants, and a stable house with various farm animals. Pennsbury Manor also offers events and workshops throughout the week like live history theater, open hearth cooking demonstrations, story time in the gardens, and beer and brewing highlights.
Back in the Lehigh Valley is, of course, our very own National Canal Museum! We bring history to life March through December inside the museum and outside with the canal boat, Josiah White II, its crew, and our mule-powered engines, Hank and George. After some time in the museum and a ride on the boat, you can rent some bikes to hop on the D&L Trail, or just walk around Hugh Moore Park and enjoy the beautiful weather.
There’s also Eckley Miners’ Village in Carbon County – a village “frozen in time.” At Eckley they tell the story of anthracite coal mining, the social and physical history of patch towns and their residents, and the evolution of regional culture. The multi-building museum is open year-round and offers guided tours for families and groups by reservation. But you can drive through and explore the village on your own any time you like. They also offer various living history events throughout the year.
The Nature & Adventure Lovers!
Sometimes the best way to spend time with family is to get outdoors and enjoy nature. These locations offer the perfect mix of education, outdoor recreation, and fun for the family.
Silver Lake Nature Center is 468 acres of adventure and education in Bristol. They’ve got a butterfly exhibit, geocaching, letterboxing and related activities, 4.5 miles of nature trails, and six different natural habitats to explore. You can also tour their Earthship – a building made of natural and recycled materials designed to be almost entirely self-sustaining.
In Nazareth is the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. This location is 1,168 acres of forests, fields, and creeks – which means plenty of opportunities for adventures. There are also exhibits and workshops through the visitor center. You can help with weeding, take a family science course, go on a nighttime hike, and even enjoy some field botany.
Finally, we have Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary in Jim Thorpe. Bear Mountain provides a unique experience to both children and adults through their live butterfly flight room, exotic reptile room, and kids’ art space and activity room. Hours for this location are seasonal. If you’re looking for something to do later in the year, then stop by Carbon County Environmental Education Center.
Add Comment