Bucks County, PA

Often called the "Inn Destination," bucolic Bucks County offers groups an array of smaller properties, unique cultural attractions, historical treasures and restaurants. Bucks County meeting venues seem to be tailored for those smaller meetings groups that use this destination, which is within 90 minutes of both Philadelphia and New York City, as a unique base for conducting business.

Representative Bucks County meeting venues include The Inn at Bowman's Hill, with a location just a couple of miles from downtown New Hope and 15 minutes from corporate jet access. The inn's fully equipped boardroom accommodates up to 15 people. Barley Sheaf Farm Estate & Spa has a conference facility in the stone bank barn with 10 breakout rooms and contemporary technologies throughout. Large windows admit natural light and views of horse pastures, meadows and forest. Gourmet meals encourage productivity and creativity.

Hotel venues in Bucks County that are either new or refreshed include Homewood Suites by Hilton Newtown, with 104 studio, one- and two-bedroom suites and meeting space for up to 150; and the newly renovated Courtyard by Marriott Langhorne, which has a new lobby look and The Bistro dining component. The 214-room Crowne Plaza Hotel Bucks County also recently converted to accommodate up to 300 people in five meeting rooms totaling over 5,500 square feet.

James A. Michener Art Museum has several private event venues including a new expansion that is a platform for concerts and lectures as well as business events. The museum's glass-enclosed patio area in the sculpture garden is also a prime event site.

For business and beyond, Peddlers Village is an attractive retail stop with an 18th-century look that offers 70 specialty shops, six restaurants and the 70-room Golden Plough Inn with meeting spaces. Also on the quiet, 42-acre landscaped site is Giggleberry Fair, a family edu-tainment center containing an antique operating carousel and spaces for meetings, private lunches and dinners and other functions.

The area's two National Historic Landmarks – The Mercer and Fonthill Castle Museums – hold treasures of early Americana and spaces for meetings. The Mercer's Elkins Galley is a stately Georgian room for up to 150; and the Fonthill's Terrace Pavilion adjacent to Henry Mercer's dramatic home, Fonthill, is decorated with Mercer's own Moravian Tiles. It has leafy surroundings and an intimate setting for up to 200 when combined with a tent. Private tours of each museum may be included.