Great Reasons to “Stay A Night On Us” in Bucks County
Discover the great holiday activities to do with a getaway package

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa. - The days are shorter, the nights are longer and soon enough snow will be falling. It won’t be long before it is time to ring in 2004. With the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau’s “Stay A Night On Us” getaway package, visitors receive a free night’s accommodations with a paid night in a hotel or two paid nights in a country inn or bed and breakfast. There has never been a better time to visit, receive a free overnight stay and take advantage of the wonderful things to do in Bucks County during the holidays. Here are a few great reasons to “Stay A Night On Us:”

• Bucks County is home to an excess of shopping opportunities, overflowing with antiques shops, specialty boutiques, art galleries and bargain outlets. A morning spent treasure hunting at the shops that line Bucks County’s scenic roads capped off by an afternoon browsing unique specialty shops like A Gourmet’s Pantry in Erwinna or Scandinavian Touch in Lahaska and Gothic Creations in New Hope is a perfect foray to holiday shopping.

• Peddler’s Village, the 18th century-style village set on 42 acres of landscaped gardens and brick walkways in Lahaska is home to 75 quality specialty shops and restaurants. Beginning in late November, Peddler’s Village is also home to one of the stateliest winter lighting displays in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

• Across the street from Peddler’s Village are Penn’s Purchase Factory Outlet Stores. Penn’s Purchase is home to over 40 of the best names in outlet shopping and is also set in a country village setting. Find exactly what you need for that special someone this holiday season at Penn’s Purchase. Overnight guests who stay in Bucks County as a part of the “Stay a Night On Us” program will receive a coupon booklet to Penn’s Purchase Factory Outlets.

• Franklin Mills Mall is known as the landmark of the discount shopper. The perfect mix of eateries and entertainment sources complement over 200 stores of fabulous designer names and merchandise. Visitors who stay in Bucks County as a part of the “Stay a Night On Us” program will receive a coupon booklet good for items at the Franklin Mills Mall.

• Dubbed the “INNcredible Chocolate Holiday House Tour,” 22 area country inns and bed & breakfasts, fully decorated for the holidays, will open their doors to the public for house tours. The house tour will feature homemade or locally made chocolate goodies at each inn, a free white bisque teacup ornament to each tour guest and a guidebook to highlight the history and background of each inn. Sponsored by the Bucks County Bed & Breakfast Association, tickets for this self-guided driving tour are $15 for adults and $10 for children. The tour will run from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on December 6 and 7 as well as December 13 and 14. Proceeds from admission tickets will help raise money to honor an outstanding hospitality student from Bucks County Community College. More information can be obtained by logging onto www.visitbucks.com.

• Ring in the holiday season at Peddler’s Village with the annual Christmas Festival on December 6 and 7. Be there on Saturday as Santa arrives and enjoy strolling carolers, hot apple cider, toasted marshmallows and great deals in the shops all weekend long. Please visit www.peddlersvillage.com for more information.

• Experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight as William Penn's riverside country estate is lit with luminaries, candles, and torches. Holly Nights have been a community tradition for over 25 years, these joyous feasts for the senses offer crackling fires, hot-mulled cider, and the sounds of musical ensembles and choral groups. Enjoy craft demonstrations, tours of the Manor House by costumed interpreters, and holiday shopping. The festival runs from 5:30-9:00 pm on December 11 and 12 and the cost of admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for children or $20 for an entire family. Go to www.pennsburymanor.org for more information.

• First Night proves that a community can usher out the old and welcome in the New Year in an environment that is wholesome, family oriented and appealing to all segments of the community. Since its inception in 1997, First Night Newtown has attracted thousands of people to Newtown. Families, friends and entire communities singularly focused on making the holiday a celebration of the arts make First Night a New Year’s celebration not to miss. www.firstnightnewtown.com has all the information.

• First Night Bristol is a fun, family-oriented way of starting off the New Year. A variety of shows in the borough’s central district begin at 6:30 on New Year’s Eve and end with a spectacular fireworks show at midnight. The event is sponsored by the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation. Go to www.bristolhistory.org for the latest information on this unique way to ring in the New Year.

• On December 13, Byers’ Choice Ltd., makers of the nationally known Carolers ® and Kindles figurines, will be center stage for the great, great grandson of literary master, Charles Dickens. Gerald Charles Dickens, actor and producer hailing from Goudhurst, England, will be performing his captivating rendition of the classic, A Christmas Carol. This highly unique performance caps off an event-filled 25th anniversary year for the company based in Chalfont, Bucks County. Dickens will be performing two shows – one at 3:30 p.m. and one at 7:00 p.m. – on a specially designed theater in the Byers’ Choice workshop. Seating is limited and tickets are available in advance for $12. Long onto www.byerschoice.com for more information.

For more information on Bucks County and its many attractions, visit www.ExperienceBucksCounty.com., the official Web site of the Bucks County CVB. The Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau’s “Stay A Night On Us” getaway packages offer visitors the opportunity to stay in Bucks County for free. The package includes a free night at a participating hotel with one paid night or a free night at a participating bed & breakfast or country inn with two paid nights. Visitors can select from 17 different properties and will receive a bag of discount coupons and special gifts upon their arrival. To book a getaway package, visitors can log onto www.ExperienceBucksCounty.com.

The Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau, Inc is the official tourist promotion agency for Bucks County. The mission of the BCCVB is to increase visitation in Bucks County by effectively marketing its heritage and its diverse sites and attractions.