With each day that passes, the clock is ticking to take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather.
Fortunately, Bucks County residents have a plethora of options within a short drive, all offering different activities, vibes and experiences.
There's a relaxing day with a book on the beach, riding roller-coasters with drops of more than 200 feet and a wide variety of other options to pick from. Here are five to consider:
The Jersey Shore
Most beaches in New Jersey close on Labor Day weekend, meaning there's just more than a month left to wet your feet in the ocean water.
If you hope to build a sandcastle or go for a swim, there are multiple Jersey Shore options, including Atlantic City,
Sea Isle City, Ocean Cityand others. Each beach has different tag prices, which vary depending on where you go.
Typically, a beach tag will cost you at least $10, with children younger than 12 able to attend for free.
For Bucks County residents, Wildwood may be a bit of a farther drive, but entry to this beach is free.
Tags in most cases can be purchased at the beach or online. Sea Isle City also allows people to take in all the beach has to offer for free on Wednesdays throughout the summer.
Some beaches offer more boardwalk activities for those looking for an adventurous day, while others will allow people to sink their chair in the sand and relax.
Hersey Park, Six Flags, other amusement parks
Similar to the beach, Bucks County residents have a few different amusement parks in the area to choose from. Both Hershey Park and Six Flags Great Adventure are short drives if you're looking for a thrill.
Similar to the beach, Hershey Park closes for the season Sept. 7, while Six Flags is to stay open through the fall for Freight Fest.
At Hershey Park there are 15 different roller-coasters to ride, a zoo within the park, and opportunities to interact with a number of Hershey characters. Along with that, The Boardwalk at Hersheypark is water park for those looking to cool down.
Tickets to Hershey Park and The Boardwalk cost a base price of $89.95, but are currently on sale for $54.95. Hours for the amusement park are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends, while The Boardwalk is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. everyday.
If you plan to make the trip across the Delaware River to Six Flags, there are 14 different roller-coasters waiting for you. Similarly, Six Flags also offers a water park in Hurricane Harbor.
Day tickets for Six Flags are currently on sale for $45 and $35 for Hurricane Harbor.
On weekends, Six Flags opens at 10:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 p.m. on Sundays. Hurricane Habor is open from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.
Musikfest in Bethlehem
If music is more your thing, Musikfest 2026 should be up your alley, with the 10-day-long festival beginning July 31. Approximately 400 performers and 16 different stages are featured at this 22nd annual installment.
Headlining this year's performances are AJR, Third Eye Blind, Train, comedian John Mulaney and others. Their performances are to take place on the Wind Creek Steel Stage at PNC Plaza, and tickets to see them are separate from admission to the festival.
Admission into Musikfest is free, but if you're looking to enhance your experience, upgrades for the Steel Terrace and the Yuengling Flight Deck at the Oasis are available.
The Steel Terrace provides attendees with a reserved seat, private bathrooms, a covered venue, food and drinks.
Similarly, the Yuengling Flight Deck brings private bathrooms, an open bar and a Wind Creek Steel Stage parking pass.
Like all good music festivals, there will also be a number of different food vendors to choose from.
Crayola Experience
For families with young children, you can finally let them draw all over the walls at the Crayola Experience in Easton. The Crayola Experience is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and general admission is $30.99.
All of the activities you don't want kids doing in the house are all possible at the Crayola Experience, including making slime, drip art and more. Some of these messy activities will cost extra and aren't included with general admission.
Throughout the month of August, the sports adventure craft theme will be available for kids to decorate soccer balls, make banners to cheer on their favorite team and pose in a custom coloring page in which they're the star of the game. Similarly, this is not included in the price of general admission.
What is included is the opportunity to mold a crayon, a demonstration of making crayons, receiving a self-sketch from the CrayolaBot and snapping a photo with a 1,500-pound crayon.
The Crayola Experience's extended summer hours run until Sept. 7, but are open year-round if you're hoping to check off some summer-exclusive items on your bucket list.
Crystal Cave
If you're looking for more of an adventure and a chance to explore, the Crystal Cave in Kutztown, which has been open to visitors for 145 years, is a good choice.
While other activities such as hikes and biking could be grueling in the summer heat, the temperature of the cave sits around a cool 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Just as the name specifies, the inside of the cave is full of plenty of beautiful crystals which can be seen on the guided tour.
Before the tour, the Crystal Cave Theater shows the educational film "Inside the Earth," which discusses the long history of the cave and the geology of it. While the tour lasts only about an hour, there is still plenty to do afterward.
One of those activities is gemstone panning, where you can purchase a bag of gemstones in dirt that must be sifted through running water, which can be kept as a souvenir.
Once you're done adventuring, the Crystal Cave offers mini golf, at an added price, and ice cream once you're back out in the sun.
Tickets for the tour are $21, but there are cheaper options for children. This site is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day weekend.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: For last-minute summer fun, check these 5 day trips from Bucks County
