They are as synonymous with the classic beauty of Bucks as certain bends in the Delaware that have inspired generations of artists. And while they stand as vestiges of a bygone era, they are hardly fossils. The Bucks County Audubon Society’s Barns of Distinction Tour, the ninth annual installment of which will be held July 12, celebrates the continuing vitality of these landmark structures, many of which have been given new life as sleek, modern living spaces, while others were painstakingly preserved to their original form. These barns represent the perfect blending of old and new, Bucks County’s rustic origin and its innovative present day. www.bcas.org

Locals are inclined to think of the New Hope-Ivyland Railroad strictly as a tourist draw. Pass by the New Hope station any day during the summer and you’re likely to see the place teeming with aspiring photographers angling for the perfect shot. But here’s a reason to reconsider: the Grapevine Express. Take in the countryside in the lap of luxury — an air-conditioned, old-time parlor car stocked with fine cheeses and vintages from local vineyards. No crowds, oppressive heat or — best of all — traffic. You’ll develop a new appreciation for the landscape and perhaps even tourists. The Express departs from New Hope at 5 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through October. www.newhoperailroad.com

The history of the New Hope Automobile Show is as storied as those of the vehicles that have vied for its spotlight for over a half-century. What started as a simple, grassroots affair quickly blossomed into the event of its kind on the East Coast. The two-day exhibition, which is planned this year for August 9 and 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., is gradually regaining momentum after a brief hiatus that allowed the volunteer organization that has coordinated it from its inception to regroup. Each day of the show — its 51st annual installment — will feature an entirely different roster of cars and motorcycles, from the spectacularly antique 1903 Curved Dash Oldsmobile to the standard-shifting classic 1950 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith. Proceeds will benefit student scholarships at New Hope-Solebury High School and Tabor Children’s Services of Doylestown and Germantown. www.newhopeautoshow.com

As the story goes, though no documentation exists to support it, William Penn, in 1682, laid claim to a patch of land nearly 30 miles northeast of Philadelphia that he purchased from local Indians, proclaiming, “This is where I propose to build my new town.” Two years later, Penn’s surveyor created a plan for a new settlement in this wooded parcel that was originally called New Township. (They were explorers, not creative types, particularly in the name game.) Today, the tranquil Lower Bucks borough and township, both known now as Newtown, is coveted by locals and tourists alike for its strong historic ties, evident in the grandiose Victorian homes and old stone taverns that line State Street and the side avenues. That pride will be played up to the fullest extent when a 13-month 325th anniversary celebration is launched during the First Fourth festivities on July 5. www.newtownpa.us

When we were young(er), it seemed impossible to avoid fireworks on the Fourth of July. You could go almost anywhere around Bucks County and see them — the parking lot of Oxford Valley Mall, the wharf in Bristol (always with an ice cream cone in hand) — even standing knee-deep in the Delaware, a couple miles south of New Hope (because that’s where the traffic jam into town stranded you). Now, though, they’re harder to come by. Peddler’s Village began staging them five years ago and instantly became the place to be for Bucks families who wisely chose to bypass the overcrowded shore in favor of a backyard celebration. Planned this year for July 5, kid-friendly events will be held throughout the early evening beginning at 4 p.m. and leading right up to the start of the fireworks at 9:15 p.m. www.peddlersvillage.com