For our Bucks County, Pennsylvania, road trip, we’re investigating two of the more offbeat locales in the region: Ringing Rocks Park in Upper Black Eddy and Tranquility Brewing Company in Warminster. Get your hammers and spacesuit ready, because this trip will be a smash that’s out of this world!
Ringing Rocks Park
Tucked away on a back road in the small town of Upper Black Eddy is Ringing Rocks Park. Park in the wooded lot on the aptly named Ringing Rocks Road. This park features several trails that lead to a massive boulder field resembling a river of rocks. Not only does this have an otherworldly feel, but the memories you make here will leave you ringing.
I hope you brought your hammer with you because about a third of the rocks here ring like a bell when struck with an object such as a hammer. The boulders are strewn in piles, some ten feet deep, in an expanse of seven or eight acres. It’s a Bucks County oddity for sure, but you won’t be the only one swinging a hammer at this park; it’s a bit of an attraction.
The rocks themselves are composed of diabase, a dense, dark volcanic rock. Geologists aren’t entirely certain why these specific rocks “ring,” but one theory suggests it’s due to the lack of metallic ores, the density, and the internal stress of the boulders. Whatever the scientific reason, the sound is truly unique—like striking a hollow metal object rather than a solid piece of stone. Keep an eye out for signs of other visitors, as some rocks are clearly more popular than others, worn smooth from countless hammer strikes over the years! My kids thought the smashing of the hammer into the rock was top-notch fun.
Tranquility Brewing Company
After Ringing Rocks Park, my family decided a brewery would be a great place for dinner. Typically kid-friendly, we wanted to find one that would welcome our crew without reservation. Doing a quick search online, Tranquility Brewing Company in Warminster seemed to fit the bill.
Turning off Jacksonville Road, I thought the GPS was taking us somewhere we shouldn’t be. It looks as if you’re entering an off-limits area. Keep following the GPS, go past the Bucks County Coroner’s Office, and soon you’re at Tranquility Brewing, which is part of the larger Fuge building.
After a dinner of flatbread, chicken wings, and a Hazy Space Monkey IPA, I started to put the pieces together. This building was once a NASA facility. The outdoor courtyard that my kids ran around in? It is where the monkeys that were kept here exercised. Astronauts trained here for their missions to outer space. In the middle of the Fuge, which is an event space housed in this building, is a centrifuge that simulates what space would be like. The actual centrifuge is still there.
The Fuge
Sadly, Tranquility Brewing is no longer open to the public except for private events. The brewery, the Fuge, or the Lab, located in the same complex, are available for rent for your next bar mitzvah, wedding, or quinceañera.
During my visit, the whole space theme went over my head, even though the pictures of astronauts should have given it away, as well as the name “tranquility,” which refers to the “Sea of Tranquility,” a feature on the moon. It’s worth a detour to check out this building, where once the likes of John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, and Neil Armstrong all trained for their time in space.
All told, these two Bucks County oddities offer a truly unique pairing of strange natural wonder and surprising historical significance. From the percussive mysteries of the diabase boulders to the surprising history of a former astronaut training facility, this Backyard Road Trip offers an experience that is both earthbound and out of this world. Whether you’re swinging a hammer or imagining a space launch, these stops are perfect for an offbeat adventure.
For more Pennsylvania fun, check out Peddler’s Village, Philadelphia’s brewery scene, and Chestnut Hill.
For Your Information
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Ringing Rocks Park | Ringing Rocks Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972 |
| Tranquility Brewing Company (The Fuge) | 780 Falcon Cir, Warminster, PA 18974 |
