Here's a perfect example of the power of social media...I'm part of a Pennsylvania photography group, and one day someone mentioned a place called The Bower. I'd never heard of it before, so naturally I started Googling. Seven minutes. SEVEN MINUTES from my house! Somehow I'd managed to spend years driving all around Perry County without realizing one of its prettiest hidden gems was practically in my own backyard! The moment I realized how close it was, it immediately earned a spot on my "must explore" list.
I pulled in around 10:00 a.m. on an overcast Saturday in July and found only one other car in the parking area. From the road, The Bower is wonderfully understated. A simple sign marks the entrance, and a short stone driveway leads you into a completely different world.
Everything was lush. Everything was green. Flowers were blooming. Bees were buzzing. Birds were singing. The entire property just felt...alive! The woods felt wonderfully alive! And it was exactly the kind of peaceful Saturday morning I didn't realize I needed.
One of the owners greeted me shortly after I arrived and we chatted for a few minutes. I learned that The Bower has only been welcoming visitors for about six years and that they're hoping more people discover it. After spending an hour wandering the grounds, consider me happy to help spread the word!
The Bower is a free, self-guided botanical garden and nature preserve that celebrates Pennsylvania's native plants while thoughtfully weaving in sculptures, artwork and peaceful gathering spaces. It's obvious that every path, every planting and every artistic element has been intentionally placed to create a space where people can slow down and reconnect with nature.
I spent about an hour exploring at my own pace. Since I only live a few miles away, many of the native plants themselves were familiar. But seeing them thoughtfully arranged together with sculptures, winding paths and quiet places to pause gave me an entirely new appreciation for the beauty that's been surrounding me all along.
PRO TIP: Pack a picnic lunch. There are picnic tables scattered throughout the property and I found myself wishing I'd brought something to eat so I could have lingered a little longer. This is the kind of place that invites you to slow down instead of rushing off to the next stop.
Admission is completely free, and tours are now entirely self-guided, making it easy to visit whenever it fits your schedule. Donations are accepted in the Visitor Center to help support the gardens, and after seeing the care and passion that's gone into creating this place, I was more than happy to contribute.
If you enjoy photography, birdwatching, gardening, native plants or simply taking a quiet walk somewhere beautiful, put The Bower on your list!
Sometimes the best adventures aren't two hours from home. Sometimes they're seven minutes away...just waiting for you to finally notice them.
The Bower is one of Perry County's hidden treasures, and I'll absolutely be back! read more