We love Doylestown!
As the county seat of Bucks County, there is no shortage of things to do in Doylestown.
From fascinating museums like the Mercer Museum and Michener Art Museum to outdoor, family-friendly activities like Kids Castle and exploring Peace Valley Park, it won’t be hard to find a fun way to spend your day in Doylestown.
If we had to pick one must-see place in Doylestown, it would be Fonthill Castle. We love visiting during their regular tours and holiday events. But there are so many things to do in Doylestown; you don’t want to stop there!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
About Doylestown, PA
Doylestown is the county seat of Bucks County and is about 25 miles outside of Philadelphia. It is named after William Doyle, an Irish settler who opened a tavern at present-day Main and State Streets in 1754. In 1818, the Township of Doylestown was established.
Now, Doylestown is home to over 8000 residents and boasts a lively downtown with many shops and restaurants.
The Best Things to Do in Doylestown
Mercer Museum
📍 84 South Pine Street
📆 Open Tuesday – Sunday
Henry Mercer built a unique concrete castle in the heart of Doylestown to house his collection of 19th-century farming equipment and other tools from the pre-industrial era.
The Mercer Museum feels like a fun maze and kind of like an MC Escher painting, with tools and furniture from the 19th century tucked in every corner and hanging from every surface. Even from the ceiling!
It’s a family-friendly attraction, with some rooms dedicated to kids’ learning with interactive exhibits. Kids will also love following Rollo’s (Mercer’s dog) paw prints around the museum to learn more fun facts about the era.
In addition to the main exhibit area, there is always a special exhibit near the entrance. It is included with admission, so don’t forget to stop by.
Good to Know: The Mercer Museum tends to stay cool year-round, even in the summer. It is especially cold inside the main part of the museum in winter, so make sure to dress warmly!
Michener Art Museum
📍 138 S Pine Street
📆 Open Tuesday – Sunday
For a small art museum, the Michener Art Museum still packs a punch!
Located directly across the street from the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA, the Michener Museum is housed in the old Bucks County Prison building.
Outside, take your time to enjoy the sculptures on display before you enter the building.
Inside, you’ll find beautiful artwork from local Pennsylvania artists in different mediums.
Good to Know: You can visit the Michener Art Museum for FREE on the second Sunday of each month.
Fonthill Castle
📍 East Court Street & Route 313
📆 Open Tuesday – Sunday
Just like the Mercer Museum, Henry Mercer’s home, Fonthill Castle, is cool to explore. Visiting this concrete castle is one of our favorite things to do in Bucks County, as once you visit, you’ll understand why.
The house was built around an old farmhouse and expanded on both sides, made entirely from concrete. Both inside and out, the walls, floors, and ceilings are decorated with beautiful, colorful tiles made at Mercer’s tileworks next door.
Tours are offered Tuesday-Sunday. You’ll want to book a tour ahead of time to guarantee a spot.
One of the best times to visit the home is during Christmas. They decorate a dozen themed trees and display them throughout the building. It’s a fun and interesting way to explore the castle!
Fonthill Castle Park Walk
📍 East Court Street & Route 313
📆 Daily from dawn-dusk
If you want to get outside but don’t want to do a major hike, the trails at Fonthill are the answer. The Fonthill Castle Park Walk trails meander through the property, crossing over streams and passing an old house on the property.
The trails are not marked, but the paths are clear enough to direct you where to go. You can also download a map, but not every trail is marked on the map.
The Fonthill Castle Park Walk loop is just over 1 mile, but you can shorten or lengthen your walk depending on which trails you take.
Moravian Tileworks
📍130 E Swamp Road
📆 Open Tuesday – Sunday
After visiting both Henry Mercer’s home and museum, you’ll want to see where all of his beautiful tiles came from. That’s where the Moravian Pottery and Tileworks Museum comes in!
You can take a self-guided tour through the tileworks, exploring the decorative halls and workshops throughout the grounds. While you’re there, you can watch the craftsmen turn clay into gorgeous, colorful tiles.
If you want to make your own tile, they offer special tours on Tuesdays that include the opportunity. Keep in mind it will take about 4 weeks to receive the finished product.
Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop to pick up one of the hand-made tiles as a souvenir.
Community Labyrinth
📍E Ashland and S Pine Streets
📆 Daily dawn-dusk
Right down the street from the Mercer and Michener museums is a small labyrinth that everyone can enjoy. December is a fun time to visit, as the labyrinth is covered in lights, making it feel even more magical!
Kids Castle
📍425 Wells Road
📆 Daily dawn-dusk
Kids Castle is one of the coolest playgrounds near Philadelphia. This multi-story wood structure contains obstacles, mazes, slides, and other fun activities. And surrounding the castle are even more fun activities. There is even an area fenced off for the littlest of visitors.
One of the reasons we love Kids Castle is that the castle and play areas are fenced in, with only one way in and out. Parents can sit on the shaded benches by the entrance/exit and let their kids run wild!
Doylestown Rock Gym
📍3853 Old Easton Road
📆 Daily (Hours varying)
No matter the weather outside, whether it’s too hot, too cold, or too rainy to get out and play, you can always work off some energy at Doylestown Rock Gym.
This rock gym caters to both novice and experienced climbers, so it’s the perfect place to visit with friends or kids, especially those who have never climbed before. Even better, there is no age minimum! So, if your three-year-old is climbing everything and anything at home, get them to Doylestown Rock Gym!
Hellerick’s Family Farm
📍5500 N. Easton Road
📆 Daily (April-November)
Hellerick’s is not just any farm, and you will be able to see why once you arrive.
In addition to the usual farm activities, like hayrides and corn mazes, Hellerick’s offers other fun things to do, like the towering aerial adventure park, which features nine ziplines, 21 bridge-crossing elements, and a free fall from a 30-foot tower.
If you want to keep your feet on the ground, there are plenty of other fun things to do, like flower picking and mini-golf.
Explore an Old-Growth Forest at Hart’s Woods
📍5500 N. Easton Road
📆 Daily (dawn-dusk)
Did you know that only 1% of Eastern original forests remain standing today? Thankfully, the Heritage Conservancy has conserved a small old-growth forest in Doylestown.
You can explore the forest by taking the ½-mile loop trail from multiple entry points. It loops around the perimeter of the woods. A .15-mile spur trail links up with the loop on the northwest side.
The trail is close to Kids Castle, so you can easily do both on the same day.
To learn more about old-growth forests, listen to the “Protecting Pennsylvania’s ancient forests” episode by Hemlocks to Hellbenders podcast.
Kayaking at Peace Valley Park
📍264 Creek Road
📆 Hours vary
If you love getting out of the water, you’ll love kayaking or boating at Peace Valley Park.
During the summer months, you can rent a paddleboat, kayak, or canoe at the park. Or you can use your own boat! With our inflatable kayak, we’ve been able to get out on the water as late as November.
Lake Galena is large and offers a fun way to enjoy the beautiful scenery while checking out the local wildlife. And if you’d rather stay dry, you can walk along the paved path that encircles the water.
Peace Valley Nature Center
📍170 North Chapman Road
📆 Trails are open daily (dawn-dusk). The nature center store is open Tuesday-Sunday
Another way to enjoy the beauty of nature in Peace Valley Park is the Peace Valley Nature Center.
It’s the perfect place to go birding, as you’ll see waterfowl and other local birds. We sat in their bird blind for a good 30 minutes, watching the birds splash around and play.
The nature center also has trails through the forest to the lake. Due to the amount of water nearby, these trails get very muddy, so make sure to wear shoes you don’t mind getting dirty!
Henry Schmieder Arboretum
📍700 E Butler Avenue
📆 Open daily (dawn-dusk)
Another way to spend a beautiful day outside in Doylestown is to walk around the Henry Schmieder Arboretum at Delaware Valley University. There are over a dozen things to see around the campus, including the peony collection, rose garden, and rock garden.
It is FREE to visit the arboretum, but they ask you to stop by the security building first to pick up a walking-tour map and visitor parking.
VAMPA Vampire and Paranormal Museum
📍3686 US-202
📆 Open Saturday and Sunday
If you are interested in the supernatural, you will enjoy a visit to VAMPA, a small museum about vampires and the paranormal. The museum features vampire artifacts and art, some dating back to the 1700s.
It’s a bit spooky to walk through, but not too scary. There is even a whole room dedicated to Archangel Michael. However, due to the nature of the content, I wouldn’t bring young kids to this museum.
Outside, you can peruse the grounds, where you’ll find various dinosaurs and other fun statues and sculptures.
Shop Around Town
📍State and Main Street
📆 Varies
One of the best reasons to visit Doylestown is to check out all of the unique shops. If you’re looking for something, you can be sure to find it there.
There are so many fantastic stores to peruse and patronize. Some of our favorites include Doylestown Bookshop, the Paper Unicorn, Busy Bee Toys, and the newer Wizarding Ways And More (a Harry Potter store).
Where to Eat in Doylestown
Jules Thin Crust
📍78 S Main St
📆 Open daily
Jules Thin Crust is one of our favorite places to eat in Doylestown. It’s an easy walk from the Mercer and Michener Museums and has delicious pizza, including gluten-free crust.
Station Taphouse
📍194 W Ashland Street
📆 Open daily
We love sitting outside at the Station Taphouse, watching the trains go by. Of course, the restaurant is also beautiful inside! The Station Taphouse has a large, varied menu and fun drinks, making it great for any occasion.
The Hattery Stove & Still
📍18 W. State Street
📆 Open daily
The first time we ate at the Hattery Stove & Still, we were so impressed by the suitcase wall in the lobby! Then, the food impressed us even more. The menu offers options from hamburgers to racks of lamb, so you’re sure to find something for every palate.
Things to Do Nearby
If you’re looking for more things to do near Doylestown, check out some of the fun places nearby.
Peddler’s Village is just down the street. Or you can take a short drive to Chalfont to visit a FREE Christmas museum. Don’t forget to stop by New Hope and Washington’s Crossing. We especially love grabbing the views at the top of Bowman’s Hill Tower. You can also check out many of the unique covered bridges nearby! There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself near Doylestown.
Read It Now. Pin It For Later!
