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Borough in Pennsylvania, US
Photo: KForce at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Doylestown is a town in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. This article also covers the neighboring community of Buckingham.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Built in 1916 by the archaeologist, anthropologist, artist and scholar, Henry Chapman Mercer. The six-story concrete castle houses a personal collection of over 30,000 items that Mercer believed should be preserved before the Industrial Revolution took over. The huge central atrium of the castle houses a whale boat, Conestoga wagon and stage coach, amongst other large pieces. Working your way through the narrow hallways of the museum, you can find ancient gadgets, woodworking instruments, early examples of electricity and even a "Vampire Killing Kit." In one of the hidden stairwells, there are footprints from Mercer's dog Rollo, who must have escaped before the wet concrete could fully dry. This is truly an eccentric place to visit. There are nooks, crannies, niches and rooms with all kinds of tools and implements used in the early history of the colonization. It's a great place to go on a hot day, the concrete keeps the building quite cool. There is a gift shop with postcards, Mercer tiles, crafts, books and other souvenirs. The Mercer Museum was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1985 and achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums in 2005.
East Court Street & Route 313. Built between 1908 and 1912 as the home of Henry Chapman Mercer, as well as a gallery for his tiles and prints. Like the Mercer Museum, Fonthill is also a concrete castle and represents a mixture of Medieval, Gothic and Byzantine architectural styles. After Mercer's death in 1930, the housekeeper Laura Swain continued to give tours of the historic house and museum until she passed away in 1975. Today, Fonthill Museum attracts over 30,000 visitors a year and is a popular place for wedding photos and receptions. Every summer, Fonthill hosts the "Old Fashioned Fourth of July" where locals can participate in old-time games and celebration. Fonthill was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1985 and achieved accreditation by the American Association of Museums in 2005.
Henry Chapman Mercer was very involved in the American Arts & Crafts Movement and is famous for producing ceramic tiles engraved with scenes of Bucks County nature and seasons. Today, tiles are still produced at the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works and can be purchased by visitors. Mercer's tiles can be seen throughout Doylestown, in the homes of locals, inlaid in the sidewalks and in the Mercer and Fonthill Museums. The Tile Works courtyard hosts a variety of seasonal activities including Pumpkinfest each Halloween, where local artists compete for the best carved pumpkin.
The stone building was constructed in 1884 as the Bucks County prison, but reopened its doors in 1988 as the James A. Michener Art Museum. The museum was named for James Michener, Doylestown's own Pulitzer-prize winning writer and patron of the arts. Today, the gallery houses an astounding collection of work from many Pennsylvania Impressionist artists. Attached to the museum is the Patricia D. Pfundt outdoor Sculpture Garden. Permanent exhibits include the Lenfest Exhibition of Pennsylvania Impressionism, The Garber Mural, James A. Michener: A Living Legacy, the Nakashima Reading Room, the Visual Heritage of Bucks County and an interactive exhibit on Bucks County writers and composers like Rodgers and Hammerstein.
The Civil War Museum has on display a multitude of items related to Doylestown's 104th Pa. Volunteer Infantry Regiment and the Civil War in general. Bullets, weapons, uniforms, flags, art and Lincoln Medals and Tokens dating from 1870 are a few of the pieces primarily donated from area history buffs and collecters. The library has hundreds of books on the Civil War, a great many of which were donated by the late Fred Holzworth. The Roundtable hosts a variety of programs including speakers, concerts and trips to other area historical sites.
The first Friday of every month 6:30PM-9PM. First Friday Doylestown features a night of live artists, bands and performers outside of Doylestown's local businesses. Shops and restaurants are open late to service the crowds of people walking around. Families, couples, and kids can walk the street of Doylestown while enjoying the local music, shops, and venues. Warm summer nights are the best! Come the Friday after Thanksgiving to watch the annual Christmas tree lighting in front of Starbucks on Main Street. Listen to the Central Bucks West High School Choir sing classic holiday songs and get into the Christmas spirit. Santa Clause will come to help the celebration on a fire ambulance. Starbucks also offers complimentary apple cider, cookies, and snacks to all who attend. Shops and restaurants stay open later to enjoy shopping and dining after the annual lighting. Perfect for families and children of all ages.
The historic County Theater has been in the center of Doylestown since 1938. Showing mostly independent and old-time films, the non-profit theater has a wide membership in the Bucks County area. During the summer, the County features "Hollywood Summer Nights" and plays such classics as The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, It's a Wonderful Life and North by Northwest.
Central Park. This stunning 35-foot-tall wooden play castle was built as a community effort for the children and families of Doylestown. It features swings, slides, climbing and hiding places and bridges. Central Park has tennis courts, volleyball nets, pavilions for pickniking and a run/walk trail. Open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset.
Fanny Chapman Swimming Pool was opened to the public in 1927 upon the suggestion of William Mercer, Henry Mercer's younger brother. Today Fanny Chapman has four pools, including a children's wading pool, a diving pool and a pool for community swim teams to use. The surrounding park area is home to volleyball courts, a playground and a lake where locals can fish in season.
Town and Country Players is one of the most historic theaters in Bucks County. The 240-year-old barn which houses the unique theater-in-the round was rented and remodeled in 1957. A small group of actors began putting on simple productions at T&C, and the popularity quickly grew in the community. Today, T&C hosts a season of six productions, not including the family musical, children's play and one-act festival. With the help of a talented membership, T&C looks less like a farmhouse these days, and more like a professional theater.
Peace Valley Park is a park on the outside of Doylestown that is run by the Bucks County Parks and Recreation department. Centered around Lake Galena, this 1500-acre park has so much to offer such as playgrounds, picnicking, hiking, boating, fishing, bike paths, and walking paths. Peace Valley Park also has a nature center and environmental area. The park also offers numerous special programs such as water and boating programs and youth camps.
Pizza.
Steak, seafood and Italian in a cozy, small-town bistro
Dining within the historical freight house at the Doylestown train station. Big City Dining" in the heart of Doylestown, offering world class cuisine, outstanding professional service and a dramatic award winning design. "City Chic" cocktails and affordable premium wines.
Thin-crust pizza with a wide variety of toppings. Great for families with kids. All uses organic ingredients from local farmers. BYOB.
American style dining with small-portioned meals. Easy to share with friends and family.
Japanese food, sushi and hibachi
Casual European dining.
Indian cuisine.
Local fare.
Offering a wide variety of bagels, sandwiches, pastries, and coffee. Catering available.
Restaurant and bar specializing in sushi and Japanese cuisine. Also offers a wide variety of traditional meals.
Opened seasonally from March to September. Specializing in home-made water ice and soft serve ice cream. Also offering soft pretzels, gelatos, and milkshakes. The perfect place to bring families and friends on a summer night.
Specializing in authentic and home-made Italian cuisine. Famous for its hand-made pasta, baked bread, and Italian dishes.
Come and eat at the bar or take your order to-go. Specializing in home-made cheese and local wine.
Traditional Mexican cuisine. Specializing in burritos, tacos, and quesdillas. Offers a wide range of hot sauces from mild to deathly.
The perfect lunch destination. Specializing in home-made sandwiches, soups, and salads. Dine in or take-out.
The most famous home-made pizza in Doylestown. Dine in or take out. Offers speciality pizza, hoagies, steak sandwiches, and salads.
Fresh and delicious smoothies. Offering a wide variety of flavors, fruits, and protein these smoothies are great snacks. Also serves soup, soft pretzels, chips, and a variety of other snacks.
Specializing in hand-made hoagies with a variety of different meats, vegetables, and condiments. Dine in or order in advanced. Catering offered. Perfect for birthday celebrations, superbowl parties, and all other special events.
Offers Mexican American food and bar. This restaurant is great for families and has a unique decor.
It offers so many different things from a nice cafe to elegant dining, also offers fresh pizza, meats, and their own sauces. Paganini offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Paganini also opened up a small cafe and wine bar across the street. The cafe is more of a casual place to get food and eat outside.
Located in the center of town M.O.M's is a great Victorian style restaurant. M.O.M's has a full service bar and two floors for seating. M.O.M's is American food with a pinch of the south.
This restaurant is an 18th-century Bucks County landmark. The Waterwheel offers numerous dinning rooms, a cellar bar, and banquet rooms. Open for lunch and dinner during the weekend and brunch on the weekends. The menu is modern continental fare and the bar also offers a bar food type menu. The Waterwheel is historic and is said to be haunted.
This market place offers a variety of different dining. The theme of the marketplace is an old historic type. The market place offers Baked on Main which is an upscale pizza bistro, Pennsylvania Soup and Seafood, and in the cellar is Andres Wine and cheese.
Cross Keys is a great classic diner. Breakfast, lunch, and takeout. You can either sit at a table or sit at the breakfast bar that wraps along the side of the diner.
Literally hundreds of national, international and micro-brew bottle and draft beers are available at this bi-level establishment in the heart of downtown Doylestown. Both smoking and non-smoking bars are available as well as an extensive menu including ribs, steaks, salads, seafood and locally famous buffalo wings in a variety of flavours. Food is generally served until 9:30PM weekdays and 10PM on weekends but the bar is open until 2AM everyday except Tuesday when the restaurant is also closed. This is a great bar to visit if you want to soak in genuine local atmosphere, enjoy a sophisticated beer or discuss Philadelphia sports teams.
Chambers Bar & Bistro is in downtown Doylestown, within walking distance to the local theatre, county courthouse and in the middle of a busy shopping district. Chambers offers a quaint restaurant and a charming non-smoking bar featuring favourite draft beers and a good selection of bottles. The bar and restaurant have daily food and drink specials and live acoustic pop and jazz music through the week and on the weekend.
Late night sister bar to Chambers. This is a good place to go when Chambers closes for the evening (usually between 10 and 11PM). Many specialty beers on tap as well as the expected domestics and imports. The Other Side has an excellent liquor selection. Stop by for pub trivia on Monday nights and live music almost every other night with full bands performing every weekend night. Be sure to look out for special events as there are often theme nights at The Other Side such as "Margarita Night", "Hula Night" and "Bikini Night".
American regional cooking. A favorite among locals. Casual dining with an extensive menu
The Penn Taproom is in a prime spot in Doylestown with a full bar inside, outdoor seating, and an up stairs dining room. The menu is mostly bar food. Has a great cozy atmosphere.
An Irish-style pub.
Bucks County's first winery, founded in 1966.
11 furnished rooms featuring jetted tubs, mini bars, fireplaces and more.
The Hargrave House is the only full service Bed and Breakfast in Doylestown. There are seven rooms in the Hargrave house and they all have en-suite bathrooms. Four of the room have fireplaces and five rooms have two-person jetted tubs. All rooms have flat screen TVs, internet connection, and climate controls. Breakfast is served every morning in the dinning room, which can also be turned into a meeting space.
Free continental breakfast, smoking and non-smoking rooms, free local newspaper, refrigerators, and flat screen TVs. Attached to the Courthouse Inn is Poco's Mexican-American restaurant and bar. Also attached is the Comedy Cabaret. The Inn is within walking distance to town and all the shops and restaurants.
Holicong. A farm estate and spa inn.
Open Saturdays from 7AM-noon, Apr-Nov. Vendors gather on S. Hamilton St. every Saturday morning to sell their fresh fruits, cheeses, pastries, flowers, crafts and more. The Farmer's Market has gathered quite a following and on any given summer Saturday morning, many regulars come to eat breakfast and chat with friends outside.
Sells a wide variety of new books, children's stories, and magazines. Also offering reading accessories.
Gift store with wide range of card, candle, and home decor selection.
Paint pottery or bead jewelry. No experience necessary. Walk-in, party reservations, and workshops available.
High end women's and men's clothing and accessories. Designer jeans are also sold here.
Women's lingerie and pajamas.
High-end women's clothing, jewelry, shoes, winter jackets, and accessories. Now offering little girls clothing.
Music store where you can buy and rent multiple instruments, sheet music, accessories. Lessons are also offered.
Specializing in running apparel and accessories. Also sells a large variety of sneakers.
This small candy shop is in a little alley way in the borough of town. The store offers candies, nuts, fudges, and sweets. This old-fashioned candy shop is stocked with all of your favorite classic candies.
The Inn at Barley Sheaf Farm Spa uses all natural herbal ingredients, blended fresh on property, to create a unique and wholesome spa experience.
By plane
The nearest airport to Doylestown with commercial air service is the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in Philadelphia, which is an hour away by car.
By train
By bus
Doylestown is a very walkable town, with sidewalks and crosswalks for pedestrians.
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Ewing Township · Regional · TTN
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