What to do, eat, and see in Doylestown

Doylestown in Bucks County has a little of everything. Though it’s surrounded by newer subdivisions, there’s still open countryside, working farms, 19th-century houses, and a bustling walkable downtown with unique museums, a retro movie theater, and a diverse shopping and dining scene.

“Doylestown truly is a unique place. It is very rare to find someplace with such a strong sense of community,” says Brittany Brown, who’s lived in the area for much of her life, and writes about the area for the Doylestown Cardinal newspaper, as well as on her blog and on Instagram.

Doylestown notables include musician Pink and writer James A. Michener, who were both born here; composer Stephen Sondheim, who spent his childhood here; Oscar Hammerstein II, who lived and died here; and archaeologist and artist Henry Chapman Mercer, whose buildings you can still go see.

Here’s everything you need for a trip to Doylestown:

History of Doylestown: Doylestown was named for the Doyle family. Edward Doyle immigrated to America from Ireland in 1640, spending some time in Rhode Island before receiving a land grant from William Penn and moving to Bucks County. The town was officially founded in 1745 when the Doyle family built an inn. William Doyle went on to construct seven taverns, including The Fountain House, which is the only one that remains today. The area was first referred to as “William Doyle’s Tavern” and was later shortened to “Doyle’s Town,” and then Doylestown.

Getting there: Doylestown is an easy day, or afternoon, trip from Philadelphia. You can take a SEPTA train from Jefferson Station to Doylestown Station, which takes 1 hour and 18 minutes. You can also take a Greyhound bus from Philadelphia to Doylestown. This ride also takes 1 hour and 18 minutes.

From Center City, it’s about a 40-minute drive.

Get a glimpse of what life was like in Bucks County during the 1860s at the Bucks County Civil Library & Museum, where you can view a collection of rare and one-of-a-kind artifacts from the Civil War, including uniform pieces, flags, and weapons. The library and research room contains over 1,500 books, periodicals, rare first-editions, and databases.

📍32 N. Broad St., Doylestown, 📞 215-822-1562, 🌐 civilwarmuseumdoylestown.org

With its art-deco-style neon tower, the County Theater has been a Doylestown icon since 1938. Today, the County Theater is a nonprofit member-supported theater that specializes in independent, art, and foreign films. In addition to first-run main attractions, the theater also hosts special events throughout the year such as children’s matinees, Hollywood Summer Nights (which brings older films to the big screen for one night only), and screenings of live stage productions.

📍20 E. State St., Doylestown, 📞 215-345-6789, 🌐 countytheater.org, 📷 @Countytheater

Fonthill Castle was built in 1908 as the home of Henry Mercer, an archaeologist, anthropologist and tile maker. Designed by Mercer himself, Fonthill Castle has 44 rooms, more than 200 windows, and 18 fireplaces. The building is particularly stunning during the holiday season, but it’s beautiful year-round. The walls, floors, and ceilings are adorned with Mercer’s own handcrafted tiles — and the majority of his furnishings and personal items are still intact.

📍525 E. Court St., Doylestown, 📞 215-348-9461, 🌐 mercermuseum.org/visit/fonthill-castle, 📷 @mercerandfonthill

Located just one mile from Fonthill Castle, the Mercer Museum is a six-story, castle-like structure that Mercer designed to house his collection of artifacts. Today, the museum is a Smithsonian affiliate featuring local and national traveling exhibits, as well as a core collection of over 50,000 pre-Industrial tools ranging from hand tools to horse-drawn vehicles. What makes the museum unique is the way that the artifacts are displayed. There’s something to see everywhere you look, including an antique fire engine, suspended overhead in the Central Court area. In addition to daily tours, Mercer Museum hosts events throughout the year such as festivals and outdoor movies.

📍84 S. Pine St., Doylestown, 📞 215-345-0210, 🌐 mercermuseum.org/visit/fonthill-castle, 📷 @mercerandfonthill

A National Historic Landmark, the Moravian Pottery and Tileworks is a “working history museum” where handmade tiles are still produced in a similar way to how they were made in the early 1900s. The Tileworks was built between 1911 and 1912 by Henry Mercer and is the only county-owned tile works in the country. Take a 30-minute tour and see original installations and displays, and watch artisans make the tiles. You can even sign up for workshops where you make your own.

📍130 E. Swamp Rd., Doylestown, 📞 215-239-9797, 🌐 thetileworks.org, 📷 @thetileworks

A family-owned business more than 150 years old, Hellerick’s Family Farm is open spring through fall. Pick your own crops. Take a goat yoga class. Or spend the day at the Adventure Farm with more than 40 activities, including giant corn chute slides, a tractor tire playground, corn barn (think sandbox, but with corn), trikes, straw bale slides, farm animals, and more. If you like a physical challenge, guests 7 years or older (and able to reach 60 inches with arms stretched overhead) can get tickets to the Aerial Adventure Park, with nine ziplines, 21 crossing elements and bridges, and a free-fall leap off the 30-foot central tower. Reservations required.

📍5500 N. Easton Rd., Doylestown, 📞 215-766-8388, 🌐 hellericksfarm.com, 📷 @hellericksfarm

Kids Castle is probably the most popular playground in Bucks County, with a huge wooden castle as the main focal point. Within the castle, there are mazes, rope bridges, ladders, and stairs — all leading to twisty slides. Outside of the castle are other play structures, a variety of swings, and a fenced-off section for toddlers. Central Park has sports fields, tennis, bocce courts, and trails for hiking and biking. It’s also home to the town amphitheater, which hosts concerts and other events.

📍425 Wells Rd., Doylestown, 🌐 doylestownpa.org

The Michener Art Museum opened to the public in 1988 on the site of the former Bucks County Prison that was built in 1884. Some of the core structures such as the old warden’s house, the watchtower, and some of the prison walls are still in place. The museum was named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer James A. Michener, who grew up in Doylestown and was a lifetime supporter of the arts. The museum is home to a permanent collection of over 2,700 pieces that focus on the artistic and cultural heritage of Bucks County, including one of the largest collections of Pennsylvania Impressionist paintings. Explore the free outdoor sculpture gardens and community labyrinth. The museum also hosts traveling exhibits, camps, workshops, and classes for both children and adults.

📍138 S. Pine St., Doylestown, 📞 215-340-9800, 🌐 michenerartmuseum.org, 📷 @MichenerArt

If you’re looking for a beautiful, peaceful (and fragrant) spot, this sun-soaked hillside owned by Patti and George Lyons is home to more than 3,000 lavender plants. June and July are the best times to see the lavender in bloom and to pick your own flowers, but the farm is open year-round. Wander the gardens on your own, or groups of 10 to 30 people can book a guided tour. You can also buy lavender plants and products from the gift shop.

📍802 New Galena Rd., Doylestown, 📞 215-249-8462, 🌐 peacevalleylavender.com, 📷 @peacevalleylavenderfarm

Owner Kendall Bajek learned the art of making baked (instead of fried) empanadas while living in Buenos Aires. She brought her own spin to the traditional hand pies by creating an assortment of unique empanada fillings and dipping sauces such as Korean beef, Thai coconut curry chicken, and Buffalo cauliflower. There are even sweet options like banana Nutella and salted caramel. Check the website for the menu, which changes weekly.

📍21 Donaldson St., Doylestown, 📞 215-230-3330, 🌐 yoemama.com, 📷 @empanadamama

Hattery Stove & Still serves modern American fare and comfort food in an antique industrial atmosphere that pays tribute to its building’s rich history. It’s located inside the historic Doylestown Inn, a 120-year-old building that has been used as a hat factory, cigar shop, shoe store and even a speakeasy during Prohibition. Come in for brunch, lunch, dinner, or happy hour.

📍18 W. State St., Doylestown, 📞 215-345-1527, 🌐 hatterydoylestown.com

Heirloom opened in 2020 and has managed to thrive despite the challenges of the pandemic. Executive chef Tim Perviz co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Aly. It’s a BYOB, farm-to-table spot with a commitment to sourcing its ingredients from local, small-scale growers and producers. Brown’s favorite item is the B.E.T.C.H. sandwich that’s made with house-cured bacon, a fried egg, heirloom tomato, sharp cheddar, and a potato bun.

📍54 E. State St., Doylestown, 📞 267-880-6610, 🌐 heirloomdoylestown.com, 📷 @heirloomdoylestown

If you’re looking for a date spot in Doylestown, this intimate restaurant only has 12 tables, and the menu features modern American small plates that are meant to be shared.

📍42 Shewell Ave., Doylestown, 📞 215-489-4200, 🌐 honeyrestaurant.com

Bajek of Empanada Mama also owns Nourish by MAMA, a vegan and vegetarian restaurant. You’ll find warm curries from India, sourdough that’s imported from Spain, and za’atar from the Middle East. The menu is focused on quick, healthy and affordable food.

📍34 E. State St., Doylestown, 📞 215-230-3306, 🌐 nourishbymama.com, 📷 @nourishbymama

Omiza, a pan-Asian restaurant that opened in fall 2020, is owned by John Im, who also owns Newtown hot spots Oishi and KO. The menu includes Im’s popular sushi and noodle dishes, but its main focus is Korean barbecue.

📍641 N. Main St., Doylestown, 📞 267-579-4222, 🌐 omizarestaurant.com, 📷 @omizarestaurant

Quinoa is the newer sister restaurant to Lambertville’s El Tule. Named for Peru’s traditional staple, dishes include ceviches, savory meats, fresh seafood, as well as a rainbow of veggies and a variety of starches.

📍54 E. State St., Doylestown, 📞 215-348-2826, 🌐 quinoarestaurantbyo.com, 📷 @quinoadoylestown

Located directly next to SEPTA tracks, Station Taphouse is a train lover’s delight. The inside dining area boasts exposed brick walls and plenty of locomotive-themed decor. There’s also a huge outdoor seating area where you can watch the trains come and go. The menu is mainly elevated pub fare with a long list of appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, and entrées like fish and chips, buffalo chicken mac and cheese, and poutine. As the name suggests, there’s always a variety of beers available on tap.

📍194 W. Ashland St., Doylestown, 📞 215-348-1663, 🌐 thestationtaphouse.com, 📷 @the_station_taphouse

Owner Donna Gouldey describes Allora as an “eclectic mix of quirky goods and gifts.” The selection includes unique candy (such as goat milk chocolates), candles, jewelry, puzzles, adult coloring books, and more. They even sell handmade crafts made right in Doylestown.

📍156 W. State St., Doylestown, 📞 267-406-4171, 🌐 thisisallora.com, 📷 @thisisallora

The Doylestown Bookshop is an independent bookstore dedicated to inspiring a love of reading. Fun tidbit: The Doylestown Bookshop is the official worldwide provider of Berenstain Bears books, with 10 unique collections of Berenstain Bears books that are only available in the shop and at their sister store, the Lahaska Bookshop in Peddler’s Village.

📍16 S. Main St., Doylestown, 📞 215-230-7610, 🌐 doylestownbookshop.com, 📷 @doylestownbookshop

This nostalgic shop has vintage candy, international chocolates, gourmet nuts, and makes customizable gift baskets. Plus, you can get milkshakes, ice cream, and custom (you pick the cookie and ice cream flavors) ice cream sandwiches made to order at the to-go window.

📍45 E. State St., Doylestown, 📞 215-348-0874, 🌐 evolutioncandy.com, 📷 @evolutioncandy

Caitlin Hernandez and Wendy Stone’s Makers Off Main sells handmade goods from more than 90 artisans, all located within one hour of Doylestown. Hernandez and Stone came up with the idea for their business when many of the local craft shows and arts festivals were canceled because of the pandemic. They wanted to create an affordable place for local makers to sell their products. Visit the store to shop jewelry, woodworking, bath products, and much more. Makers Off Main also hosts creative workshops and private parties, allowing local makers the opportunity to teach their skills and connect with other creative people in the community.

📍38 E. State St., Doylestown, 📞 215-399-0016, 🌐 makersoffmain.com, 📷 @Makers_off_main

If you love old school Philly apparel (think Eagles’ kelly green and Phillies’ throwback maroon and baby blue) and T-shirts that you won’t find in big box stores, check out Monkey’s Uncle. The local T-shirt shop works closely with dozens of local artists, so it’s likely that you’ll find a shirt that is designed by someone in Bucks County. In addition to fun shirts and vintage finds, the store also offers real world job training for special needs young adults through their mentorship program, “Monkeys on a Mission.”

📍123 S. Main St., Doylestown, 📞 267-247-5865, 🌐 themonkeysuncle.net, 📷 @themonkeysuncle