Doylestown is one of the most beautiful and historical towns in Pennsylvania. A perfect setting for couples looking to explore PA! From museums to parks to indoor activities, there are so many unique things to do in Doylestown PA.
Doylestown is my hometown so I can let you in on all the must-see attractions in order to make the most of your day trip or weekend visit!
There’s nothing worse than visiting a new town without a plan and finding out later there was a super cool castle just down the road. I’m gonna make sure that doesn’t happen. š
If you like historical landmarks, definitely head to Fonthill Castle. If you want some thrilling outdoor adventure, Hellerick’s Family Farm Aerial Adventure Park is SO FUN. If you prefer indoor activities, a movie at the County Theatre can’t be missed.
Without further ado, here are 21 things to do in Doylestown Pennsylvania!
21 Things to Do in Doylestown PA
Best Outdoor Activities in Doylestown PA
1. Wander Main Street Downtown Doylestown
Whether it’s your first day in Doylestown or your 10th year, walking the shops and restaurants of downtown is definitely one of the best things to do in Doylestown PA. You could easily spend hours exploring the shops and food of Main Street. If you are on a weekend getaway to Pennsylvania and find yourself in Doylestown, a walk through Main Street is a must!
Where North and South Main Street meet, find a parking spot and start walking the historical streets of the town. Scattered among old historic buildings dating back to pre-revolutionary times, you’ll find so many unique coffee shops, boutique stores, activities, and of course amazing Doylestown PA restaurants and bars – all within walking distance!
Check out my post about the Complete Guide to a Walkable Day in Downtown Doylestown!
2. Go to theĀ Peace Valley Nature Center
Next on my list is the beautiful Peace Valley Nature Center. This park is near and dear to my heart – I went on many school field trips here growing up! Peace Valley Nature Center is a 1500 acre reserve right on beautiful Lake Galena. Take a stroll on tranquil nature trails while taking in the diverse habitat. In the streams, bogs, meadows and ponds you’re sure to see birds, deer, fish and more!
Check out information on trails and special events here!
3. Visit the Lavender Farm
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Connected toĀ Peace Vally Park isĀ the Peace Valley Lavender Farm – the perfect place to visit during the summer when the lavender is blooming. It’s a beautiful spot to relax and recharge on the weekend and pick up a souvenir for someone you love. They’ve got lavender everything – oils, lotions, flowers, pillows, you name it!
4.Ā Hellerick’s Family Farm & Aerial Adventure Park
If you are visiting Doylestown in the warmer months, a trip Hellerick’s Family Farm is a must. While it’s mostly known as the local pumpkin patch during the fall, Hellerick’s Aerial Adventure Park is a super fun activity for couples or friends in Doylestown.
From April 23rd through November 29th, the Aerial Adventure Park is open at Hellerick’s for adventure seekers. You’ll take on an obstacle course high in the sky, complete with swinging logs, unsteady bridges, and a 35 foot free fall jump!
Jonnie and I went there a few years ago and I may have almost cried (lol) but it was worth all the fear. Once you complete it, you’ll feel pretty darn awesome about yourself! Check out information here!
Of course, if heights isn’t your thing, you’ll still want to check out Hellerick’s Farm to pick seasonal flowers, fruits, and (of course) pumpkins. A visit to this local farm is one of the best things to do in Bucks County PA!
5.Ā Visit the Pine Valley Covered Bridge
One of the best free things to do in Doylestown is taking time to drive through one of the many covered bridges in Bucks County. There is so much charm and history in the area and the 12 covered bridges dotted throughout the county is the cherry on top! Luckily, one can be found on the border of Doylestown and New Britain: the Pine Valley Covered Bridge,
Located on Pine Run Creek next to Covered Bridge Park, this covered bridge is a great destination for couples or families looking for a place to drive and relax in Pennsylvania nature.
6. Go Mini Golfing
One of my favorite daytime date ideas is Mini Golfing. There’s a great spot just 3.5 miles from Downtown Doylestown called Four Season’s Golf Center. Put on your competitive pants and start practicing your swings. This locally owned business is a great place to visit when the weather is nice.
Four Seasons Golf often runs specials on holidays and weekends, with great deals on mini golf. They even have driving ranges for those with a bit more experience. Check out their facebook page to learn more!
7. Enjoy Wine Outside at Vivat Alfa Winery
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One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is with a glass of local wine, right? Vivat Alfa Winery is the best spot right in Doylestown to do exactly that! This boutique winery is home to a large selection of handcrafted wines, perfect for any wine lover.
If you’re visiting from Spring to Fall, enjoy their quaint outdoor patio connected to their cozy indoor winery. With special events all year round, including live music, there is always something exciting happening at Vivat Alfa. Check out their facebook page to see their events!
8. Explore Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve
Located just a few minutes drive from Doylestown is the Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve, a park nestled on the edge of Neshaminy Creek. This nature preserve is home to a 1 mile loop hike that is best enjoyed in the peak of fall or spring.
The Wilma Quinlan Nature Preserve is one of the best free things to do in Doylestown PA, especially if you love the outdoors! Check out the park on this Google Maps pin so you can find your way to this charming nature preserve.
9. Go to Kid’s Castle inĀ Central Park
This is definitely geared more towards families with kids but I had to include it. Kid’s Castle is an iconic Doylestown park that everyone who grew up here had core memories in. Think a larger-than-life, wooden castle structure with tunnels, bridges, and secret hiding places.
It’s absolutely a destination for children but I think the young at heart can enjoy it too! Kid’s Castle is located inside Central Park, a large park just outside of the Doylestown borough. Complete with a pavilion, a pond, and walking paths, it’s a great spot for a picnic in Doylestown!
10. Enjoy the Doylestown Farmer’s Market
If you’re in town between April and November, a stop at the Doylestown Farmer’s Market on a Saturday morning is a must! From 8am – 1pm every Saturday, locals gather on South Hamilton Street in Downtown Doylestown to sell homegrown produce, handmade items, coffee, wine, and other treasures!
I think the best way to get to know a community is to go to the local farmer’s market. If you’re an out-of-town visitor, the farmer’s market is one of the best attractions Downtown Doylestown PA has to offer. Check out their website to learn more about their vendors and events.
Indoor Activities in Doylestown PA
11. Michener Art Museum
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Some of my favorite memories from elementary school were the field trips to the Michener Art Museum. We probably went there every year in elementary school and I loved every visit!
Originally built in 1884 as the Bucks County Prison, the building was preserved and extensively renovated in 1988 to become a non-profit museum, exhibiting the art and culture of Bucks County. The museum was named after James A. Michener, one of the most celebrated authors and philanthropists of Doylestown.
The Michener Art Museum is absolutely one of the best things to do in Doylestown PA. Many pieces in the museum reflect real locations and historical moments in Bucks County. It is a great way for locals to get a different view of their hometown and for visitors to learn about the area’s history.
The museum is open Thursday thru Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and youths. Buy tickets here!
12. Fonthill Castle
Known as the backdrop of 90% of the local high school prom photos, Fonthill Castle is one of the most beautiful structures in Doylestown and home to some of the richest history!
Built between 1908-1912, Fonthill Castle was the home of Henry Chapman Mercer, an archaeologist, anthropologist, ceramicist, scholar, and all around big shot in early 1900s Doylestown. He built this castle to be his house and a museum for his vast collection of groundbreaking Moravian Tiles produced during the American Arts & Crafts Movement. Upon his death, the castle began operating fully as a historical house museum.
Guests from around the world visit Fonthill Castle to explore medieval corridors that were once occupied by one of the most influential figures in Pennsylvania history. Located just one mile from Downtown Doylestown, Fonthill Castle hosts 60 minute tours Tuesday thru Sunday. Tickets are $15 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and youths. Definitely be sure to add this to your plans when visiting Doylestown. Buy tickets here!
13. Mercer Museum
Also built by Henry Mercer (busy guy), is the Mercer Museum. Built in 1916, this 6 story concrete castle is a showplace to over 50,000 pre-Industrial tools. Mercer intended for this castle to serve as a window into pre-Industrial America, to tell a story of progress through hand tools and crafts. Looks like his dream became reality!
Located just beyond the heart of Downtown Doylestown, you’ll also want to add this unique museum to your list. The museum is open Tuesday thru Sunday, and tickets for a 2-hour self-guided tour are $15 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and youths. Buy tickets here!
14. Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum
YetĀ another construction of the incredible Henry Mercer, the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works Museum is another museum on this list that is an absolute must when it comes to exploring Doylestown.
Built in 1912, Mercer created the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works as an establishment to show off his production of unique tiles and pottery.Ā Today, Moravian Tile Works is open to the public to explore the historical processes and pieces of Mercer’s fine art. Tile Works is open from Tuesday through Sunday.
Available tours include: a basic 30 minute tour (tickets are $10 for adults with discounts for seniors, students and youths), a tour with an opportunity to make your own clay tiles (tickets are $60 per person), and a unique Steam Engine Tour that operates only on certain days of the year (for $17 per person). Book your tour here!
15. Doylestown Rock Gym
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The Doylestown Rock Gym is a fantastic rock climbing gym that is suitable for kids, adults, new climbers and pros. It’s the perfect place for couples to go beyond their comfort zone together!
The D-Town Rock Gym is a staple in town for climbers that love to free climb, boulder, and repel. Complete with overhangs, barrels, slab walls, and caves, any skill level can enjoy the different routes available.
They offer introductory and deluxe climbing courses as well as belay lessons. Day passes for adults are only $18 and they also have memberships, seasonal camps, and a shop. If you’re looking for a unique daytime date, head over to the Doylestown Rock Gym and test your strength and fear of heights!
16. See a Movie at the County Theater
The County Theater movie theater, located centrally on Main Street, is one of the focal points of Doylestown. It’s been around since the early 1900s, entertaining the community through film and special events. With original neon lights and only 2 auditoriums, it feels like a step back in time!
The County Theater stands today as the best spot in town to see new films, foreign flicks, and otherwise off the beaten path showings. It’s the perfect date night idea for couples looking for things to do in Doylestown PA at night. Be sure to check show times and stop in to one of the most historical movie theaters for miles!
17. Go to a Brewery – Geronimo Brewing Company
Do you love trying local beer? While there are plenty of breweries in Bucks County, Geronimo Brewing is the only one in Doylestown! Located right in the heart of Downtown on West Court Street, Geronimo BrewingĀ isĀ concocting new and exciting beers for locals to try!
This microbrewery is a great place to spend an afternoon before stopping at some of the shops in Downtown Doylestown. Be sure to stop by and try what’s on tap!
18. Go to Board and Brush Creative StudioĀ
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You’ve probably heard of Paint and Sip experiences, but Board and Brush in Downtown Doylestown takes DIY-ing to the next level. Board and Brush is a woodworking shop that invites guests to create their own unique wooden signs, perfect for indoor home decor!
Board and Brush offers tons of different workshop experiences and they always invite you to bring a bottle of wine. This is one of the most fun things to do in Doylestown PA, especially for a date night! Check out their calendar and book your workshop experience.
19. Go to the Doylestown Bookshop
Growing up, one of my favorite places to visit in town was the Doylestown Bookshop. Locally owned and operated, the Doylestown Bookshop is so charming and inviting. It’s the perfect place to spend some time on a rainy day to pick up a new read. I always loved checking out their staff picks – who knows great reads better!?
Located centrally on Main Street (across from the County Theater) it’s the perfect place to explore on the weekend. Be sure to check out their website to see what they are stocking the shelves with next!
20. Go to the Bucks County Civil War Museum
Doylestown is spilling with history, dating back hundreds of years. Another museum that must be on your Doylestown itinerary, is the Civil War Museum. This museum is one of the best things to do in Doylestown PA for adults and the best part is – it’s FREE!
Open only on Saturdays from 10:30-2:00pm, this museum offers amazing one-of-a-kind civil war artifacts,Ā historical books, and periodicals. Be sure to also take some time to enjoy the unique Abraham Lincoln section! Check out their website for more visitor information. It’s located right on Broad Street in Downtown Doylestown, making it a great stop on your day walking through town!
21. Have a Delicious Date Night Dinner
Doylestown is full of AMAZING restaurants, each with their own unique personality and cuisine. If you are looking for the perfect date night dinner spot, here are just a few of my top choices in town.
Ooka – the BEST sushi in town! Sit at a traditional table and enjoy some of the freshest sushi ever, or splurge on a Hibachi table where your meal is prepared right in front of you! (pictured above!)
Domani Star – locally sourced traditional Italian restaurant right in the middle of Downtown Doylestown. It’s cozy, charming, and perfect for dinner before seeing a movie at the County Theater
The Hattery – located inside the Doylestown Inn, this whimsical American-inspired restaurant is a great place for appetizers and drinks!
Vela – a more upscale restaurant located just outside downtown. Enjoy brick oven pizza, homemade pasta, and a unique wine menu!
Map of Things To Do in Doylestown Pennsylvania
And that’s my list of the best things to do in Doylestown PA, my amazing hometown. I hope that you’ve now got a large D-Town bucket list and start crossing them off!Ā
FAQs About Doylestown Pennsylvania
What County is Doylestown PA in?
Doylestown is located in Bucks County, just 30 miles from Philadelphia, an hour and a half from New York City and 45 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean! Bucks County is a beautiful part of Pennsylvania, filled with rich history, beautiful scenery and amazing shops and restaurants. Check out Bucks County on a map here!
What is Doylestown Pennsylvania Known For?
Doylestown is most known for what is called the “Mercer Mile”; a collection of museums celebrating the tile and art work of Henry Mercer, a scholar and ceramicist in the early 1900s. The Tile Works, Mercer Museum, and Fonthill Castle are huge tourist draws for Doylestown.
How much does it cost to go to Fonthill Castle?Ā
As of writing this post, the price for Fonthill Castle Tours are as follows:
Adult: $15
Senior (65 and up): $13
Student: $10
Youth (6-17): $8
Child (5 and under): FREE
These tickets include a 60 minute guided tour of the castle. Tours are available every day of the week except Monday and the last tour of the day is usually at 4pm. It is encourage to buy tickets ahead of time. Arrive to your tour at least 10 minutes in advance.
What is there to do in Doylestown PA this weekend?
Looking for all the up and coming Doylestown happenings this weekend? Check out the Bucks County Tourism Board for all the upcoming events in Doylestown PA! Like the car show, held Downtown every summer š
