VERY INTERESTING!!! While visiting my daughter in PA from CA we checked out the Mercer Museum and…read moretruly enjoyed the experience. Plenty of free parking available and Admission @ $20 for adults and $ 17 for Seniors was fair. So much to see and learn, you literally had to look everywhere, no space was left unused! The staff was helpful and insightful and we learned a lot and were impressed with the collection. Down side was elevators we not working which was OK for us but might have been an issue for others. #2 issue was lack of air conditioning in parts of the building. I highly recommend you take the time to see this!

It was a random visit. A sunny day, a lovely ride, and we ended up in Doylestown, an area that…read morepiques my interest. Had no idea what was in the Mercer and was blown away by what we saw. Henry Mercer, a true renaissance man, built the Mercer Musem to preserve a vast collection of everyday objects from pre-industrial America. Watching a film at the outset -- most people skipped it -- gave us an idea of what was behind the exhibits. Everything is precisely categorized: tools used for meat preparation, tools for dairy production, tools used with fruit ..... (he had a fascination with tools.) In 1911-'12 Mercer built Moravian Pottery and Tile Works. For a period of time he was recognized as the premier maker of artistic tiles. A mile down the road is Fonthill Castle, Mercer's home and showplace for his tiles. Open to the public, but unfortunately closed Saturday because of a wedding. (What a cool place for a wedding!) Both properties are Smithsonian affiliates, operated by the Bucks County Historical Society. If you find yourself in the area, I recommend a visit. (Ladies, wear comfortable flat shoes; there are winding staircases of hard concrete, and I hate to imagine a fall.) After your visit, you might want to keep your car parked in Mercer's lot and walk a few blocks to State and Main Streets. A number of bars and restaurants.

I visited the Michener Art Museum a few weeks ago on a Saturday when my husband and I were in…read moreDoylestown. It was my first visit, and I really loved it. The Michener isn't huge, but it's a lovely museum. It's located inside a historic 19th century prison building, which sounds like it wouldn't be beautiful - but it is beautiful: stone walls, an arched entry, a courtyard. It's named for the novelist and Doylestown resident James A. Michener, who established the endowment for the museum and donated significant funds and some paintings from his private collection to the museum, which opened in 1988. As a regional art museum, it collects both historic and contemporary American works, with a focus on the art of the Delaware Valley. Its permanent collection includes nearly 4,000 artworks, including works by famous Pennsylvanian artists. I happen to love Wharton Esherick and George Nakashima and was thrilled to see their work in the museum! I wish we'd had more time so that I can could read for a bit in the Nakashima Reading Room - don't miss it. The museum also has a small outdoor sculpture garden, a small gift shop, and a little cafe if you need a coffee. And on top of all that, their staff are friendly and helpful AND they have great exhibits! We visited for an exhibit currently at the museum - "Anila Quayyum Agha: interwoven" (I had seen her work at a gallery in Houston about a decade ago and was thrilled to find another opportunity to see her work) - but really enjoyed their permanent collection as well. A small but charming and regional art museum with an impressive and unique permanent collection and great exhibits. Definitely check it out if you're in the area!

Yes. THAT James Michener, Pulitzer prize-winning author who spun tales of far-away places. He was…read moreborn in Doylestown. Built on the site of the inhumane Bucks County Jail, not only is the art museum diverse, the grounds are fascinating. Before entering, you'll see sculptures and an imposing stone wall -- the site of the last man hanged in Bucks County. Exhibits are on one beautifully-designed level. Most of the artists and/or subjects celebrate the creativity of the region: paintings, sculptures, works that could be called "installations." With the exception of the Mona Lisa (and a few other pieces) I'm not a fan of Renaissance or religious art. Works here span the 1800s to present -- a lot of contemporary -- which may be why I soaked in everything I saw. Doylestown isn't as well known as New Hope ... but, what a charming town with beautiful old homes and good shopping. After going through the museum -- it takes an hour or so -- you may want to walk to Main Street and enjoy a coffee or spot of lunch. We lucked out and inadvertently timed our visit on the same day as Doyletown's popular art show. A stellar afternoon!

There were so many things to look at inside and out. The grounds were just as cool as the inside !read more

VAMPA exceeded our expectations…read more The exhibits are immersive, thought-provoking, and often genuinely eerie, with an impressive collection that explores the line between faith, folklore, and the paranormal. We loved it... VAMPA was my wife's suggestion to check this out, though she was ready to leave before the museum was finished with us. There is an unexpected presence there. Not to be taken lightly. ‍

Mom and I loved our self guided tour of this fascinating art tile factory. You get to see the tiles…read moremade the way the founder did. The building is so cool and you can buy hand crafted pottery. Loved it!

A "working museum," Moravian Pottery & Tile Works was founded and built by Henry Chapman Mercer in…read morethe early twentieth century, and the facility still produces handmade tiles using techniques that Mercer developed, and reproductions are crafted using his original molds and locally sourced clay. You can show up and just shop in their store (lots of tiles to choose from) or you can take a tour. The tour starts with a video (a pretty old one!) that explains the history and the architecture of the tile works and the process used by the tileworks to make its tile (pretty much the same as 100 year ago). Then you can wander through the self-guided tour path and see a demonstration of some tiles being pressed and talk to the staff about the tiles and process. It's definitely one of the many places worth visiting in Doylestown. It makes a great day or weekend trip combined with some of Doylestown's other attractions (like Mercer's home Fonthill, which is just next door, and the museum he founded in town). The tiles are beautiful, and it was great to learn and see how they're made!

This place was amazing! Spent a good hour and a half to 2 here. The tour guides are the best part…read more When we walked in they all introduced themselves and were all very friendly. We were even offered water for free. Also the tour is free too!! They work off donations but don't pressure you or anything. They have nice events coming up too for the holidays just look at their website! I highly recommend this!

Our tour guide George was so knowledgeable, patient, and interesting. This museum is a gem, an well…read moreworth a visit. The other docents were just as welcoming and we had a most delightful visit-- and learned a lot. I am not a Civil War buff, but I found this museum utterly fascinating!

In the heart of Abington, and about a hundred yards away from the Roslyn train station, you can…read morefind Briar Bush, a hidden nature preserve tucked away on Edge Hill road. With scenic walking trails, an outdoor classroom, day camps and a small indoor animal habitat, Briar Bush is a great spot for small children, couples on a date, or anyone looking for a brief respite from the urgency of the modern world. With free admission for locals and a small fee for out-of-towners, the preserve is accessible to all patrons provided that they are able to walk down some wooded trails that circle through the admittedly short walking routes. The centerpiece of the trails is a picturesque, secluded pond with benches for sitting and an interactive sign with information on the local fauna and flora. The indoor animal habitat has a small gift shop, pamphlets on upcoming events and information on other parks in the area, and several interesting animals such as a blind possum named Odin, a bearded lizard named Karl, and several other unique turtles and reptiles. All of Briar Bush can be walked through in an hour or so, but the low admission, interactive nature events and scenic walking trails will have you wanting to return again soon.

I take my 2 y. o. granddaughter nearly every week. There are so many wonderful things to explore…read moreand learn from. They have a walking path through the woods with a natural playground and sandbox, a bird house building to watch and interactive displays, a mini zoo inside a house with small animals and activities including a treehouse. They also have weekly activities and seasonal events for elementary school kids. My granddaughter calls Briar Bush "The Animal House" and loves to put a donation in the collection box before we leave.

A wonderful and FREE facility for reading and reference materials…read more Has been a part of the community for decades. Built on the site of the historic (old) Doyletown Prison.

I am not from the area and I was only visiting. I had a nice time browsing through the aisles of…read morebooks. It's very spacious in there. It was a good way to spend some time especially on a rainy day.