Welcome to Doylestown
Find culture in Doylestown Borough and natural splendor in Doylestown Township
Located in the heart of Bucks County, is the bustling borough of Doylestown, the area’s county seat. Founded in 1745, Doylestown has seen many booms and busts throughout its rich history. Now, it’s on the upswing again — the area is regarded as a popular retreat from the big city, with a downtown area humming with culture, food, and nightlife. New apartment developments and a growing dining scene are among the city’s grand Gilded Age buildings and other nationally-recognized historic places like the Mercer Museum.
Doylestown Borough is bordered by the tranquil, parklike Doylestown Township, an affluent residential area formed out of a collection of once-independent villages. Doylestown Township surrounds the more urban Doylestown Borough on three sides and offers plenty of recreation-friendly green spaces. The township’s bucolic parks and peaceful Neshaminy Creek provide the perfect counterpoint after experiencing Doylestown Borough’s attractions.
What to Love
Walkable downtown with world-class dining and entertainment
Access to green spaces, large parklands, and country clubs
Attractions showcasing the area’s history
Four distinct seasons
Local Lifestyle
Visitors have flocked to Doylestown for much of the borough’s modern history, brought by the area’s natural beauty and cosmopolitan attractions in a small-town setting. The who’s-who of Pennsylvania and New York once kept summer homes here and their demand for world-class amenities — from fine dining to theater — remains. The contributions of notable residents, like the distinctive poured-concrete buildings gifted to the borough by Henry Chapman Mercer, give Doylestown a unique historic feel that locals are proud of. Perhaps in credit to the area’s atmosphere of tranquil creativity, many notable people — from musicians like P!nk to writers like Pearl S. Buck, James Michener, and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein — have ties to the Doylestown area.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Many Bucks County residents go to Doylestown for a night out on the town, as the borough offers a range of exclusive options. Whether it’s tapas at HONEY or romantic fine dining at the French bistro Slate Bleu, there are many restaurants sure to please. Domani Star offers exceptional Italian fare and allows patrons to BYOB, while Chambers 19 has events and live music almost every day of the week. Downtown Doylestown — and Main Street especially — is very walkable, and those seeking an after-dinner cocktail can stroll over to local favorite Hops/Scotch.
Downtown Doylestown also offers a range of boutique shopping. Literature lovers will love the independently-owned Doylestown Bookshop and the used book treasures at Central Books. Those with little ones can spend hours at Busy Bee Toys, while fashionistas and sports enthusiasts alike will enjoy the vintage-inspired and sports team apparel at Monkey’s Uncle. The gift shops of the area’s many museums are also treasure troves of unique and exquisite art pieces, accessories, and home items.
Things to Do
Both Doylestown Borough and Doylestown Township have a plethora of activities and attractions. Historic Doylestown and the surrounding urban area are a feast of historically-registered buildings, especially the three buildings designed and later donated by archeologist Henry Mercer — the Mercer Museum, Moravian Pottery Tile Works, and his home Fonthill Castle. The Tile Works museum offers exhibitions of handmade tile production as done in the 1890s and workshops and an apprenticeship program for aspiring ceramicists.
There’s plenty to do in the vast spaces of Doylestown Township, including outdoor recreation in various Bucks County bike and hike trails, enjoying the Neshaminy Creek, and letting the little ones loose in the 108-acre Kids Castle Central Park. Various hobby farms like the Peace Valley Lavender Farm dot the surrounding areas. Residents of both Doylestowns look forward to the two-day Doylestown Arts Festival every September, as well as the annual bike race.
Schools
Both Doylestown Borough and Doylestown Township are served by the excellent Central Bucks School District, which offers 15 elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools. Central Bucks boasts a graduation rate of over 99%, and over 88% of students continue onto college. The district has the distinction of consistently scoring higher than the state average on standardized tests and provides all students with a personal laptop or tablet to support their learning.
