Washington DC has its own fair share of enchanting spots that you can visit. But just a few hours north, in Pennsylvania, there is a quaint town where you will feel like you’ve just stepped into a fairytale. Doylestown, PA is the best fairy tale town near Washington DC.
Doylestown was once a few forested hills and paths and was home to Lenni-Lenape Indian tribe. In mid 1700s, the Doyle family came to live on this land.
In 1745, William Doyle built a tavern so travelers could rest during their journey. The village was originally known as "William Doyle’s Tavern" before becoming Doylestown.
Today this community thrives. Just stroll down their charming downtown area where businesses and cafes operate along the tree-lined streets to get a feel for the town.
In the early 1900s, Fonthill was the home of archaeologist and scholar, Henry Mercer. The castle is a mix of Medieval, Gothic and Byzantine architecture style, giving it a stunning and unique structure.
The Mercer Museum was built by Henry Mercer after he built Fonthill. Mercer had begun collecting material from daily life that he thought would be forgotten because of the Industrial Revolution. He had a collection of almost 30,000 items such as hand tools to a horse-drawn carriage.
Henry Mercer also contributed the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works museum. This "working history" museum continues to produce beautiful tiles and mosaics.
You can also visit the Michener Art Museum in Doylestown. This museum has a wide range of Impressionist paintings and world class artwork. It is located within historic walls and features beautiful terraces and courtyards.
