Doylestown, PA is a charming, history filled day trip filled with concrete castles. We had no idea what to expect when we arrived—no background knowledge—just curiosity. But we left completely captivated, especially by the fascinating story of Henry Chapman Mercer. His legacy, from concrete castles to handmade tiles.
The Salt Box: 5840 Easton Rd, Doylestown, PA 18902
We kicked off our day with a breakfast that I would probably eat every day if I could. The Salt Box absolutely blew us away. We split a pretzel bacon, egg & cheese sandwich, followed by two stuffed pretzels—rosemary & mozzarella and pepperoni & provolone. Banging. That’s all I can say.
Oh, and we didn’t stop there. We had to try the ice cream: one scoop of chocolate-covered pretzel & peanut butter and one of salted pecan bourbon. Sweet, salty, and completely addictive. They also have a lovely outdoor lot and a bar menu—ideal for a casual hangout. Honestly, it’s probably for the best this place isn’t near home, or we’d be regulars.
Mercer Mile: Fonthill Castle, Mercer Museum, and Moravian Pottery & Tile Works: make up what’s known as the Mercer Mile. All three celebrate the life and legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer, an eccentric yet brilliant man who turned his passions into something unforgettable.
Fonthilll Castle: Adult Tickets: $20
I’m glad we started here. Learning about Mercer gave us context for everything else we saw later. He wasn’t just a wealthy man riding on inherited money from his aunt; he was well-traveled, deeply educated, and driven by curiosity.
The castle served both as Henry Mercer’s home and as a showcase for his tilework and vast collections. It features 44 rooms, all constructed from concrete including built-in furniture like desks and shelves. Every room is filled with tiles from around the world, each telling a piece of a larger story. What blew me away was learning that all the concrete was mixed by hand and carried in buckets.
Upon his death he left his castle in a trust as a museum and gave the rights to his housekeeper. She remained resided in the house until her death.
When planning your visit I would book tickets in advance and plan on a cool weather day. We were told that in the heat, the castle does get very warm. The tour was about an hour long.
Moravian Pottery & Tile Works Museum: Adult Tickets: $15
Located just across the parking lot from Fonthill, this site is still an operational tile workshop. We didn’t take the tour, but we browsed the charming gift shop and picked up a handmade tile for our kitchen. Fun fact: they still use Mercer’s original molds.
Mercer Museum: Adult Tickets: $20
The Mercer Museum is a six-story concrete castle housing over 50,000 artifacts representing 60 American trades. It wasn’t exactly what I expected but it was absolutely fascinating. You could stand in one spot and see something new every time you looked around. The way the artifacts are suspended and layered throughout the building allows you to view them from different angles as you move up or down the stairs—a design that was very much intentional.
Learning about Henry Mercer beforehand really helped me appreciate the museum more. It gave insight into how his mind worked—eccentric, curious, and yes, a bit of a hoarder. He curated the display to preserve disappearing trades and tools of American life.
The museum is self-guided, which made me especially glad we toured Fonthill Castle first to understand his story.
Main Street: Shoppes, Restaurants, Brewery
The town’s main street has that charm you would expect. We spent a good chunk of time popping in and out of stores, and a few favorites stood out: Siren Records, Empanada Mama, Wizarding Ways, Classic Games Revisited, Cyborg One, and Central Books.
Peace Valley Lavender Farm: about 15 minute drive away from Main Street
Before heading home, we swung by this peaceful spot. While the lavender wasn’t in bloom yet, we loved the gift shop and picked up a few things and a lavender plant which is now happily planted in our garden. The farm is across from Peace Valley Reservoir, which has scenic trails. Next time, we’re bringing bikes and planning a full day in the sun.
**Teacher Bonus For Tickets**
If you are a local teacher from PA, NJ, or DE you can get one free adult ticket. Valid School ID required at check-in. Discount code for online tickets is TEACHER.
Capsule Customs Travel 