Amazing property, it is a hidden gem. Went with my family for the tour and everyone enjoyed it!read more

Wow. What a unique, random gem and historic property. What is Fonthill and why is there a castle in…read moreDoylestown, Pennsylvania? Fonthill Castle was the home of archeologist and tile maker Henry Chapman Mercer. (Also in Doylestown are two more Mercer buildings you can tour - the Mercer Museum and the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works building, the business Mercer ran and where most of the tiles in the castle were produced.) Henry Mercer seems like he was an interesting guy, and you can see that in his home - 44 rooms, 18 fireplaces, 200 windows, who knows how many staircases...! And designed and decorated in a way I've never seen anywhere else. The castle is an early example of poured-in-place concrete building and is a mix of Medieval, Gothic, and Byzantine architectural styles. And there are, of course, Moravia tiles (and some historic and international tiles that he collected during his life) throughout the house - almost more than you could imagine. We visited last Saturday to experience their "Fonthill Castle Holiday Lights Meander Experience," which allows you to visit the castle through a self-guided experience (there were staff in various rooms who were happy to answer questions) and enjoy a series of Christmas trees on display throughout the home. I definitely enjoyed the experience but am definitely planning a return visit to see the castle in better light (not at night in the dark - which was perfect for the Christmas tree experience) - they offer 60-minute guided tours though the house for most of the year! The castle is pretty wild, and I look forward to visiting it again and experiencing it in a new way. If you are interested in architecture, art, crafts, the Arts and Crafts design movement, or just quirky, unusual places, definitely add Fonthill to your list and check it out!

This museum has tons to see and is even better because it is more of a local museum (so not super…read moretraffic heavy). Free parking and plenty of interesting things to see. I went for their version of the bodies exhibit and was not disappointed! It may be graphic for younger children, but it's extremely fascinating!!!

This my go to spot in West Reading to entertain the grandkids. The kid friendly exhibits change…read moreseveral times a year and are an excellent way for them to blow off steam. This time they had an exhibit featuring Harley Davidson motorcycles. One on display was the motorcycle ridden by Peter Fonda in Born to be Wild. Past exhibits included Teenage Ninja Turtles and Thomas Trains. There are also plenty of interesting things for adults. They have a seasonal display of Christmas trees decorated with ornaments from around the world. A modern art exhibit is also at the museum for the next couple of months.

What a fun thing to do! We didn't know what to expect and want to say we all really enjoyed the…read moreexperience! Admission was reasonable and enjoyed the self-guided part while waiting for the next tram departure time. There was everything you could imagine - except one thing! A TELEX MACHINE (which I used to operate). When I asked the staff if they had one none of them even knew what I was talking about (early 20's)! We took the tram tour and really enjoyed it. The tram moved at a nice pace so you could really take in everything. So much to see - everywhere. It was a really fun way to spend a few hours on a rainy day! But I urge you to visit rain or shine!

It's like an I-Spy book came to life! This collection is massive but I really appreciate how well…read moreorganized and categorized it is. It makes it easier for the eye to take in. The tram car goes at a super slow speed so you have time to take everything in. The tour is guided by a pre-recorded audio track but sometimes the driver will provide information as well. The museum also has a small walkable area to explore. There's also popcorn, candy, and drinks to purchase. Some of the items are truly impressive and there's definitely plenty for everyone to point out and find and enjoy. Highly recommend this fun attraction.

The Toy Robot Museum might be one of the least known and most underrated museums in eastern…read morePennsylvania. It's located halfway between Reading and Ephrata, in the Stoudtburg Village, which resembles an old European Village. Parking is free on the northside of the complex, and walking in is easy. The Toy Robot Museum's storefront is not really clearly marked, but when you see the fountain, keep walking down and look for a storefront on the left-hand side with a red colored exterior. You enter into the shop area, that houses various robot related merchandise for sale. There is no admission fee for the museum. This museum is a passion project for the owner and it is his personal collection on display. He is very nice and will show you around the displays, giving facts about the robots. There are also small video displays, that when activated will show ads and other information about the robots. Featured robots include but are not limited to Robocop, Forbidden Planet, and Metropolis. Large displays of robots from Japan and Europe are also included. Museum does tend to focus on robots from the 1960's and 1970's. Touring the museum will take about 45 minutes to an hour depending on your level of interest. Make sure to plan some additional time to explore the rest of the Stoudtburg Village. There are also many antique places in the area, both large and small. Overall, Toy Robot Museum is a great stop that many people don't know about, but should.

I love this museum! So many great robot toys from over the years. The owner Joe is also a super…read morenice guy. We go here every time we are in the area.

If you're any kind of aircraft or history enthusiast, you'll love this place. Tons of aircraft from…read moredifferent eras of the industry, and tour guides who are experts (my guide literally flew on and repaired some of the planes!). Don't be put off if you've seen pics of some of the beat up planes on the tarmac--there's a hangar full of pristine models including the work-in-progress Black Widow fighter. Couple of caveats: the hangar is hot in summer and cold in winter, dress and hydrate appropriately. Also, planes are stacked like sardines in the hangar--you'll be ducking and dodging to avoid banging your head on an aileron. Mobility-challenged folks may want to proceed with caution. Younger kids may get bored but I was perfectly happy to let the guide tell me stories for 2 hours and j loved every minute. (Note: for security purposes there is no self-guided tour option here.)

So the museum itself is pretty decent, it has a good variety of fairly rare aircraft. Very nice…read moreexamples in the hangar, outside on the ramp is a sad situation. Lots of old aircraft rotting outdoors craving some TLC. I got the impression the owner is a bit of a tyrant. Our tour guide wanted to show us the workshop where they restore the planes, he peaked in and asked the boss and was met with a loud furious "NO" we could all hear. Very odd. My biggest red flag is when I caught our tour guide in a sort of passive aggressive lie at the end of the tour. Perhaps an inadvertent one, but he clearly made it up and it made me reflect on what was true or not from the rest of the tour. They have a rotted out F-86 Sabre on the ramp, decaying in the elements. I told him I had spoken to the pilot of one and watched him take off before me on his way to Oshkosh. The old man looked at me strange, turned to another guest and began saying "there are only two of these left and none fly." Odd and passive aggressive. There are at least 20 airworthy examples and many more survivors in the US alone! Really rubbed me the wrong way as I had seen it with my own eyes just 2 years ago and he felt the need to clarify (really UN-clarify) nonsense to a guest who had overheard. At $10 I can't tell you not to go. It's affordable and worth that money, just maybe tune out regarding the "information" they provide.

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 don't remember having gone to this nature center. I'll have to bring my grandkids again!read more

I am an avid Halloween Haunt enthusiat. Every year my Buddy and I select a place to enjoy the sets,…read morethe scares and have a blast. This year we selected Hotel of Horror in PA. The YouTube videos looked great and tickets were purchased. After our pre-haunt meal we arrived. The place was lit up nicely, creepy music playing. The actor who gave the instructions was on point, he was creepy, funny and into the festivities that awaited us. So this is by no means a bad review, however, there was just not enough actors to deliver scares. The sets were fantastic, using all the standard fare that all the great places use. That being said, again, just not enough actors within the haunt. We walked through several scenes without seeing an actor. For the price of the tickets (which are on par with much larger places like Penhurst Asylum and East State Penitentiary) Hotel of Horror just does not stack up with the big boys. Would we return? Probably not, for the money, would most likely return to one of the big boys!!!

If your ready for fall time and you would like to get scared and spooky just before Halloween ,…read morethis is the place that will satisfy your needs. Great place to go with your friend. The Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares are both indoor, walk through Haunted House attractions featuring live actors and paranormal activity housed in the 200 year old "abandoned " Pocono Mountain resort once called The Lake House Hotel, Saylorsburg, Pa. Open rain or shine with a covered wait line and free parking. Don't let the weather scare you. That's our job! Our revamped ticketing process gives you less time in line and more time in the attraction. The Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares Halloween Attractions are both housed inside the legendary Lake House Hotel intertwined and breathing next to one another, sharing organs and a circulatory system like conjoined twins. The sinister subconscious of the Hotel of Horror feeds off the dark energy that stains the lumber skeleton of this once pristine mountain resort, while Altered Nightmares celebrates the chaos that grows stronger as each soul travels through its decaying halls and abandoned rooms. They are open the end of September until the end of October!!

I'm not an avid science museum fan but had a fun experience at Allentown's Da Vinci Science Center…read more It's the new location for the museum which use to be located outside of town so visiting gives you easy walking to other downtown attractions and museums. Everything was interactive and modern with just enough text and things to immerse myself in to keep my attention. I especially loved that there are live animals I can see including otters! Some of the fish seemed a bit crammed in their tanks. :/ And I was excited to see the live animal reveal...but it was a cold day and this happened on the upstairs pavillion outside so, being a California guy who had checked my coat in the free coat check lockers, it was too cold for me to stick with it. There were all kinds of heaters out there that weren't on which would have made a big difference to me (or anyone who gets cold easily) had they turned those on. I was there with a group of ten with adults and kids ranging from 4-16. Everyone had a good time and had plenty to do and interact with.

We definitely prefer the old location. I found parking in Center City a bit uncomfortable. The…read moreactual Center itself the only exhibits that my kids found fun was the otter exhibit, the fish and turtle aquarium and my little one loved the drums. But that was it to me it was a waste of money. We could not even find the cafeteria. Also I did not prefer the one bathroom for both men and women?? We will definitely not be going back. It just isn't the same.

I was gonna take my daughter to North Museum of Nature and Science...but the tickets were sold out…read moreon Easter morning. Then I found Turkey Hill Ice cream Experience only 30min away from Lancaster, and decided to visit. We bought the double scoop experience (comes with ice cream test lab) and obviously that was the highlight of the place! The test lab is about 45min experience and the whole thing with self-guided tour takes about 1hr 30min to 2 hours depending how crowded it is. The visit was fun and of course my 5-year-old daughter had a great time eating tons of ice cream!

Visted on the 4th of July, perfect tourist attraction for locals and all ages…read more Even being solo for the experience, with families and kids was relaxing, and pleasent. Admission prices are reasonable, and who doesnt love unlimited samples of iced tea, and lemonade, icecream on a hot day. Vistors have a choice between one scoop, two scoop, or three scoop attraction. I choose one scoop; hilights of my visit- learning history of Turkey Hill, process of icecream being made, creating a virtual icecream flavor, watching the production , live from interactive camera in one of the exhibits. Be sure to take the few moments, to watch the introduction video. My favorite ice cream sample flavors were Graham Slam & Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake. An attraction must, well visiting Lancaster, PA. My recommendation would be too sell a few more flavors that you offer , with unlimited tastings. My favorite was orange icedtea.

I wasn't even sure if I wanted to go here because previous pictures and videos made this museum…read morelook really small. I just happen to be in that direction and figure for 10 bucks. Why not. I stayed here from 12 to 3 PM and I feel like I didn't even get to taking everything that I wanted. It's nice and warm in there and the cold weather. There's so much information they even have a dedicated children's area where kids can come and dress up like little conductors build trans using magnet tiles and more.

Right across the street from the Strasburg Rail Road (literally just a crosswalk away), the…read moreRailroad Museum of PA is a must if you're in the area. We stopped by on a Saturday afternoon after a train ride, and wow... this place has more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars inside the building. Not mini replicas. Not models. REAL trains. The sheer size of them up close was mind-blowing! Some cars are open to explore, and even the ones you can't go inside are close enough to touch and grab great photos. Admission was only $10, and we spent a solid 2.5 hours wandering through--even as total non-train buffs. Train lovers could easily make a full day of it. Staff were friendly, and volunteers were spread throughout the museum to answer questions and share fun facts about the trains, which made the visit even better. Just inside the entrance is a well-stocked gift shop with tons of novelty items and unique finds--definitely worth a peek before you head out. Beyond the trains, there are interactive exhibits--Legos, a mini town with history lessons, and even dress-up spots for kids. It's very family-friendly, but smaller kids may lose steam (pun intended ) walking the long rows of cars. Overall? This was a fun, different, history-packed experience that was absolutely worth the ticket price. I don't know that I need to go back, but I'm really glad I went once!