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 review is for the docent-led tour not the museum- which we thought was included in the $15 per…read moreperson fee. Our guide was a very sincere former employee of Bethlehem Steel who started our tour asking if we all were up for an hour and a half walk. We said yes. He started his presentation outside the door of the museum. An hour later we had walked maybe a block up a nondescript driveway as we listened to his stories of mismanagement, nepotism and greed within the company. He also showed pictures and told stories of some of the people who worked there over the years as well as some of the products produced. Some of the stories were interesting but an hours worth standing in the road? I finally asked if we were going to be able to go into some of the deserted fantastic looking buildings - he said no. We left the group and headed off by ourselves and found, across from the Arts Center, a stairway that headed up to the rusted gigantic steel stacks and accompanying infrastructure. Although it was fenced off, it was amazing walking along looking up, down, and around the place, almost close enough to touch. This is what we thought we were going to be learning about on the tour. Did we need to know what each gigantic piece did - not really - Did we waste $30 for the tour - sadly yes. Did we go back to see the museum - no. Will we, most likely not. Should you go? Take a look at the pictures and decide - you don't see this kind of scenery very often.

Really nice exhibit on different industries that shaped this country and the world. I liked the…read morecomputer exhibit which shows old computer stuff.

What an amazing Friday evening, we brought our mom an aunties here for a pre Mother's Day outing…read more The parking was a flat rate, however, there was parking along the side for free for those familiar with city parking rules. We were not so we parked in the lot. The whole museum was open for viewing from 5pm-8:45pm. Live music was great in the grand hall. There were a few tables, the whole staircase was open for sitting. Light fare food was available for eating, and the dining hall was open. It was a fantastic evening for a Pay What You Wish admission April 10-September 4, 2026. You may get your tickets online. Awesome outing for families, dates, hangout. I totally plan to visit again. The live band was very good and local to Philly.

I love a good museum and this one did not disappoint. No matter what type, medium, or genre of art…read morestrikes your fancy, I am certain that they have it here for you to appreciate and enjoy. One of my silliest and favorite parts of visiting museums is the little shops that often harbor inside of them. This museum had not one, but two of said shops boasting everything from merch related to the art on display, books about art, pieces from local makers, and way beyond. One thing that really excited my group was the photo booth located in one of the shops. For the fair price of $8, it takes three shots in your choice of black and white or color, provides a print, and emails you your photos. Much like many other mediums of art, I find photo booths to be such a simple joy that brings people together. We had such a meaningful day at the museum and I look forward to coming back on our next trip to the area.

What a cool hidden gem in Valley Forge National Park! I took a tour of this museum in November…read more2025. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and intriguing as he guided us around the property and inside the home/studio. Esherick was extremely talented and it was incredible to see his stunning creations. Tips: The tour is inside and outside so dress accordingly. There are steps inside the building. Booking ahead is required and tour group counts are limited.

Another spot that I wish more people were aware of, this museum is a glimpse into the life of a…read morefascinating artistic polymath. If you have any interest in architecture, woodworking, or even just the general history of the area, this place is a requirement.

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.

Wonderful way to travel back In history. Beautiful cars with lots of information about them. They…read morerotate the cars out every 6 months, so you will want to come back. The volunteers were so willing to answer any questions and were very knowledgeable. A MUST SEE PLACE.

Great value and gem of a museum! What a wonderful blend of history, mechanics, extremely friendly…read morecar-enthusiast attendants, and diverse amount of hands-on activities for the kids!

Museums are one of my passions. As far as this one goes, it's spectacular…read more Small in stature but packed with a multitude of original works, a few reproductions and personal mementos of the artist, Frank Frazetta. If you're not familiar with his name you've certainly seen some of his art. He was an illustrator and painter whose themes included fantasy and science fiction. His works can be seen on paperback covers, in comic books, album covers and posters. He has worked with Presidents and the Hollywood elite. The museum is run by his son Frank Frazetta Jr and Frank Jr's family. The tour was given by Laura, Frank Sr's daughter in law. His grandchildren work the gift shop counter. The grounds surrounding the museum are private property where Frank lived with his wife, Eleanor. As far as museum experiences go, this was one of my absolute favorites! Having the family telling the history of his life and works was an added bonus you rarely get. As Laura was speaking of her father in law, you got a sense of his humility and love for his family. What a gem, located in the picturesque Pocono Mountain area! Stop by, you won't be disappointed.

Interesting family run museum. Not very big but well curated and full of Frazetta original art and…read morehistory. Definitely take the tour from one of his relatives. Not often that you can get this close to multi-million dollar art and observe so much about one artist.

Philadelphia was the first hub of modern medicine in the US. It's incredible to just take a few…read moreminutes to really appreciate the magnitude of this. The staff was really nice as we arrived a few minutes after our allotted time on our purchased tickets. I struggled with the tightness of the space. Many specimens required me to squat which may not be possible for other guests. There is so much to see but it's in such a tight space, specifically the first floor. Many of the glass cases were also warped which was not easy on the eyes. The museum has great potential if everything was spaced out more. Given that the space is tight, one felt rushed to read everything because there were other guests shoulder to shoulder trying to experience the space. If you were ever into Ripley's Believe It or Not, check the Mutter Museum out, plenty of unique cases! I felt queasy at times seeing real specimens floating in jars. The pharmaceutical marketing room was intriguing, I love seeing ads from the past!

If you like medical anomalies, check out the Mutter Museum. It's a very interesting and informative…read moremedical museum. It holds a collection of medical instruments and anatomical specimens, which include skeletons and organs. At the exhibits, you will find conjoined twins, diseased bones, and various types of skulls. Everything has been preserved carefully. No pictures in the main exhibits, if it features human remains. $20 for adults or $15 for students. Other discounts may apply.

I have been waiting for this place to reopen since its renovations. They truly did an amazing job…read moreon their redo. From the minute you walk in and see that huge mural on the wall by the entrance , it truly stands out with its vibrant colors, and tiles to the beautiful framed artwork that stands out from room to room, and from artist to artist. If you're handicapped this can be somewhat of a hike, unless you got a spot on the street right across from the entrance like we did. I also recommend if a person can't walk well they use a wheelchair or skip it. There are some areas with stairs while walking so be prepared. If you have small children, a stroller is a must. They do have elevators to get you from floor to floor once you're in the building. It's located on the beautiful campus of Princeton University and it's completely FREE of charge which is unusual nowadays. This is a nonprofit so you can make a donation.It's open from 10-5p every day except Sunday 12-5pm and Friday when they are open 10-8pm. Double check when it's a Holiday, Princeton Art Museum offers over 80,000 ancient and contemporary works. It's a great way to see some amazing art, walk around the campus and take in some amazingly beautiful old building's on the campus. You can walk through town. There are tons of restaurants to choose from and a wonderful artisan ice cream shop. When you arrive at the museum, they have a concierge's desk that you can get a FREE map and ask questions. They have nice bathrooms too.There is also a small gift shop.that sell books, and memorabilia. There's security everywhere. All the guards were very polite and friendly. I got a late start so I didn't see everything, which is ok. I'll definitely be back. Parking is difficult. I suggest parking in a lot a block off Nassau street.. It was only $6.50 for a few hours. If you're lucky enough to get parking spot on the street across from the entrance, it really makes life easier. There is also limited handicapped spots in the lot and on the street.. I highly recommend going on a beautiful sunny day. The campus itself is beautiful. You can take your time and stroll the campus and the Art Museum. There are benches and places to sit in the museum. This is a wonderful place to see and learn about art, culture and history. When you're done you can check out the local bar and restaurant called Dinky's right on the campus. They make all kinds of cool cocktails and serve up some interesting foods.

The good: the new building shows the talent and thoughtful design of of David Adjaye; the…read morerestaurant, Mosaic, was excellent. The bad or at least the mixed: the art. The rooms are small and the art displayed is a jumble without narrative line or sensibilities. The bad art of first rate artists and a good selection of the second tier. Best paintings - the Kandinsky and the Max Beckmann. The oddest - the smallest Barnett Newman ever. I went for the exhibit on early Jackson Pollack, which was about a dozen early paintings that you'd never look at if there weren't Jackson Pollack's. Note you are best parking on the street on Nassau or at one of the nearby parking lots. The handicapped entrance is a distance from the steps, it looked difficult to negotiate. And, a shout out to the friendliest and most helpful guards.

This is well worth the trip out to see this place!! This is not just a museum, it's a world history…read moretour of different places around the world and their folklore, their myths and legends! The artifacts are absolutely jaw dropping, and incredible to behold. Cursed items, haunted items, priceless items. The place the houses all of these items is just a walk-through history and through time. Fabulous adventure

Wow, amazing small museum but very informative. If you're into the vampire paranormal definitely I…read moremust say.