Lancaster, Pennsylvania is best known for being home to the oldest Amish community in the United States, but that’s not all it’s known for. From staying in a unique family-friendly Cartoon Network themed hotel to sampling scoops of award-winning ice cream at the Turkey Hill Experience to knocking back pints of craft beer along the Lancaster Ale Trail, Lancaster, PA offers visitors of all ages and interests a seemingly endless number of unique activities to participate in.
Most people don’t know this, but Lancaster City is one of the oldest inland cities in the US. It’s a town that has a rich history and some truly unique architecture. It was established in 1742 and today is home to more than 60,000 residents. As the most populated city in the heart of Lancaster county, it’s a great place to start when exploring this incredibly delightful region of Pennsylvania.
Join us as we take a little tour of one of Pennsylvania’s most popular tourist destinations while exploring the many reasons why a trip to Amish country should be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Viewcation Presents: The Best Things To Do In Lancaster, PA
Bird-In-Hand
This quaint village will transport you back to simpler times. Remember back in the day when things like smartphones and social media didn’t control every aspect of our lives? Well, you can reminisce about the ‘good old days’ when visiting this charming Amish community in the heart of Lancaster County.
Shop for fresh, natural produce at the farmers market or enjoy a relaxing leisurely horse and buggy ride. If that doesn’t pique your interest, you can always book a hot air balloon ride that will give you an aerial view of the idyllic Amish countryside.
If you work up an appetite, you can enjoy authentic Pennsylvania Dutch cooking at one of the community’s various restaurants. For a sweet treat, be sure to sample the local favorite, shoofly pie.
As far as lodging goes, you can book a night’s stay at an 18th-century inn or in a one-room Amish schoolhouse. To further flesh out your bird-in-hand experience, you can also take tours of Amish farms, participate in old-timey ice cream socials, or go for a wine tasting.
Shop For Antiques
Lancaster is a veritable treasure trove for those who love shopping for antique and vintage home furnishings, collectibles, clothing, and art. While you’ll find dozens of antique vendors throughout the county, some of the best shops line the streets of the village of Adamstown, which is known for being the antique capital of the United States.
You can find the Adamstown Antique Mile along state Rt. 272 in the northeastern corner of Lancaster county. Here, you’ll find more than 5,000 antique dealers, with even more coming out whenever Adamstown hosts their regular Antiques Extravaganza Weekends.
One of the most popular destinations for antique hunters is Renningers Antique Market. Here you’ll find 500 or so vendors alone.
Sight & Sound Theatres
If you’re a person of faith, Lancaster’s Sight and Sound Theaters brings the faith-strengthening stories of the bible to life with spirited performances that include period-appropriate props and costumes, trained animals, dazzling special effects, and a world-renowned orchestra.
This acclaimed 2,000-seat theater is actually the sister facility to a venue in Branson, Missouri. Shows in fact travel between both sites offering patrons an ever-changing line-up of entertainment to experience.
Columbia
Columbia is one of the most visited destinations in Lancaster County. The town offers everything from museums to outdoor adventures and shopping. One of our favorite spots in Columbia is the Wright’s Ferry Mansion, which was originally built to increase access to then-newly developed areas along the great Susquehanna River. Another excellent attraction in town is the National Watch & Clock Musuem, which happens to be home to the world’s largest collections of 19th-century American-made watches and clocks.
Lancaster Central Market
This historic public marketplace can be found in the heart of downtown Lancaster. In 1972 it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The market first opened in 1899 and is considered to be one of the oldest municipally-operated markets in the nation.
It features Roman-inspired architecture mixed with a distinctly vintage vibe. As you stroll through the market, you’ll be immersed in the local culture. Best of all, the market is free to visit!
Amish Farm and House
Also known as the Amish Farm Museum, this is one of the most popular attractions in Lancaster. The site features an authentic Amish farmhouse, schoolhouse, and farmland – all of which can be explored during an Amish Country Tour. As you stroll through the museum, you’ll learn all about the Amish way of life. Outside, you can even meet and feed a few farm animals.
Dutch Apple Dinner Theater
One of the most fun and family-friendly ways to spend an evening in Lancaster is by having dinner at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater. Here you can catch a play or musical while enjoying a delicious taste of the regional cuisine.
Unlike traditional theaters, guests sit at restaraunt-style tables, allowing them to chow down while watching the show. Dishes like steak or squash ravioli are prominently featured on the menu. Just be sure you save room for dessert! Mark my words, the triple chocolate cake is divine!
Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
If you’re hoping to learn more about rural life in Lancaster, plan on visiting the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum. This fantastic and informative attraction provides guests with an in-depth look at the history of the rural German community that this part of Pennsylvania was established by. On display, you’ll see many artifacts and exhibits that shed light on the rich history of the region.
Exhibits include wedding dress collections, pottery, farm equipment, and folk art. You can also see historic buildings such as old houses, schools, and other functional structures. For a change of pace, horse and buggy rides are also available.
Go ‘N Bananas Family Fun Center
For those traveling with children, this is an attraction that is sure to keep the little ones entertained for hours while giving the grown ups a chance to take a breather. While this entertainment center has attractions suitable for visitors of all ages, it’s especially aimed toward school-aged children.
The center features activities like laser tag, obstacle courses, bowling, and arcade games. There is also a small cafe if you end up working up an appetite.
American Music Theater
This venue features concerts from virtually every genre of music, from country to R&B and even rock! Broadway-esque performancces and comedy shows are hosted here as well, so be sure to consult with the theater’s online schedule to see what’s coming up!
Old Country Store Quilts and Fabrics
This historic store in downtown Intercourse offers the finest locally made handmade quilts and craft goods. They provide excellent customer service and boast a vast collection of quilting fabric and sewing accessories in addition to innovative kitchen aids, old-fashioned toys, and novelty wares.
Lil’ Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm
Located right outside of Strasburg, PA, this establishment is home to a gentle and friendly herdof ridiculously adorable miniature horses who are more than inclined to let you pet them. Saddle and buggy rides are also available at an affordable price.
The Lil’ Country Store features a wide variety of hand-crafted Amish goods including framed prints, quilt-pillows, birdhouses, and snacks.
Old Windmill Farm
Here guests can come out experience what life is like on a working Amish farm. You can milk cows, feed calves and goats, as well as meet miniature bulls and chickens. Throughout the day, visitors can watch pot-bellied pigs perform. While that might not sound all that compelling, trust us when we say that it’s a sight to behold. Visitors can also tour a large garden while sampling it’s produce. Group rates are available and you can book tours in advance online.
Prussian Street Arcade
A visit to the Prussian Street Arcade in Manheim, PA, provides visitors with a unique boutique shopping experience. You can find everything from one-of-a-kind jewelry and crafts to vintage clothing, antiques, upcycled home goods, and specialty food items. There is something for everyone here all tucked away under one roof.
Covered Bridges
If you enjoy learning about history and architecture, taking a tour of the many covered bridges in Lancaster county will give you a lot to think about. This region of the country is home to 25 covered bridges that were constructed during different periods of history. Some of the best-preserved bridges date back to the 19th century. Self-guided driving tours of the county’s covered bridges facilitated by Discover Lancaster will take you along five different routes.
Wine Tours
Lancaster County has a well-established winery community that can be explored via a self-guided tour. There are close to a dozen wineries to visit and sample their offerings. Each specializes in different varieties, but Mount Hope Estate & Winery in Manhelm seems to be the most popular. There you will find a brewery, various seasonal festivals and more!
The Lancaster County Winery Trail is well-regarded among visitors with it’s tastings and events, although you should be prepared to spend a bit of money. Business hours can also be rather limited, so be sure to plan ahead.
James Buchanan’s Wheatland
This attraction is housed at a Federal-style mansion and several other buildings built on more than 150 acres. Wheatland is owned and operated these days by Lancaster History. It’s open to the public for the expressed purpose of providing visitors with an eye-opening glimpse into the life and times of President Jame Buchanan.
Guided tours are available, but due to limited capacity, you’ll want to book those in advance. Wheatland additionally hosts a wide variety of educational programs, academic talks, and public events throughout the seasons. While touring the mansion and it’s grounds, you’ll see beautiful décor, furniture, and art dispersed across the property.
Lancaster Science Factory
Travelers with children should check out this age-appropriate and enjoyable educational experience. The factory/museum hosts an array of STEM educational programs and workshops that rotate throughout the year. There are also several permanent hands-on exhibits, including “Acoustics and Sound”, “Mechanics and Motion”, and “Structural Engineering”.
Well, there you have it! We’ve just covered our top picks of attractions that await you in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. You might have been under the impression that Lancaster was only about Amish Country, but as you’ve seen in the last several minutes, there is so much more to see and do in Lancaster that doesn’t involve farmland and horse and buggies!
Did you know that Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of the oldest inland cities in America and that Lancaster County is considered the Antiques Capital of the country? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to share your personal favorite attractions in and around Lancaster!