20 Things To Do In Lancaster PA – What to See, Eat & Experience in Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Best Things To Do In Lancaster PA: Lancaster County sits in south-central Pennsylvania about 70 miles west of Philadelphia and draws more than eight million visitors per year. That number reflects something genuine rather than hype. The things to do in Lancaster, PA span four centuries of Amish and Mennonite culture, working farms, a thriving downtown arts scene, covered bridges, farm-to-table food, and one of the oldest continuously operating farmers markets in the United States. Lancaster city itself has transformed significantly in the past decade.

What was once a quiet historic downtown now has nationally recognised restaurants, craft breweries, a robust gallery scene, and a Central Market that has operated in the same building since 1889. This guide covers the full picture honestly, with real costs, specific recommendations, and practical logistics for first-time and returning visitors.

Must Read: Things To Do With Kids: 30 Real Ideas That Work Across Every Age and Budget

The best things to do in Lancaster, PA include visiting Central Market, touring an Amish farm, cycling the countryside roads, exploring the downtown arts district, visiting Wheatland, the home of President James Buchanan, shopping at Kitchen Kettle Village, seeing a show at the Fulton Theatre, and hiking at Pinnacle Overlook in Holtwood.

Things To Do In Lancaster PA At a Glance

Experience	Category	Approx. Cost	Time Needed
Central Market	Food/Culture	Free entry, food extra	1-2 hours
Amish farm tour	Culture/History	$12-$18/person	1-2 hours
Lancaster city art district	Culture/Outdoors	Free to walk	2-3 hours
Wheatland (Buchanan home)	History	$12/adult	1-1.5 hours
Strasburg Railroad	Family/History	$23-$32/adult	1.5-2 hours
Kitchen Kettle Village	Shopping/Food	Free entry	1-3 hours
Cycling countryside	Outdoors	$25-$40 rental	2-4 hours
Fulton Theatre show	Arts	$30-$80/ticket	2-3 hours

Things To Do In Lancaster: Food and Markets

1. Visit Central Market

Central Market at Penn Square in downtown Lancaster is the oldest continuously operating farmers market in the United States. The Pennsylvania Heritage Society documents its origins to 1730, though the current red brick market building was constructed in 1889. The market operates Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 6 AM to 2 PM.

Over 60 vendors operate inside the building, covering:

1. Shady Maple Farm Market – Amish and Mennonite baked goods including shoofly pie, sticky buns, and homemade bread
2. S. Clyde Weaver – Lancaster County’s oldest smokehouse, selling cured meats and locally made Lebanon bologna since 1920
3. Miesse Candies – Hand-dipped chocolates operating in Central Market since 1876
4. Fresh produce vendors – Multiple stalls selling seasonal vegetables, herbs, and fruit from local farms
5. Ready-to-eat food stalls – Empanadas, barbecue, Pennsylvania Dutch specialties, and international food

Arrive before 9 AM on Saturdays to avoid peak crowds and to find the best selection from produce vendors. The market closes when vendors sell out, not always at the posted 2 PM closing time.

Central Market is free to enter. Budget $10-$25 per person for food and market purchases. It is one of the most essential and genuinely unique things to do in Lancaster PA and the natural starting point for any visit.

2. Eat at a Restaurant in Downtown Lancaster

Lancaster’s food scene has developed rapidly. The city now has several James Beard-nominated restaurants and a concentration of farm-to-table dining that reflects the county’s extraordinary agricultural output.

Restaurants worth visiting specifically in Lancaster city:

Restaurant	Known For	Price Range	Reservation
Luca	Modern Italian, seasonal menu	$25-$55/person	Recommended
Josephine’s Bar Bistro	Local ingredients, creative cocktails	$20-$40/person	Recommended
John J. Jeffries	Farm-to-table with on-site greenhouse	$25-$50/person	Recommended
Issei Noodle	Japanese-inspired ramen	$14-$22/person	Walk-in works
Bube’s Brewery	Historic brewery in 19th-century building	$15-$30/person	Walk-in works

Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Ronks offer Amish family-style restaurants where large groups share tables and food is served in platters. Good examples include Dienner’s Country Restaurant and Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant. Both serve traditional Lancaster County cooking at $15-$25 per person.

Also Read: 25 Fun Things to Do in Portland Maine That Locals Actually Love

3. Visit an Amish Bakery or Farm Stand

Roadside farm stands and bakeries operated by Amish and Mennonite families throughout Lancaster County sell baked goods, produce, and preserves at prices significantly below retail. Many operate on an honour system with no attendant present.

What to buy at Amish farm stands:

• Shoofly pie: A Lancaster County original made with molasses and crumb topping, $6-$9 whole
• Chow-chow: A sweet and sour pickled vegetable relish, $4-$6 per jar
• Homemade egg noodles, dried and sold by weight
• Fresh seasonal vegetables from the farm itself
• Whoopie pies: Two soft cake rounds sandwiching cream filling, $1.50-$3 each

The Amish Farm and House at 2395 Covered Bridge Drive offers guided tours of a working Amish farm for $12-$18 per person and runs Tuesday through Sunday. This is one of the most visited things to do in Lancaster for understanding Amish culture in context rather than as spectacle.

4. Sample the Craft Beer and Spirits Scene

Lancaster has an active craft beverage scene anchored by several downtown breweries and a distillery operating in a historic building.

Key craft beverage stops:

1. Iron Hill Brewery – Multiple locations, flagship beers including Pig Iron Porter and Lodestone Lager. Open daily, no entry fee.
2. Stoudts Brewing Company – One of the oldest craft breweries in Pennsylvania, founded 1987. Located in Adamstown, 10 miles north of Lancaster city.
3. Decades Beerworks – Small-batch Lancaster city brewery in a former industrial building. Limited hours, check website before visiting.
4. Thistle Finch Distillery – Lancaster’s first craft distillery, producing gin, whiskey, and vodka from Pennsylvania grains. Tours and tastings available at 200 North Plum Street, $10-$15 per tasting flight.
5. Vineyard at Hershey – 20 minutes north, Pennsylvania wines from locally grown grapes. Tasting fee $10-$15.

Things To Do In Lancaster: History and Culture

5. Tour Wheatland, Home of President James Buchanan

Wheatland at 1120 Marietta Avenue is a Federal-style mansion that served as the home of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States and the only US president born in Pennsylvania. The house is preserved with original furnishings and personal artefacts from Buchanan’s lifetime.

Guided tours run Tuesday through Saturday from April through October. Admission is $12 for adults and $7 for children aged 6-12.

The tour covers Buchanan’s pre-Civil War political career, his years as Secretary of State and Minister to the United Kingdom, and the household operations of a prosperous 19th-century Lancaster family. The garden has been restored to its 1850s layout.

Wheatland is one of the most substantive historical things to do in Lancaster and takes approximately 90 minutes to tour properly.

6. Explore the Downtown Art District and Galleries

Lancaster city’s downtown has a genuinely active visual arts community centred on the Prince Street corridor and the surrounding blocks. The monthly Lancaster Art Walk, held on the second Friday of each month from 6 PM to 9 PM, opens galleries simultaneously for free public viewing.

Permanent galleries worth visiting:

• Lancaster Museum of Art at 135 North Lime Street. Free admission. Rotating exhibitions from regional and national artists.
• Demuth Museum at 120 East King Street. The museum occupies the home and garden of Charles Demuth, one of the most significant American Modernist painters. Admission $5. Demuth was born in Lancaster in 1883 and his paintings of Lancaster buildings and Lancaster County scenes are held here permanently.
• The Ware Center at 42 North Prince Street. Owned by Millersville University, programmes include gallery exhibitions, performances, and public events.

The Demuth Museum is one of the more overlooked things to do in Lancaster for visitors interested in American art history. Demuth’s poster-portrait of Georgia O’Keeffe is among his most celebrated works and the museum holds a significant collection of his Lancaster-based paintings.

7. See a Show at the Fulton Theatre

The Fulton Theatre at 12 North Prince Street is a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest continuously operating theatres in the United States, built in 1852 on the site of an earlier courthouse. It is named after Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat, who was born in Lancaster County.

The Fulton produces Broadway-calibre productions of musicals, plays, and special events year-round. The 2024-2025 season includes productions running from September through June.

Ticket prices: $30-$80 depending on production and seat location. The theatre has 598 seats across the main stage. Student and senior rush tickets are available at reduced prices for many performances.

Book at thefulton.org. Popular productions sell out weeks in advance. A visit to the Fulton is one of the most distinctive things to do in Lancaster for an evening out.

8. Visit the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society

The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society at 2215 Millstream Road operates a museum and library documenting the history of Mennonite and Amish communities in Lancaster County from their 18th-century origins through the present day.

The museum holds the largest collection of Mennonite and Amish artefacts and archival materials in the United States. Exhibits cover plain community history, religious practice, farming traditions, and the experience of communities that have maintained distinct lifestyles for 300 years.

Admission: $6 for adults, $3 for children. The museum is open Monday through Saturday. The research library is accessible to genealogical researchers by appointment.

Things To Do In Lancaster, PA: Outdoors and Nature

9. Cycle the Amish Countryside

Cycling through Lancaster County’s rural landscape is one of the most authentic things to do in Lancaster because it puts you at the same pace as the horse-drawn buggies sharing the roads. The county has over 200 farms per square mile in some areas, the highest farm density in the United States, and the countryside is actively farmed rather than preserved for tourism.

Good cycling routes from Lancaster city:

Route	Distance	Character	Difficulty
Strasburg to Bird-in-Hand	12 miles round trip	Flat farmland, covered bridges	Easy
Lititz circuit	18 miles	Town, farmland, Lititz Springs Park	Easy-moderate
Intercourse loop	15 miles	Deep Amish country, minimal traffic	Easy
White Oak Road corridor	8 miles one way	Scenic ridge, working farms	Moderate

Bike rentals in Lancaster city: Greenway Bicycle at 120 East Chestnut Street rents hybrid and road bikes from $25-$40 per day. They provide route maps with their rentals. Rebike Lancaster at 240 North Queen Street rents e-bikes from $55 per day for the less physically inclined.

Rules for cycling in Amish country:

1. Give horse-drawn buggies wide berth when passing. Horses can be startled by quick movements.
2. Do not photograph Amish people without asking permission. Many Amish communities consider photography of people a violation of the biblical prohibition on graven images.
3. Obey all traffic signs. Bicycles share roads with buggies, farm equipment, and motor vehicles.

10. Visit Covered Bridges

Lancaster County has 28 surviving covered wooden bridges, the highest concentration of any county in Pennsylvania. The bridges were roofed to protect the wooden structural members from weather, extending bridge lifespans from 10-15 years to 80-100 years.

Notable covered bridges:

1. Herr’s Mill Bridge – One of the longest covered bridges in the county at 171 feet, spanning Pequea Creek. Located off East Eby Road.
2. Hunsecker’s Mill Bridge – 180 feet, spanning the Conestoga River. Rebuilt after a 1988 flood using traditional methods.
3. Baumgardner’s Mill Bridge – 100 feet, located in a particularly scenic agricultural setting.
4. Neff’s Mill Bridge – 109 feet, one of the most photographed bridges in the county.

The Lancaster County Covered Bridge Map is available free at the Lancaster County Visitors Center at 38 Penn Square. A self-guided covered bridge driving tour visiting 12 bridges covers approximately 40 miles and takes 2-3 hours.

11. Hike the Pinnacle Overlook at Holtwood

The Pinnacle Overlook in Holtwood, approximately 20 miles south of Lancaster city on the Susquehanna River, provides one of the best views in the region from a 900-foot ridgeline above the river. The hike to the overlook from the Pinnacle Trailhead covers 2.4 miles round trip with 400 feet of elevation gain.

The Conestoga Trail runs through this area and connects multiple overlooks along the river gorge. The Susquehanna here is dammed to form Lake Aldred, and the view from the Pinnacle covers the lake, the surrounding forested ridges, and on clear days, views extending into Maryland.

Entry to the Holtwood Recreation Area is free. The trail is maintained by Pennsylvania Power and Light and is open year-round. Parking is available at the Pinnacle Trailhead on River Road.

12. Visit Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens at 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square sits 20 miles southeast of Lancaster city in Chester County. It is one of the world’s premier horticultural display gardens, covering 1,083 acres including 20 indoor conservatories and 20 outdoor gardens.

Longwood was established by Pierre du Pont in 1906 on the site of a Quaker arboretum dating to 1700. The property now contains over 11,000 types of plants.

Admission: $32 for adults on weekdays, $35 on weekends. Children aged 5-18: $18. Under 5 free. Book in advance at longwoodgardens.org as daily capacity is limited. Peak periods including the Chrysanthemum Festival in autumn and the Christmas display in December sell out weeks in advance.

Things To Do In Lancaster PA: Day Trips and Surrounding Area

13. Ride the Strasburg Railroad

The Strasburg Railroad at Route 741 in Strasburg is the oldest short-line railroad in the United States, chartered in 1832. It operates steam-powered passenger trains on a 4.5-mile route through Amish farmland between Strasburg and the village of Paradise.

Trains run daily from April through December, with limited winter service in January through March. Trips depart every 45-90 minutes depending on season.

Ticket pricing:

Class	Adult	Child (3-11)
Coach	$23	$14
First Class	$32	$20
Open-air car	$23	$14
Dining car (lunch)	$55-$65	$35-$45

The adjacent Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is a separate attraction at the same intersection, holding over 100 locomotives and rail cars in a 100,000-square-foot museum. Admission: $12 for adults, $8 for children.

The Strasburg Railroad is consistently rated one of the top things to do in Lancaster for families and railway enthusiasts.

14. Visit the Town of Lititz

Lititz, five miles north of Lancaster city on Route 501, was founded in 1756 by Moravian settlers and maintained as a closed Moravian community until 1855. The historic district retains its 18th and 19th century character better than almost any other small town in Pennsylvania.

Specific things to do in Lititz:

1. Wilbur Chocolate Company at 48 North Broad Street – A working chocolate factory and museum open since 1884. Free to enter the museum; chocolate samples $2-$3.
2. Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery at 219 East Main Street – The first commercial pretzel bakery in the United States, founded 1861. Tours run daily, $4/person. You twist your own pretzel.
3. Lititz Springs Park – A public park surrounding the natural spring that supplied the original Moravian settlement. Free.
4. Historic Moravian Church and God’s Acre Cemetery – The original Moravian church building and cemetery with flat grave markers reflecting the Moravian belief in equality in death. Free to visit.

15. Explore Kitchen Kettle Village

Kitchen Kettle Village at 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike in Intercourse is a collection of 40 shops and restaurants in a village setting built around a jam and preserve kitchen that has operated since 1954. The preserve kitchen produces over 100 varieties of jam, relish, and condiment and allows visitors to watch production through viewing windows.

Shops in the village include quilt stores, candle makers, fudge shops, craft vendors, and clothing stores. Entry to the village is free. The preserve tasting room offers free samples.

Kitchen Kettle Village is in the heart of Amish country, 10 miles east of Lancaster city, and provides a comfortable introduction to the area for visitors who want retail and food alongside the agricultural landscape.

Practical Tips for Visiting Lancaster

1. Plan around market days. Central Market operates Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday only. If your visit includes only Monday, Wednesday, or Sunday, plan alternative food options in advance.
2. Rent a bike for at least one day. The Lancaster countryside is best experienced at cycling pace. Driving through Amish country on a main road misses most of what makes it distinctive.
3. Respect Amish community norms. Do not photograph Amish people without explicit permission. Keep your voice down near farm properties. Pull completely off the road when buggies need to pass.
4. Book restaurants in advance on weekends. Lancaster city’s best restaurants fill Thursday through Saturday evenings. Book at least a week ahead for Luca, John J. Jeffries, and similar popular spots.
5. Visit Longwood Gardens on a weekday. Weekend visits at Longwood, particularly during special events, involve large crowds and parking queues. Weekday admission is also $3 cheaper.
6. Use the Lancaster Walking Tour app. The free app produced by VisitLancaster provides a self-guided downtown walking tour covering 20 points of interest with audio narration.

Best Time for Things To Do In Lancaster

Season	Conditions	Best Activities
Spring (Apr-May)	55-70°F, blooming orchards	Cycling, Longwood Gardens, covered bridges
Summer (Jun-Aug)	75-88°F, peak farm production	Farmers markets, farm stands, Strasburg Railroad
Fall (Sep-Nov)	55-72°F, harvest season	Amish farm tours, covered bridges, foliage cycling
Winter (Dec-Feb)	28-42°F, quieter crowds	Longwood Christmas display, downtown restaurants, Fulton Theatre

Fall is the best overall season for most things to do in Lancaster. Harvest season peaks from September through October, farm stand selection is at its maximum, foliage cycling routes are at their most scenic, and summer crowds thin significantly after Labor Day.

FAQs: Things To Do In Lancaster

How many days do you need for the things to do in Lancaster?

Two to three days covers Central Market, the Amish countryside by bike or car, Strasburg Railroad, downtown Lancaster arts and food, and Lititz. Four days adds Longwood Gardens, covered bridge driving tour, Wheatland, and a Fulton Theatre show. A single day can cover the city highlights if you are based nearby.

Is Lancaster PA worth visiting for a day trip from Philadelphia or New York?

Yes. Lancaster is 70 miles west of Philadelphia, a 90-minute drive or direct Amtrak train. From New York Penn Station, direct Amtrak trains reach Lancaster in 3.5-4 hours. A day trip covers Central Market, downtown Lancaster, and the immediate Amish countryside. An overnight stay adds significantly more depth.

What are the best free things to do in Lancaster?

Central Market (free entry), the downtown art galleries, the Demuth Museum garden, walking the covered bridge sites, cycling public roads through Amish country, the Lancaster city Art Walk on second Fridays, Lititz Springs Park, and the Fulton Theatre lobby all cost nothing. The things to do in Lancaster with the most character are often the free ones.

What is the best way to explore the Amish countryside around Lancaster?

Cycling is the best method for experiencing Amish country authentically. The pace matches the horse-and-buggy traffic, you can stop anywhere, and you access farm lanes and back roads that motor vehicles cannot use conveniently. Guided buggy rides offer a different perspective and run from multiple operators along Route 340 east of Lancaster city.

Where should you stay for the best access to things to do in Lancaster?

Staying in downtown Lancaster city gives the best access to restaurants, Central Market, galleries, and the Fulton Theatre. For Amish countryside access, the Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse area provides hotels and B&Bs within cycling distance of the agricultural landscape. Avoid chain hotels along Route 30 unless cost is the primary factor.

What food is Lancaster PA most known for?

Lancaster is known for shoofly pie, Lebanon bologna (a smoked cured sausage unique to the region), chow-chow relish, whoopie pies, soft pretzels, and homemade egg noodles from the Amish and Mennonite tradition. Central Market is the best single place to find all of these. Downtown Lancaster’s restaurant scene has expanded this significantly in recent years.

Conclusion

Lancaster rewards visitors who go slowly. The things to do in Lancaster PA that stay with you are rarely the ones with the biggest signs or the highest admission fees. They are the Tuesday morning at Central Market when a vendor explains how they cure the bologna, the bike ride through a covered bridge into a landscape that has looked essentially the same for 150 years, and the evening at the Fulton that reminds you why a live performance in a 170-year-old theatre is irreplaceable.

Come for a weekend minimum, bring a bike if you can, and leave time to get genuinely lost in the countryside. The things to do in Lancaster that define the place are all right there once you slow down enough to notice them.