Lancaster County is located in Southern Pennsylvania just 2.5 hours from Washington DC and under 2 hours from both Philadelphia and Baltimore. This charming and scenic piece of Pennsylvania Countryside is widely known for its fascinating Amish communities which have resided in Lancaster since the 1720s. While that is certainly part of what makes Lancaster a unique destination, there is so much more to the region than first meets the eye. From outdoor adventure on the Susquehanna River to the hip & colorful Lancaster City, there is truly more to experience than one could possibly fit in a single visit. Use this getaway guide to experience a little bit of everything Lancaster has to offer, and don’t be surprised when you find yourself returning for a second trip!
Where to stay:
During this trip to Lancaster, we booked a stay at one of Lancaster’s newer boutique stays – The Wilbur Lititz. This former chocolate factory turned luxury hotel has perfectly blended its unique history with a brand-new polished charm. Located in the heart of Downtown Lititz, guests have a collection of locally owned boutique shops, fantastic dining and even a historic pretzel factory all within walking distance. The hotel’s 74 guest rooms feature unique touches such as exposed brick walls and historically inspired deco that hints to the factory’s sweet past.
Day 1: Exploring Lititz and Columbia
While staying at the Wilbur be sure to build in time to explore the charming and extraordinarily adorable small town: Lititz, Pennsylvania. Locally owned shops with artisan goods line the sidewalks alongside coffee shops and eateries. Locals smile and wave, shop owners love to chat, it’s the kind of small town we all wish we had at some point called home.
A few of our favorite spots in town:
Learn a little local history at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, located in the heart of town this historic pretzel bakery offers tours and even a hands on demonstration into pretzel twisting.
There are so many fantastic locally owned cafes and restaurants to choose from in town. A few of our personal favorites are The Market at Wilbur and Cafe Arabella for coffee or a light lunch and Bulls Head Public House for dinner and drinks.
As for shops there are truly too many to list them all but here’s just a small example of the type of shops you can expect to find in town: Kirschs Antiques, Little Timber House, Zum Anker Alley Shoppes, Cherry Acres, the list goes on and on!
Click here to see a video feature we created on Lititz!
Located just a 30 minute drive from your stay in Lititz you’ll find Columbia, a historic small town situated on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Upon arriving, head over to the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center which serves as a gateway to all things river and trail related. It is the perfect place to get your bearings and decide if you want to explore by kayak, bike, or on foot!
From there, head next door to Chiques Rock Outfitters and grab a bike or kayak rental! During our visit we opted for a bike rental and hit the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail, which begins just across the street. The trail is 14 miles long and features so many spots and landmarks to check out along the ride along with a few small towns. Although we didn’t manage to complete the entire thing it was truly one of the highlights of our trip!
Another must do while in Columbia is to go antiquing. The collection of Antique stores in town are some of the coolest and most unique we’ve ever visited. Wandering through these shops is like stepping into a time machine. Start at Bootleg Antiques, where you’ll find a collection of vintage treasures and oddities unlike anywhere else. The shop is even housed in a historic warehouse which one contained an illegal bootleg distillery during prohibition.
Other must visit shops to check out include Burning Bridge Antique Market, Tollbooth Antiques, and Keystone Artisan Werks (not an antique store, but an amazing artisan market full of goods from local creators). Finish your day in Columbia with drink and bite to eat at Columbia Kettle Works a microbrewery and tap room situated in the heart of town. For wine lovers, opt to head over to Grandview Vineyard (located about 20 minutes from Columbia) before heading back to Lititz. This vineyard often has live music to enjoy while locals and visitors alike enjoy sipping on wine and watching the sunset disappear into the countryside.
Day 2: Discover Hip & Colorful Lancaster City
Perhaps the best kept secret in all of Pennsylvania: Lancaster City. This bustling small city has been undergoing a cultural renaissance over the past decade as it has become an increasingly popular hub for artists, creatives, and foodies. Here are just a few of the many amazing things to do and see while exploring the city:
- Start your day at oldest continuously running public farmers market in the US – Lancaster’s Central Market. Shop from over 50 unique vendors selling everything from fresh flowers, to sweet treats and artisan good, all within a striking historical building which has served as the focal point of life in Lancaster for centuries.
- Visit Gallery Row to check out art exhibitions at over a dozen galleries featuring work from incredible local artists. We were lucky to visit when Lancaster City was hosting their Annual Fall Art Walk!
- Grab lunch at Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse a restaurant/ movie theater known for their innovative dishes made from local organic growers. You can even stick around after you eat to catch a movie!
- Take a historical walking tour to see some of the city’s most significant landmarks paired with stories of their historical roots. (Tours run April-October)
- Explore the unique collection of vintage & boutique shops found on the 300 Block of N Queen Street (this was our absolute favorite part of the city & is NOT to be missed)!
- Enjoy cocktails at The Exchange Lancaster for incredible rooftop views overlooking Lancaster City (Especially spectacular at sunset, be sure to make reservations in advance)
- For Dinner head to Max’s Eatery, this was quite possibly one of our favorite dining experiences of all time. Think classic diner food, but elevated. Made even better by the cultivated cool atmosphere, and wonderful staff.
- Finally, for the perfect end to your day, book tickets to see a live production at the stunning and historic Fulton Theatre. This November-January 2022 the theater will be showcasing Cinderella – Click here for ticket information!
Day 3: Pennsylvania Dutch Country
It would be remiss to take a trip to Lancaster without learning about America’s oldest Amish settlement where thousands still live a “plain and simple” lifestyle. When traveling through the farmlands of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, you will find a bustling Amish community that still relies on horse and buggy for transportation and forgo the use of modern technology.
When in Lancaster County, we opted to take a tour of the countryside by hopping on an Amish horse and buggy ourselves! We recommend checking out Aaron and Jessica’s Buggy Rides to explore and learn more about the local Amish community. Another great spot to check out near by is the small town of Intercourse, PA (yes, Intercourse is not a typo). You will find several Amish-owned shops where you can shop from their locally made goods and some delicious fresh made treats!
A big thank you to Discover Lancaster for generously hosting us during our visit. All recommendations and reviews remain genuine, these opinions are my own.
