The Best Things to do in Lancaster, PA
When I started planning our road trip to through Pennsylvania, I knew I wanted to spend time in Amish Country. I thought it would be a great opportunity for the kids to learn about a way of life that is so different from our own. What I didn’t realize was just how much there is to do here.
Lancaster county completely surprised me.
We rode through the countryside in a horse-drawn buggy, visited an Amish farm, twisted our own pretzels, wandered through one of the country’s oldest public markets, played vintage arcade games and ate our fair share of Pennsylvania Dutch food.
And that is what makes Lancaster such a fun getaway. There is a really interesting mix of old and new. You can spend the morning driving past rolling farmland and horse-drawn buggies, then head into downtown Lancaster for restaurants, shops, and a retro arcade.
There are also plenty of things to do in Lancaster PA outside the city itself. Strasburg, Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, and Lititz are all worth exploring, and many of our favorite experiences were found along the country roads connecting these small towns.
If you are visiting for the first time, I recommend giving yourself at least a few days. These are the best things to do in Lancaster PA, including our favorite experiences in Amish Country and the places I would absolutely visit again.
The Best Things to do in Lancaster, PA
1. Start at The Amish Village
If this is your first trip to Amish Country, start here.
The Amish Village was our introduction to Lancaster County, and I’m really glad we visited before doing anything else. It gave us a much better understanding of Amish culture and helped the kids make sense of what they saw throughout the rest of our trip.
The centerpiece is an authentic Amish farmhouse dating back to the 1840s. A guided tour takes you through the home while explaining Amish traditions, clothing, schooling, religion, and daily life.
I especially liked that the visit gave us context without feeling like a history lesson. After the farmhouse tour, we were able to explore the rest of the property, including a one-room schoolhouse, barn, blacksmith shop, and friendly farm animals.
Once we started driving around Lancaster County afterward, the kids were suddenly noticing things they probably would have overlooked before. They watched for horse-drawn buggies and had a better understanding of why the farms and homes looked as if we had gone back in time.
Of all the things to do in Lancaster, PA on a first visit, I think The Amish Village is the best place to start.
2. Take a Buggy Ride with Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides
You will see horse-drawn buggies everywhere in Amish Country, but riding in one gives you an entirely different perspective.
Aaron & Jessica’s Buggy Rides offers several routes through the countryside around Bird-in-Hand. You travel along quiet roads past farms and fields at a wonderfully slow pace, which feels like a welcome change after spending so much time in the car.
This is one of those experiences that really makes you feel like you are in Lancaster County. We rode up to a local farm where we got homemade cookies and lemonade while saying hello to some of the farm animals that lived there.
Watching my kids interact with the Amish children their age was one of the most memorable parts of the trip for me. I couldn’t stop thinking about how different their lives were even though we only lived 6 hours apart.
I recommend doing the buggy ride after visiting The Amish Village. By that point, you have a better understanding of the community you are traveling through, which makes the experience much more meaningful.
3. Visit Old Windmill Farm
If you want to go beyond simply seeing Amish farms from the road, plan a visit to Old Windmill Farm.
This is a working Amish farm where you can get a much more hands-on look at farm life. It is especially fun with younger kids because there are animals everywhere, including plenty of opportunities to get up close with the babies.
Depending on the experience you choose, kids can feed animals, take a pony ride, and learn a little about what goes into running a farm. It feels much more personal than a traditional attraction, which was exactly what I wanted from our time in Amish Country.
Lizzie went on a pony ride with this sweet little Amish girl and they came back giggling. I asked her what they talked about and she said “Oh, just stuff.” And it was just adorable. Kids are just so innocent and non judgemental. They come from two totally different walks of life and yet, they were instantly friends.
There are several different farm experiences available at the farm, so check the schedule before you visit and choose the one that works best for your family.
If cuddling baby animals are a hit with your kids, Old Windmill Farm is easily one of the best things to do in Lancaster, PA.
4. Ride the Strasburg Rail Road
Riding an old steam train through the Pennsylvania countryside is a classic Lancaster County experience.
The Strasburg Rail Road has been operating since the 1800s and takes passengers on a ride through the farmland of Amish Country. The train itself is half the fun, with beautifully restored passenger cars pulled by a steam locomotive.
This is an especially good choice for families with younger children or train lovers, but you certainly don’t need to be either to enjoy it.
We sat in the scenic section on a beautiful summer day and just enjoyed the views of Lancaster County at a much slower pace. This was one of my favorite things to do in Lancaster, PA.
5. Tour Amish Country in a Scoot Coupe
Strasburg Scooters offers guided tours along the back roads of Lancaster County, taking you past farms, covered bridges, and some of the beautiful countryside that makes Amish Country so special.
While most people opt for a scooter, I would personally choose the “cow car.” It is painted like a cow and, even better, it actually moos when you beep the horn. Needless to say, the kids thought this was hilarious.
The tour takes you away from the busier roads and gives you a chance to see parts of Lancaster County you probably wouldn’t find on your own.
If you are looking for unique things to do in Lancaster PA, this is one I would definitely add to the list. Driving a mooing cow car through Amish Country isn’t something you get to do every day.
6. Have Dinner at Miller’s Smorgasbord
Come hungry.
Miller’s Smorgasbord is a classic Lancaster County experiences that I think everyone should try at least once. The restaurant has been around for generations and is known for its huge buffet filled with Pennsylvania Dutch comfort food.
There is a little bit of everything, which makes this an easy meal with kids. Everyone can find something they like, and you can sample foods you probably wouldn’t order if you had to commit to an entire entrée.
And save room for dessert. I think a dessert buffet is my kid’s idea of heaven. Don’t miss the chocolate pecan pie. I am still dreaming of it!
Part of visiting a new place is trying the food it is known for, and Miller’s gives you a chance to sample a lot of Lancaster County favorites under one roof.
7. Make Your Own Pretzel at Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
Take a short drive to Lititz for one of the most fun hands-on activities in the area.
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery dates back to 1861 and is considered America’s first commercial pretzel bakery. The building itself is worth seeing, but the real reason to visit with kids is the pretzel tour.
During the experience, you learn how pretzels were traditionally made and get to try twisting one yourself.
It is quick, interactive, and just the right amount of history for kids.
Lititz is also worth exploring after your pretzel experience, so don’t immediately jump back in the car. Walk around town, browse the shops, and turn your pretzel-making stop into a half-day excursion.
8. Wander Around Kitchen Kettle Village
Located in the village of Intercourse, Kitchen Kettle Village is filled with small shops selling local foods, baked goods, gifts, quilts, crafts, and plenty of things you will convince yourself you need to bring home.
You don’t need a strict plan here. Wander around, pop into whichever shops look interesting, listen to live music and try some local treats.
And make sure one of those treats is shoofly pie.
If you have never had it, shoofly pie is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert made with molasses and a crumb topping. It is rich and very sweet, but trying a slice is almost a rite of passage on a trip through Amish Country.
9. Explore Lancaster Central Market
Head into downtown Lancaster and you will find Lancaster Central Market, the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in the United States. If you are looking for things to do in Lancaster PA that give you a taste of the local food scene, this is an easy stop to add to your itinerary.
The market is housed inside a beautiful historic brick building and is packed with vendors selling produce, baked goods, cheeses, prepared foods, and Pennsylvania Dutch specialties.
Lancaster Central Market is only open three days a week, so check the current hours before planning your itinerary around it.
10. Play and Bowl at Decades
After spending a few days learning about history and Amish culture, we were ready for something completely different.
Enter Decades.
Located in downtown Lancaster, Decades combines a retro arcade, bowling alley, restaurant, and bar inside a beautifully restored historic building.
This was such a fun change of pace for our family. We started off bowling, where apps and drinks were delivered right to our lane. After I destroyed everyone at bowling… I mean… after we finished up, we moved over to the arcade.
This was the perfect set up for our family. My husband and I could sit and enjoy a drink while the kids ran around playing old-school arcade games. And this was not a place where you had to keep refilling plastic cards. I’m talking tokens, like we did in the 80s!
The kids loved the Stranger Things vibe, and we half expected to see MADMAX listed as the highest score.
We introduced them to Frogger and Donkey Kong. Playing Pac Man brought me back to the anxiety of my youth. We had so much fun here, we cancelled our dinner plans to just stay and hang out.
Decades is also a great option to keep in your back pocket for a rainy afternoon or evening. Not every activity on a family trip needs to be educational, and this was one of those places where we could just relax and have fun together as a family.
Decades easily ranked among the boys’ favorite things to do in Lancaster, PA.
11. Stop at the Lancaster Troll Market
While you are exploring downtown Lancaster, stop inside the Lancaster Troll Market.
This quirky shop feels like you have stepped inside of Dungeon and Dragons. It is filled with an eclectic mix of antiques, vintage finds, oddities, art, and unexpected treasures.
You never really know what you are going to find, which is part of the fun.
I wouldn’t plan an entire day around the Lancaster Troll Market, but that is exactly why I like including it. Some of the best things to do in Lancaster PA are the little places you stumble into between the major attractions.
Pair it with Lancaster Central Market, Decades, and some time walking around downtown Lancaster.
12. Visit the Turkey Hill Experience
Ready for ice cream?
The Turkey Hill Experience is a fun addition to a Lancaster trip, particularly if you need a break from sightseeing and historical attractions.
The main experience takes you behind the scenes of the Turkey Hill brand with interactive exhibits about how its ice cream and iced tea are made. But the part I would really recommend is the Taste Lab.
This is where you get to create your own ice cream flavor.
You choose your flavoring and mix-ins and create a combination that is entirely your own. And yes, you get to eat it.
The Taste Lab requires an additional ticket, so I recommend booking it in advance rather than showing up and hoping there is space.
After farms, trains, markets, and Amish Country, making your own ice cream is a pretty great way to round out your Lancaster itinerary. Of all the things to do in Lancaster PA, this was easily Lizzie’s favorite.
Where to Stay in Lancaster PA
Our pick for families is Eden Resort & Suites.
We stayed at Eden Resort during our Lancaster trip, and I loved having a comfortable home base that put us within easy reach of both downtown Lancaster and the surrounding attractions.
For families trying to pack several things to do in Lancaster PA into a few days, location matters. Lancaster County is larger and more spread out than you might expect, so you will be doing some driving between downtown, Amish Country, Strasburg, and Lititz.
Eden Resort worked really well for us because we could spend the day exploring and then come back to a hotel that actually felt relaxing. There are several pools to choose from and great eating options right at the property.
If we returned to Lancaster, I would happily stay here again.
How Many Days Do You Need in Lancaster PA?
I recommend giving yourself at least three days.
One of the mistakes I almost made when planning our trip was thinking of Lancaster as a quick stop to see Amish Country. There is much more here than I expected, and trying to squeeze everything into a day would mean spending most of your time rushing from place to place.
With three days, you can dedicate one day to Amish Country and the Strasburg area, another to downtown Lancaster, and use your third to visit Lititz, Turkey Hill, or anything you missed.
More importantly, don’t over-schedule yourself. Some of our favorite moments were simply driving the country roads, watching the buggies pass, stopping somewhere that looked interesting, and enjoying a completely different pace of life.
Whether you come for Amish Country, the food, the history, or simply a fun weekend away, there are far more things to do in Lancaster, PA than you might expect. It is one of those destinations that surprised us, and I think that is part of what made us enjoy it so much.
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