Located in South Central Pennsylvania, Lancaster (also known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country) is a bustling city brimming with rich history, beautiful farmlands, unique architecture, and excellent cuisine. It’s homey and inviting, but also loads of fun!
I recently visited with my family and we had a wonderful time. We’ve stopped through the city on previous road trips but never had a full weekend to explore, so it was great to do that this time around.
If you’re in the tri-state area and are looking for a fun and convenient getaway, Lancaster is an excellent choice. It’s located about 2 hours from Philadelphia and about 3 hours from NYC.
Lancaster is packed with fun activities, exciting attractions, and incredible restaurants. If you want to know how to spend an incredible weekend in Lancaster, keep reading for my top recommendations.
**Portions of this experience were sponsored by Discover Lancaster. All opinions are my own. Thank you Discover Lancaster for hosting us!**
Where to Stay
holiday inn lancaster
Your home away from home awaits at the Holiday Inn. This stylish, contemporary hotel is perfect for a quick weekend getaway in the city. It’s located in downtown Lancaster and is just steps from restaurants, bars, and popular attractions, such as Sight and Sound Theatre, Penn Square, and Central Market.
Holiday Inn Lancaster has all the amenities you need for an amazing stay including an on-site restaurant, The Imperial, free internet, indoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center.
We had a spacious Queen room which had everything we needed for a comfortable, clean, and relaxing stay – including a coffee station, work desk, refrigerator, and black-out shades.
At the hotel, Covid protocols were in place to ensure everyone’s safety and the staff was pleasant, knowledgeable, and accommodating. Our stay was absolutely superb! As far as amenities and location, you couldn’t ask for better accommodation. Click here to book your stay at the Holiday Inn Lancaster.
Thank you Holiday Inn Lancaster for hosting us!
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What to do
strasburg rail road
In Lancaster, there’s no shortage of historical landmarks to explore. During our visit, we checked took an authentic steam train ride at Strasburg Rail Road.
Strasburg Rail Road was founded in 1832 and is the oldest continuously operating railroad in America. On this 45-minute scenic train ride, you can enjoy beautiful views of Lancaster’s Amish Country. After the ride, you can grab lunch from Cafe 1832 or browse the General Store for the perfect souvenir.
The holiday season is in full swing at Strasburg Rail Road and now through December 24, you can experience any of their 4 Christmas trains: Santa’s Paradise Express, Night Before Christmas, Santa’s Christmas Trolley, and the Christmas Tree Train. Each one is unique and offers a special Christmas experience.
Tickets can be purchased online here. Thank you Strasburg Rail Road for hosting us!
historic rock ford
Historic Rock Ford was the home of Edward Hand, his family, and enslaved and free servants and laborers. During the American Revolution, Hand served as Adjutant General to George Washington.
A guided tour of the fully-furnished house provides a deeper look into the lives of Edward Hand and his family. The museum is designed to replicate how it looked when Hand died in 1802, so it was really cool to learn what it was like to live during that time period.
Historic Rock Ford is also home to the John J. Snyder, Jr. Gallery of Early Lancaster County Decorative Arts, which is housed inside a reconstructed 18th-century bank barn. The collection consists of over 230 objects by Lancaster County artisans. It was incredible to see all the beautiful works of art created by the people who lived there.
The tour season reopens in April 2022, and tickets can be purchased here. Thank you Historic Rock Ford for hosting us!
turkey hill experience
If you’re a fan of Turkey Hill ice cream, you’ll want to add this next attraction to your list. Located in Columbia, PA, the Turkey Hill Experience is an interactive museum that celebrates the famous Lancaster County ice cream and ice tea brand.
It’s a magical place that’s fun for kids and adults alike. Explore the history of Turkey Hill Dairy, learn how their ice cream is created, sit in a milk truck, sample delicious flavors of their ice creams and ice teas, and enjoy the opportunity to create your own virtual ice cream flavor!
Admission is $10.50 and tickets can be purchased here. Allow about 1-2 hours for your visit.
Where to eat
lancaster brewing company
If you love good brews and good food, add Lancaster Brewing Company to your list! Lancaster Brewing Company is a local craft brewery that serves American favorites such as chicken wings, pizza, and burgers. Their menu changes seasonally and is derived from local, sustainably grown products.
We tried the Philly style soft pretzel, Buffalo cauliflower, and four cheese & mixed mushroom pizza. Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious. The Philly soft pretzel was a hit!
Thanks, Discover Lancaster & Lancaster Brewing Company for hosting us and for the amazing service!
smokehouse bbq and brews
Smokehouse BBQ and Brews serves BBQ smoked meat platters, sandwiches, desserts & more! We ordered takeout and got a few platters consisting of fried chicken, beef brisket, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and vanilla ice cream. Thanks, Discover Lancaster & Smokehouse BBQ and Brews for the delicious food!
lancaster cupcake
Lancaster Cupcake is a popular bakery in Lancaster that serves gourmet cupcakes, cakes, cookies, and more. It’s quite literally the cutest cupcake shop I’ve ever visited! The flavors change seasonally and vegan/gluten free options are available. We were graciously gifted a pack of cupcakes and they were absolutely delicious. Our favorites were Strawberry Cheesecake and Toasted Coconut. Thank you Lancaster Cupcake for the tasty treats!
I hope this list put Lancaster on your radar and provided some fun ideas of what to do and where to eat around the area. I definitely recommend experiencing the Amish culture and exploring other attractions and restaurants in Lancaster county. Let me know below: Have you ever visited Lancaster? What places did you go to? Will you consider visiting? Let’s chat in the comments! For more weekend getaway ideas around the tri-state area, check out my other posts here.
