Things to Do in Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Lancaster County is the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, where Amish farmers still travel by horse and buggy past covered bridges and rolling fields. The city of Lancaster has America's oldest continuously operating farmers market, a lively gallery row and historic streets, while villages like Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse, the Strasburg Rail Road and Sight & Sound Theatres draw visitors from across the country.
This guide covers the best things to do in Lancaster, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Lancaster
Lancaster Central Market
America's oldest farmers market, since the 1730s.
Amish Farm and House
Guided tour of Amish life.
Strasburg Rail Road
Steam train through farmland.
Bird-in-Hand and Intercourse
Villages with shops and buggies.
Sight & Sound Theatres
Large-scale biblical productions.
Covered bridges
Dozens scattered across the county.
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
Historic locomotives.
Hershey
Chocolate World and Hersheypark, 45 minutes away.
Lancaster in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Lancaster city
Start at Lancaster Central Market with Amish baked goods, whoopie pies and local produce, open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Walk Gallery Row on Prince Street and the historic downtown. Lunch at the market. In the afternoon visit the LancasterHistory campus with Wheatland, home of President James Buchanan. Dinner downtown.
2Day 2 · Amish Country
Take a guided tour at the Amish Farm and House, then a buggy ride through farmland in Bird-in-Hand. Lunch with a family-style Pennsylvania Dutch meal. In the afternoon browse quilt shops in Intercourse and the Kitchen Kettle Village. Evening show at Sight & Sound Theatres.
3Day 3 · Strasburg
Ride the Strasburg Rail Road, America's oldest operating short-line railroad, on a 45-minute steam train trip through Amish farmland. Then visit the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania across the street with more than 100 historic locomotives, and the Choo Choo Barn miniature layout. Lunch in Strasburg. Afternoon drive to see covered bridges such as Hunsecker's Mill.
Lancaster in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Hershey
Day trip to Hershey, 45 minutes away: Hershey's Chocolate World with its free ride and make-your-own-bar experience, Hersheypark in season and the Hershey Gardens. Lunch in Hershey. Return to Lancaster for dinner. In the evening, stop for a wine tasting at one of the county's vineyards.
5Day 5 · Gettysburg
Day trip to Gettysburg, about an hour west: the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum, the Cyclorama painting and a guided battlefield tour of the 1863 Civil War battle. Lunch in town. Return in the evening.
Lancaster in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Lititz
Visit Lititz, a charming town with the Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, America's first commercial pretzel bakery, Wilbur Chocolate and Lititz Springs Park. Lunch on Main Street. Afternoon at a winery or brewery in the countryside.
7Day 7 · Last day
Final shopping at Central Market for whoopie pies, apple butter and quilts, a last drive past Amish farms, and a farewell dinner with chicken pot pie and shoofly pie. Pick up a handmade quilt or wooden toy as a lasting souvenir.
What to do in Lancaster on a weekend
What to do in Lancaster on a weekend? Saturday: Central Market and Amish Country. Sunday: Strasburg Rail Road.
Autumn harvest and Christmas are popular seasons.
What to do in Lancaster in the evening
Evenings: dinner downtown, Sight & Sound shows and breweries.
First Friday art walks.
Lancaster for couples
For couples, a B&B in the countryside, a buggy ride at sunset and dinner downtown.
Lancaster with kids
With kids, the steam train, Dutch Wonderland and Hershey.
What to eat in Lancaster
Whoopie pies
Cake sandwich.
Shoofly pie
Molasses pie.
Chicken pot pie
Pennsylvania Dutch style.
Soft pretzels
From Lititz.
Apple butter
Homemade.
Where to stay in Lancaster: best areas
Downtown Lancaster
Walkable.
Bird-in-Hand
Amish Country.
Strasburg
Near the railroad.
Farm stays
Countryside.
What to do in Lancaster when it rains
What to do in Lancaster when it rains? Railroad Museum, Sight & Sound and Central Market.
How much does a trip to Lancaster cost?
Expect 140 to 250 dollars per night and 30 dollars for the steam train.
Practical tips for Lancaster
Best time to visit
May to October, and December for holiday lights.
Getting around
A car is needed. Amtrak connects Lancaster with Philadelphia in about an hour.
Our practical tips
- Respect Amish privacy in photos.
- Visit the market early.
- Book Sight & Sound.
- Drive slowly near buggies.
- Carry cash for farm stands.
- Combine with Hershey.
Mistakes to avoid
- Photographing Amish people without permission.
- Sunday when many shops close.
- Speeding on rural roads.
- Tourist-trap buffets.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Lancaster with kids?
Steam train and Dutch Wonderland.
When is Central Market open?
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
What to do in Lancaster on a weekend?
Market and Amish Country.
How far is Hershey?
About 45 minutes.