Beat the Heat in Lancaster, PA

Exploring Lancaster County is tons of fun, but on the absolute hottest summer days, you might want to find a cool place to retreat to. If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat this summer, Lancaster, PA has some great options.

Water Activities

Make a splash this summer in Lancaster! If you’re the adventurous type, consider heading to a place where you can go kayaking, canoeing, or tubing. Chiques Rock Outfitters is a great place to start, as they’re conveniently located on the Susquehanna River and offer equipment for you to rent if you don’t have your own. Book your trip on the tranquil waters with kayakLanCo, one of the only outfitters to provide kayaking at Speedwell. This private excursion is a a unique opportunity for people of all ages to adventure and get active!

If you’re aiming for more of a kid-friendly setting, you might want to check out Duke’s Lagoon Water Playground at Dutch Wonderland, which is great for kids age 12 and under. Alternatively, if the whole family wants to have fun in a water park-type setting, you could venture over to HersheyPark to swim and ride on the slides at The Boardwalk, an 11-acre water park within HersheyPark that has over 16 attractions. Don’t miss two of their coolest waterslides: Breakers Edge, a hydromagnetic coaster with flying saucer turns, and Whitecap Racer, which includes six lanes of the longest mat racing slide in the world.

Perhaps, you would prefer to spend a chill day lounging at the pool. There are a few public pools scattered around Lancaster County to jump in, like Nickel Mines Pool in Paradise, PA, Lititz Springs Pool in Lititz, PA, or Skyline Pool in Lancaster, PA.

For all the lake-lovers, Mount Gretna Lake & Beach is the perfect spot to spend the day. Pack a picnic, lay out a beach towel on the sandy beach, and paddle out to the rope swing you can jump off of in the middle of the lake. Other amenities include tube, canoe, and kayak rentals, in addition to a snack bar and diving platforms. The area is nice and secluded amongst the trees, while still feeling like a hot summer hub for people of all ages. While there, be sure to stop by the Jigger Shop for an ice cold scoop of creamy, delicious ice cream!

Maybe you would rather wait until the end of your day exploring Lancaster County to take a dip in the pool. Here is a list of hotels with pools that are worth checking out.

Indoor Activities

If you prefer to stay in the AC when it’s overly hot outside, no worries! There are a variety of great museums all over Lancaster that provide an exciting educational experience. Whether you enjoy art, history, transportation, or getting hands-on, there’s a museum that suits your interests.

You can also check out fun indoor attractions like Go 'N Bananas, Laserdome, Turkey Hill Experience, Lancaster Science Factory, and more!

Sometimes when you just want to relax and be cool, the best thing to do is drive over to the movie theater! Grab some buttery popcorn and a ticket to see the latest film while strategically avoiding the summer heat. Some of our favorite movie theater locations include Penn Cinema in Lititz, PA, Regal Cinemas 16 in Lancaster, PA, and Ephrata Main Theatre in Ephrata, PA.

Why not go for a scenic ride? On the Strasburg Rail Road you can go sightseeing by train in first-class, air-conditioned comfort. We recommend you reserve your seat in advance for your 45-minute train ride to Paradise, Pa.

Stay cool!