posted Dec 30, 2025

Weekday Fun in Lancaster, PA

Whether you're visiting Lancaster during the week or a local looking for fun in your own backyard, there are all sorts of adventures to discover.

Pictured: Old Windmill Farm

Credit: Gabe McMullen

Amish

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Things to Do

Spend the day on and near the Susquehanna River! Venture out to the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail for up to 14-miles of hiking, biking or walking.

Book an excursion on the water with kayakLanCo. Their tours are fun for the whole family!

Shop antiques at Burning Bridge Antiques Market, Bootleg Antiques and Rivertowne Antiques Center.

On Wednesdays in the Spring & Summer, the revitalized Columbia Historic Market House is open for visitors to shop fresh produce and specialty foods.

Head over to the National Watch & Clock Museum to see the largest collection of 19th Century American clocks and watches, and more!

Interactive exhibits allow guests to learn about dairy culture and how ice cream and iced tea flavors are created and selected at Turkey Hill Experience.

"Nature is the therapist --the Guide just opens the doors.” In the fast-paced world, slowing down can seem daunting but is vital. Come enjoy the peace of wild things. One With Nature Forest Therapy helps relax and reconnect you with nature, yourself and your group or team members.

Visit the biggest sports complex in North America, Spooky Nook Sports.
Find eclectic and hand-made options at Prussian Street Arcade.
Play in an indoor arcade and laser tag arena at Laserdome.
The historic town of Ephrata is home to the Ephrata Cloister - a national historic landmark founded in 1732.

things to do in

Strasburg

The Strasburg Rail Road offers a 45-minute train ride through the beautiful countryside, take a behind the scenes tour of their mechanical shop and be sure to grab lunch at Café 1832. They have various themed rides throughout the year like Thomas and Friends, Christmas Trains and Easter Bunny Trains.

For more scenic views of the countryside, book a tour with Strasburg Scooters Tours. They offer an ultimate Amish Tour for an up-close experience with Amish culture, a covered bridge tour and a Spooky Scoot in October. The opportunity to zoom around back roads in an open-air scooter is not one to miss!

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm is a must-do when visiting Lancaster. Pet live animals, play farm games, wander in the corn maze and enjoy the great outdoors.

On the hill above Strasburg sits the largest faith-based live theater in the United States, Sight & Sound Theatres. Each year, they bring a Bible story to life with vivid costumes and sets, talented performers, live animals, and exhilarating song and dance.

The Railroad Museum of PAfeatures more than 100 fully-restored locomotives and cars for you to explore, in addition to the innovative and interactive Stewart Junction railway education center.

things to do in

Lititz

Learn how to twist your own pretzel at America's first commercial bakery - Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. The hands-on experience will likely be something new for visitors of all ages! Be sure to peruse the retail shop and go home with a delicious batch of pretzels.

On specific week days, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA offers tours that allow guests to get a close up view of the majestic wolves in a protected environment.

Learn about 18th‑century Moravian heritage and Main Street architecture at Lititz Historical Foundation Tour.

Visit Stoll & Wolfe Distillery for their rugged and authentic Tasting Room and Bottle Shop to sample small batch whiskeys, vodka, and gin.

Find earth-conscious and hiking goods at Earth to Lititz.

Pictured: Girlfriends walking in Lititz, PA

Credit: Gabe McMullen

Weekday Events

Jan 2 to Jan 3

Magic & Wonder: Winter Wonderland

Magic & Wonder Dinner Theater 3065 Lincoln Hwy E Paradise, PA 17562 (717) 323-3077

Wednesdays @ 7 PM, Thursdays @ 2 PM, Friday @ 7 PM, and Saturdays @ 2 PM.

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Jan 2 to Jan 3

Christmas Light Drive-Thru 2025

Stone Gables Estate 1160 North Market Street Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 902-9791

Monday- Saturday, Closed sundays & Christmas and new years eve and Christmas and new years day

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Jan 2 to Jan 3

National Christmas Center

National Christmas Center 48 Industrial Road Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 902-9791

Select dates. Closed Sundays and on the eve and day of new years and Christmas.

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Dec 26, 2025

Refreshing Mountain Christmas Light Adventures

Refreshing Mountain Retreat and Adventure Center 455 Camp Rd Stevens, PA 17578 (717) 738-1490

Select dates, please reference our online calendar for available dates.

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Jan 2 to Jan 3

Winter Wonderland Train Excursion 2025 with Special Guests, The Snow Princess and Snow Queen

Stone Gables Estate 1 Hollinger Lane Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 902-9791

December 26, 2025 - December 27, 2025 - January 3, 2026

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Jan 2

Hershey Bears

Giant Center 550 Hersheypark D Hershey, PA 17033 (717) 508-1753

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Jan 2

MV&E Model Railroad Club Open House

Masonic Village One Masonic Drive Elizabethtown, PA 17022 (717) 572-9050

First weekend of every month October through April from 1PM to 4PM

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Jan 2

West Art Watercolor Club

West Art Lancaster 816 Buchanan Ave Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 396-7833

Every Friday afternoon

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Jan 2

Bouquet Making Workshop

Central Market Flowers on Queen 258 N Queen Street Lancaster, PA 17603 (717) 917-8733

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Jan 3 to Jan 10

2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center 2300 N Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110

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Jan 3

Succulent Saturday

Fisher's Greenhouse & Garden Center 311 North Star Rd. Strasburg, PA 17579 (717) 687-8720

First Saturday of Every Month

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Jan 3

Living the Experience

Bethel AME Church 512 E. Strawberry Street Lancaster, PA 17602 (717) 874-5975

This event happens every 1st Saturday

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Experience Amish Culture

Spend the day experiencing Amish Culture! If freshly-picked produce is on your list, Amish families have market stands at the farmers markets around the county, as well as roadside stands that can be found around almost every corner on the backroads.

Take a farm tour at the Old Windmill Farm for an interactive experience on the farm. Milk cows, feed a calf, gather eggs and more!

The Amish Village, Amish Farm & House and the Amish Experience all allow guests to learn about and experience Amish Culture.

Travel like the Amish do with a horse & buggy ride through the countryside. Aaron & Jessica's Buggy Rides and AAA Buggy Rides offer short rides that take you through the countryside with an Amish or Mennonite driver at the reigns or longer rides that allow you to get off the buggy and tour an Amish farm.

Where to Eat

Start your day with a warm beverage and bite to eat from Columbia Coffee and Cream then walk across the street to Columbia Crossing River Trails Center.

Grab some ice cream at Old Barn Creamery then head to the Pinnacle Overlook to watch the sunset. You will have a magical time and escape the worries of everyday life.

You'd be remiss to not make a stop at Fox Meadows Creamery and try their farm-to-table ice cream!

Wilbur Chocolate is a Pennsylvania-grown, family-founded brand with a popular retail business offering small-batch confections. Today, the Wilbur Chocolate Store and former factory (now The Wilbur Lititz hotel) are beloved local landmarks.

Take a break from your shopping for a coffee at Café Arabella or Slate and take time to enjoy a great meal at the Tomato Pie Café or Bulls Head Public House.

Book Your Stay

Stay at The Cabins at Beaver Creek for a luxurious cabins perched on a quiet hillside with views of farmland, a winding creek, and the Strasburg Rail Road steaming by in the distance.

A historic mansion near theWolf Sanctuary of PA. Speedwell Forge Bed & Breakfast offers elegant rooms, fireplaces, and wooded surroundings make this an especially serene retreat

A Lancaster favorite with villa suites,Eden Resort & Suites, has a serene courtyard, an indoor pool, two heated outdoor pools,, as well as on-site dining options to elevate every stay. Ideal for families and couples wanting resort-style amenities.

Hershey Farm Resort, a countryside resort with rustic rooms. The property is complete with a massive gift shop, an on-site smorgasbord, bake shop, and cafe, an outdoor pool, a scenic pond, and direct proximity to Sight & Sound Theatres via a walking path.

A sleek, modern hotel situated on the Rock Lititz campus, where touring artists rehearse. Hotel Rock Lititz is an iIndustrial-music inspired design, curated art, and views of peaceful farmland create a uniquely upscale stay. Complete with an on-site restaurant and a coffee shop, music venue, and brewery within walking distance.

Sleep inside an authentic train car at one of Lancaster’s most iconic stays. The Red Caboose Motel features fully restored cabooses, on-site dining inside a vintage railcar, wide-open farmland views, and proximity to Strasburg Rail Road and Cherry Crest Adventure Farm.

Find Adventure in 2026!

Get ready! Our new, 2026, Visitor Guide will be coming out soon! The FREE 2026 Lancaster County Visitors Guide to explore things to do, places to stay, where to eat, an events calendar, and exclusive coupons! Pre-order yours today!

Pre-ORDER NOW!

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Author

Olivia•

Senior Marketing Manager

Olivia is a Lancaster County native, born and raised in the quaint, small town of Manheim. She fell in love with the impressive diversity of Lancaster, from its vibrant food scene to its endless array of activities, believing there's truly something for everyone here. She hopes visitors experience the warm and welcoming spirit of the local community. Having traveled to five countries and nearly 30 US states, Olivia's appreciation of her hometown grows with every trip. Outside of writing, she enjoys exercising, playing soccer, and reading.

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