Top 10 Things to Do in Lancaster, PA during a Business Trip

1. A Taste of Lancaster

To fully experience Lancaster County, you have to try the foods we’re best known for! Lancaster is home to traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare. From hearty pot pies to delicious shoofly pies and whoopie pies, our restaurants proudly serve up generations-old recipes that savor Lancaster’s rich heritage. Visitors come from miles around to visit the nation’s largest smorgasbord, pick up handmade bakery items, and experience Lancaster County through its many flavors.

• Shady Maple Smorgasbord | East Earl
• Plain & Fancy Farm Restaurant | Bird-in-Hand
• Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant & Smorgasbord | Bird-in-Hand
• Miller’s Restaurant Smorgasbord & Bakery | Ronks
• Amish Meals at Home with Samuel & Ruth Lapp | Paradise
• Lititz Family Cupboard Restaurant & Buffet | Lititz
• The Restaurant and Buffet at Oregon Dairy | Lititz
• Miller’s Restaurant Smorgasbord & Bakery | Ronks
• Dienner’s Country Restaurant | Ronks
• Yoder’s Restaurant & Buffet | New Holland
• Hometown Kitchen | Quarryville

2. Outdoor Adventure

Lancaster County is home to some of the best hiking & biking trails in the Country. This is the perfect way to relax and unwind between meetings & events. Channel your inner adventurer and soar through the trees on the Ziplines at Refreshing Mountain. Don’t have a bike? Don’t fret! There are places around the county to rent a standard or electric bike. You can also find ways to combine your outdoor adventure with Lancaster’s rich history. With seemingly endless miles of rolling Pennsylvania Amish farmlands and 29 PA Dutch covered bridges, there are more than enough outdoor landscapes to explore. Treat your colleagues to unique team building experiences like an escape room or axe throwing!

3. Experience Amish Culture

If you’re visiting Lancaster, even just for one day, you’ll want to make time to experience Amish culture. Lancaster is home to the oldest and largest Amish Community, first arriving in the 1720s. The Amish are a conservative and family-driven community that holds true to their “plain” lifestyle and religious beliefs, while still thriving in the ever-changing world around them.

Take a buggy ride, with an Amish or Mennonite driver at the reigns, with AAA Bugy Rides, Abe’s Buggy Rides, or Aaron and Jessica’s Buggy Rides.

Take a tour of the Amish Farm and House or the Amish Village. Both offer the opportunity for a guided farmhouse tour and up-close understanding of Amish experiences.

Learn about the history and beliefs of the Amish Community at The Amish Experience. Be sure to take a moment to watch the multi-media production, Jacob’s Choice and take a tour of their Amish house & schoolhouse.

Talk, laugh, and chow down on a delicious home-cooked meal at the table of a real Amish family when you book an Amish Meal at Home with Samuel and Ruth Lapp.

4. Shop Local

Lancaster has a plethora of unique, boutique and antique shopping. Find well-crafted and handmade items such as furniture and quilts. Local artists also create masterpieces that you don’t want to leave without. Explore galleries and artisans located all around Lancaster County.

People of all ages love Kitchen Kettle Village. The 40+ shops and eateries inside the village are sure to have something for everyone. Cherish locally made treasures like heirloom quilts, hand thrown pottery, handmade furniture, art and so much more. You’ll always find a warm smile and lots of friendly faces to greet you at Kitchen Kettle Village.

Lancaster also has many antique shops and auctions with precious heirlooms awaiting their new homes. Another opportunity for a bargain is our outlets. Find brand name items at great sale prices. Whether you’re shopping locally or snagging a great deal of a brand name item at the outlets, you won’t want to leave without a special item to remind you of your time in Lancaster.

5. Enjoy a Good Cup of Joe

Business travel can be tiring, and we have the perfect pick-me-up! Whether you need a cozy spot to reply to emails, to catch up with colleagues, or simply need a warm cup of caffeine, the 70 plus coffee shops (with 9 that roast their own beans) in Lancaster are eager to serve up something delicious.

Check out Discover Lancaster’s Coffee Trail! The Coffee Trail is a mobile passport that allows you to check in at participating coffee shops and rewards you with free prizes. The Coffee Trail is completely FREE and instantly delivered to you via email/text. Visit our cozy coffee shops and enjoy discounts and deals on your next order.

6. Enjoy the Nightlife

Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or just looking to explore, Lancaster’s nightlife has something for everyone.

Begin your evening by sipping drinks at one of our rooftop bars
or outdoor decks. Next, head to one of our many causal dining spots for some scrumptious dinner. After some delectable food, you can enjoy some live music, craft beer, theatre performances, and late-night attractions.

7. Embrace the Arts & Culture

From Gallery Row in Downtown Lancaster to create-your-own craft experiences, there is something for every artist (or novice!) in Lancaster. Admire vibrant paintings, hand-crafted pottery, and find unique crafts from local artists. There are many hands-on, artsy experiences that allow you to create your own masterpiece as a memento from your visit to Lancaster.

8. Catch a Show

Find a variety of theatres featuring musical, dramatic, magical, spiritual, and comedy productions, as well as dinner theatre and interactive experiences. Whatever show you are looking for, you’re sure to find a local Lancaster County theatre that caters to your taste.

Witness the epic, innovative productions done by Sight & Sound Theatres. Watch as classic biblical stories come to life on stage through original songs, choreography, and incredible special effects.

Get Broadway quality at Lancaster prices. The Fulton Theatre in downtown Lancaster offers family-friendly classics and electric, high-energy performances. The sets, acting, sounds, and spectacle are sure to amaze. Fulton Theatre is the oldest operating theatre in the United States, making it one of only eight theatres to be named a National Historic Landmark.

9. Commemorate History

LancasterHistory is an award-winning local history museum that features rotating exhibits and a research center. Wheatland – home of the United States’ fifteenth President James Buchannan – also sits on the grounds of LancsterHistory. They offer in-person guided tours for groups to experience history first-hand.

By the 1830s, Lancaster County became an important area to individuals on their journey to freedom. Take a walking or bus tour to notable destinations relating to the Underground Railroad in Lancaster.

Lancaster County museums and tours offer insight into every aspect of Lancaster’s history & culture. From local art and the Amish community to natural science, trains, there’s something for any person’s interest.

10. Take Time for Self-Care

After a long, hard day, nothing is better than taking a moment to relax and be pampered. Whether searching for massage, manicure, or facial, your desired spa treatment will not be difficult to find. Extend your next business trip to a wellness retreat in Lancaster!

• The Spa at The Inn & Spa at the Intercourse Village
• Drift Spa Lancaster
• The Spa at Leola Village
• Serenity Day Spa at Best Western Intercourse Village Inn & Suites

If you need a quiet and inspiring space to get some work done on your trip, head to The Candy Factory. It's more than just a workspace – it's a productive oasis. With their convenient Day Pass, guests can enjoy flexible access to the coworking space. It's the perfect solution for those needing a comfortable and equipped place to work while traveling.