How to Visit Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pa,, was established in 1718 and is home to one of the oldest Amish settlements in America. A prominent citizen by the name of John Wright gave Lancaster its name in the 1800s. Lancaster was named after the city of Lancashire in England, Wright’s hometown. Travelers to Lancaster today can experience a glimpse of farm life just as it was in the 1800s, as well as other local attractions in the area. Here are some tips on how to visit Lancaster, Pa.

Things You'll Need

• Camera
• Money

Instructions

1. Experience the Amish way of life. Horse and buggy is still the main source of transportation for the Amish. There are several local residents who offer buggy rides for a fee. You can also take a closer look at the lifestyle led by the modern Amish with tours of farms, such as the Amish Country Homestead (home of the Fisher Family/717-768-3600) or the Amish Farm and House (717-394-6185).

2. Check out local craft exhibits and museums. Visit the Lancaster Quilt and Textile Museum (717-299-6440), where you can view the former Esprit collection of Lancaster County Amish quilts. Explore the People’s Place Quilt Museum (800-828-8218), which houses Amish and Mennonite quilts and decorative arts. Participate in a Make-a-Friend Workshop (717-768-7137), a hands-on activity center where you can learn about and create a treasure to take home from Amish Country.

3. You can enjoy a view of Lancaster from the sky in a hot-air balloon. Book a tour through local vendors such as AE Balloon Flights (717-600-8482) or Balloon Rides Daily by United States Hot Air Balloon Team (800-763-5987).

4. Visit Penn Square, the main hub of Lancaster. In the middle of the square you will see the Soldier and Sailors Monument, dedicated July 4, 1874, to honor soldiers from Lancaster County who served our country. One block west of Penn Square is the Fulton Opera House, America’s oldest theater, built in 1852 and still in use. Just off Penn Square, you can experience the Central Market, dating to the 1700s, where farmers, bakers and butchers sell their goods to the public every Tuesday and Friday.

5. Visit historical spots. Southeast of Penn Square is Trinity Lutheran Church, the oldest congregation in Lancaster. In 1800, Trinity Lutheran had a steeple that was the tallest structure west of Philadelphia. Drive by Lancaster County Prison, built in the 1850s, which bears a strong resemblance to a castle in Lancashire, England. On South Prince Street, visit a house built in only 10 hours by Benjamin Mishler on a wager in 1873. Visit Wheatland, a mansion once owned by James Buchanan, the only bachelor president of the United States and the only president from Pennsylvania.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan to spend at least a couple of days in Lancaster, Pennsylvania to fully appreciate all the town has to offer.

• Due to religious beliefs of the Amish, it is forbidden for them to be photographed. Please respect their beliefs and do not photograph the Amish.

Resources

• Things to Do in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Visiting Lancaster, Pennsylvania