Things to do in Lancaster
Amish Country Homestead
The Amish Country Homestead is the only Amish house open for touring designated a Lancaster County "Heritage Site". Guides escort visitors through the rooms explaining Amish clothing, living without electricity, and church service held in the home. Open Mid-March - June Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 5pm; July - October Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 8pm; November & December Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5pm; January - Mid-March Weekends only; Open Sundays 10:30am - 6pm year round. Call 717-768-3600 for more information.
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA
Amish Experience Theater
The Amish Experience is the only "experiential" theater on the East coast. The story features a more intimate view of the Amish today through the eyes of the Fisher family and scenes from Amish history re-created with multiple projection screens, special effects, and three dimensional set. Shows on the hour - duration is about 40 minutes. Open Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 5pm (mid-March-June); Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 8pm (July-October); Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 5pm (November & December); Weekends only January – mid- March; Sundays 10:30am - 6pm year round. Call 717-768-3600 for more information.
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA
Amish Farm and House
Authentic 1805 stone farmhouse with guided house tour and self-guided farm tour. Learn the customs of the Old Order Amish including their history, religion, and way of life. The working farm includes barns, livestock, and blacksmith shop, Early Americana Museum with antique farming implements. Buggy rides available. Dutch Food Pavilion is open April-October. Kids activities and picnic facilities available. Open November - March 8:30am - 4pm daily; April, May, September & October 8:30am - 5pm daily; June - August 8:30am - 6pm daily. Call 717-394-6185 for more information.
2395 Route 30 East, Lancaster, PA
Amish Mennonite Information Center
This center provides visitors with information on the Amish and Mennonite culture and customs. The center also distributes brochures on local attractions, restaurants, and shopping areas. On sale are books about quilts, and the culture and customs of the Amish and Mennonite people. Also available are gospel tracks. Some local craft items are also on display and for sale. Open Monday - Saturday 9:30am - 3:30pm the Saturday before Easter through the end of October. Call 610-286-9870 for more information.
2667 West Main Street, Lancaster, PA
Demuth Museum & Garden
This restored home and gardens once belonged to the renowned American artist Charles Demuth. Call 717-299-9940 for more information.
114 East King Street, Lancaster, PA
Discover Lancaster County History Museum
The 32 life-size, in-depth scenes recreate 400 years of Lancaster County's rich heritage. Guests relive events in American history: the French and Indian, Revolutionary and Civil Wars. They empathize with different people types: African and Native Americans, European Immigrants. They identify with famous people: Lincoln, Franklin, Boone, and Reagan. They experience the Amish and Pennsylvania Dutch culture: pretzel making, barn-raising reenactment. From antiques to touch-screen computers, from hands-on interaction to audio animatronics guests enjoy discovering Lancaster County! Open daily 9am year round. Call 717-393-3679 for more information.
2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA
Fulton Opera House
The Fulton Opera House, built in 1852 and located in historic downtown Lancaster in the heart of Amish country, produces LIVE theatre - Broadway musicals, comedies and dramas. Daily tours of this recently renovated Victorian beauty are available at 10am. The Fulton is the oldest continuously operating theatre in the country and is one of only three national historic landmark theatres. Come share in her rich history.Kids activities available. Wedding/reception capabilities. Call 888-480-1265 for more information.
12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA
Hands-on House/Children’s Museum of Lancaster
playing and learning go hand-in-hand. Great for ages 2 – 10. Call 717-569-KIDS for more information.
721 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA
Heritage Center Museum
A museum of regional history and arts housed in 5 historic buildings in downtown Lancaster. Open mid-April December 10am - 5pm. Admission free. Call 717-299-6440 for more information.
Penn Square, Lancaster, PA
Historic Rock Ford Plantation
Visit the gracious 1794 Georgian style brick mansion of General Edward Hand, adjutant general to George Washington during the Revolutionary War. Costumed interpreters lead tours of the mansion. Open hearth cooking demonstrations fill the house with the crackling sounds and robust smells of a working 18th century plantation home. Special events held throughout the year. Picnic facilities and wedding/reception facilities available. Open April – October. Call 717-392-7223 for more information.
881 Rock Ford Road, Lancaster, PA
James Buchanan's Wheatland
Glimpse the elegance and grandeur of life in a mid-nineteenth century home. You step back in time when you visit Wheatland, the Lancaster County home of President James Buchanan. Guided tours given by costumed interpreters begin every half hour. Picnic and wedding/reception facilities available. Open daily April 1- November 30 10am - 4pm. Christmas Candlelight tours available. Closed January - March and major holidays. Call 717-392-8721 for more information.
1120 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County Historical Society
Genealogical and historical research library with archives, historical exhibitions and bookstore. Call 717-392-4633 for more information.
230 North President Avenue, Lancaster, PA
Landis Valley Museum
Landis Valley Museum is a living history village of Pennsylvania Dutch life. Once an actual rural crossroads village, Landis Valley has more than 40 historic structures located on 100 scenic acres. Costumed guides explain Pennsylvania Dutch traditions and folklore and skilled artisans demonstrate traditional crafts and open hearth cooking. Horse-drawn wagon rides are also offered. The museum also features heirloom gardens, authentic farmsteads, historic breeds of animals, and an outstanding museum store. Kids activities and picnic facilities available for rental. Wedding/reception facilities. Open March - December Monday - Saturday 9am – 5pm; Sunday noon – 5pm; Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only January & February. Call 717-569-0401 for more information.
2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, PA
National Christmas Center
Celebrate the traditions, memories and magic of Christmas all year. Call 717-442-7950 for more information.
3427 Lincoln Hwy., Lancaster, PA
North Museum of Natural History & Science
Planetarium, space education center, dinosaur exhibit, regional collections, Native American heritage and live animals can all be seen here. Call 717-291-3941 for more information.
400 College Avenue, Lancaster, PA
Quilters Heritage Celebration
A special event for quilters and quilt enthusiasts which features over 500 quilts on exhibit, classes from nationally and internationally-known teachers, special functions and merchants offering quilts, both old and new, and things pretty that relate to quilting and other areas. Held the first weekend in April. Call 217-854-9323 for more information.
2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA
©2000 Children's Museum of Lancaster
Hands-on House, Children’s Museum of Lancaster is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping kids learn and making sure they have lots of fun in the process. The museum is designed for children ages 2-10 years. At Hands-on House, adults and children play and learn together. Our philosophy of childhood learning is simple: it lasts longer if it’s more fun, and it’s more fun if it includes doing. Our exhibits, classes and programs are short on lectures, and long on interactive, participatory activities. Open Labor Day – Memorial Day Tuesday – Friday 11am – 4pm; Saturday 10am – 5pm; Sunday noon – 5pm; closed Monday. Call 717-569-KIDS for more information.
721 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA