Nostalgic Experiences in Lancaster County, PA

1. Strasburg Rail Road

Take a step back in time on America’s oldest operating railroad – the Strasburg Rail Road. You will ride in a beautifully restored wooden rail car pulled by a steam locomotive. Choose from First class, Dining, Coach or Open-Air cars. If you are looking for a more interactive experience, book one of their experiential train rides like Escape Room on the caboose, Murder Mystery event, Legacy of Sleepy Hollow event, and many more. They also build and fix steam engines there. Take a behind the scenes of The Mechanical Shop or the Hostling Tour. Enjoy the rustic resurgence of industrial Pennsylvania at the Rail Road.

2. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania

With more than 100 locomotives and railroad cars on display, there’s no shortage of nostalgia at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. Learn more about the role railroads played and get an up-close view of some of the original cars on America’s oldest operating railroad.

3. National Watch & Clock Museum

The National Watch & Clock Museum features 13,000 timepieces - the largest collection in North America. Chronologically, the museums will take you on a tour through the entire history of timekeeping from early non-mechanical pieces to today’s most modern clocks. It’s been said that visiting the museum is the closest you can get to time travel.

4. Barry’s Car Barn

Barry is a Lancaster County native who has always had a love for muscle cars. So, of course, vintage muscles cars from the 50s, 60s, and 70s take center stage. But you will see motorcycles, and cars from the 1930s and 40s as well. The cars are kept in pristine condition and are the perfect backdrop for photos.

5. Vintage Candy Shop

Remember the candy you bought at the corner store when you were a child? Vintage Candy Shop will bring back lots of delicious memories of a quieter time. There are popular retro and vintage candies as well as caramels & toffees. In the mood for ice cream? They have that, too. Come visit and see all the options for yourself, and don’t forget your sweet tooth!

6. Lancaster Central Market

Fresh produce, meats, dairy products, delicious baked goods along with flowers and unique gifts are some of the things that make this market a delightful experience. Lancaster Central Market is the oldest publicly owned continuously operating farmers market in our country. Since the 1730’s it has been a weekly tradition for many of the locals. And a must-do for the visitor.

7. Fulton Theatre

The Fulton is Lancaster County's professional regional theatre, bringing Broadway caliber musicals, comedies, and dramas to both visitors and residents. The Victorian architecture, combined with the fact that this National Historic Landmark is also America's oldest, continuously operating theatre, makes the Fulton Theatre a destination sure to evoke the nostalgia of a classic theatre experience.

8. D.J’s Taste of the 50s

In Lancaster, dining out can be a whole experience in and of itself. If you’re looking for a unique and nostalgic option, you’ve found it. The aesthetic 50’s-style furnishings, menu selections and outstanding service – brings back the feeling of the “good old days”. Whether or not you experienced the 50’s firsthand, D.J.’s Taste of the 50’s is a great dining option that all ages will enjoy.

9. Decades

You will have fun choosing from over 40 retro arcade games like Frogger, Dr. Mario, Space Invaders and more. Perhaps you prefer bowling on the 6-lane boutique bowling alley. Decades is located in the historic Stahr Armory in Downtown Lancaster. They have a full-service restaurant and bar with a variety of foodie favorites, themed cocktails and beer on tap.

10. Lititz, PA

Visit the quaint small town of Lititz for a nostalgic and entertaining day out!

Lititz was founded in 1756 by the Moravians seeking religious freedom, Today, you can walk down Main Street and pop in and out of the locally owned shops, art galleries, chic boutiques, cozy cafes or restaurants. Stop into Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, to learn about its history. You can also become and Official Pretzel Twister

Lititz hosts many events such as the Fire & Ice Festival in February, Outdoor Art Walk in July and the Lititz Chocolate Walk in October. Visit on July 4th for the parade and fireworks at the oldest continuously run celebration in our nation... Stay the night at the Wilbur Tapestry Hotel for a truly nostalgic experience. The hotel is full of history and once housed the now-closed Wilbur Chocolate Company factory. They even preserved original features, including the exposed exterior brick and somehow manage to keep the lobby smelling like chocolate! Right across the street sits the Wilbur Chocolate Store – a Pennsylvania-grown, family-founded brand, offering small-batch confections, chocolate gifts, and—its defining creation—silky smooth Wilbur Buds.

11. Gettysburg

Approximately 90 minutes west of Lancaster is historic Gettysburg. Begin your journey to the past at the Gettysburg National Military Park & Visitor Center.

While in town, Visit Children of Gettysburg 1863 to get an idea of how the young people of that time lived. This museum is designed for children K-5 and their families.

Nearby, walk the grounds and hear the stories and feel the emotions of the battle at the George Spangler Farm & Field hospital. His farm was suddenly transformed into a Civil War field hospital.

Step inside the Gettysburg Lincoln Railroad Station™ where U.S. history was made. Journey back to 1863 in this new immersive virtual reality experience. Find yourself at the center of the bustling station which served as a hospital, supply lifeline and presidential arrival platform. During your virtual reality experience, you can choose to follow one of the three historic figures featured on a virtual journey to the station during the Battle of Gettysburg and its aftermath. Talk about taking a step back in time!