posted Apr 15, 2025

Lancaster Summer Bucket List

•Lancaster Bucket List•

Spend your summer in Lancaster, PA! With nationally recognized attractions, renowned theatres, and the oldest Amish community in the United States, summer in Lancaster is truly an unparalleled experience. Never worry about running out of things to do with our ultimate summer bucket list.

Make the most of your summer by completing your Lancaster County bucket list! Share your adventures with us on social media and sign up for our monthly enewsletter to get insider information about what to do, see, and experience in Lancaster this summer.

Stay Awhile

Lancaster County is the perfect destination for your next trip. Whether you visit during the week or over the weekend, there are plenty of exciting things to do!

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1. Enjoy Cow-to-Cone Ice Cream

Beat the summer heat with a sweet treat! Ice cream shops are as plentiful in Lancaster County as spots on cows. With options for farm-fresh or dairy free, soft serve or hand-dipped, there’s a scoop for everyone in Lancaster.

Don’t know where to start? Check out our Lancaster County Ice Cream Trail for a list of some of the best ice cream places and free coupons to use at participating locations!

Top Ice Cream Spots

2. Take an Immersive Tour

While visiting Lancaster, whether it’s your first time or your fiftieth time, tours are an excellent way to experience the culture, history, sights and food while learning from passionate local experts. Some involve walking around Downtown Lancaster or a small town like Lititz, while others take you around the county by bus, bike, scooter, or even helicopter!

Book a Tour

3. Attend a Festival

There are so many exciting events happening in Lancaster this summer! We have harvest-themed events like the Rhubarb Festival in May, Strawberry Festival in June, Sweet Summer Festival in July, the Sunflower Fest in August. Plan to visit Lancaster during one of our special events to get built in entertainment for the whole family.

Summer Festivals and Fairs

4. Have a Live Animal Encounter

Pet, feed, and befriend your favorite Lancaster farm animals, like cows, miniature goats, and ducklings. Lancaster is also home to a few really unique animal experiences with unexpected animals found at Eastland Alpacas, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA, and a stingray touch tank.

Animal Encounters

5. Enjoy an Outdoor Picnic

Nothing says summer quite like a gingham blanket and a wicker basket filled with your favorite foods. Unwind at one of Lancaster’s peaceful parks and preserves. Nissley Vineyards is one of the best places for an evening picnic - bring your own chairs, blanket, and meal, get your locally-crafted Nissley wine, then sit back and enjoy live music at the Winery all summer long.

Not sure what to bring? Stop by Stoltzfus Meats for award-winning smoked meats and delectable cheeses, and build your dream charcuterie board. Order takeout from one of Lancaster’s exceptional eateries, with everything from PA Dutch classics to upscale international cuisine. Whatever you are in the mood for, you’ll be sure to find something to satisfy your craving in Lancaster.

Top Picnic Spots

6. Shop Roadside Stands & Farmers Markets

Say hello to your new favorite one-stop-shop, with farm-fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, made-from-scratch baked goods, and vibrant bouquets all under one roof. Known for their quality and affordability, Lancaster Roadside Stands and farmers markets can’t be beat. Remember to bring cash - some stands and markets do not accept credit card payment. And, get involved with the harvest at Cherry Hill Orchards; select from approx. 60 varieties of seasonal fruit, including strawberries, cherries, peaches, and more. Or, stop by Kauffman Orchards for pick-your-own pears, blueberries, and more.

Visit Farmers Markets

7. Stay at a Unique Lodging Location

Lancaster has every type of lodging option to bring your dream overnight getaway to life. There several one-of-a-kind and once-in-a-life-time locations, all-inclusive resort options, and places to stay for folks who love the outdoors. Click the links below to learn more about these special destinations.

One-of-a-Kind

All-Inclusive Resorts

Farm Stays Bed and Breakfasts Campgrounds

8. Experience Outdoor Adventure

Lancaster County is the perfect destination to experience fresh air and outdoor adventure. Tube down the Pequea Creek with Sickman's Mill Outfitters, kayak through waterways with KayakLanCo or Chiques Rock Outfiiters, and take a sunset cruise along the Susquehanna River. There are dozens of hiking and biking trails to explore, birding locations, even rock climbing options with Chiques Rock Outfitters. Soar through the trees on ziplines at Refreshing Mountain, a year-round retreat and adventure center perfect for adventurers of all skill levels and thrill levels. Whatever your pace, we’ve got what you’re looking for! Take a walk with One with Nature Forest Therapy and talk with a wildlife habitat landscape designer and conservationist.

Find Things to Do Outdoors

9. Discover Lancaster County's Covered Bridges

Did you know there are over 25 covered bridges in Lancaster? This is a great, free activity to keep your summer days fun and adventurous! Start your Lancaster County covered bridge tour with our printable guide, complete with suggested stops and other attractions to enjoy along the way. For a free printed version with fun covered bridge stickers to track your progress, stop by our Visitors Center!

Learn More

10. Celebrate with Live Music

From sold-out venues to live entertainment at local restaurants, Lancaster has it all! Find upcoming festivals and fairs with musical performances, see live music schedules, and experience the arts at one of our renowned theatres. If you're planning a trip to see a concert at Hershey, PA's Giant Center - book your stay in Lancaster to fill your weekend itinerary!

Find Live Music

11. Ride a Horse and Buggy

f you're visiting Lancaster, chances are you've seen an Amish horse & buggy on the road. Now is your opportunity to ride in one yourself! This is a once-in-a-life time experience and absolutely a must-do when visiting Lancaster!

Where to Ride

12. Shop Local and Outlets

While you're here, you have to visit Kitchen Kettle Village, it's a staple of Lancaster County. With over 42 shops and dining options, you're sure to have a fun-filled day exploring eclectic, locally-owned shops, filled with one-of-a-kind items. Lancaster is also home to Tanger Outlets - an outlet center with all your favorite brands at bargain prices. It's a great place for back-to-school shopping! Lancaster is known for its “maker’s mentality” and it's on full display along our quaint, walkable streets, loaded with local boutiques and shops.

Plan Shopping Trip

13. Dine with an Amish Family

The Lapp Farm At Home Meal is a far different experience from restaurant PA Dutch smorgasbords. Ruth and Samuel hosts groups from 15 to 45 for lunch or dinner as well as for reunions and parties. You may call Ruth to see if your smaller party may join a larger group dining at the farm. This is a unique and immersive experience into Amish Culture.

Learn More

14. Visit one of Lancaster's Top Family Attractions

Lancaster is a kid's paradise with so many fun attractions and things to do. Here are a few options to add to your itinerary and give your kiddos the trip of a lifetime!

Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park
Enjoy over 35 rides, attractions, and shows at Dutch Wonderland! Cool off in Duke’s Lagoon water play area and make discoveries at Exploration Island, where dinosaurs come to life! Join us for an adventure on Merlin’s Mayhem, the park’s first suspended coaster. Dutch Wonderland is designed for families with young children in mind and offers a host of fun things to see and do.

Strasburg Rail Road
Experience America’s oldest short-line railroad and the golden age of steam railroading as you travel the tracks through Pennsylvania’s Amish Country. Strasburg Rail Road boasts one of the best views Lancaster County has to offer, and is home to museum quality, working, turn-of-the-century steam locomotives, freight cars and one of the largest fleets of historic wooden passenger cars in the world.

Turkey Hill Experience
The Turkey Hill Experience features interactive exhibits allowing you to learn about dairy culture, the story of Turkey Hill Dairy and how the company's ice cream and iced tea flavors are selected and created. You will truly experience what it’s like to be a Turkey Hill Dairy ice cream maker for a day, including the opportunity to create your own virtual ice cream flavor.

Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
With 25 acres of activities all outdoors, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm offers the perfect space to capture the magic of family FUN! They offer over 60 Farm Fun activities for kids and adults of all ages. Prove your skills by conquering our interactive 5-acre corn maze with over 2.5 miles of paths, scenic bridges, and clues.

More Kid-Friendly Attractions

15. Play a Round of Golf

Did you know Lancaster hosted the U.S. Women's Open Golf Championship in 2015 and 2024? One of the reasons we were chosen to host is because of our top-tier golf courses. Book your tee time today! For those of you who aren’t world-class golfers, put your putt-putt skills to the test at one of Lancaster’s mini-golf courses.

Find Top Mini-Golf Courses

16. Get Creative and Artsy

Escape the heat in one of these air-conditioned art studios. Try throwing pottery at Lancaster Creative Factory, creating a masterpiece with Painting with a Twist, adding colors and designs to pottery at The PotteryWorks, or flexing all your creative muscles with a class at Horst Arts. Lancaster is a creatives playground and there's plenty of places to create your new favorite work of art.

Find Art Classes

17. Visit Historic Central Market

When you shop at Lancaster Central Market at Penn Square in the heart of Lancaster City you become a part of a living history. This is America's oldest farmers' market building. Since the 1730's farmers have been bringing meats and vegetables to the site for sale to local residents.

Plan Trip

19. Experience Lancaster City

Downtown Lancaster has it all, from historical buildings to fine dining; even international food. Downtown is the perfect contrast of modern life to the rustic allure of surrounding Amish country. Spend the weekend exploring Lancaster City's shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Stay in the City

20. Explore Amish Country

Lancaster County summer wouldn’t be complete without the Amish. You’ll find their influence everywhere: the fresh produce at your favorite café, the ice cream melting down your waffle cone, the scenic farms and fields on your evening drive home. Experience first-hand the oldest and largest Amish community in the United States at some of our authentic Amish attractions.

Experience Amish Country