Lancaster Travel Guide

Located in the heart of Pennsylvania Amish country, Lancaster blends American heritage with a thriving creative culture and streets that still thrum with horses and buggies. Explore redbrick neighbourhoods full of cutting-edge galleries, locavore restaurants and vintage shops. Beyond the city limits, find rolling farmland and the county’s iconic covered bridges. Get inspired with our Lancaster travel guide.

Lancaster highlights

Where to stay

Downtown is the best place to stay in Lancaster for history buffs and foodies. Wander cobblestone streets lined with redbrick heritage townhouses. Hunt for keepsakes and gifts in the galleries and boutiques of Gallery Row. And sit down to farm-to-table feasts in the city’s hip new restaurants.

Simpler times

A trip to Lancaster is a great opportunity to slow down and experience the local Amish and Mennonite communities, whose way of life has changed little over the centuries. Take a buggy ride through traditional farms and villages, sit down to a wholesome meal in an Amish home, and learn about the lives of Mennonite settlers at Lancaster’s 1719 Museum.

Beautiful bridges

Lancaster’s covered bridges are perfect for leisurely day trips back in time. Download one of the many guides and discover the 25 rustic beauties that dot the county. Along the way, you’ll find pretty villages filled with old-timey cafes, shops and galleries. The bridges are also known as ‘kissing bridges’, so bring that someone special along for the ride.

Lancaster: Know before you go

Language	English
Currency	United States dollar ($)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST) and UTC-4 (EDT)
High season	June - August
Low season	January - February

Brian T. Evans

Things to do in Lancaster

Nightlife

Because of its compact, walkable downtown, exploring the nightlife in Lancaster is a breeze. Pull up a stool and sample the local ales in one of the many craft breweries and taverns. Or take it up a level and perch yourself in a stylish rooftop bar. Fancy taking in a show? The Fulton Theatre is the place to be.

Shopping

Shopping in Lancaster is all about one-of-a-kind finds. Browse the vintage stores of North Queen Street, pick up mid-century homewares at Space, or find antiques in the nearby villages of Columbia and Strasburg. And keep your eyes peeled for local ‘mud sales’ — huge auctions held in the muddy spring months where you can pick up Amish quilts, crockery and more.

Places to eat

Lancaster is home to a growing immigrant population, and the food scene reflects that. You’ll find a wide range of multicultural cuisine, from Asian noodle soups to North African stews. Come hungry to Lancaster Central Market, a maze of food stalls featuring Puerto Rican empanadas, traditional baked goods and everything in between. Don’t leave town without a caramel-filled Dutch 'stroopwafel,’ a local favourite.

FAQs about visiting Lancaster

Is it safe to visit Lancaster?

Lancaster is perfectly safe. You’ll have few worries in Lancaster’s downtown area or in the villages of Lancaster County. Just remember to watch out for horses and buggies on the county’s back roads.

What is the coldest month in Lancaster?

Organise your trip to Lancaster for January and you'll be there when conditions are at their coolest. -8°C (18°F) is as cold as it gets.

What is the hottest month in Lancaster?

With temperatures hitting a maximum of 30ºC (86ºF), July is the warmest month in Lancaster.

How expensive is a trip to Lancaster?

The time of year you go, how you travel, and where you stay will influence what you spend on your city break in Lancaster. If you're aiming to cut costs, search for discounts or last-minute deals on Lancaster flights and hotels. Staying midweek and signing up to airline loyalty programmes can also help you save.

What language is spoken in Lancaster?

During your city break in Lancaster, everyday interactions will mostly happen in English.

Is Lancaster a good place to visit?

Whether your thing is food, shopping, or anything in between, there are loads of things to do in Lancaster. Barnyard Kingdom and San Juan Bautista Catholic Church are the start of the reasons you'll want to go.

What currency is used in Lancaster?

You'll be using the United States dollar (USD) while in Lancaster. As well as your debit and credit cards, consider carrying some cash for things like minor purchases and public transport fares.

How many days do you need for a trip to Lancaster?

To experience all of the city's charms, a two-day trip to Lancaster will suffice. Want to experience Amish culture and explore the region’s history and scenery? Make it five days to a week.

What is the rainiest month in Lancaster?

With an average rainfall of 130 millimetres, August is the rainiest month to visit Lancaster. When the drizzle sets in, head indoors and make the most of the city's shopping malls, art galleries, cafes and more.

When is the best time to visit Lancaster?

There’s never a bad time to take a trip to Lancaster. Summer brings long days and outdoor adventures, while fall offers apple picking and county fairs. Wintertime is full of Christmas festivities, as well as cheaper flights and hotels. Spring brings flowers and mud sales.

Your guide to Lancaster