When most people plan to visit Lancaster, PA they picture the county (and the Amish), not necessarily the city itself. Sure, the Amish are fascinating to some and they make amazing furniture and baked goods. But after you’ve been stuck behind them on a back road while running late for work a few times, they kind of lose their shine. I didn’t know until recently that Lancaster was actually the capital of Pennsylvania for 13 years (from 1799-1812), and it is one of the oldest inland cities in the United States. Which kind of explains why the historic homes in the area are so expensive!
Don’t listen to Wikipedia – it’s pronounced Lank-ister, not Lang-kih-ster or Lang-Caster.
Compared to the tiny sub-4,000 person town I grew up in, I thought Lancaster was MASSIVE when I was a kid. It made me nervous the few times we ventured into the city! While as of 2024 it’s the 12th largest city in Pennsylvania, there are only about 58,000 people that live there (about 552,984 in the metro area). For comparison – Pittsburgh at #2 has a little over 300,000 people, while Philly is #1 with a population of over 1.5 million. Visiting Lancaster from Philly is an easy day-trip, as the drive only takes about an hour and a half. The city seems to have had a resurgence since I moved away in 2013, and there are so many new places I can’t wait to check out!
Transportation
Most people tend to drive when they visit Lancaster, PA, arriving via Route 30, 222, or 501. There are plenty of parking garages to choose from, all run by the Lancaster Parking Authority. I personally prefer to use the Prince Street Garage (111 N Prince Street) because it’s close to so many of my favorite places!
In terms of public transit, while Lancaster is too small for a subway system there are a number of bus lines that serve the city through Red Rose Transit Authority. Some of these lines also can get you to and from other popular towns in the area including: Ephrata, Lititz, Columbia, Millersville, and Elizabethtown.
Arriving By Train
There are actually two Amtrak lines that make a stop in Lancaster: the Keystone, which runs between Harrisburg and New York City, and the Pennsylvanian, which runs between Pittsburgh and New York City. While the Pennsylvanian only does one roundtrip daily, the Keystone on the other hand runs 13 trains on weekdays and 7 on the weekends. This makes Amtrak a convenient way to visit Lancaster, PA if you don’t want to drive, or like me just prefer not to.
The Lancaster Amtrak Station is located at 53 McGovern Ave. Just a 5 minute uber or taxi ride will get you to the middle of downtown!
Even though it’s a pretty small station with just two platforms, Lancaster is the second busiest Amtrak station in Pennsylvania after Philly’s 30th Street Station. There really isn’t much inside the station itself besides a ticket counter, vending machines, restrooms, seating, and a small coffee shop (which like many places in Lancaster County is closed on Sundays).
Things To Do
Visit the Central Market
Did you know the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in America is located in the heart of Lancaster? I somehow always forget how much smaller it is than the famous Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. Because it’s in the heart of Amish country, you can find plenty of fresh produce, meats, preserves/jams/sauces, and of course baked goods. We snacked on some delicious apple cider donuts and a whoopie pie while we browsed. If you can’t make it on a Saturday, they’re also open on Tuesdays and Fridays (6am – 3pm).
Lancaster Central Market – 23 N Market Street.
Show Off Your Competitive Side
Decades – 438 N Queen Street.
Decades has a little bit for everyone: a 6 lane bowling alley, skeeball, and vintage arcade games – plus a bar and restaurant. It’s also fun to just grab a beer and people watch from the 2nd floor! While they’re family friendly during the day, it does transition into a 21+ space after 8:30pm.
Do Some Shopping
Especially on warm days, I like to wander around a bit – stopping into any store that catches my fancy!
The Spice & Tea Exchange – 20 W Orange Street.
I’m not much of a tea person myself, but they also have lots of different flavored salts and sugars for those of us who like to cook and bake.
Space – 24 W Walnut Street.
A vintage/antique store specializing in Mid-Century modern pieces.
Central Market Flowers – 258 N Queen Street.
Part florist, part home goods/gift store. They also have a small stall inside the market when it’s open.
Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar – 36 W King Street.
I’m a sucker for an infused olive oil or balsamic vinegar, and this tasting room always smells amazing.
Get Crafty
I was never very good in art class, but that hasn’t stopped me from continuing to give things a try!
The PotteryWorks – 16 W Orange Street.
PotteryWorks is a paint-your-own-pottery studio with hundreds of pieces to choose from. It can get pretty busy on the weekends, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to reserve yourself a table in advance! Disclaimer: this maybe isn’t the best option if you don’t live nearby and are only in town for a day or two, as the painted pieces take about a week to be fired.
The BeadWorks – 52 N Queen Street.
Painting not really your thing? You could always head around the corner and make a piece of jewelry instead! Choose your project and beads, then do it yourself or get help from one of the friendly staff members. Interested in learning to make jewelry at home? They have classes including Beading Basics or Wire Work. After you’re done with your class you can also buy all the supplies you’d need to make your own jewelry at home.
Visiting Lancaster and looking for more to do?
Check out these exciting options:
Food & Drinks
Breakfast & Coffee
Passenger Coffee – 7 W King Street.
Rated the best coffee roaster in Pennsylvania in 2022, Passenger really knows what they’re doing. Espresso lovers should grab a One and One – one shot of espresso served black and a second as a macchiato.
Rachel’s Cafe & Creperie – 201 W Walnut Street.
If you ask a local where to grab breakfast, Rachel’s is likely to make the list. On the menu you’ll find eggs, crepes, coffee, lunch and dessert. It’s first come, first served – and they get busy.
Cafe One Eight – 18 W Orange Street.
This bright and airy cafe is a more casual option to Rachel’s (no table service!). It can sometimes be tough to find a table on the weekends.
Restaurants
Issei Noodle – Ramen – 38 W Orange Steet.
I was so happy to finally find a spot to get a decent bowl of ramen in Lancaster! If you like a little spice, I’d recommend the Tantan-Men with a soft-boiled egg.
Cork & Cap Restaurant – Upscale American – 480 New Holland Ave #3000.
Located inside the Cork Factory Hotel, a popular area wedding venue, Cork & Cap is a great option for anyone celebrating a special occasion.
Shot & Bottle – American – 2 N Queen Street.
This is probably my favorite brunch spot in Lancaster. I’d personally recommend getting a grapefruit mimosa and the Basic Binch sandwich! It’s also a great option for dinner or even just drinks at the bar.
LUCA – Italian – 436 W James Street #101.
Be sure to make a reservation, because this place is very popular and gets pretty busy. We arrived a little early for our last reservation and they gave us a glass of prosecco while we waited!
Annie Bailey’s Irish Public House – 28-30 E King Street.
A 2-story Irish pub with an extensive whiskey selection, craft beers and cocktails. I have a soft spot for Annie Bailey’s, it’s where I celebrated my 21st birthday!
Drinks
The Belvedere Inn – 402 N Queen Street.
While it’s known for being a higher-end dinner spot, I prefer to stop in for pre-dinner cocktails at the bar. If you can’t find a seat at the bar downstairs, check the second upstairs in the jazz lounge!
Meduseld Meadery – 252 Harrisburg Pike.
I love mead – basically honey wine made by fermenting honey with water & yeast. Grab a flight (or two) from their large mead and beer selection, and maybe even do some axe throwing!
Thistle Finch Distillery – 417 W Grant Street.
This small-batch distillery located in a former tobacco warehouse specializes in White Rye Whiskey.
Breweries
Our Town Brewery – 252 N Prince Street.
I love when a brewery has a wide range of beers to choose from, so Our Town was right up my alley. They also have a second location in Philly that I still need to visit!
Lancaster Brewing Company – 302 N Plum Street.
The Strawberry Wheat beer from Lancaster Brewing was the first beer I found that I actually liked when I started my beer journey! They’ve been brewing in Lancaster since 1995.
South Country Brewing Co – 26 W King Street.
A newer addition to Lancaster, this taproom opened in early 2025 in what used to be the Press Room Restaurant. Their main brewery is located in York, PA.
Snacks & Treats
Lancaster Cupcake – 24 W Orange Street.
While the cupcakes here are a bit denser than I personally prefer, they make up for it with great flavors – many of which come in both regular and gluten free! I’d recommend the Strawberry Champagne or Lemon Lush.
Lancaster Pie & Coffee – 136 N Prince Street.
I can’t say they serve my favorite coffee ever, but the pies are what really draw people in. You smell them as soon as you walk in the door!
Vintage Candy Shop – 38 W King Street.
Missing a candy from your childhood? You might be able to find it here!
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All the Lancaster coffee shops I’ve visited so far: Will Travel for Coffee: Lancaster, PA
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My guide to Lancaster County wineries
On My Radar For Future Visits
It seems like every time I visit Lancaster, PA, there’s just never enough time to get to everything! And my list of places to try just seems to get longer and longer…
Urban Farmhouse – 60 N Queen Street.
This dessert shop specializes in cheesecakes with unique flavor combinations. They’re only open Thursday – Saturday and often sell out quickly!
Conway Social Club – 28 E King Street.
Unlike the name may imply, you don’t need to be a member to visit this speakeasy-esque cocktail bar.
Double C – 220 N Prince Street.
A casual farm to table “New American” restaurant known for its fresh food and cocktails.
Proof – 30 N Queen Street (Lower Level).
I’ve been told by family and friends that this cocktail bar serves the best espresso martini in the city!
Cabalar Meat Co. – 501 W Lemon Street.
A popular neighborhood butcher and burger/sandwich shop.
The Exchange – 25 S Queen Street.
Located above the Marriott at Penn Square, a rooftop cocktail bar with views of the city.
Lancaster Beignet Company – 230 N Prince Street.
Fluffy donuts coated in powdered sugar. Enough said.
Hotels
Interested in staying for longer than a day? If you’re not lucky enough to have family living nearby like I do, there are a number of great hotel options in the area to choose from for your visit to Lancaster, PA!
Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square – 25 S Queen Street.
Great for when you want to be in the heart of it all!
Lancaster Arts Hotel – 300 Harrisburg Ave.
This boutique hotel is located just a mile from the train station.
Hampton Inn Lancaster – 545 Greenfield Road.
While technically still in Lancaster, it’s about a 15 min drive from downtown – making it a good option for people that want to save a little money and like less noise.
Where should I stop during my next visit to Lancaster, PA? Let me know in the comments!
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