The Top 5 Reasons to Visit Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Now
From the Amish to the arts, an energetic city life and exquisite cuisine, you’ll expect the unexpected in Pennsylvania’s Dutch Country. Welcome to Lancaster County.
Image courtesy of Discover Lancaster
1. THE THEATRE
Three world-class performing arts centers call Lancaster home. The Ware Center is a venue for Millersville University’s Department of Visual & Performing Arts. Built in 1852, The Fulton Theatre hosts broadway shows such as Jersey Boys and Evita. The ornate, historic landmark was saved from the wrecking ball and reopened in 1995 after being restored to its original Victorian elegance.
The American Music Theatre also hosts broadway tours, as well as music concerts, comedy acts and family-friendly entertainment.
2. THE ART
Join in on Lancaster’s highly popular arts extravaganza, First Friday, each and every First Friday, evenings from 5-9. You’ll be swept up in the creative energy that pervades the city. Discover innovative exhibitions, performances and maybe a few surprises as you walk the tree-lined streets amongst distinctively historic architecture.
Eclectic shopping boutiques complement the art galleries, artisan studios, museums, performing groups and art college that comprise Lancaster’s arts community. There’s nothing like a First Friday in downtown Lancaster! Upcoming dates can be found here.
3. THE COCKTAILS
Cocktails at a bakery? You betcha. Enjoy the best of both worlds at Bistro Barberet & Bakery. Classic French cuisine with a modern twist from renowned Pastry Chef Cedric Barberet awaits you for brunch, lunch and dinner. Relax at the bar with one of their French-inspired handcrafted cocktails.
While you can savor classic French staples like beef tartare, foie gras and escargot—Bistro Barberet & Bakery also offers veal schnitzel to pay tribute to the German heritage of Lancaster County. But, most importantly? Make sure you leave with a bag full of les macarons Parisiens (with flavors like raspberry, lemon, coffee, strawberry, pistachio, vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, lavender and blackberry-violet) and of course, les truffes.
Hungry yet?
4. THE ARCHITECTURE
Built in 1828 by an unknown architect, Wheatland was once the home of President James Buchanan. Having been beautifully restored, it is now open to the public for tours that provide a glimpse into the president's life, memorabilia and artifacts. Conrad Beissel, founder of Ephrata Cloister, came to the site in 1732 seeking to live as a hermit following his own religious ideas. By the early 1750s, nearly 80 celibate brothers and sisters were housed in impressive Germanic log, stone and half-timbered buildings—while nearly 200 family members known as “householders,” occupied nearby homes and farms. During the American Revolution, Ephrata Cloister served as a hospital for nearly 260 American soldiers, some of whom rest in the Mount Zion cemetery overlooking the historic grounds.
Rock Ford Plantation was built in 1793 by Edward Hand, who at the time was Adjutant General to George Washington during the American Revolution. At the war’s end he entered politics as a Federalist. He served in Congress, the Pennsylvania General Assembly and was elected Burgess of Lancaster. Rock Ford Plantation is widely considered to be one of the most important examples of Georgian domestic architecture surviving in Pennsylvania and the most intact building predating 1800 in Lancaster County.
5. THE HISTORY
In the 1700s shipload after shipload of German immigrants landed in the colonial port of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Germans made up 40% of the southeastern Pennsylvania population by 1790. These immigrants and their descendants created a distinct culture with folk traditions, decorative arts, and a language (Pennsylvania German) based upon their Germanic heritage. As Americans, they continued to use patterns from their homeland in erecting buildings, decorating their furniture, pottery making and in practicing their folkways.
Image courtesy of Discover Lancaster
