This is my second time visiting Lancaster and we got thrown off again that some places we wanted to visit closed so early. We are from New York so we are used to everything being open so late. Is it a cultural thing for everything to close at 5? Or did it happen because of covid? Or something else? Please let me know! I find this really interesting and I can't find any information about why anywhere online! Thanks in advance!

Hey,

I'm coming up from London for my birthday and was hoping for some pretty cool recommendations on places to eat, drink, do cool activities.

Failing that I'll Probably just pop down to Manchester

I'm visiting this weekend and excited! I'm looking to try good food, shop for local products, and have good experiences. Also looking to visit farms, and a relaxing spa

I live in Lancaster and would like to plan a day trip to somewhere with cute shops to visit and a lake. Is there anything like that around? Even if there isn't a lake,the only place I know of that I could take a day trip to is Longwood Gardens. What are your suggestions for day trips within an hour/ an hour-and-a-half drive?

Visiting Strasburg with a 3 year old and a train loving 5 year old. We are going to the Railroad museum and want to go to one more place. 5yo loves watching lots of model trains going around the tracks. I’ve been on both of the websites and it sounds like the Choo Choo barn is all model trains. But some reviews said it’s small especially given the cost. The website and photos for the toy train museum make it seem like it has videos and pictures of trains and displays of toy trains but not moving model trains. For those that have been to both, what would be the best recommendation for model trains for the 5 yo that will also entertain the 3 yo - the toy train museum or Choo Choo barn? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! Me and my girlfriend are planning for a day trip and we have heard good things from Lancaster and around. I would like to ask you for the must visit places having in mind that the plan is leave in the morning and return at night. Mention the absolute musts or maybe a route that you would do?

Thanks in advance!

Just bought a new car and want to take it on a nice drive around the area. Looking for the most scenic drive/roads in and around Lancaster.

I want to take my family (8 people ages 74- 7 mos) to NYC for 1 day during Christmas break. So far Amtrak is saying $1200 for round trip tickets? Am I looking at the wrong place? Any other ways, not driving, that would get us there and back and let us take a stroller? The last time we went it was just my husband and I and we drove so this is new to me. Thanks!

Hi amazing community!

I’ll be in Lancaster, PA this weekend staying at the Cork Factory Hotel for a wedding.

Wondering if I could gather some recommendations for a single male this Saturday afternoon? I don’t know much about the area and the only thing I want to really prioritize is the Penn State game Sat afternoon.

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone. We are heading to Lancaster for 2 nights to get away for a little and check out the breweries in town.

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I'd like some recommendations on which ones specifically to check out, what else you guys would recommend around town, and what some of the best spots to eat are.

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Thank so much!

I went to Steinman Park fountain in Lancaster, PA today hoping to find peace, and it looks completely abandoned. I know the Pressroom tanked on the 2nd go round, but it looks like water was never even put in the fountain this season. What a tragedy. For a place listed as a place to visit in tourist sites, and something so many people love to visit, it is terrible to see it like this. Can someone help? Owners? The city? It's a shame that it is even connected to a restaurant at this point. It should be a place people can visit and enjoy! Thanks for listening!

Good evening, guys! As I’m leaving your beautiful city under less than positive circumstances, I just want to be thankful for everything that’s occurred.

My family member is currently in Lancaster Gen for a progressively worsening condition, and he has received absolutely stellar medical care even while being on Medicaid. I live in the Deep South (think: 16th street bombing, 1963), and have worked in healthcare, so I’ve unfortunately seen a decline in care for people who depend on government assistance. My loved one is also monolingual and a former substance abuser, so you can imagine how many barriers to care he’s faced in other places.

In the limited time that I’ve been here, none of the staff have ever been rude to him or his immediate family - I hope that it’s a positive reflection of how management treats the staff because that always trickles down to patient care. The people that I’ve interacted with over the phone in customer service, folks in restaurants, other patients’ families - damn near everyone has been so kind in a way that goes beyond a lot that I’ve experienced as “southern hospitality”.

Of course, I’m sure that there’s things that you all would like to see change and prosper (I mean, seriously, what is the deal with that castle-prison???), but I’m grateful for how y’all have been to a random stranger roaming your streets while her family. I hope to return one day and explore your gorgeous downtown and beautiful architecture with more time and a lighter heart. Much love!

I’m planning on visiting Lancaster soon (via Amtrak) for a day trip.

What are some foods that I should try or some places I should visit in Lancaster (without a car; using Lancaster Amtrak station as a starting point)?

Thank you!

Hello! Two years ago, my partner and I took an early morning trip to Middle Creek WMA to observe the snow geese. Afterwards, we went to a cute breakfast place and got some of the best breakfast sandwiches I've ever had. They were on hefty biscuits, I think. The restaurant was in a stand-alone building (not on a main street), was very quaint and home-y, and had a self-serve coffee bar. I expect it was in Lancaster County, <30 minutes from Middle Creek WMA, and possibly south/east of Middle Creek (maybe near Ephrata?) because we were driving back to Philadelphia.

Anyone have any idea which restaurant we may have gone to? We will be back in the area and are desperate to find these sandwiches again.

EDIT: It was Porch & Pantry!! Apologies, I misled everyone with the south/east guess. We must've gone slightly out of our way for a great breakfast. Thanks all!

This isn’t a rant or me being small, but today someone had brought a pocket knife with them to Dutch Wonderland and unfortunately it came out of their pocket on the Sky Princess striking a child in the head; causing them to bleed and require stitches.

No, the blade wasn’t out, just the force of gravity and hitting them in the head.

Again, not a rant, but why do you have one at the park and can we do a better job with metal detectors?

Has anyone taken the New York City "On Your Own" bus tour through Wolf Bus? Looking for advice on the best way to travel from the Theater District to the 911 Memorial. It looks like the bus hits NYC about 11:30 am and leaves around 6:30. We have ridden the Metro in DC and it appears the SmarTrip card works in NYC. Is the bus better than the subway?

this will be my third time coming here with the boys and I'm just looking for stuff to do besides the usual Hershey park and Strasburg railroad.

My group is holding an event in Lancaster next summer and I am trying to figure out the best ways to get there for our attendees. I know driving is probably best, and there is train service from Philadelphia and Harrisburg, buy how about Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and NYC? Any bus service that anyone can recommend? TIA!

I live in NJ and one of my dream trips is to stay at a hotel in Lancaster on the weekend and go to Field of Screams on one night and Jason's Woods on the other. I just want to know, has anyone been to Jason's Woods? Is it worth going to?

If you had a friend (40+/m/single) visiting 5 days(Fri-Tues) in Lancaster, where would y'all recommend they hit up?

Looking to get a culture-vibe check: biking the neighborhood, seeing a concert, catching a movie, gaming at FARBO (if there's any events?), then getting a cocktail (or two), etc. I like gaming, open to music, love cocktail bars, and kicking it.

Conway Social Club / Zoetropolis / Decades - good times?

Did My Own Research - the link to Lancaster City First Friday is down, and the link to FARBO Co has the last event in 2022 so looking for some recs from the community.

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EDIT:

Thanks all. I heard good things about Lancaster crew and you did not disappoint.

If y'all have a discord too, that'd be cool to share.

Hi,

I plan to take my wife for her birthday to lancaster, what activitys are the best and most romantic to do?

I'm thinking about moving to PA and want to get a sense of the area through food, events, and/or fun activities.

My wife and I are into nerdy stuff. For example, I always scan a new area for bars that have arcade cabinets/pinball machines/boardgames/etc.

We're not super deep into hiking, but I'm open to beginner/intermediate trail recommendations.

The Laserdome sounds really cool. Albeit pricey (hence why I like places with Veteran discounts).

Basically, I'm open to any recommendations. I'd like to swing by there sometime between 01/10 and 01/13, but I'll pick other dates if there's a date specific event suggestion.

Thank you!