Curator’s statement
Lancaster and the surrounding area hold a special place in my heart because I went to college here. Therefore, I know places to stay, eat, and things to do in the area. The rolling hills, the backdrop of Lancaster, PA, and the surrounding areas sure are breathtaking!
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Where to stay in Pennsylvania
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Things to do in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg:
Attend a Harrisburg Senators baseball game on City Island: For sports fans (and anyone really), attend a Harrisburg Senators baseball game on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River. The island isn't only home to the baseball stadium, it also features a kiddie train that goes around it, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and a park with picnic shelters.
Attend the Pennsylvania Farm Show (typically held in early January): Held at the PA Farm Show Complex in Northern Harrisburg, this farm show has various cattle from across the state and various commerce and food vendors (including great milkshakes)!
Attend a live concert at the Whitaker Center: Watch live music at the Whitaker Center in the heart of Harrisburg. Typically programming jazz and classical music.
Elizabethtown:
Take advantage of the shops on Market Street: Take a walk down Market Street in the heart of town and pop in some of the quaint shops and coffee shops.
Attend a free live performance in Leffler Chapel on the campus of Elizabethtown College: Walk over to Leffler Chapel on the campus of Elizabethtown College to hear stellar live music (typically held on Monday nights and the weekend). Showcases all types of music from classical to contemporary.
Buy some produce and flowers from the Campus Ridge Farmers Market: Buy some gorgeous flowers and produce from the Campus Ridge Farmers Market (it also has beautiful pumpkins and gourds in the fall).
Lancaster:
Enjoy a live musical or play at Fulton Theater or Dutch Apple Dinner Theater: Watch a performance at either Fulton or Dutch Apple. Both of their productions are phenomenal. Dinner is provided at Dutch Apple.
Take advantage of the phenomenal restaurants Lancaster has to offer: From Asian food to European food, Lancaster has a restaurant for everyone. Norbu (Nepalese food) is one of my favorites!
Visit Amish Country just outside Lancaster: The Lancaster region is known for having many Amish settlers. Therefore, there are a lot of Amish communities to visit around Lancaster (they make some of the best soft pretzels)!
Places to eat & drink in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg:
Anna Rose Bakery: Family-run bakery featuring delicious pastries and coffee. I recommend their cupcakes!
Bacco Pizzeria and Wine Bar: Local pizza and pasta chain with amazing pizza and desserts. I recommend their Fungi Pizza. Just the right amount of garlic. I also recommend their Rainbow Cake. So delicious!
Dockside Willies: American restaurant overlooking the Susquehanna River. I recommend their Caribbean jerk chicken. Just the right amount of spice!
Elizabethtown:
Whisk Cafe: An amazing breakfast and brunch restaurant located right next to the train station. I recommend their hash dishes (over breakfast potatoes) and their biscuits (melts in your mouth!)
Lucky Ducks Bar and Grille: Local bar and grill with great food. I recommend trying their Spicy Grasshoppers (jalapenos wrapped in bacon with fig jam and goat cheese on top). Unlike traditional bars, this one is only open until 10 on most nights.
Good Burrito: A Chipotle-esque build-your-own Mexican restaurant with all the typical fixin’s. I recommend their Veggie Bowl with all the toppings (no extra charge) and Passionheat and Carolina BBQ sauce. This restaurant is better than Chipotle, in my opinion.
Lancaster:
Harvest: A farm-to-table restaurant with a rotating menu each season. For their fall menu, I recommend ordering their eggplant parmesan. The eggplant is not overly breaded like other versions. Considering this is a farm-to-table restaurant, it is kind of pricey (especially if you’re going with other people).
Loxleys Restaurant: An American restaurant featuring great pizzas, pastas, sandwiches, steak, and seafood. I recommend ordering their gnocchi with burrata and meat. Everything is so creamy when you mix it together. Even though it is connected to the Heritage Hotel, it is more upscale than your typical hotel restaurant. It is right across from the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, so one can eat at Loxley’s for dinner and then attend a performance.
Norbu: A Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Lancaster serving authentic Nepalese and Indian dishes. I recommend trying their shamu datsi (mushrooms, chili peppers, and cottage cheese in a cream sauce). One can adjust the spice level to their liking with these dishes.
Need to know
There is an Amtrak train line that goes between Harrisburg, Elizabethtown, and Lancaster. There are also good bus systems in the three towns.
Travel Advisor
Henry Nalker
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