10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Lancaster That You Shouldn't Miss

May 14, 2022 Agatha Simes

Pennsylvania Dutch country is a fascinating destination to explore. Visitors will get a glimpse of farm life as it was in the early 1800s. Visit markets and farm stores for homemade shoofly pie and fresh produce, or shop for a handmade quilt. President James Buchanan's elegant home, Wheatland, is no less historic but contrasts sharply to the simpler Pennsylvania Dutch heritage sites in Lancaster. Consider a side trip to nearby Hershey, home of Hershey Park and the Hershey chocolate factory.
Restaurants in Lancaster

1. Fulton Theatre

12 N Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603-3808 +1 717-397-7425 [email protected] http://www.thefulton.org
Excellent
85%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 643 reviews

Fulton Theatre

Central Pennsylvania’s nationally regarded premier regional theatre, producing Broadway caliber musicals, comedies and dramas, employing professionals from New York City, the local community, and nationwide, experienced within a beautifully restored 165 year old national historic landmark of ornate Victorian architecture, walking distance from Lancaster’s historic attractions and one block from the Lancaster County Convention Center. MAINSTAGE: Million Dollar Quartet NOW-05/20/18; Hunchback of Notre Dame 06/15/18-07/22/18; GROFF STUDIO SERIES–99-seat Black Box–Intimate, Experiential: Red 05/08/18-05/27/18; FAMILY SERIES (Theatre for Young Audiences) one-hour performances at 11AM Saturday mornings: The Emperor's New Clothes 04/28/18-05/19/18; Aladdin 06/16/18-07/21/18

Reviewed By BetsyA170

Saw a great performance of one of my favorite Agatha Christie novels, Murder on the Orient Express. Cast is outstanding and the staff are so helpful and friendly. We really love this theater!

2. Lancaster Marionette Theatre

126 N Water St, Lancaster, PA 17603-3561 +1 717-394-8398 [email protected] http://lmt.yapsody.com/
Excellent
91%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 80 reviews

Lancaster Marionette Theatre

The Lancaster Marionette Theatre is one of the few marionette theatres in America, located in Historic Downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Robert Brock, the founder and Artistic Director, keeps this unique art form alive and well. He creates all the marionettes used in all productions, writes the scripts and music and performs in his unique one-man style. His humor appeals to children, as well as grown-ups. The John Durang Puppet Museum is open before performances. John Durang was the first puppeteer to be born in the USA. He was born in Lancaster in 1768. Backstage tours are given prior to every performance.The Marionette Theatre welcomes field trip groups. We hope to see you soon at one of our exciting shows. Thanks for visiting!

Reviewed By 272josephm - Lancaster, United States

I’ve seen two shows here and highly recommend this to both children and adults. The stories have cute characters and songs to keep the kiddos engaged and Robert throws in enough jokes to entertain the older crowd. Robert is the force that makes it all work with his enthusiastic personality, fun sense of humor, and genuineness! I recommend showing up early before the show to catch the museum and backstage tour. I also recommend taking some time afterwards to gets some pictures and to talk to Robert a bit. He is ridiculously friendly and loves to chat about his work and Lancaster! He’ll also give you tips for taking the best selfies!????

3. Historic St. Mary's Catholic Church

119 S Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603-5311 +1 717-392-2578 http://www.stmaryslancaster.org/
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 54 reviews

Historic St. Mary's Catholic Church

Reviewed By kghudson - Houston, United States

Walked to St. Mary's from the Central Market to see one of the oldest Catholic churches standing on its original sight. Church was open and getting ready for daily mass when we got there about 11:00. Beautiful stained glass, awe inspiring altar and a quiet and reverent church. We try to visit Catholic churches on our visits and St. Mary's was impressive and memorable. Beautiful, Holy spot!!

4. Escape Room Lancaster

18 E McGovern Ave Station Square Center, Lancaster, PA 17602-1923 +1 717-208-6288 http://www.escaperoomlancaster.com
Excellent
84%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 262 reviews

Escape Room Lancaster

Reviewed By LISTIXFH

I brought my U16 field hockey travel team over the weekend to participate in an escape room and they had an absolute blast. Listening to them interact and work as as a team was so important for team bonding. I emailed the facility prior to our visit and they were overwhelmingly accommodating at assisting with my reservation. We will be back next time we are in town!!

5. LancasterHistory

230 N President Ave Adjacent to President Buchanan's home., Lancaster, PA 17603-3125 +1 717-392-4633 [email protected] http://www.lancasterhistory.org
Excellent
76%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 21 reviews

LancasterHistory

LancasterHistory is a community-based, not-for-profit organization established to educate the public on the history of Lancaster County and its place in the history of Pennsylvania and the United States.

6. Mennonite Information Center

2209 Millstream Rd, Lancaster, PA 17602-1494 +1 717-299-0954 [email protected] http://www.mennoniteinfoctr.org/
Excellent
61%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 293 reviews

Mennonite Information Center

A place to come to learn about the Mennonites and Amish of Lancaster County through literature, videos, guided tours, and conversation with a knowledgeable staff person. Also we have a full-scale model of the Biblical Tabernacle on our grounds.

Reviewed By sure2go - Lancaster, United States

The Mennonite Information Center is a great place to learn about the Mennonite and Amish community. In past years I have taken classes to learn the Amish language, which is a fusion language and a fraktur class. We also went on one of their local bus tours. We always enjoy their Christmas sale where local artists sell their handcrafted German art.

7. Landis Valley Museum

2451 Kissel Hill Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601-4809 +1 717-569-0401 http://www.landisvalleymuseum.org/
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 337 reviews

Landis Valley Museum

Due to the precautions taken regarding COVID-19, the museum will be closed until further notice. Relax and roam through the authentic crossroads village and farms of Landis Valley as you learn the rich history of the Pennsylvania Germans of Lancaster County. Comprised of over 40 buildings on 100 acres, the museum is the guardian of 65+ varieties of heirloom seeds and the largest collection of Pennsylvania German artifacts in the U.S. Through costumed demonstrators, special events, group tours, award-winning exhibits, and educational programs for adults and children you'll come away all the more enriched by your experience here.

Reviewed By leoh5 - Jenkintown, United States

Great place to visit. We went when they had their end of season festival. We enjoyed all of their home-made recipes of Apple Cider and Sour Krauts! Told my wife how to prepare it herself! Great stuff!

8. President James Buchanan's Wheatland

1120 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA 17603-2550 https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/presidents/james_buchanan_wheatland.html
Excellent
67%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 496 reviews

President James Buchanan's Wheatland

Come discover the warmth and hospitality of President James Buchanan's Wheatland. Costumed tour guides share facts and stories from Buchanan's personal and professional life. Buchanan represented Pennsylvania in the United States House of Representatives and later the Senate, served as Minister to Russia, Secretary of State, and Ambassador to the United Kingdom. And, in 1856, Wheatland served as the hub of his successful campaign to become the 15th President of the United States. During his presidency, Wheatland served as Buchanan’s retreat as a divided nation struggled with slavery and states’ rights. Post-presidency, Wheatland became Buchanan’s refuge as he avoided public life after his term and retired as a private citizen. Wheatland’s tangible connection to the US Presidency, Antebellum and Civil War America, and the American political process make it instrumental to teaching history to modern day visitors.

Reviewed By jmalc0m - Sydney, Canada

What a wonderful surprise .An Exceptional guide in period costume made this home come alive .How progressive it was to recognize the importance of this period of history and acquire & maintain this house from the early 1940s . Well worth a visit to see the house & learn more about the Buchanan's

9. Lancaster Brewing Company

302 N Plum St, Lancaster, PA 17602-2402 +1 717-391-6258 [email protected] http://www.lancasterbrewing.com/
Excellent
60%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
6%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 136 reviews

Lancaster Brewing Company

We cook like we brew...craftsmanship and quality in every detail. From our housemade sausage and cured meats, to locally made cheeses, fresh dough, on-site garden, hand-cut fries and signature burger grind, there's no substitute for fresh, natural ingredients. Fortunate to be located in the heart of Lancaster County, among some of the richest farmland in the world, we're committed to fresh, local and sustainably grown products. Our menu changes often to take advantage of the seasons, and to utilize the fresh produce, dairy, poultry, cheeses and meats produced on the 5,300+ independent, family farms in Lancaster County. Our obsession for brewing great beer is matched by our passion for great, natural food, so we source our produce and meats from local Lancaster County farmers and prepare virtually everything on our menus from scratch. We smoke our pork, grind our sausage and hand-cut our fries.

Reviewed By SummerTimeTraveler - Atlantic City, United States

For our second visit we shared a flight of 6 beers, the short rib nachos, Bavarian pretzel and a mushroom pizza. Everything was fantastic and we even got some Double Chocolate Milk Stout to go. We love it here.

10. Lancaster Central Market

23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 +1 717-735-6890 http://www.centralmarketlancaster.com
Excellent
65%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 976 reviews

Lancaster Central Market

Reviewed By FellowTraveler642208 - Penns Park, United States

Great market, great assortment of vendors - local people with local goods. Something for everyone. Cannot wait to visit again the next time we are in Lancaster.

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