Whether you’re planning a quick weekend getaway from the city or a longer East Coast road trip, Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County can feel like a world away thanks to the slow pace of this bucolic location. Also known as Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the Garden Spot of America and Slow-Lanco, as the locals call it, this is an area where you are sure to feel rested and relaxed with a bunch fun of things to see and do. Book a glamping unit at Thousand Trails Circle M or Spring Gulch Resort Campground and get set to experience a definitely different kinda vibe. Here are five possible “don’t miss” things to see here:
1. Longwood Gardens: From formal gardens to open meadows, a visit to Longwood Gardens should be a part of your visit to the area. Set on approximately 1000-plus acres that were once a Quaker farmstead, the gardens will delight all visitors. There is an Orchid House with over 5000 orchids, the Cascade Garden, which is modeled after a tropical rainforest, two conservatories, and a Fountain Garden. Plan to spend a least 2-3 hours walking about Longwood, which is considered one of the best horticultural gardens in the world.
2. Lancaster Central Market: Established in 1730, the Lancaster Central Market is the oldest continuously operated public farmers market in the country. What you can find here goes way beyond produce! Specialty coffees, fresh baked breads, local cheese and dairy offerings, meat, flowers, fish and crafts and collectibles are available here. Explore some of the offerings unique to the Pennsylvania Dutch community like scrapple, a savory meat pudding and of course Lancaster-style pretzels. Even the market’s building is historic, built in 1889.
3. Historic Venues: Get to know the history of the area with a walking tour. Check out The Historic Lancaster Walking Tour (historiclancasterwalkingtour.org), a 90-minute walking tour. Then there is Wheatland, home of President James Buchanan. Wheatland served as his primary residence during his presidency (1857-1861) and he continued to live at Wheatland until his death in 1868. Another historic home is Rock Ford, the home of Army General Edward Hand, who served under George Washington. Visitors can tour the Georgian-style home which provides a wonderful glimpse into post-Revolutionary War life as it remains very much intact with original furnishing and fixtures (historicrockford.org). A look into Mennonite life can be found at the 1719 Museum which was the home of Hans Herr and built in 1719.
4. Strasburg Rail Road: An absolutely terrific way to see the beauty of the Pennsylvania Dutch countryside is a trip aboard the Strasburg Rail Road, the oldest continuously operating railroad in America. The steam train offers a variety of trips including wine and cheese trips, whiskey tasting trips and special events like the Murder Mystery ride. Check out all the offerings at strasburgrailroad.com.
5. Amish Life: There are several ways to learn about the Amish and their way of life and those include The Amish Village (amishvillage.com), Amish Farm and House (amishfarmandhouse.com) or at the Bird-in-Hand Artisan Village (bird-in-hand.com). Settling here in the mid-1700s, the Amish were drawn to the area due to the fertile land, the religious freedom and the serene and welcoming environment. As of 2025, more than 40,000 Amish continue to live here making it the largest and oldest Amish Community in the United States.
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