CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

Day Trips Outside of Lancaster County

By now, we are all itching to get out of the house, but maybe you don’t feel comfortable going too far from home. Luckily, Lancaster is surrounded by plenty of interesting places waiting to be explored. Spend a day in a nearby county floating down a stream, riding or hiking through nature or simply exploring a town you’ve never been to. Here are a few ideas for your next road trip out of Lancaster County.

*Due to COVID-19, be sure to check with each location for hours, regulations and reservations.*

York County – approximately 30-40 mins.

Codorus State Park, Hanover.

Haines Shoe House, York.

Gifford Pinchot State Park, Wellsville.

William Kain Park, York.

Heritage Rail Trail County Park, Seven Valleys.

Flinchbaugh’s Orchard and Farm Market, Hellam.

Downtown York.

 

Chester County – approximately 30-40 mins.

Downtown West Chester, Kennett Square, or Phoenixville.

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square.

Brandywine River Museum of Art, Brandywine.

 

Dauphin County – approximately 40-50 mins.

Fort Hunter Mansion & Park, Harrisburg.

Indian Echo Taverns, Hummelstown.

Hershey Park, Hershey.

ZooAmerica, Hershey.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Halifax.

 

Lebanon County – approximately 40-50 mins.

Swatara State Park, Pine Grove.

Governor Dick Tower, Mount Gretna.

Downtown Lebanon.

Lebanon Rail Trail.

Mount Gretna Lake & Beach, Mount Gretna.

 

Berks County – approximately 40 mins.

Downtown Kutztown.

French Creek State Park, Elverson.

Renningers Flea Market, Kutztown.

Hawk Mountain, Kempton.

Reading Public Museum, Planetarium and Arboretum, Reading.

Take the scenic route around the county to see Covered Bridges, Hex Signs and more.

 

Cumberland County – approximately an hour.

Negley Park, Lemoyne.

Downtown Carlisle.

Boiling Springs.

Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners.

 

Adams County – approximately an hour and a half.

Gettysburg National Military Park, Gettysburg.

Mason Dixon Distillery, Gettysburg.

Downtown Gettysburg.

Michaux State Forest, Fayetteville.

 

Baltimore, Maryland – approximately an hour and a half.

National Aquarium.

Cylburn Arboretum (grounds are open, but facilities are closed).

Ladew Gardens, Monkton.

Wander the streets that are filled with history.

 

Lehigh County – approximately an hour and a half.

Bethlehem Steel Stacks, Bethlehem.

Downtown Bethlehem.

Dorney Park, Allentown.

Malcom Gross Rose Garden, Allentown.

Weil Antique Center, Allentown.

 

Philadelphia County – approximately an hour and a half.

Magic Gardens, Philadelphia.

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia.

 

Frederick, Maryland – approximately 2 hours. 

Public Art Trail

Historic Sites

Take scenic routes 15 and 40 through town.

Monocacy National Battlefield

 

Northumberland County – approximately 2 hours.

Knoebels, Elysburg.

The Point Barn Antiques, Northumberland.

Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area, Coal Township.

Shikellamy State Park, Sunbury.

 

Potter County –  approximately 4 hours (consider an overnight trip).

Cherry Springs State Park (one of the best places to see the stars in the country), Coudersport.

 

Tioga County – approximately 3.5 hours (consider an overnight trip).

Pine Creek Gorge (aka Pennsylvania Grand Canyon), Waterville.

Downtown Wellsboro.

 

McKean County – approximately 4.5 hours  (consider an overnight trip).

Kinzua Bridge State Park, Mt Jewett.

Allegheny National Forest, Ludlow.

 

For more information on Pennsylvania attractions, check out Where & When PA.

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