Are you visiting Lancaster this weekend? It can be challenging to find activities that are available on Sundays, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area. We’re here to make your trip planning easier. In this blog, we’ll tell you our favorite things to do in Lancaster, PA, on Sunday, including hikes through the forests, museum visits, and scenic drives through the countryside. Don’t waste another minute; grab a pen and start taking notes! Be sure to use our “Things to Do” page for even more ideas too. It offers even more recommendations for weekend activities!
This Blog is All About Sundays in Lancaster PA
Enjoy the Best of Lancaster, PA, on Sunday
Travel Back in Time at Lancaster’s Top Museums
It’s never easy to plan a Sunday vacation. How can you know for sure that the things you want to see are open, especially in a small town? Luckily, most museums in Lancaster are open to the public on Sunday. Here are some of our favorites!
Cornwall Iron Furnace
The Cornwall Iron Furnace is a preserved, 19th-Century charcoal ironmaking facility. Learn about Lancaster’s rich history as you experience what life was like 200 years ago.
Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum
The Landis Valley Museum gives you the chance to discover a living history village and farm inspired by the rural German life of the past centuries. Get ready for a journey into Pennsylvania’s past!
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is hands-down the most popular Lancaster County museum. Located in Strasburg, this museum is family-friendly and has over 100 locomotives and rail cars on display
The Ephrata Cloister
The Ephrata Cloister is listed in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and with good reason. Here you’ll learn the intriguing history and beliefs of some early colonial settlers. Enjoy walking the lovely grounds while admiring the art, architecture, and contribution of Conrad Beissel’s followers.
Explore Outdoors
Lancaster features some of the most gorgeous landscapes in Pennsylvania. So, why not take advantage of it? Enjoy your Sunday by going on a lovely hike or walk through the woods. It’s a great way to relax and unwind! Here are three spots we know you’ll love:
- PA Wolf Sanctuary Private Tours: The Wolf Sanctuary is a family owned wolf refuge offering guided tours during the day and a once a month Full Moon nighttime event.
- Lake Grubb Nature Park: This former iron mine makes for a wonderful Sunday stroll. Walk around the lake and try your hand at fishing!
- Conewago Recreation Trail: Conewago is perfect for bikers. Ride through the stunning forest and enjoy a calm and beautiful afternoon.
- Nolde State Park: This park is just a 30-minute drive from Historic Smithton Inn and features lush woodlands and lovely streams.
Enjoy a Lovely Sunday Drive Through the Country
Sunday Drive Routes:
After your hike or bike ride, hop back in the car and take a road trip through the countryside! Discover gorgeous back roads, lush fields, rolling farms, and more. You can even set out to see Lancaster’s famous covered bridges! Don’t forget your camera; you’ll definitely need it along the way.
Take a Scooter Tour:
While you won’t be able to take an Amish Buggy Ride on a Sunday, you can still take a tour to see Amish Farms and PA Dutch Country. We encourage you to spice up your Sunday drive by switching to Strasburg Scooters! They offer a variety of guided tours that make for an unforgettable experience.
- Bridges and Brunch
- Covered Bridges Tour
- Date Night in Amish Country
- Ice Cream Experience
- Sunset Covered Bridge Tour
- Ultimate Amish Adventure
- … And many more!
The Amish Experience Farmlands Tour:
The Amish Experience Tours and Plain and Fancy Farm are open 7 days a week! Take the 90 minute farmlands driving tour which takes you deep in the hart of the Lancaster Amish Community. Guides will answer your questions while pointing out interesting sites as you travel through rolling hills and Amish farms.
Visit Craft Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries
Sundays are a great day to combine a Sunday drive with visits to the many local craft wineies, breweries and distilleries that dot the landscape around Lancaster County. Here are some tours we put together to help you find our favorite spots:
- Lancaster PA Wineries Tour
- Craft Breweries in Lancaster Pennsylvania
- Distilleries in Lancaster County
Shop till you Drop
Although Amish-owned businesses and small privately owned shops are likely to be closed on a Sunday, there are still some terrific options for visitors who want to do a bit of shopping while visiting Lancaster County.
- Antiques: Sunday is the BEST day for antiquing in Lancaster PA. There are a number of shops that are ONLY open on Sunday. The area with the highest concentration of Antique Shops in the county is Adamstown, also known as Antiques Capital USA. You’ll find over 20 shops and malls with literally HUNDREDS of vendors in Adamstown!! The next best antiquing destination is in Columbia, PA where you can find Burning Bridge Antique Market and Rivertowne Antique Center.
- “Etsy-style” Hand Crafted / Unique: The thing about shopping when you’re on vacation is that you’re probably looking for things to take home that are unique to the area, and you can still do that on a Sunday in Lancaster! We recommend Prussian Street Arcade in Manheim, Building Character in downtown Lancaster and Artisan Mill Company in Lititz.
- Outlets & Malls: One good thing about shopping in Pennsylvania is that there’s no sales tax on clothes, so some people use Sundays to refresh their closets, and for that we recommend a tip to the mall. Tanger Outlets, Park City Mall and Rockvale Outlets are all open on Sunday!
Enjoy Lunch or Dinner:
It’s true, many Lancaster PA restaurants are closed on Sundays, but never fear, there are still some terrific options our there for visitors and these are some of our favorites:
- Near Ephrata: Kyma for seafood and Johnny’s for steak… both restaurants are in the same building in Stevens (dinner only, not lunch). If you’re longing for fantastic homemade Italian food, then head over to Nonna Rosa Traditional Italian Kitchen in Akron.
- Downtown Lancaster: Cabalar Meat Co. for amazing burgers & sandwiches, Lancaster Brewing Company for delicious pub food and Lancaster Dispensing Company for a charming historic taproom & restaurant.
- Cornwall & Mount Gretna: The Hideaway and the Bluebird Inn are both favorite go-to restaurants with terrific restaurants, about 20 min west of the Historic Smithton Inn.
- West Reading: B2 B Bistro & Bar, where fresh local meets casual cool. West Reading Tavern for great pub fare or La Abuela Mexican Restaurant for an authentic, family-owned Mexican restaurant.
For even more options: 25+ Lancaster Restaurants Open on Sunday & Monday
Ready for a Cozy Sunday at the Historic Smithton Inn?
We’ve given you the recipe for a perfect Sunday afternoon. But, what about Sunday night? The Historic Smithton Inn’s luxurious accommodations are ideal for a relaxing weekend getaway.
Take a look at our Sage Room and see how cozy our inn is for yourself! You can book a special in-room massage with our local therapist, then hop in the rain shower before bed. Enjoy a good night’s sleep in the queen-size bed with a beautiful, hand-crafted headboard. Then, start the next day with a delicious homemade breakfast! You’ll love our strawberry Amaretto-stuffed French toast. It will help you start the week in a great mood!
This Blog is All About Sundays in Lancaster PA
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