What to Do in Lancaster, PA During the Summer


With all the spring showers behind us, Lancaster offers a range of perfect activities for enjoying the summer. From outdoor concerts to catching a Stormers game, summer in Lancaster provides the perfect mix of entertainment and relaxation.

Lancaster’s Best Summer Outdoor Activities

Lancaster offers countless outdoor activities to take your summer to the next level. There are locations for almost any outside activity you can imagine, many of which you can find in our outdoor activities guide. Here, we’ve highlighted some of the top outdoor activities in and near Lancaster County.

Take a Hike

There are plenty of locations in Lancaster where you can find scenic hiking trails. Whether you want to take a nice stroll or tackle a hardcore trek, you’ll find the perfect way to take in all the views Lancaster has to offer.

The White Cliffs of Conoy are a must see for avid hikers. Enjoy picturesque views of the Susquehanna River from the white cliffs, which are made of limestone and dolomite, giving them their unique color. Don’t forget to snap some fun photos!

Go Tubing

Looking for a fun water adventure to cool down? Visit Sickman’s Mill this summer and take a leisurely ride down Pequea Creek. The round trip lasts about 1-2 hours. Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to spot local wildlife like deer and eagles.

Can’t get enough of tubing? They also offer a full-day option so you can float down the creek as many times as you want!

Pick Your Own Summer Fruit

What’s summer without some local, sun-ripened produce? Lancaster offers many opportunities to sample fresh fruits. With produce stands all over the county, you’ll have plenty of options to stop for freshly picked fruits. Or, better yet, pick your own!

Cherry Hill Orchards is open during the summer months and gives visitors the chance to pick fresh fruit. Throughout the summer, peaches, cherries, and strawberries are at their peak for fruit picking. Be sure to check out the calendar on their website to see which fruits are ripening when and plan to stop by during that time.

Shenk Berry Farm is also open this summer for fruit picking. There, you can pick strawberries, red raspberries, and black raspberries depending on the month. Make sure you visit their website for daily updates about what’s in season and their hours for fruit picking!

Take a Covered Bridge Tour

Take a trip to Amish Country and enjoy the countryside views with a tour of Lancaster’s covered bridges!

You can either map out your own drive for a DIY tour, or take a scooter tour at Strasburg Scooters. As part of this tour, you will get the chance to see a covered bridge built in the 19th century along with other surprise stops along the way!

Summer Eats

This summer, don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal at one of Lancaster’s outdoor restaurants. There are plenty of options in the area that offer outdoor dining on decks, patios, and more. You can also check out a nearby rooftop restaurant and indulge in a delicious meal while taking in stunning views of Lancaster City.

Patio Dining

Make the most of your dining experience at the Eden Resort’s Bistro 2two2 and savor a meal on the patio. The bistro provides exceptional service and plenty of dining options sure to leave you satisfied. The occasional live music performances will be the perfect finishing touch to your Lancaster summer visit to the Eden Resort.

Ice Cream

After spending some time in the sun, cool down with a delicious frozen treat at one of Lancaster’s many local ice cream shops. Your taste buds will thank you for treating yourself to one of Lancaster County’s ice cream locations, many of which are Amish–run. Our guide has the perfect list of local ice cream shops to check out on your next visit.

Outdoor Music

Sunny summer weather means spending more time outdoors. And for music lovers, nothing’s better than combining time outdoors with listening to music. So why not check out an outdoor music concert at a local Lancaster park this summer?

Long’s Park

Long’s Park Amphitheater hosts their Summer Music series annually throughout the summer. With a lineup of different music genres, from Philly-inspired rock to New Orleans funk, you’ll get to discover a new genre or listen to one of your favorites.

Shoppes at Belmont

The Shoppes at Belmont is a large shopping center with stores such as Nordstrom Rack and Michaels. During the summer, however, they offer something else: live music! Take a break from your shopping trip and enjoy some tunes every Saturday from 6:00 – 10:00 PM. As a bonus, the Shoppes at Belmont is just a few minutes from the Eden Resort.

Strasburg Community Park

Strasburg Community Park hosts an annual Sounds of Strasburg concert event at their Amphitheatre. While you’re there, take a stroll on one of the walking paths filled with stunning native plants.

Music on the Patio at Bistro 2two2

Bistro 2two2 combines a memorable outdoor dining experience with live music performances. Enjoy one of our signature dishes with a live performance, the perfect way to spend a warm evening.

Explore All of Lancaster County

Lancaster County is extremely diverse, and offers many unique experiences wherever you go! From the picturesque Amish countryside to the beautiful Susquehanna River, there’s enough in the county to keep you coming back summer after summer to explore more of the region.

Amish Country

What’s a trip to Lancaster without enjoying an authentic Amish experience? Get a true glimpse into the Amish lifestyle by taking a tour of the countryside, experiencing a buggy ride, and feeding some farm animals. Use our insider guide to find the Amish tour that best suits you for your summer travels to Amish Country.

Downtown Lancaster

This summer, enjoy the charming small city vibes that Downtown Lancaster has to offer. Support a local business or engage in fun activities such as jewelry or pottery painting around the city. While you’re there, stop by Southern Market for some unique meals and different cuisines. During the first Friday of every month, you’ll find events like performances and exhibitions on the streets of Lancaster City. The city comes alive with art galleries and restaurants staying open late with special hours.

River Towns

Located along the Susquehanna, the towns of Columbia, Marietta, and Wrightsville are home to many activities to enjoy by the river. The area of downtown Columbia also hosts a Fourth Friday event with food and drink specials, and some shops stay open later than usual. Be sure to check it out for fun outdoor festivities or simply enjoy a walk along the river and the sounds of nature.

Summer Sports in Lancaster

For those looking to enjoy a fun sports game or participate in a match themselves, Lancaster has you covered.

Baseball

If your idea of a perfect summer afternoon or evening involves enjoying a sports game, make sure you watch a Lancaster Stormers baseball game at the Penn Medicine Park Stadium. Grab a hot dog and some ice cream, and take in the fireworks after select games.

Penn Medicine Park also has a lawn area where you can sit in the grass and enjoy a picnic.

Polo

Visit Lancaster Polo Club and enjoy a game of polo. Their Summer Sundays events, running from June to September, allow visitors to experience a tailgate, polo game, and traditions related to the sport. Whether you are an avid polo fan or just curious to learn more about the sport, you’ll be entertained for hours.

Playing Sports

Looking for a place to play one of your favorite sports? You can find many different courts and locations to get yourself outside and moving.

Just minutes from the Eden Resort, Stauffer Park has many sports courts and fields: tennis courts, basketball courts, a volleyball court, and more. Additionally, there are some nice walking paths.

Overlook Park also has courts where you can work on sharpening your pickleball skills, along with a golf practice range, an outdoor skating rink, a disc golf course, and a skate park. There is also a playground for those with little ones.

The Eden Resort has many outdoor recreational activities to enjoy. Play a round of ping-pong, then stop by the basketball court to shoot some hoops. We also have a bocce court, shuffleboard, cornhole, and more!

Lancaster Shopping in the Summer

Whether you’re shopping for fresh produce or wardrobe staples, you can find whatever you’re looking for (and then some!) at the many shopping centers around town. From outlets to farmers markets, you’ll find something worth taking home to remember your trip.

Outlets

Find all your favorite brands at Lancaster’s Tanger Outlets. With stores such as American Eagle, Nike, and Banana Republic, you will no doubt find items to your liking. Be on the lookout for any discounts and sales, as you don’t want to miss out on some amazing deals!

The Shops @ Rockvale also offer amazing prices and deals on well-known brands such as the Disney store, Lee Wrangler, and Loft. While you are there, be sure to explore Artisan Mill Co., a marketplace featuring over 100 artists and curators.

Farmers Markets

If you’re looking to find some Lancaster local sweets, produce, or souvenirs, farmers markets are the perfect addition to your Lancaster itinerary!

Lancaster Central Market is the country’s oldest continually operating farmers market and home to many local vendors and businesses. Get fresh produce, try a new cuisine, and explore one of the top spots in Downtown Lancaster.

Roots is open every Tuesday. There, you can sample homemade baked goods or shop for antiques. With great prices on fruit and vegetables, Roots is perfect for your grocery run or just to find some local freshly made snacks.

Near Ephrata, Green Dragon is open every Friday year-round and is one of the best farmers and flea markets in Lancaster. Here you can find everything from fresh flowers to vintage collectibles.

See our guide for even more shopping locations in the Lancaster area for antiques, souvenirs, and more.

Summer Lancaster Activities for Kids

Make this visit unforgettable for the little ones with some fun-filled outdoor activities! Take a mini tractor ride in the countryside or cool down at a nearby waterpark. With so many fun activities, there’s no doubt these adventures will keep your family happy and entertained.

Cherry Crest

Located in the heart of Amish Country, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm has so many things to do for the entire family! Get some hands-on fun with their goat cuddling or by petting some animals! You’ll find several attractions to fill your day: take a trip on a wagon around the corn fields or burn off some energy at the Barnyard Jump.

Set some time aside to watch one of the daily live performances. You can also learn how to churn butter (and try it!) or watch a pig race. If you get lucky, you might even get to be a pig leader and win a prize if your pig wins the race!

Make sure to check the website and see what attractions are open for the summer. Keep in mind that only select attractions are open during the summertime, so there may be some attractions that open later in the summer or are not open for the season.

Oregon Dairy

Grab some hand-dipped ice cream and enjoy it on Oregon Dairy’s deck located right next to their grocery store. The whole family will love the farm-themed playground and the farm animals right by the Ice Cream Shoppe!

Dutch Wonderland and Duke’s Lagoon

After spending some time on the rides at Dutch Wonderland, splash around at Duke’s Lagoon! This waterpark features multiple levels of fun, along with two large waterslides for those feeling a little adventurous!

The Boardwalk at Hersheypark

While known for its thrilling rollercoasters and adventurous rides, the waterpark at Hersheypark is also pretty sweet! Known as the “Boardwalk at Hersheypark,” there are many unique water attractions to check out. There are multiple waterslides for kids to ride. If your idea of a waterpark is more lowkey and relaxing, the Intercoastal Waterway and The Shore are great to wind down and float around.

Wind Down at the

Eden Resort & Suites

Once you’re ready to relax after a long day of outdoor adventuring, stay at the Eden Resort & Suites for maximum relaxation. Conveniently located close to all these local attractions, you’ll find comfortable rooms and plenty of fun summer amenities.

We offer several rooming options including suites and villas, designed for both family and couples getaway trips. Don’t miss out on all the exciting attractions and events this summer and book your stay here at the Eden Resort & Suites.