It's no secret that Lancaster's winters are blustery. With temperatures hovering in the 30s and a whopping average snowfall of 39 inches per year, Amish Country becomes a true winter wonderland. Not everybody loves the chill, of course, but many find that the snow gives the region an ethereal type of beauty that goes way beyond its typical visual charm.

Winter might not be peak tourist season, but that certainly doesn't mean that you should stay away when the temperature drops. This is actually an excellent time to visit, as you can enjoy not only the spectacular winter scenery, but also seasonal events.

First Fridays in Lancaster City

Lancaster's First Fridays occur throughout the year but are a whole lot less crowded during the winter. Held the very first Friday of every month, this local favorite provides ample opportunities to see the best Pennsylvania winter attractions. Organ concerts, gallery exhibitions, and free museums are all compelling opportunities on First Fridays.

Lancaster and its surrounding communities boast a variety of intriguing museums, where you can learn about science, history, art, and far more. You could dedicate your entire vacation to museum-hopping and still have plenty of locations left on your bucket list. Essentials include:

• Lancaster Science Factory. Hands-on exhibits are a big deal at this interactive museum, where kids and kids at heart learn by experimenting. The vast location features a water lab, puzzle tables, color filters, and many other intriguing activities that will help you nurture your inner scientist.

• North Museum of Nature & Science. Another local science destination worth checking out, the North Museum of Nature & Science offers a lot of fascinating exhibits, such as a planetarium and a dinosaur gallery. There's even a live animal room, where you can visit snakes, turtles, and tarantulas.

• Demuth Museum and Lancaster Museum of Art. Gaze in awe at the gorgeous and thought-provoking works on display at the region's top art museums. While they technically represent two separate and distinct locations, they've merged to bring greater visibility and power to the Lancaster area's artistic community.

• LancasterHistory. Once known as the Lancaster County History Museum, LancasterHistory provides a thorough overview of the people and events that have shaped this region. One of the museum's most noteworthy offerings is Wheatland — the former home of President James Buchanan.

If you visit with kids and are desperate to use up their excess energy, hit up one of the area's many indoor playgrounds. There are plenty of options for tiny tots all the way up to teenagers:

• Tiny Town. Kids and adults adore Tiny Town, which is home to eleven distinctive playspaces. This play center encourages visitors to use their imagination while exploring tiny salons, fire stations, post offices, and more.

• Go ‘N Bananas Family Fun Center. Kids who are too old for Tiny Town will invariably gravitate towards Go ‘N Bananas, where they can monkey around on the ropes course, let loose in bumper cars, or navigate the laser maze.

• Bounce Kraze. This family-owned favorite should provide hours of fun for kids while parents get caffeinated at the onsite coffee bar. Bounce houses abound, of course, but there are also slides, obstacle courses, and plenty of other opportunities to tire out the most energetic child.

• Sky Zone Trampoline Park. It might not be exclusive to Lancaster, but Sky Zone is always worth visiting for its abundance of trampolines and thrilling activities. Older kids go wild for dodgeball, while youngsters are content to explore the bounce house.