Lancaster, PA Family Adventures
Lancaster County has everything from hands-on Amish farm experiences and huge playgrounds to rainy-day museums and some seriously good Pennsylvania Dutch food. Here is my Mom Adventures in NJ & Beyond guide to family fun in Lancaster! (Discover Lancaster)
🌾 BEST FAMILY FARMS & FARM ADVENTURES
🐄 Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
150 Cherry Hill Rd, Ronks, PA
One of my favorite places for a full day of family fun! Cherry Crest combines a working farm with 70+ attractions, including mazes, slides, farm animals, pedal activities and seasonal adventures. (Visit Lancaster PA)
🐮 Old Windmill Farm
262 Paradise Ln, Ronks, PA
A wonderful hands-on Amish farm experience. Kids can get up close to farm animals and experience life on a working farm. (LancasterPA.com)
🐄 Lapp Valley Farm
244 Mentzer Rd, New Holland, PA
Come for the cows, stay for the homemade ice cream! Kids can see the farm animals and enjoy a delicious farm-made treat.
🌽 Oregon Dairy
2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz, PA
This deserves a BIG spot on the list! Oregon Dairy has a farm-themed playground, farm animals, seasonal events, farm tours, The Barnyard Express train ride, and The Milkhouse Ice Cream Shop. (Oregon Dairy)
🐄 Kreider Farms
1461 Lancaster Rd, Manheim, PA
Take a guided tour of a real working dairy farm and learn how milk is produced. (LancasterPA.com)
🍎 Cherry Hill Orchards
400 Long Lane, Lancaster, PA
A great seasonal stop for fruit picking, farm-market goodies and family activities.
🦙 Eastland Alpacas
2089 Risser Mill Rd, Mount Joy, PA
Want something a little different? Visit an actual alpaca farm and learn about these adorable animals.
🐴 Li'l Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm
264 Paradise Ln, Ronks, PA
A fun little stop for animal lovers with miniature horses and other animals.
🐐 BEST PLACES TO SEE ANIMALS
If your kids are animal lovers, add these to your Lancaster list:
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Old Windmill Farm — hands-on farm animals
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Lapp Valley Farm — cows and calves
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Oregon Dairy — goats, miniature horses, bunnies and more (Oregon Dairy)
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Cherry Crest Adventure Farm — farm animals and activities
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Eastland Alpacas — alpacas
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Li'l Country Store & Miniature Horse Farm — miniature horses
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Long's Park — playground, park, lake and animal areas
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Kreider Farms — working dairy farm
🛝 BEST FREE PLAYGROUNDS
Lancaster has some AWESOME playgrounds, and these are perfect for a fun day without paying attraction admission.
⭐ Amos Herr Park — Dream Park
1756 Nissley Rd, Landisville, PA
This one absolutely belongs on the list! The Dream Park is a huge community playground with climbing, slides, swings, and lots of room for kids to run and play.
⭐ Long's Park
1441 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA
A massive park with playgrounds, walking trails, picnic areas, a lake, and lots of open space.
Long's Park Website
⭐ Lititz Springs Park
24 N Broad St, Lititz, PA
A beautiful park right in downtown Lititz with playgrounds, walking areas, picnic spots, and plenty of space for kids.
Lititz Springs Park
⭐ Daniel's Den
530 Central Manor Rd, Lancaster, PA
An inclusive community playground with slides, climbing areas and plenty of play opportunities.
⭐ East Lampeter Township Community Park
2330 Hobson Rd, Lancaster, PA
A great playground with BIG slides, walking areas, picnic spots and plenty of space.
⭐ D.F. Buchmiller County Park
60 Buchmiller Park Dr, Lancaster, PA
Playground, walking areas, sports facilities and open space.
⭐ Musser Park
135 N Lime St, Lancaster, PA
A convenient playground option if you're already exploring Lancaster City.
⭐ Stoner Park
1280 Winchester Dr, Lancaster, PA
Playground, walking loop, open space and sports areas.
⭐ Loyd H. Roland Memorial Park
Akron, PA
A fun castle-themed playground with slides, climbing areas, bridges, and swings.
🧸 HANDS-ON HOUSE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
⭐ Hands-on House Children's Museum
721 Landis Valley Rd, Lancaster, PA
Definitely add this one to your Lancaster list!
Hands-on House is designed primarily for children ages 2–8 and focuses on learning through play. Kids can explore interactive exhibits and use their imagination as they learn. (Hands-on House)
This is an especially great option for a rainy or extremely hot Lancaster day.
Mom Tip: Hands-on House also offers special programs and by-donation admission periods, so check their website before visiting. (Hands-on House)
☔ BEST INDOOR PLAY & RAINY-DAY FUN
🧸 Tiny Town
533 Janet Ave, Lancaster
A pretend-play village where younger kids can explore different playhouses.
Tiny Town
🤸 Bounce Kraze
Indoor bounce houses, slides and toddler areas.
Bounce Kraze
🎮 Go 'N Bananas
1170 Garfield Ave, Lancaster
Arcade, laser tag, bumper cars, mini bowling and more.
Go 'N Bananas
🧪 Lancaster Science Factory
454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster
Hands-on science and engineering exhibits.
Lancaster Science Factory
🦖 North Museum of Nature & Science
400 College Ave, Lancaster
Dinosaurs, science, nature, live animals and interactive exhibits. (LancasterPA.com)
North Museum
🚂 Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
300 Gap Rd, Strasburg
A must for train lovers, with historic locomotives and railroad cars. (Discover Lancaster)
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania
🚂 Choo Choo Barn
226 Gap Rd, Strasburg
A giant model train display featuring miniature Lancaster scenes.
Choo Choo Barn
🧱 Snapology
1571 Manheim Pike, Lancaster
LEGO-style building, STEM activities and creative play.
🏠 Urban Air
2040 Bennett Ave, Lancaster
Trampolines, climbing, obstacle courses and indoor adventure activities. (Discover Lancaster)
🚂 BEST TOURS & UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
🚂 Strasburg Rail Road
301 Gap Rd, Ronks
Hop aboard a historic train and ride through the Lancaster countryside.
Strasburg Rail Road
🐴 Amish Buggy Rides
Take a horse-drawn buggy ride through Amish Country.
🏡 Amish Farm & House
2395 Covered Bridge Rd, Lancaster
Learn about Amish history and visit the farm.
Amish Farm & House
🏡 The Amish Village
199 Hartman Bridge Rd, Ronks
Tour an Amish farmhouse and explore the village.
The Amish Village
🍦 Turkey Hill Experience
302 Linden St, Columbia
Learn how ice cream is made and create your own flavor. (Discover Lancaster)
Turkey Hill Experience
🍗 BEST AMISH & PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH FOOD
You can't visit Lancaster without trying some Pennsylvania Dutch food!
🍽️ Dienner's Country Restaurant
2855 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks
Dienner's Country Restaurant
🍗 Miller's Smorgasbord
2811 Lincoln Hwy E, Ronks
Miller's Smorgasbord
🥞 Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant
2760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand
Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant
🍽️ Shady Maple Smorgasbord
129 Toddy Dr, East Earl
Shady Maple
🥧 Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop
Grab homemade pies, breads, whoopie pies, and other Lancaster treats.
Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop
Don't leave Lancaster without trying:
Chicken pot pie • Pennsylvania Dutch ham • Shoofly pie • Whoopie pies • Homemade bread • Fresh pies • Buttered noodles • Chow chow
🍦 BEST ICE CREAM SPOTS
Lancaster is basically farm-to-cone heaven!
🍦 Lapp Valley Farm
244 Mentzer Rd, New Holland
Farm-made ice cream + cows + beautiful countryside.
Lapp Valley Farm
🍦 Oregon Dairy — Milkhouse Ice Cream Shop
2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz
This is a MUST!
They have 25+ flavors of hand-dipped ice cream, soft serve, shakes, floats, specialty sundaes, and a farm-themed playground right outside. (Oregon Dairy)
Oregon Dairy Milkhouse Ice Cream Shop
🍦 Pine View Dairy
2225 New Danville Pike, Lancaster
A working dairy farm with homemade cow-to-cone ice cream.
Pine View Dairy
Pine View Dairy Web Address: 2225 New Danville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603, United States Phone: +1 717-872-5486
🍦 Fox Meadows Creamery
Farm-made ice cream with locations in Ephrata and Leola.
Fox Meadows Creamery
🍦 Hayloft Ice Cream
Hand-dipped ice cream, soft pretzels and a pond where kids can watch and feed fish and ducks. (LancasterPA.com)
🍦 The Pretzel Hut
Ice cream + soft pretzels + animals = a pretty great kid combination!
🍦 Wilbur Chocolate
45 N Broad St, Lititz
Chocolate lovers will definitely want to make a stop here.
Wilbur Chocolate
🥨 BEST PRETZEL SPOTS
Lancaster County is a pretzel lover's dream!
🥨 Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
219 E Main St, Lititz
This is a Lancaster MUST-DO. Julius Sturgis is recognized as America's first commercial pretzel bakery, and families can tour the historic bakery and learn how to twist pretzels. (Visit Lancaster PA)
Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery
🥨 Hammond Pretzel Bakery
716 S West End Ave, Lancaster
An old-school Lancaster pretzel bakery known for handmade pretzels. (Visit Lancaster PA)
🥨 Hayloft Ice Cream & Soft Pretzels
Why pick between dessert and a pretzel? Get both!
🥨 The Pretzel Hut
Another fun family stop for soft pretzels and ice cream.
🥨 Dutch Country Soft Pretzels
Look for their fresh, handmade Pennsylvania Dutch-style soft pretzels.
🥨 Central Market
Another good place to look for fresh soft pretzels while exploring Lancaster City. (Visit Lancaster PA)
💦 POOLS & SPLASH PADS
⭐ Lititz Springs Pool
201 Maple St, Lititz
YES — PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR SUMMER LANCASTER LIST!
Lititz Springs Pool is a great option when you need to cool off during a Lancaster trip. Check the current website for day-pass availability, pricing, and operating information before heading over.
Lititz Springs Pool
💦 Hotel Pools
If you're staying at a family-friendly hotel, look for properties with indoor pools, outdoor pools or splash areas so the kids can keep swimming even if the weather doesn't cooperate.
🎢 AMUSEMENT PARKS & BIG ADVENTURES
👑 Dutch Wonderland
2249 Lincoln Hwy E, Lancaster
One of the BEST attractions for younger kids! Dutch Wonderland has 30+ rides, live entertainment, and Duke's Lagoon water-play area. (Visit Lancaster PA)
Dutch Wonderland
🌽 Cherry Crest Adventure Farm
This isn't technically an amusement park, but with 70+ attractions, mazes, slides, and farm activities, it can easily be a full-day adventure. (Visit Lancaster PA)
🧗 Refreshing Mountain
For older kids, teens, and adventurous families, check out zip lines and outdoor adventure courses.
Refreshing Mountain
🏨 BEST FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOTELS
⭐ Eden Resort & Suites
222 Eden Rd, Lancaster
A great family resort with pools and family amenities.
Eden Resort & Suites
🚢 Fulton Steamboat Inn
1 Hartman Bridge Rd, Lancaster
How cool is it to sleep on a steamboat?! The hotel has an indoor pool and family-friendly amenities.
Fulton Steamboat Inn
🏡 AmishView Inn & Suites
3121 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand
A peaceful countryside option with family-friendly amenities and an indoor pool.
AmishView Inn & Suites
🏊 DoubleTree Resort Lancaster
2400 Willow Street Pike, Lancaster
A family-friendly resort with an indoor pool and water-play features.
DoubleTree Resort Lancaster
🚂 Red Caboose Motel
312 Paradise Ln, Ronks
Want a truly unique Lancaster experience? Sleep in a real caboose!
Red Caboose Motel
📌 Mom Adventures in NJ & Beyond Tip
Save this list before your Lancaster trip! Always check the attraction's official website before heading out, because hours, admission prices, seasonal activities, pool availability, and operating schedules can change.
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Credit: Dutch Wonderland