The “Garden Spot of Pennsylvania” as Lancaster County is often called is a great place to live and raise a family. Lancaster County, located in southeastern Pennsylvania, has some the most fertile farmland in the world and is home to many Old Communities including Amish and Mennonites. The Susquehanna River borders the county to the west. Philadelphia is 70 miles east and Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, is 35 miles to the northwest. Baltimore is located 65 miles south.
While driving through Lancaster County is not unusual to find a few horse-drawn carriages instead of cars. The covered bridge is a familiar landmark in this area. There are 30 total. Lancaster County is known for the Amish, Pennsylvania Dutch cooking, farmland, Amish hand stitched quilts, fine cabinet makers and shopping. There are plenty of weekend flea markets, antiques shops, modern outlet stores and shopping malls. During the summer months road side vegetable and fruit stands are every where and believe it or not many still operate on the honor system!! Lancaster County is truly a combination of the old and the new.
There are lots of Museums to visit. There are Amish farms and houses that tell the story of Amish past and present. The Wheatland Estate was home of our 15th President, James Buchanan. The Landis Valley Farm Village Museum depicts life in early 1900 farm villages. The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania is situated in the historic town of Strasburg. The National Christmas Center in Paradise has been written up in Better Homes and Gardens. The Heritage Center Museum of Lancaster County is located in downtown Lancaster City and depicts fine historic cabinet making of Lancaster County.
Lancaster County has 3 major colleges, Millersville University, Elizabethtown College and Franklin & Marshall College.
Lancaster County has one of the strongest economies in the state. Agriculture is a large part of the local economy. There are many business-industries in the area. There are over 800 industrial establishments in the county. Tourism is the third major factor in the economy. The Lancaster County attracts over five million tourists each year. Lancaster’s Amish Community attracts first time visitors and tourists by the millions.
Lancaster City is located in the very heart of Lancaster County with a population of 56,348 in 2000. There are many historic renovated homes in down town Lancaster. Lancaster has many fine restaurants and unique shops. They are in the planning stages of a Conventional Center in the heart of the City. A new ball park, Clipper Stadium, is home to the Lancaster Barnstormers.
The streets are especially bustling on Tuesdays and Friday and Saturday when everyone seems to have to make their way to Central Farmers’ Market, one of the oldest farmers' markets in the country. The market is filled with locally grown fruits and vegetables, homemade candy, baked goods and locally made crafts.
Lancaster City is the home of the Fulton Opera house, one of the oldest operating theatres in the country. It hosts performances by the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Theatre at the Fulton, and a Family Theatre Series.
Lititz is a small town located about 7 miles north of Lancaster with a population of about 9,000 people.
Linden Hall is located in Lititz; it is the oldest girls’ boarding school in the United States and was founded by a member of the Moravian Church in 1746. The campus is breathtaking and the old buildings stunning.
The Lititz Springs Park is quiet relaxing setting and you can almost always find someone feeding the ducks. But be careful driving down Route 501 past the Park you often have to stop for “duck traffic”. It hosts the oldest continuing community-wide 4th of July celebration in the United States, which began in 1818. There various art, antique and crafts shows throughout the summer months. The more recent park, Linear Park holds many sporting activities and has a walking track you will see people walking around regularly.
There are many specialty shops, small museums and historical sites all around Lititz. It is a nice little town to walk along the tree-lined streets and investigate. On Main St you will find the Lititz Museum & Historical Foundation which admission also includes a tour of the Johannes Mueller House, a look at old Lititz. And as you are wondering through the streets you most likely will catch the smell of chocolate from Wilbur Chocolate Factory. It will be calling you name to come a sample one of those Wilbur Buds, but I’ll bet you don’t stop at one.
Manheim Township is located between Lititz and Lancaster with a population of approximately 33,000. There are many smaller communities within the Manheim Township area. It is the home of the beautiful Overlook Golf Course. They also have 2 swimming pools, Overlook and Skyline pools. There are 14 parks in Manheim Township and the Park & Recreation Department offers numerous programs throughout the year for children, adults and fitness gurus.
Manheim Township wants to keep the residents up-to-date and publishes a bi-monthly newsletter with info on upcoming events in the community, public meetings, historical facts about Manheim Township and reports on crime and crime statistics. It gives a feeling of Community to the residents.
Lancaster Airport is located in Manheim Township, right off Route 501. It offers charter flights, flight school, balloon ride, helicopter rides and much more. It also has a gift shop and a wonderful Italian Restaurant.
Visit some of the sites below and find out more about Lancaster, Lititz and Manheim Township. If you have any questions on anything, let me help you find the answer.
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