Wayfaring Lancaster Tour
From Shady Maple to Sunset Over the River –
For foodies, families, and first-timers exploring Lancaster County
Start Here: Shady Maple Smorgasbord – East Earl
Load up on Dutch pancakes, scrapple, and every breakfast food imaginable. Afterward, wander through the gift shop or bakery, or head outside and let the carbs settle.
If you start mid-day,- and you just had a big lunch at Shady Maple, then I would suggest you go to Lititz or Downtown Lancaster. Then save this plan to do the whole tour another day.
If you need more kid friendly ideas look at my Young Wayfarers page.
Next Stop: September Farm Cheese – Honey Brook
📍 5287 Horseshoe Pike, Honey Brook, PA
⏱️ 15 minutes from Shady Maple
A farm-to-table market with handcrafted cheeses, sandwiches, and a peaceful country vibe. Great playground if you’re traveling with kids.
➡️ Tip: Pick up snacks for later—this is your Lancaster picnic basket stop.
Next Stop: Downtown Lancaster City
📍 Queen & King Streets, Lancaster PA
⏱️ 35 minutes from September Farm
Park near Central Market and explore the walkable blocks filled with art galleries, boutiques, indie coffee shops, and historic architecture.
- Must-Sees:
➡️ Optional Lunch: Prince Street Cafe, Lancaster Brewing Co., or Rachel’s Café.
Upscale Dinner Options: Shot and Bottle, The Belvedere Inn, or John J Jeffries Restaurant
Choose Your Path: Relax or Ride
🚂 Option A: Strasburg Rail Road + Train Museum
📍 301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA
⏱️ 25 minutes from Downtown Lancaster
Take a ride on a vintage steam engine through Amish farmland, then explore the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania across the street. Kids love it. So do train nerds.
🎟️ Tickets: strasburgrailroad.com
🎟️ Museum: rrmuseumpa.org
🍦 Option B: Lapp Valley Farm Ice Cream
📍 244 Mentzer Rd, New Holland, PA
⏱️ 25 minutes from Downtown Lancaster (or 20 from Strasburg)
This dairy farm makes their own ice cream from Jersey cows. Super fresh, super creamy. Feed calves, sit by the pond, and enjoy the peace.
➡️ Tip: Get butter brickle or chocolate peanut butter. They’re legendary.
Next Stop: Lititz – America’s Coolest Small Town
📍 Broad Street, Lititz, PA
⏱️ 25–30 minutes from Strasburg or New Holland
Walk main street, visit get some Wilber Buds at Wilbur Chocolate, twist your own pretzel at Julius Sturgis Bakery, and visit Lititz Spring Park.
- Best Stops:
- Slate Cafe or Dosie Dough
- Zest! gourmet kitchen store
- Rock Lititz campus nearby (music industry tours by appt.)
Final Destination: Columbia by the River
📍 Columbia River Park, 41 Walnut St, Columbia, PA
⏱️ 30 minutes from Lititz
End your day with a riverside stroll or hike to Chickies Rock Overlook—a short trail with panoramic views of the Susquehanna.
Optional Stops in Columbia:
- Burning Bridge Antiques Market
- Turkey Hill Experience (great for kids)
- Columbia Crossing River Trails Center
🎯 End-of-Day Vibe: Watch the sunset, eat your September Farm snacks, and unwind.
Full Route Overview
- Shady Maple
- September Farm Cheese
- Downtown Lancaster
- Choose: Strasburg OR Lapp Valley
- Lititz
- Columbia
Total drive time: approx. 2.5–3 hours (spaced across the day)
Great for: Day-trippers, families, and folks staying overnight nearby.
Falling in Love with Lancaster?
You’re not alone. Many people come for the charm, the whoopie pies, or the farmland—and end up staying for good. If you’re starting to wonder what it would be like to actually live here, let’s talk.
👉 Start exploring homes with me