Region
Lancaster County
Stay in Lancaster city; drive to Amish towns (Strasburg, Intercourse, Lititz) and explore farms, markets and historic sites.
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Key facts · United States
- Currency
- US dollar (USD, $)
- Language
- English
- Plugs
- A · B · 120 V
- Time zone
- Six zones: UTC−5 to UTC−10
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Lancaster County offers a compact rural experience centered on Amish culture, historic markets and farm scenery. Base yourself in Lancaster city (walkable downtown, rail hub) and use a rental car for day trips to nearby towns such as Strasburg, Intercourse and Lititz.
Where to sleep
Sleep base
- LancasterGuide: planned
Historic downtown, Amtrak station, restaurants and hotels; central for car rentals.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
Day trip
- StrasburgGuide: planned
Steam railroad, Amish buggy tours; 25 km (16 mi) north of Lancaster.Steam railroad, Amish buggy tours; 16 mi (25 km) north of Lancaster.
Page planned: listed so the region plan is complete.
- IntercourseCity guide
Shops, buggy rides, covered bridge; 30 km (19 mi) east of Lancaster.Shops, buggy rides, covered bridge; 19 mi (30 km) east of Lancaster.
Best May–Jun, Sep–Oct
JFMAMJJASOND - LititzCity guide
Historic borough, breweries and boutiques; 20 km (12 mi) west of Lancaster.Historic borough, breweries and boutiques; 12 mi (20 km) west of Lancaster.
Best Mar–May, Sep–Nov
JFMAMJJASOND
Plan the nights
How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags
Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags
Night sequences
- 2 nights
- Lancaster base, day‑trip Strasburg and Intercourse
- 4 nights
- Lancaster 3 nights, one night in Lititz for brewery tour
- Driving near horse‑and‑buggy traffic requires reduced speed and extra caution.
- Some Amish farms limit visitor access; respect posted signs.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strasburg | Lancaster | 35 min | check | Steam railroad and Amish attractions; drive ~30 min each way. |
| Intercourse | Lancaster | 45 min | check | Shops, buggy rides; drive ~40 min each way. |
| Lititz | Lancaster | 30 min | check | Breweries and historic sites; drive ~25 min each way. |
Bags between cities
Luggage forwarding is not common in Lancaster County; most visitors carry bags themselves or use rental‑car storage.
When to go
Months and weather
Open When to goClose When to go1 partSeasons
Seasons at a glance
Pick a month to see where to go.
Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table
| Country | JJan | FFeb | MMar | AApr | MMay | JJun | JJul | AAug | SSep | OOct | NNov | DDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intercourse | × | × | × | ok | go | go | × | × | go | go | × | × |
| Lititz | × | × | go | go | go | ok | × | × | go | go | go | × |
| United States (country-wide) | ok | ok | go | go | go | go | ok | ok | go | go | ok | ok |
Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.
Getting in and passes
Arrival times and regional passes
Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in
Get in
| From | To | How | p50 | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster Airport (LNS) | Domestic flights; rent car or rideshare to city center | ~30 min drive via I‑283 | Closest airport; international travelers use Harrisburg International (MDT). | |
| Amtrak Keystone Service | Train stops in Lancaster and other towns | Varies; main station in Lancaster city | Connects to Philadelphia, New York and Harrisburg. |
Eat and move on
Regional food and where to go next
Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on1 partGo next
Go next
Pennsylvania Dutch Country region guide
plannedBroader area with more towns and attractions
Lancaster, Pennsylvania travel guide
City‑specific sights, dining and lodging
Intercourse guide
Popular Amish town with shops and tours
Visit Lititz
plannedHistoric borough with breweries and boutiques
Strasburg, Pennsylvania guide
plannedSteam railroad and Amish attractions
Lancaster County: what we know, and what is coming
2 of 4 places open
On this page
- 4 places with their role: where to sleep, what to do as a day trip
- How to split 2 or 4 nights
- 3 day trips with door-to-door time
- Seasons month by month, from the cities’ own tables
- What to do with the big bag between beds
Coming as the guide grows
- Climate strip by zone, with the storm and haze months
- Regional passes and cards, with a buy / skip verdict
- Regional food: what, where and when it works
- A page for Lancaster — Historic downtown, Amtrak station, restaurants and hotels; central for car rentals.
- A page for Strasburg — Steam railroad, Amish buggy tours; 25 km north of Lancaster.
Meanwhile
Planning aids
Built from this guide's own data
Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids1 partIn numbers
Region in numbers
- Where to sleep
- 1 base
- Day trips
- 3, 30 min to 45 min
- Nights suggested
- 2–4 nights
- Ways in
- 2 listed
Deep dive
Photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources
Sources
- officialLancaster County tourism
- officialLancaster County Amish info
- officialLancaster County attractions
- officialLancaster County airport info
- officialWikidata
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lancaster County, revision 5301895 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Lancaster County
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