Major city · United States
Mount Gretna
Half a day to one night: see the lake and Playhouse in summer, or the art show in August. Sleep in nearby Hershey or Lebanon. Not a base.
Mount Gretna is a tiny Pennsylvania Dutch Country village built around a late-19th-century summer resort. Its main draws are the Mt Gretna Lake and Beach (swimming, canoeing, a high dive), the summer-stock Playhouse Theater, the annual Gretna Art Show and the Jigger Shoppe. Most visitors come for a few hours from Hershey or Harrisburg; there is one restaurant and almost no lodging in the village itself.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Aug (lake and outdoor events); the Gretna Art Show is a single weekend in August (check exact dates)
- avoid Jan–Feb (many places closed)
- Airport
- MDT
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Mount Gretna911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Mount Gretna, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMDT Harrisburg International Airport (About 25 min by car; no direct public transport.).
- Getting aroundWalkable within the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealDinner at Timber's$20–40 per person
- Museum or sight ticketLake and beach entrycheck$8–12
- Budget bedCabin rental (Mount Gretna area), a night, per roomUS$150
- Mid-range bedMotel room (Hershey or Lebanon), a night, per roomUS$120
- High-end bedMotel room (Hershey or Lebanon), a night, per roomUS$180
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$30 · Mid US$60 · High US$120
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MDT Harrisburg International Airport (About 25 min by car; no direct public transport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
not flagged
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Jan–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest May (13 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Mount Gretna: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
May
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
9 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
10 rd
Dec
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable within the village. A car is needed to reach it and to explore the surrounding area.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hershey
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Car, about 10–15 min
Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World and the Hershey Gardens.
Gettysburg
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car, about 45 min
Battlefield and museums; a full day.
Lancaster
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car, about 40 min
Amish country, Central Market and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.
York
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Car, about 30 min
Historic downtown and the York County History Center.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hershey
10–15 min drive; hotels and motels near Hersheypark.
Lebanon
15 min drive; budget chain motels.
Mount Gretna itself
Check for cabin rentals; very limited.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–60 excl. bed
- Mid
- $60–120 excl. bed
- High
- $120+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel room (Hershey or Lebanon)1 × 1 night × US$120 | US$120 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$60 | US$120 |
| Lake and beach entry (per person)2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Miniature golf (per person)2 × US$8 · check | US$16 |
| Dinner at Timber's (per person, without show)2 × US$25 | US$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$33 |
| Trip total≈ US$180 per person per day, bed included | US$359 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded.
Prices of common things
| Lake and beach entrycheck | $8–12 |
| Miniature golfcheck | $6–10 |
| Jigger Shoppe ice cream | $3–6 |
| Dinner at Timber's | $20–40 per person |
| Coffee | $2–4 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Lake and beach hours vary by season; check the official site before going.
- The Gretna Art Show is a single weekend in August; book accommodation in Hershey or Lebanon well ahead.
- Timber's Restaurant hosts shows Tuesday–Saturday evenings; reservations recommended.
- No ATM in the village; bring cash for the Jigger Shoppe and small vendors.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Mount GretnaMount Gretna
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Harrisburg (MDT) → Mount Gretna by car: about 25 min, about 20 miles
- Hershey → Mount Gretna by car: about 10–15 min
Say or show
- Hello — Hello
- Thank you — Thank you
- How much? — How much?
- Where is the lake? — Where is the lake?
English is the primary language; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Mount Gretna. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug (lake and outdoor events); the Gretna Art Show is a single weekend in August (check exact dates) · avoid Jan–Feb (many places closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Mount Gretna
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