Dubbed the 'coolest small town in America,' Lititz, PA boasts a charming and lively downtown area. Discover a variety of shops and restaurants, all within a short walk of each other. Our personal favorites include Atlas General Store, Zest!, and Olio Olive Oils & Balsamics for unique shopping experiences. When it comes to dining, Bulls Head Public House (conveniently attached to our reception venue), Blackworth Live Fire Grill, and Rooster Street Butcher are top picks. Don't forget to indulge in a must-try dessert at Brazilian Table!
Established in 1730 and recently featured in The New York Times, Lancaster Central Market is the oldest, continuously running public farmers' market in the country. We like to arrive early in the morning to grab coffee, then stroll through the aisles in search of some breakfast and other delicious treats. Empanada Gourmet, Linden Dale Farm, Saife's Middle Eastern Food, and Thom’s Bread are just a few of our favorite stands to visit. Looking for other places to grab a bite? The Horse Inn, Issei Noodle, Southern Market Lancaster, Souvlaki Boys Grill, and Cabalar are some of our favorites in Lancaster.
Pour Man's Brewing is a local microbrewery and brew pub in Ephrata, PA focusing on modern lager brewing while also producing IPAs, stouts, and basically every other style you can think of! Owned by some of our dear friends, this place is a must-stop for any craft beer lovers. Their Tmavé Pivo is Spencer's favorite lager, and Kristen's go-to is their Oats and Joes oatmeal stout. Be sure to try some of Momma Son's egg rolls while you're there. Looking to explore other breweries in the area? Mad Chef, Spring House Brewing Company, Columbia Kettle Works, and Collusion (Lititz) are all great options.
Looking for an out-of-this-world shopping experience or simply want to explore everything our city has to offer? Be sure to drop into Space, Lancaster's vintage modern warehouse featuring mid-century furniture, video games, vinyl, vintage clothing, art, and more! Owned by dear friends, this place is HUGE and makes for a great first stop on your way into downtown Lancaster. If you find any cool black leather chairs for sale here, don't tell Kristen... they're her kryptonite, and she's not allowed to buy another one for at least 6 months!
Take in the charm, history and architectural beauty of the Amish countryside on a self-guided covered bridge tour. There are over 25 covered bridges in Lancaster Country, and one of the routes originates in Lititz starting with the Erb's Mill Covered Bridge. This is one of our favorite ways to enjoy the fall colors and is a great way to get out and explore before the reception.
Just a 7-minute walk from the Wilbur Hotel, Stoll and Wolfe Distillery is an urban-chic distillery reviving the art of whiskey making in small-town PA. Stop in to taste their award-winning spirits and learn more about their process. Spencer's favorite is their white rye, and Kristen enjoys their hibiscus vodka.
Kristen's favorite local birding spot. This 6,000 acre Wildlife Management Area is home to an interactive visitor center, wildlife viewing opportunities, and over twenty miles of hiking trails. Go for a scenic drive to view the fall colors, take a leisurely walk down Willow Point Trail, or go for a short hike on Spicebush or Middle Creek Trail.
Overlooking the town of Hershey, Hershey Gardens features a breathtaking assortment of flowers and shrubs, a stately collection of rare, signature trees, and various programs designed to delight visitors of all ages. We love visiting the Hershey area, and the gardens are one of our favorites. For those with a sweet tooth, you might also want to create your own candy bar or stuff your own Reese's peanut butter cup at Hershey Chocolate World. Thirsty? Grab a pint at Tröegs Independent Brewing.
If you have an extra day, taking the drive (less than 1.5 hours) to Gettysburg, PA is well worth the trip. Take a self-guided drive through the battlefields and monuments, visit the the David Wills house to see where President Lincoln put the finishing touches on his Gettysburg Address, and keep an eye out for reenactments and living history displays throughout the area. If you're hungry, check out the Garryowen Irish Pub or the Dobbin House Tavern. We visit Gettysburg often, and it is where Spencer proposed, so it has an extra special place in our hearts.
A specialty cheese shop in the Lancaster countryside. Need we say more? Famous for their toasted cheese sandwiches, homemade soups, mac and cheese, and a whole lot more, this place has a little something for everyone. Take a scenic drive and enjoy lunch or pick up some local goodies to take home with you.