SUMMER/FALL 2023 | VISITLANCASTER.COM
The Best Burgers Find out our favorites
Family Theater Take the kids to a show
Trivia Nights Do you have what it takes?
Panoramic vistas await when you follow Andrew Albright’s route along the Susquehanna River. Photo by Andrew Albright
insider’s guide to beefy goodness
Lancaster County is many things. Of course, it’s the home of the Amish, a place where you can see horse-drawn buggies rolling through bucolic farmland.
But the county also contains a bustling city, with quirky shops, galleries, nightclubs and nationally renowned restaurants.
Lancaster was once known as the “Munich of America” and has recently seen that brewing heritage revived in the thriving craft beer scene.
And shoppers have plenty to do here, whether they’re interested in outlet malls or antiques dealers.
For families or foodies, craft beer fans or histor y buffs, shoppers or music lovers, Lancaster County is a great place to visit.
President: Caroline Muraro
Editor-in-Chief: Lindsey McCallum
Art Direction: Andrew Albright
Design & Illustration: Bailey Watro
Advertising Director: Chris Stahl
Production: Angela Faust, Erica Feltenberger, Maggie Noon, Sally Reynolds
Writers: Andrew Albright, Victoria Bostwick, Hope Brocious, Maggie Noon, Sally Reynolds
Photographers: Andrew Albright, Vinny Tennis
Lancaster County has a healthy selection of theaters with spectacular shows aimed at adults and teens. But Lancaster also has great options for kid-friendly shows Read on to learn about my favorite theaters for shows that your little ones will love
The Fulton Theatre is worth a visit for its histor y as well as its plays. Built in 1737, it first ser ved as Lancaster’s pre-revolutionar y jail. In 1763, it was the site of the Conestoga Indian Massacre, a tragic part of the histor y of this area.
In 1852, the building was expanded to ser ve as a community center for meetings, lectures, concerts, and theatrical performances. Samuel Sloan ser ved as the architect for the project, and the Fulton Theatre was born. The theater’s name came from Robert Fulton, the county’s steam engine pioneer Later, in 1903, C. Emlen Urban redesigned the interior in neo-classical style.
In the decades that followed, the Fulton faced times of very slow business and was even on the brink of demolition. Citizens of Lancaster pulled together and raised money to purchase the building as a not-for-profit foundation. This created the Fulton Opera House Foundation in 1962. In 1995, the Fulton was restored back to its original glor y through The Landmark Campaign.
The show we attended was The Very Fractured Tail of Robin Hood, part of the Eichmann Family Series. The Fulton puts on a small number of these shows each season geared towards families with kids. These shows start at 11:00am, typically on Saturdays only You could
also opt to attend a regular show for more of a selection on days and times.
The Very Fractured Tale of Robin Hood put a fun spin on the classic tale and my kids really enjoyed it! For being in such an old, historic building, the Fulton Theatre has all the bells and whistles of a modern theater. The sets were fun and rotated and the sound system was perfect. This show included crowd participation like cheering and chanting along.
Thefulton.org | 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster
• Parking: Street parking, or park in the nearby Steinman Park Garage
• Timing: Doors open half an hour before the show starts.
• Tickets: Purchased online can be picked up at the Box Office
• Seating: If you have a child that likes to participate, your best bet is orchestra seating. The parquet circle (especially the first row) is the next best choice for an unobstructed view of the stage
•Snacks and Drinks: Concession stand opens half an hour before the show starts and during intermission. You can take snacks and drinks into the theater.
Susquehanna Stage has been around since 2008, when it started as a small community theater housed in the former gym behind Marietta Community House. In 2019, they purchased an old, 12,000 square foot church building built in 1853 in the heart of historic Marietta that allows them to have two stage spaces. The main stage is Eater Theater and the other stage is the Galler y Theater which hosts smaller events like staged readings (many of these are free to attend).
When it comes to picking a favorite of the theaters we visited for this article, Susquehanna Stage wins hands down. Marietta is a charming little river town that has really gone through a glow-up in recent years while still maintaining its charm. You immediately feel like part of this little community when you walk through the doors. You will find many of the board members and administrative staff working the event and they happily greet you at the door They are kind and welcoming, and it makes a great first impression of the venue.
Susquehanna Stage is not a full production theater like some of the others in the area, so you will not find a rotating stage or a large dropdown screen that ser ves as scener y backdrop. However, such extras are not needed here for a fantastic show because the action of the play spills off the stage and into the seating area to pull you
Bird-in-Hand Stage is located within the same building as Bird-InHand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord. The restaurant portion faces the road, but if you drive around behind the building you will see a mini-marquee above the double doors with posters of the shows. This is where you enter and take the steps to the lower level.
Once downstairs, you enter the theater which is in a banquet room but has tiered seating so you get a clear view of the stage. This makes it easy to select your seats when purchasing tickets because you cannot go wrong with any of the choices.
The show we saw was Ryan and Friends, a ventriloquist and comedy act. This show runs through the end of October If you attend, be warned that if you sit in the first few rows you may become part of the jokes for the entirety of the show.
Ryan and Friends was hilarious. I was surprised at how much we
into the show. At one point, we had a 7-foot dragon and a cast of characters walking up and down the aisles next to us!
Even the concession stand was part of the experience: for our show, they ser ved two Shrek-themed drinks during intermission. One drink was for kids and one was had alcohol for adults.
For Shrek we had tickets to opening night. If you get the chance to attend an opening night, do it! After the show ended, we were treated to a small ice cream social. The cast and crew of the show mingled with show attendees. This is something we did not experience anywhere else, it was a very special touch.
Susquehannastage.com | 133 W. Market St., Marietta
• Parking: Use the parking lot in the back, or metered street parking
• Timing: Doors open half an hour before the show starts.
• Tickets: Purchased online are available at the door.
• Seating: Does not have traditional auditorium seating. Purchase tickets early to try and get front row, or an aisle seat if you are taking a shorter child.
• Snacks and Drinks: Concession stand opens half an hour before the show starts and during intermission. You can take snacks and drinks into the theater.
enjoyed it having never seen a ventriloquist before. Ryan incorporated audience interaction, which made it extra fun. Ryan sang entire songs in the puppets ’ voices, which definitely takes skill and talent. Bird-in-hand.com/stage | 2760 Old Philadelphia Pike #A, Bird-In-Hand
• Parking: Park in the parking lot at the rear of the building.
• Timing: Doors open half an hour before the show starts.
• Tickets: Purchased online can be picked up at the Box Office and Concession table right outside of the theater.
• Seating: Features auditorium seating for unobstructed views.
• Snacks and Drinks: Concession stand is open before the show. You can take snacks and drinks in. For the show we visited, there was no intermission, so if you go for Ryan and Friends, grab your food before taking a seat.
SUSQUEHANNA STAGE
STORY AND PHOTOS BY VICTORIA BOSTWICK
Summer is officially here! How does that song go? “Cheeseburger in Paradise”? Here are some of the best places to get your burger on in the county:
Established in 1903, Bully’s is a family-owned historic tavern and inn with checkered floors, ornate ceilings and warm lighting. My Beat Down Burger was piled high with heaps of sweet and tangy bacon jam and topped with a slice of smoked gouda. The Bay Burger, topped with crab cake and Old Bay aioli, is another excellent, hearty option.
If you want to really double down start with their smokey lamb sliders with jalapeño relish and mango habanero aioli for the perfect kick. You can enjoy any of their burgers with the many popular beers on tap including Dogfish Head, Collusion, and Victor y. Better yet, skip the beer and end the night on a sweet note with one of their craft-made adult ice creams like spiced cranberr y and red wine. Yes, they will card you for these!
Bullys-restaurant.com | 647 Union St., Columbia
I told a few of my friends that I was searching for the best burgers in town and several of them asked, “You’re including Route 66, right?” Their juicy smash burgers have been an area favorite for years. My favorite is their double cheeseburger with tangy Route 66 sauce, curly fries, and a strawberr y milkshake.
Though a 50’s themed restaurant, Route 66 also ser ves excellent modern-day alternatives including plant-based options like Impossible™ and falafel burgers. Not in the mood for a burger? No problem, tr y their Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich or their spicy hot tandoori chicken tender tacos. Route 66 is also a great take-out option if you are on the go
Route66pa.com | 45 W. Liberty St., Lancaster
Tied House, located in downtown Lititz, has crafted their burger so perfectly that they only offer preparation. Using Morgan’s smashed burger is ser ved on high with classic toppings. They offer a 3oz and 6oz option- both of which are ser ved with fries and a pickle. Their patties are thin, but bursting with flavor.
fectly that offe eparation. Burger Blend, their smashed is ser on an Alfred and Sam’s soft roll and piled
All of the draft beers ser ved at Tied House are brewed by Saint Boniface, a craft brewer y located in nearby Ephrata. Their Muy Bueno Mexican Lager paired perfectly with my smash burger Make sure you leave room for dessert, so you can tr y their fried bread pudding!
Tiedhouselititz.com | 27-31 E. Main St., Lititz
A hidden gem with a cult following, Tender Love & Fr y is home of the beloved “Buck Burger.” Operating out of a food truck located in the Buck Tractor Supply parking lot, they are open weekends 11am5pm and Monday 11am-2pm. Their menu is simple with your choice of two burgers: The Buck Burger or the Bacon Buck Burger Both of which include fresh angus beef and their secret ingredient, fried onions.
Their fries are some of the best I have ever tasted (seriously, like ever). They are sprinkled with Old Bay and fried to crispy perfection. All of their food is ser ved by the nicest, most passionate foodies imaginable. Don’t pass this place up!
Tenderlovenfry.com
1008 Lancaster Pike (Tractor Supply), Quarryville
Freeze and Frizz in Leola is very nostalgic for me and many other Lancastrians. This was a favorite of mine as a kid, and I keep coming back as an adult. Their menu has barely changed from what I can recall and that’s because it just works. I always get their double deluxe cheeseburger: 2 thin patties with cheese and classic toppings (with a side of fries of course).
Their famous BBQ is also worth a tr y with your choice of sliced pork, beef, or ham with homemade relish sauce. Their portions are not huge so there is always plenty of room for dessert. My go-to is a raspberr y-vanilla twist in a waffle cone. Eat outside on one of their picnic benches in the grass to enjoy simpler times.
Freezeandfrizz.com | 2250 New Holland Pike, Lancaster
Visit Lancaster’s Most Unique Indoor Playplace — TINY TOWN! Made up of 11 luxury playhouses, kids will go wild with imagination! Unplug and let children role play, explore, and make new friends. Snack bar, coffee, wifi, cafe seating, and bring your own food (no peanut products please) and dance parties everyday!
70+ SHOPS UNDER 1 ROOF
1 401 Prime 401 N. PRINCE ST., LANCASTER 717-606-1515
2 Annie Bailey’s Irish Public House 28-30 E. KING ST., LANCASTER 717-393-4000
3 The BeadWorks
52 N. QUEEN ST., LANCASTER 717-490-6551
4 The Belvedere Inn 402 N. QUEEN ST., LANCASTER 717-394-2422
5 Bird-in-Hand Stage 2760 OLD PHILADELPHIA PIKE, BIRD IN HAND 717-768-1500
6 Bistro Barberet & Bakery 26 E. KING ST., LANCASTER 717-690-2354
7 Boulders Miniature Golf 312 PRIMROSE LN., MOUNTVILLE 717-285-7007
8 Building Character 342 N. QUEEN ST., LANCASTER 717-394-7201
9 Central Market 23 N. MARKET ST., LANCASTER 717-735-6890
10 C’est La Vie 18 N. MARKET ST., LANCASTER 717-299-7319
11 Clemintine’s 25 E. MAIN ST., LITITZ 717-626-6688
12 Conway Social Club
28 E. KING ST., LANCASTER 717-393-4446
13 Country Lane Furniture 10 NATHAN LANE, ANNVILLE 717-867-5701
14 Decades
438 N. QUEEN ST., LANCASTER 717-282-1421
15 Drift Spa
25 S. QUEEN ST., LANCASTER 717-803-8593
16 Elizabeth Farms 262 HOPELAND RD., LITITZ 717-626-8733
17 Emma’s Popcorn 4038 OLD PHILADELPHIA PIKE, GORDONVILLE 717-781-2557
18 Envy Studio 24 W. KING ST., LANCASTER 717-435-9343
19 Freshly Greek 2355 OREGON PIKE, LANCASTER 717-984-6548
20 Frisco’s Chicken
454 NEW HOLLAND AVE., LANCASTER 1028 LITITZ PIKE, LITITZ 2101 STRICKLER RD., MANHEIM 717-394-2422
21 Fulton Theatre 150 N. PRINCE ST., LANCASTER 717-394-7133
22 Harvey’s BBQ 304 E. MAIN ST., MOUNT JOY 717-653-4224
23 Himalayan Curry & Grill
22 E. ORANGE ST., LANCASTER 717-393-2330
24 Historic Lancaster Walking Tour
38 PENN SQUARE, LANCASTER 717-392-1776
25 Homestead Furnishings
161 S. RIVER ST., MARIETTA 717-426-1800
26 Hummelstown Railroad
136 BROWN ST., MIDDLETOWN 717-944-4435
27 Josephine’s Downtown
50 W. GRANT ST., LANCASTER 717-299-7090
28 Lancaster Dispensing Co.
33 N. MARKET ST., LANCASTER 717-299-4602
29 Lapp Valley Farm
244 MENTZER RD., NEW HOLLAND 717-354-7988
30 Let’s Roll Electric
Bike Shop 23 E. WALNUT ST., LANCASTER 717-229-1219
31 Mainspring Of Ephrata 16 E. MAIN ST., EPHRATA 717-721-6196
32 Merchant’s Assoc.
Columbia COLUMBIA 717-693-7740
33 Miller’s Smorgasbord
2811 LINCOLN HIGHWAY E., RONKS 800-669-3568
34 National Watch And Clock Museum 514 POPLAR ST., COLUMBIA 717-684-82614
35 Per Diem 50 ROCK LITITZ BLVD., LITITZ 717-500-3436
36 The PotteryWorks 16 W. ORANGE ST., LANCASTER 717-299-9963
37 The Pressroom Restaurant + Bar 26 W. KING ST., LANCASTER 717-947-7821
38 Re-Uzit of New Holland 707 W. MAIN ST., NEW HOLLAND 717-354-8355
39 Scoops Ice Cream & Grille 312 PRIMROSE LN., MOUNTVILLE 717-285-2055
40 Souvlaki Boys 1 W. JAMES ST., LANCASTER 717-208-6243
41 The Spice & Tea Exchange 20 W. ORANGE ST., LANCASTER 717-394-4328
Located in the historic Steinman Hardware Building, The Pressroom has all of the charm for a unique dining experience just steps from downtown Lancaster’s Penn Square. The dining room maintains the beauty of the building dating to the mid 1700’s. As you enter, the warm feeling of mahogany surrounds you as you are guided to a cozy booth or a table by the window. During the summer months, guests enjoy dinner al fresco in the neighboring Steinman Park. The menu is seasonally inspired featuring great burgers with crispy fries, fresh salads, seafood, beef and pork entrees as well as creative sandwiches. Don’t miss the specialty flatbreads, freshly baked in the classic pizza oven. Cozy up to the bar for a night out with friends including a daily happy hour, raw oysters, and an elevated selection of craft cocktails.
Ready for a day of perusing the odd, interesting, and magnificent? Adamstown awaits. This small town has over a thousand vendors selling antiques, curios, and flea market finds, plus a hat factory Before you go, be sure to check websites for hours and days of operation. Many places are only open a few days a week.
2453 N. Reading Rd., Denver | oleyvalley.com
Oley Valley is a cavernous warehouse chock full of huge architectural pieces that are magnificently crafted. Ornate back bars, car ved walnut columns, giant fireplace mantles that are twenty feet tall, stained glass, leaded glass, wrought brass doors, gilded elevator cages, gothic statuar y, the list goes on. Many of the items at Oley Valley have been used in movie sets. If you are renovating or building a house, it would be fantastic to include one of these gorgeous historic pieces. If not, just go for the beauty of it all.
2500 N. Reading Rd., Denver
Renningers.net/Adamstown
Renninger’s is vast. The corridors stretch seemingly for miles and around ever y corner is a surprise: a 10-foot-tall stuffed giraffe, a box of old rulers, several paper wasp nests, an Angledile scale, a box of drawer handles, old coins, limitless jewelr y and housewares, vintage beer cans, a wooden statue of Confucius, sideboards, dining room tables, chairs, beds, chandeliers, political campaign pins, and more. Once you’ve exhausted the vendors indoors, there’s a fresh set of vendors to visit outdoors in the back.
A serene statue at Oley Valley Architectural Antiques3017 N. Reading Rd., Adamstown
717-484-4615
With no website, this shop flies under the radar but is well worth a stop for the broad array of discounted hats: fedoras, sun hats, bucket hats, cowboy hats, Irish caps, bowlers, homburgs, boaters, and more made from felt, straw, or fabric. There’s a size and a color for ever yone and the prices are about half what you’d pay online.
2800 N. Reading Rd., Adamstown
717-484-2757
Another large collection of vendors under one roof, Angus Antiques (formerly Stoudt’s Antique Mall) includes similar items to Renniger’s but has a higher ratio of antique furniture. Angus Antiques is in the IronSpire Complex, a renovated shopping complex
3036 N. Reading Rd., Adamstown
Facebook.com/DavesDinerAdamstown
For a quick bite, Dave’s is reasonable and is right across the street from the Bollman Hat Factor y Store.
6 N. Reamstown Rd., Reamstown | Ruralcitybeer.com
For something more adult, visit Rural City just down the road in Reamstown. They have a delightful selection of their own brews, from IPAs to sours to Belgian saisons. The food menu leans toward light fare, including chili, soft pretzels, fries, nachos, and charcuterie.
For more information and a complete list of all the antiques dealers in Adamstown and nearby towns, go to Antiquescapital.com.
Get your comics fix at Renninger ’s
4th Fridays at Elizabeth Farms 4-9pm
Delicious food, seasonal drinks, live music, farm tours, ag junkyard playground & more! Every 4th Friday of the month through October!
4th annual Oktoberfest event
Sunday Sept. 17th 11-4pm
Live music, German-inspired food, festive beer, cocktails, wine & cider Tap takeover featuring Rural City Beer, Reamstown PA w/ German inspired beer
Fall Agritainment
Starting Sept. 29th-Nov. 5th
Corn maze, pick-your-own pumpkin patch, interactive petting zoo, food & family fun.
262 Hopeland Rd • Lititz, PA 17543
717.626.8733 • www.elizabethfarms.com
Check out our upcoming events by visiting ELIZABETHFARMS.COM
Less than 2 hours without stops. 65 miles.
Susquehanna River Loop
I’ll confess that riding a motorcycle in Lancaster County is best in the spring, summer, and fall. But with this past timid winter of no snow, very few cinders were put down on the roadways and I was able to leave the house each month, which helped me avoid the winter blues. This motorcycle loop is one of my favorite local rides and now that summer ’s here, every day is a terrific day to ride the river hills and twisty roads. I’ll list a few places you could stop to take in the natural splendor of Lancaster and York Counties and the Susquehanna River, which connects them both. Keep the shiny side up
The Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal was constructed between 1836 and 1839 for trade between the greater Harrisburg area and the Chesapeake Bay, Lock 12 is one of the best-preser ved historic locks. The ruins of a sawmill with its dam, pond, and millrace are close by, several hundred feet up Anderson’s Run, along with a double lime kiln that has been repaired.
A satellite location of the Susquehannock State Park system, Urey Overlook provides beautiful views of Weise Island, Lake Aldred, and the Safe Harbor Dam on the Susquehanna River. The 193-mile-long Mason-Dixon Trail passes at the viewpoint.
Long Level offers a wonderful boating experience and recreational area for visitors to Lake Clarke. It is a nice stopping point to see boats, kayaks, and other watercraft.
This park, which was established in 2007, rewards visitors with inspiring views of the Susquehanna River The park is traversed by the Mason-Dixon Trail. From the parking lot to the hilltop route is a half mile.
The Columbia Crossing trailhead ser ves as the starting point for the 14-mile Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. The Susquehanna River is crossed between Columbia and Wrightsville by the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The bridge opened on September 30, 1930.
Views from the Turkey Hill Trail are breathtaking. You can stand close to the base of the two Turkey Hill Dair y Windmills during the 6-mile loop
Recently reconstructed (2022), the $9 million dollar bridge is absolutely worth a visit for amazing views of the Susquehanna, the Safe Harbor Dam, and the petroglyph-covered rocks of Big Indian Rock and Little Indian Rock.
My favorite part of the journey is this road. The ride features scenic twists, turns, and cur ves. If you’re hungr y, stop at the Frogtown Cafe in Marticville. If you’re riding, park in the front.
From this spot the Susquehanna River can be seen in all its glor y. Hikers can use the Conestoga Trail to reach Kelly’s Run, Tucquan Glen/Pyfer Nature Preser ves, and other locations from Pinnacle Scenic Overlook. Local hint: If you continue on the Conestoga Trail for a few hundred feet to the north from the overlook, you’ll come to a rock outcropping for one of the best viewpoints.
BY MAGGIE NOON | ILLUSTRATION BY BAILEY WATRO
If you’re a movie or music buff, or just have a lot of random knowledge floating around in your brain, I bet you enjoy trivia. Well, you’re in luck. On any given night in Lancaster County about a dozen restaurants and breweries offer trivia with a side of beer, wings, or whatever kind of munchies you may desire.
There are two main businesses that host trivia in the county, Cheaters Never Prosper (facebook. com/cnptrivia) and Thirsty for Knowledge Trivia (facebook.com/thirstyforknowledgetrivia). You can visit their Facebook pages each day for their weekly schedules and a hint at the theme of the night, or a clue for one of the rounds. I personally choose my trivia spot based on the kind of food and drinks I’m in the mood for, but you could also choose based on your host (I especially recommend Sid and Bill from Thirsty for Knowledge).
If you’re a beer lover, Spring House Brewing Company might be your best choice for a night of fun. This local brewer y has over a dozen beers on tap from pale ales and sours to IPAs and stouts. The menu features appetizers, handhelds and woodfired pizzas which are all made inhouse and delicious. The vibe here is chill and competitive, but in a friendly way, since there are regulars who like to heckle each other Trivia is hosted at their Hazel Street location on Wednesday and at their Taproom on King Street on Tuesday.
Southern Market is probably one of my favorite places to do trivia. It’s a large open space in an historic market building with a central bar There are about a dozen small food stands around the perimeter so ever yone in your party can get what they are in the mood for. The shawarma from Layali El Sham and the pizza from Pizzeria 211 are both top notch, but there are many options ranging from pho to Latin cuisine to sushi, just to name a few. The competition can be tough since you are playing against many other teams. Trivia is hosted there on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday night trivia is followed by karaoke, which could be a whole other fun experience for your visit!
